Meet Stephen Wilson, Our New Pharmacist

BY ANGIE FIELDEN

Solutions Pharmacy has a new addition to our pharmacy team. Help us give a warm welcome to our newest pharmacist, Stephen Wilson, PharmD. He was born and raised in Cleveland, TN, and has lived in the Ooltewah/Apison area since 2002. Stephen graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and then attended Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy. For the past 18 years, he has worked for independently owned community pharmacies, which he firmly believes provide the most welcoming environment in which pharmacists can provide excellent care and truly connect with patients.

For five years prior to joining Solutions, he worked in a compounding pharmacy. When asked why he chose compounding pharmacy, he said, “I believe that compounding pharmacies combine the science of pharmacy with the art of pharmacy. I love the challenge of providing alternative dosage forms to patients who may not benefit from traditional medication. I like being a problem-solver, and a compounding pharmacy allows me to utilize all of the skills I have accumulated in my career to help patients.” Additionally, he is a certified immunizer.

Stephen married his high school sweetheart, Piper, 17 years ago. His lovely wife spends her days as a dental hygienist. The rest of her time is spent caring for their two children—a kindhearted and independent 14-year-old son, Cooper, and a free-spirited 10-yearold daughter, Caroline. When asked about his wife, with a humble grin he said, “She is undoubtedly the kindest, most selfless person I have ever met.” This dynamic duo has planted around 2,000 Christmas trees on their small, family-owned Christmas tree farm. Many of these trees will be mature and ready for Ooltewah families to select the perfect Christmas tree as early as 2022.

The family attends Silverdale Baptist Church and loves hosting a weekly small group in their home. Stephen says, “Our church emphasizes serving the community. Our small group has participated in several service projects. We are currently partnering with Life Spring Community Health, which provides health education, medical services, and community advocacy in urban Chattanooga.” The Wilsons are mission minded as well. Stephen said, “While we were in college, my wife and I went on two medical mission trips to Honduras, and in 2018 our son Cooper participated on a mission trip to Memphis, TN, to help with inner city Vacation Bible School. We plan to go on a mission trip soon as a family.”

We asked Piper about something special she could share with us about Stephen. She replied, “Stephen would give the shirt off his back to anyone at any time. He is a hard worker, whether at work in the pharmacy as a professional or on our farm grooming the trees to create the most perfectly shaped Christmas trees.” She also stated, “He loves sports of all kinds and really loves to laugh and have a good time.” Piper credited Stephen’s parents for teaching her husband that laughter was the best medicine.

Solutions Pharmacy is blessed to have hired such a well-rounded, caring, and intelligent man as our sixth pharmacist. Please stop by our pharmacy to visit and to greet Stephen.

(Article posted in Ooltewah Living March 2020)