Zac Frye a graduate of Sullivan Central High School and East Tennessee State Universitys Bill Gatton School of Pharmacy, is scheduled to appear today on the The Dr. Oz Show.
Frye, who is now pharmacy manager at Walmart in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, learned that he would travel to New York to appear on the TV show when he participated in a corporate conference call with Paul Beahm, Walmarts senior vice president of health and wellness.
It was really neat to learn that I had earned the opportunity to appear on the show and to also talk to some of the people that give us excellent, excellent leadership, Frye said by phone Monday.
Frye and his team participated in an immunization clinic in October to kick off an open enrollment for Medicare part D. Through their marketing efforts, the Oak Ridge pharmacy held the second most successful clinic in the company. His supervisors encouraged him to submit a short essay to the show for an opportunity to represent Walmart.
My essay basically included how we planned for the immunization event and how my staff members, technicians and other pharmacists partnered with businesses so we could take care of their employees. We advertised at several coffee shops, restaurants and in the local paper, Frye said.
He said he didnt actually speak with anyone from the show until he was in New York City. But once at the studio, the staff made sure his clothes were neatly pressed and they prepped him for several hours.
It was real experience trying to remember all of the key points of what I was talking about. Dr. Oz was fantastic to work with, he has a way of making you feel very comfortable, hes very personable, Frye said.
The segment was filmed Jan. 16 in front of a live audience. Frye said that was pretty stressful because he only got one take and what he taped was a promotional spot for Spring Valley, a vitamin brand exclusive to Walmart.
Fryes parents live in Florida and he said that they are very excited and have the DVR set.
He also called Dean Larry Calhoun from the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy and told him of the appearance.
Hes pretty sure Im going to be famous, but I dont think thats the case, Frye said. I just hope that ETSU and Central alumni are proud. I want to represent our schools well; I hope I did that.
TChildress@bristolnews.com | 276-645-2512 | Twitter@TChildressBHC