STARS IN THE SKY VALLEY: A pharmacist with a mission

By Valeria Rae

Greg Hovander isn't just another pharmacist. This innovative and caring professional has been providing the Sky Valley community with a broad range of services since 1981.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, Greg eagerly offers over-the-counter consultation to those who seek more information about their medications, as well as one-hour appointments at minimal cost, in which folks can ask questions about allopathic and natural products, how they work, how they interact with each other and how to decrease cost.

Greg says with the deluge of information and online products available these days, there is a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding, which he strives to clarify, with the goal of improving the effectiveness of treatments and ultimately, consumer health.-á

Greg is also a mycologist (a mushroom specialist). He began studying mushrooms on a grant while in pharmacy school. At that time, he was considering whether to go into research or traditional pharmacy. The one-year experience not only provided an education in mycology and gave him an abiding interest in mushrooms and other wild edibles, but it steered him away from the more isolating field of research and toward a preference of directly interfacing with the public.

Greg shares his wealth of knowledge about the natural world with students of all kinds, such as through lectures at Sultan High School and to mycological associations in the Pacific Northwest. He also offers a nature hike twice a year in spring and autumn, where he teaches how to identify edible and medicinal plants and mushrooms, as well as the ones to avoid. The outing includes a lunch prepared with the tasty vittles picked along the trail.

Greg's expert and diverse contributions to his community earned him the prestigious 2015 Bowl of Hygiea award, which is sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. The award is given to those who provide outstanding dedication and community service.

The following is an excerpt from the award ceremony. After graduation from University of Washington, "Greg began his career in Eastern Washington where he started the first Class A pharmacy for the Community Health Clinic and implemented clinical pharmacy services for the Farm Workers Family Health Center in Toppenish, WA. Greg served migrant as well as local Hispanic farm workers and expanded pharmacy services to numerous clinics in Central WA.

After moving to Monroe, Greg initiated pharmacy services for the State Special Offenders Center and the Monroe Family Practice Health Clinic. He was instrumental in introducing generic substitution and providing translation for Spanish speaking patients in the areaGÇ¥.

Greg also extended his expertise to the East County Senior Center, where he presented talks on insurance and medication and how to maximize product efficiency and find less expensive options. As a member of the board of directors, Greg assisted in securing the senior center's new location, to where it sits today.

In 1995, Greg designed and opened a pharmacy in Sultan. Today, Sultan Pharmacy & Natural Care provides standard pharmaceuticals as well as natural health supplements.-á

When asked about his philosophy regarding his work, Greg said he feels that individuals are the most qualified to take control of their health: they know themselves like nobody else can and have the most to win or lose from healthcare decisions. Instead of relying only on health professionals, folks need to take the initiative and educate themselves on their conditions, medications and the other available treatment options. To live longer, happier lives, he encourages people to adopt the attitude of learners, rather than being passive receivers from the health system.

Greg identifies himself as a specialist in the integration of various interventions strategies, including allopathic medicine, natural approaches, diet and exercise, which all can contribute to optimal health. Greg feels the future will see more sharing and integration between disciplines along the lines of the Asian model of health care.

Greg loves being his own boss. It has allowed him to design his business and services to meet the needs of his community and engage in active dialogue with his customers. He enjoys seeing improvement in folks' wellbeing and to have the opportunity to give back to his community.

A nature enthusiast and avid hiker, Greg can be found on the trails whenever he gets some time in his busy schedule. Each year, he undertakes a five-day backpacking trip in the mountains, where he reconnects with the earth and appreciates the abundance of what God provides.

During these breaks from the demands of his practice, Greg has the experience of "life falling into place.GÇ¥

He recognizes how little we really need in order to be healthy and happy and that caring for one another is life's priority, which serves as his model for how we should always treat each other.