Janet Bade and Barb Anliker have a combined 76 years of experience in pharmacy. It goes without saying that their presence will be greatly missed at Eagle Grove Pharmacy as they begin the next chapter of their life – retirement. Both of these women worked their last official day on Tuesday, June 30.
Bade has been a pharmacist for 36 years, working first with her father at his store, Blakestade Drug in Humboldt, and then the last 20 working with Eagle Grove Pharmacy owner Mickey Cooper.
“She’s pretty much been my rock,” said Cooper.
She explained that Bade started as part-time help, but as the pharmacy got busier and busier, Bade came to her one day and said, “Mickey, you need me full time.” Cooper admits that she was worried whether or not such a new business could fiscally handle a full-time employee, but Bade helped convince her to take that leap of faith.
“We did it and it was the best thing in my life,” Cooper said.
As a pharmacist, Bade said she has seen many changes in the field over the years, but the most obvious would have to be how insurance is handled. While that could pose to be a bit frustrating at times, it was offset with the opportunity to work with the public. In fact, one of her favorite parts about the job was dealing with such a wide variety of people – different age groups, education levels, backgrounds, etc.
“I got to know some of them quite well after taking care of them for so many years,” said Bade. “I will miss that.”
Bade said she will also especially miss her co-workers. Since she and her husband live in Humboldt, she realizes she probably won’t have many opportunities to just run into them. But she plans to do her best to keep in touch. One way she will be able to do that is by returning to work from time-to-time.
Cooper is happy that Bade, who renewed her pharmacy license, has agreed to come in and help out at the pharmacy when needed – like if someone is on vacation.
Bade said she will miss working with and for Cooper.
“Mickey has been great to work for. We’ve always gotten along very well…she always listened to what I had to say…and respected my input, and I appreciate that,” she said.
Cooper agreed, saying that they have very similar practice style.
“Janet is very easy to get along with,” said Cooper. “We had a great working relationship.”
Bade also wants the community of Eagle Grove and surrounding areas to know how much she enjoyed helping them and being part of their health-care team. Along with that, she also has appreciated the working relationships with the doctors offices and staff.
“They’re great. You just pick up the phone and ask…they’ve always been very helpful,” Bade noted.
She is looking forward to spending retirement with her husband. They are hoping they will be able to eventually do some traveling post COVID.
Barb Anliker is originally from Long Island, New York, but when she met and married a farm boy from Northwest Iowa who was also a pharmacist, they both came back to Iowa to practice. Anliker has 40 years in the business, working a little more than the last four at Eagle Grove Pharmacy after meeting Cooper at a compounding conference in Las Vegas, Nev. It all happened one day after that chance meeting when Anliker called up Cooper and said something to the effect of “I want you to buy my business and then I want to come work for you.” Cooper had been wanting to add and researching compounding, so she took Anliker up on her offer.
“She’s been a nice addition (to Eagle Grove Pharmacy),” said Cooper. “She’s good with the students (who come to Eagle Grove Pharmacy for the Preceptor program)…she practices at a very high level…she has a good rapport with thy physicians…and she’s very fun to work with.”
Anliker has been compounding (which she describes as original pharmacy) for 20 years but she has also spent some time in refill hospital consulting, Hospice, and worked in general pharmacy. She said some of her most rewarding work has come from working with Hospice patients and families.
“When you can help families and patients transition more comfortably…it’s rewarding,” she said.
Like Bade, Anliker said she has seen many changes in the pharmacy field over the years. One she is happiest with is beneficial to the customers.
“There are a lot more safeguards in place today to prevent errors,” she said.
As a compounder, Anliker said her purpose was to make personalized medication. An example might be for someone who is allergic to an ingredient, or maybe an infant cardiac patient who needs a liquid med rather than a pill.
Anliker has been looking forward to retirement to be able to spend more time with her grandkids and sister, but she will also miss what she is leaving behind. Her favorite part of her job was working with the staff at Eagle Grove Pharmacy. What she will not miss…the hour drive from Emmetsburg three days a week, but she said it was worth it.
“Mickey has been a wonderful boss,” she said. “…and she always says family comes first.”
Although not returning as a pharmacist, Anliker has also agreed to come back to Eagle Grove Pharmacy on a consultant basis. She will be working with the Preceptor student program as well as provider visits.
“I am very pleased about that,” concluded Cooper.
She also stated that there will still be three fulltime pharmacists on staff at Eagle Pharmacy – herself, Andrew Wagner, and Denise Ricklefs.
