Prescription for Community
Staff at the Exchange District Pharmacy are coming out from behind the counter and into the community.
Owner Ryan Chan, 34, said being a pharmacist is more than dispensing medications. “We’re there as an advocate,” he said. In downtown Winnipeg, that means meeting people where they’re at. It can be as straightforward as offering a healthy snack from the supply the clinic keeps on hand for hungry visitors, to supporting larger events that promote healthy communities.
The pharmacy is currently collecting winter clothing for Agape Table. In the past, they’ve set up bake sales, lemonade stands and paint night fundraisers for community organizations. On a larger scale, the pharmacy hosted a health fair and barbecue this fall along with Lighthouse Mission. Professionals from a variety of medical fields including pharmacists, family physicians, nurses, certified diabetes educators, and nutritionists came together to answer questions and provide advice at the Main Street shelter.
Daniel Emond is a board member with Lighthouse Mission. “We could never do what we do without local business support,” he said. From the time the mission started in 1911, their goal has been to provide for people’s needs, from good food and clothing to caring for both physical and spiritual health.
The informal setting for the event at the mission was key to starting conversations with people who don’t always have access to comprehensive health care, said Chan. Communication and collaboration are core values for the pharmacy, but more simply it’s about putting yourselves in someone else’s shoes.
“No one wants to live on the streets. It’s tough when you don’t have ID or a (Manitoba Health) card. We’ve gotten to know some good people. They all have their own stories.”
Chan, who grew up in The Maples neighbourhood of Winnipeg, said he sees the kind of community he had growing up there emerging in the Exchange. “I’ve lived here for 10 years and it’s slowly improving. There’s a lot of potential here.”
As an owner and entrepreneur, he’s ready to grow The Exchange District Pharmacy based on relationships and accessible, personalized service. Building relationships begins with ‘What can we do to help?’” and goes from there, he said.
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Exchange District Pharmacy
