Mast Pharmacy owner loves role in small community

  • By Mark Weaver
  • March 4, 2010
  • 877
                        
Rod Mast can’t talk about Mast Pharmacy without extolling the values of the small community he has served for most of 30 years. “We appreciate so much the people that support us,” Mast said. “Our community has been blessed beyond anything I’ve seen anyplace in my travels.” The pharmacy’s hometown owner is committed to hometown service even as chain pharmacies and online competition grows. One of the big goals for Mast Pharmacy in 2010 is a way to give back, to serve the community in a manner that may seem counter-intuitive. “We plan to offer from each of our stores a series of wellness clinics in a community setting,” Mast said. “Our goal is not just to treat diseases, but to offer preventive care.” He plans to address four health issues in these free clinics; high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and weight control. The weight loss clinics will be followed by a more comprehensive program available for a moderate cost. One of the key differences in Mast’s plan is mentoring. A coach will do follow-up calls to check on progress and to answer any questions. Mast feels this gives the average person a much better chance of success, not just in weight loss, but in life. “When you’re overweight, so much of your life is affected. When you lose weight, you feel better physically, you feel better mentally, and you relate to other people better.” Mast’s appreciation for his community shows in the level of service he and his staff are committed to provide. “You’re going to a place where the people know you, and care about you. We’re trying to provide services that just aren’t available anyplace else.” These include a delivery service, as well as 24-hour service for Hospice and local group homes. He stressed the importance of his friendly, caring staff, many of them local people who have been with Mast Pharmacy for 10-25 years. With a common history, there seems to be a deeper sense of responsibility. Prompt and accurate prescription service is a given, but it’s with a more personal touch than you would expect elsewhere. Mast sees a better way to reduce health costs. “People may think our goal is that everybody takes as many prescriptions as they can. But our goal is that people take as few prescriptions as they need to, and take them the right way.” This, he said, can minimize hospital stays and, in turn, reduce insurance costs and overall health care costs. Besides their first store in Berlin, Mast Pharmacy also has stores in Millersburg, Shreve and Wooster. In each of these communities, the business adheres to the same values, while responding to individual small town needs. Mast explained that a simple change to adapt to local needs may take a chain pharmacy months or years, while an independent pharmacy can respond within weeks to the specific needs of their community. Mast discussed the nationwide decline in the number of small, independent pharmacies. A young pharmacist just can’t put up the money required to open his own business; it’s easier and more lucrative to work for a chain pharmacy. But you lose the personal touch, and the ability to adjust to the individual needs of a community. “We just want to remain an active, vital part of the community we serve.”


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