Stephens Pharmacy celebrates 30 years
Press Release
October 2022 – Independent pharmacy and medical equipment supplier, Stephens Pharmacy/Northeast Med-Equip, is celebrating their 30th anniversary. The business started with three employees delivering home medical equipment in 1992 and is celebrating significant growth over the past three decades. “We are delighted to mark this milestone with our community and our co-workers who are dedicated to caring for our friends and neighbors throughout Northeastern, PA,” said Judy Stephens, president and co-founder.
The business had a modest start in a small storefront on a side street in downtown Honesdale, PA. The small staff had a goal to help people with medical challenges who preferred to stay in their own homes. “Tina Smith- Augello handled customer service, Joan Spry processed billing and Todd Kinzinger was our delivery tech,” Stephens recalls. “Wayne (Stephens, Sr.) worked across the street as a pharmacist and during those early days, spent most nights and weekends building the business.”
An opportunity to create a better pharmacy experience
While the medical equipment business continued to expand, the idea of a retail pharmacy became a reality. In pursuit of a closer working relationship with patients, their son, Wayne R. Stephens, left a chain pharmacy and joined the burgeoning business. At the same time, their daughter-in-law, Heather Nearing-Stephens, PharmD, was graduating from pharmacy school. “We saw an opportunity to create a better pharmacy experience for our community and being independent gave us the freedom to care for people first and foremost,” remembers Wayne R. Stephens, RPh., now Director of Pharmacy and Vice President of the company. Today, the business is in the hands of the second generation with Wayne, Heather, Paige Stephens Corso (sister) and Todd Stephens (brother) all active in day-to-day operations. Still headquartered in downtown Honesdale, the business features a full retail pharmacy and medical equipment showroom and provides a variety of services including vaccinations and onsite CPAP fittings.
Wayne Sr.’s philosophy was “find a reason to say ‘YES’”. This ideal is paramount to the growing staff who continue to serve the needs of their customers throughout the region. “Our team has endured multiple challenges through the years and has never wavered on their commitment to our customers,” said Todd Stephens, Chief Operating Officer. “It’s an honor to work alongside such amazing people who are fully committed to giving our customers the very best service and experience available, anywhere.”