Trailblazers Podcast

Episode 23: Realistic Opportunist – Randy McDonough

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with IPA President Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy, and Randy McDonough, CEO and Co-owner of Towncrest Pharmacy Corporation, as well as the 2025-2026 President of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). Randy shares his path to healthcare, his early innovations and accomplishments, and his presidency year reflections so far.
Randy McDonough, PharmD, MS, BCGP, BCPS, FAPhA, is the CEO and Co-owner of Towncrest Pharmacy Corporation, as well as a Professor of Pharmacy Management and Innovation at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy. Dr. McDonough is board-certified in geriatrics and as a pharmacotherapy specialist. His areas of interest include community-based outcomes research, student development, residency training, geriatrics, new business models for service delivery, and developing and implementing patient care services.
Dr. McDonough is a member of the American Pharmacists Association, National Community Pharmacists Association, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the Iowa Pharmacists Association, and he has served in various roles in these organizations. Dr. McDonough has been recognized nationally for his work, receiving the APhA Daniel B. Smith Award, NCPA Independent Pharmacist of the Year, IPA Innovative Pharmacist of the Year, and Parata’s Lifetime Achievement, Entrepreneurial, and Patient Care Pharmacist of the Year Awards.
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Randy McDonough
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

Episode 22: Freedom to Make Decisions, Freedom to Make Mistakes – Greg Johansen

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with IPA President Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy, and Greg Johansen, founder and former president of GRX Holdings, to discuss his early exposure to pharmacy, his leadership style, and his confidence in the next generation of pharmacists.
Gregory J. Johansen, BS Pharm, is a registered pharmacist, entrepreneur, and senior executive with more than four decades of experience in community pharmacy and franchise operations. He is the founder and former president of GRX Holdings, LLC, which operates multiple retail, compounding, and long-term care pharmacies in central Iowa. Greg has also held senior leadership roles with Medicap Pharmacies and Medicine Shoppe International, a Cardinal Health subsidiary, where he led national operations, franchise support, and Medicare Part D preparedness. Known for thoughtful leadership and decisive execution, he has been recognized with Drake University’s Weaver Medal, the MPI Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and was named IPA’s Legislative Champion in 2022.
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Greg Johansen
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

Episode 21: Farm to Pharm Kids – Andrew Wagner

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with IPA President Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy, and Andrew Wagner, owner of Wagner Drug, to discuss his path to pharmacy ownership, managing the family calendar, opportunities under standard of care, and reinventing independent community pharmacy.
Andrew Wagner, PharmD, owns Wagner Drug in Eagle Grove and Britt, Iowa, and has been an active member of IPA since starting pharmacy school at Drake University in 2013. At Drake, Andrew was heavily involved with the local NCPA chapter and part of multiple chapter submissions for the national business plan competition. As a practitioner, Andrew is a passionate advocate for the profession, serving several years on IPA’s Legislative Committee and taking part in many advocacy days at the capitol. He precepts students from Drake University CPHS and gives lectures on campus about pharmacy ownership, earning Drake’s APPE Preceptor of the Year award in 2023-2024.  Additionally, Andrew is the Vice President of the Wright County Public Health Board and is heavily involved in his community and church, holding multiple leadership positions on various committees and boards.
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

Episode 20: With Dissatisfaction Comes Opportunity – Tracy Weber

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with IPA President Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy, and Tracy Weber, Clinical Concierge Pharmacist at Integrity Pharmaceutical Advisors, to discuss her path to pharmacy and consulting, fighting impostor syndrome, prioritizing family, and more!
Tracy Weber, PharmD, BCACP, is a Clinical Concierge Pharmacist at Integrity Pharmaceutical Advisors, where she’s responsible for providing personalized pharmaceutical care to clients. Prior to her current role, Tracy was the owner of True Wellness Pharmacy Consulting. Tracy earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Following pharmacy school, she completed PGY1 and PGY2 residencies in ambulatory care at the University of Iowa Health Care, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work in the healthcare industry.
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Tracy Weber
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

Episode 19: The Power of Positivity – Dana McDougall

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with IPA President Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy, and Dana McDougall, a hematology/oncology pharmacist at MercyOne Waterloo Cancer Treatment Center. Dana shares his path to oncology pharmacy, his passion for fighting Alzheimer's disease, and his Mount Rushmore of professional wrestlers.
Dana McDougall, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, earned his PharmD from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2011. He has since achieved board certifications in pharmacotherapy (2012) and oncology (2023). Dana served as the Chair of the Policy Committee on Professional Affairs in 2025 and has been actively involved with IPA since 2014. Dana was a 2015 graduate of the Decker-Temple Leadership Pharmacy Conference. He currently serves as a preceptor for University of Iowa College of Pharmacy students and is a course instructor for third-year pharmacy students’ integrated pharmacotherapy hematology and oncology course. 
Outside of his professional pursuits, Dana co-founded Battle for Betsy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for Alzheimer’s disease research. He has served as Vice President of the organization since 2021. Dana lives in Hudson, IA, with his wife, Rachel, and their three children.
Learn more:
Website: Battle for Betsy
Facebook: Battle for Betsy
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Dana McDougall
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

Episode 18: Leap of Faith – Mylo Wells

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with IPA President Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy, and Mylo Wells, pharmacist and owner of Wells Hometown Drug, to discuss his passion for community pharmacy, his innovative plans under the standard of care framework, his family’s support, and more!
Mylo Wells, PharmD, is a 2018 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. An entrepreneur from a young age, Mylo owns two community pharmacies in Bloomfield and Keosauqua, IA. Both of his pharmacies are members of the CPESN network and are focused on providing clinical pharmacy services to the rural communities of southeastern Iowa. Mylo was recognized as Cardinal Health’s 2022 Future Ready Pharmacist of the Year, as well as IPA’s 2022 Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year. His pharmacy was recognized as a Small Business of the Week by Senator Joni Ernst in 2024. Mylo is a current IPA Board member and active member of NCPA. He and his wife, Jackie, have two young boys, Freddie and Isaiah.
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

Episode 17: Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up – Jennifer Simmons

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with IPA President Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy, and Jennifer Simmons, Pharmacy Coordinator at MercyOne, to discuss her start in pharmacy, the value of professional engagement, and the key to keeping succulents alive!  
Jennifer Simmons, CPhT, CMA, has over fifteen years of experience in the healthcare field, serving as a dedicated pharmacy technician since 2014. Jennifer is passionate about improving patient access to essential medications and advocating for comprehensive pharmacy services. She works closely with and supports healthcare professionals to help strengthen collaboration across healthcare teams. Jennifer is an active IPA member committed to advocating for fellow pharmacy technicians and advancing pharmacy’s role in patient-centered care.
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Jennifer Simmons
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

Episode 16: Full Steam Ahead – Wes Pilkington

During this episode of the Trailblazers Podcast, IPA CEO Matt Pitlick sits down with Wes Pilkington, Pharmacist in Charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy and IPA’s 147th President, to discuss his path to community pharmacy, his goals for the association, his favorite golfers and more!
Wes Pilkington, PharmD, is the pharmacist owner of Evans Crossing Pharmacy in Evansdale, IA. Wes earned his PharmD from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2011. An active member of IPA since 2014, Wes’ involvement includes: serving on the IPA Board of Trustees (2024 Speaker of the House), Iowa Medicaid/Pharmacy Benefits Manager Committee, Legislative Committee, Behavioral Health Ad-Hoc Committee, and Policy Committee of Professional Affairs. Wes was awarded the Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year Award in 2019 and was one of the recipients of the Poster Presentation Award in 2020. Wes and his wife, Sarah, live in Cedar Falls with their three children.
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Matthew Pitlick
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Watch for a new episode of the Trailblazers Podcast each month. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!