Lakeside Medicine Centre Pharmacy has served for five decades and still growing

The year 2023 marks a special anniversary for Lakeside Medicine Centre Pharmacy.

It is celebrating its 50th birthday.

To celebrate its golden anniversary, Lakeside is looking back at its first five decades, which started out as a small, family-owned pharmacy and has grown into a trusted centre for health, wellness and pharmaceuticals in Kelowna.

1973: Where it all began

Ronald Waller opened Lakeside Pharmacy in 1973 with his business partner and friend, Fred Behrner. Waller’s wife, Wendy Waller, managed the books.

Their collective dream was a patient-first pharmacy that operated on a philosophy of care. Their growth over the next few decades would prove there was a need in the Okanagan community that Lakeside was successfully fulfilling.

Ownership changes and growth

In 1992, Greg Andreen became a partner and would stay at Lakeside until his recent retirement in 2022. The addition of Andreen to the team was reflective of the growth the pharmacy was experiencing. Lakeside was quickly becoming one of the most trusted places in the Okanagan Valley to fill prescriptions, get advice from pharmacists and access important health-care services not easily available elsewhere.

In 1998, the Wallers’ son, Chris, took on an ownership role. At the same time, both of the original founders stepped down, confident in Andreen and Chris Waller’s ability to continue their vision for the pharmacy for decades to come.

A third partner, Graham Foster, joined them in 2016, and the three have continued to grow the pharmacy’s services and practice.

Growing to offer unique, community-driven care

Serving the Okanagan community has always been Lakeside Medicine Centre Pharmacy’s top priority. When wound care and ostomy nurse Pam Mayor joined the team in 2006, the pharmacy was able to expand its services even further to help fill the gaps in the local health-care system.

Under Mayor’s leadership, Lakeside’s nursing services have continued to grow over the years, allowing community members access to specialized care they might otherwise face challenges in receiving.

Today, with the scope of practice for pharmacists in B.C. expanding, the pharmacy is looking forward to continuing to serve the community even better.

How can Lakeside Medicine Centre Pharmacy help you?

Whether you’re a long time patient at Lakeside or have never set foot in the door, the team hopes to continue to serve you for decades to come. If you’re curious about how the Lakeside difference can help you with your health and wellness, get in touch today.

A look through the last 50 years at Lakeside Medicine Centre Pharmacy ...