Corner Drug is the oldest business in its original establishment in Marshall County. Margaret Miller has been working at Corner Drug as a pharmacist since 2004. She became part owner in 2008 and full owner in 2016.
Miller grew up in Madill, Okla. and graduated from Madill High school. She left for college then came back to work for her uncle, Calvin Harkins, as a pharmacist. She said that being a pharmacist was not her original plan.
“I originally obtained an animal science degree at Murray State College but after working as a technician for my uncle Calvin, I decided last minute to apply for Pharmacy School,” Miller said. “My dad could tell I was not hundred percent happy with the major I had selected and convinced me that even if I had a degree in a completely opposite field, I needed to pursue the path that God was pulling me towards. My parents, sister and uncle were my biggest supporters throughout my pharmacy career.”
She earned the title, Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, from Southwestern Oklahoma State University school of Pharmacy in Weatherford, Okla.
She said her family is her biggest success.
“I am so blessed with an amazing husband and four incredible kids. I am married to Chris Miller and have four amazing kids; Ben, a Freshman, Maddie an eighth grader, Chloe a sixth grader and my youngest, Macy, who is in the fourth grade. When I’m not working, I am chasing kids to and from school events. Watching them grow and being active in their life is very important to me.”
With that being said, she finds her biggest challenge is balancing being a wife, mom, and business owner, making sure she prioritizes her time.
“It is hard on a momma’s heart to miss events and school functions b/c you are working. Finding the right balance of work and time with my family is my hardest struggle.”
As a pharmacist, she oversees the filling of prescriptions, does final checks, checks the drug interactions, gives over the counter recommendations, dose medications for patients, immunizations, diabetic training, compounds medications and does hormone therapy consults. Now, as the business owner, she dabbles in Human Resources, Contracting and any other title that comes from owning your own business. This consists of her making schedules for the employees, contracts with insurance companies, credentialing for specialized services, payroll and tons of other bookkeeping task. All this keeps her busy to say the least.
The pharmacy offers prescription medications, over the counter medications, compounding medications, medication therapy management, saliva testing, immunizations, pre-Diabetic classes, Diabetes management classes, delivery service and multiple gift lines.
Growing up, she remember visiting Corner Drug with her dad to drink coffee. Her uncle, Calvin Harkins, worked for the owner, George Smith.
“I grew up watching both of them helping people. I also grew up with a close friend whose dad, Dewayne Wellman, owned the other drug store in town. All three of these men showed me what it was to be a great pharmacist. How it takes more than college, but a love for people and a heart to help. I am so thankful for all three of these men and what they have each showed and taught me over the years. They are the corner stones of how I run my pharmacy today.”
Margaret said she has an incredible group of women that work for her and whom she is very appreciative for.
“I also want to take this time to say that I am happy that I have a staff that provides a family atmosphere at work. The girls I have on staff go the extra mile to help take care of our patients. We always say we want out patients to feel like family. They can come in and know that we are going to do our best to take care of them. Each one of my employees shares the same goal. It takes more than a pharmacist to make a pharmacy run and they each are a huge player in making Corner Drug a pharmacy patients know and trust.”
She proudly claimed her patients as her inspiration. “My patients inspire my work. The Pharmacy is expanding and growing in the variety of services we can offer. I get excited when I can offer a service that patients can obtain here in Madill and not have to drive out of town.”
Miller said she isn’t sure if she would do anything different if given the chance.
“I don’t know that I would have done much differently. I am firm believer in God puts you exactly where you need to be at the time you need to be there. I tend to not argue with the Big Man.”
She advises budding pharmacists to always be ready for change.
“The world of pharmacy seems to be changing daily. You must be prepared to stay up to date with new information and evolve as a pharmacist. Don’t be afraid to step out of the boxed label of pharmacist and invest your time in services and opportunities that have not been offered before.”