Pharmacy Plus creates new scholarship

Recently, longtime Gatton College of Pharmacy benefactors David and Betty Jo Pesterfield signed a memorandum of understanding to create the Pharmacy Plus Community Pharmacy Scholarship and Travel Endowment. The fund was created by Pharmacy Plus to provide support for deserving Gatton student pharmacists with either scholarship funds or travel assistance to Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) and/or National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) meetings. Also in attendance at the signing ceremony were local pharmacists, and Gatton supporters, Dr. Alan and Mary Lynn Corley and Dr. Eddie and Dot Rowe.

“Betty Jo and I have always been passionate about supporting Gatton College of Pharmacy and its students,” said Pesterfield, “and this new endowment is a way for us to ensure that support continues for perpetuity. Words cannot express how thrilled we are to make this a reality.”

Pharmacy Plus was established in 1996 in Maryville by David Pesterfield, a wholesale drug industry professional. David recognized the marketplace pressures faced by independent community pharmacies and sought to use his expertise, insights, and professional relationships to address these challenges. According to David, Pharmacy Plus exists to give community pharmacies cost-effective access to the products, tools, people, and information needed to compete in today's health care market. He added that it has always been a goal of Pharmacy Plus to enhance professional development for Gatton student pharmacists.

“We are very grateful for David and the work he has done for community pharmacies through Pharmacy Plus,” said Dr. Debbie Byrd, dean of the college. “We also greatly appreciate the new endowed fund that Pharmacy Plus has created. I am confident it will be a tremendous asset for our students for many years to come.”