Board Member Spotlight: Shahida Choudhry, Palms Pharmacy

Independent pharmacy was not an immediate calling for Shahida. Early in her career, the work felt disconnected from its impact. That perspective shifted once she began working directly with patients and recognized how much difference a pharmacist could make through thoughtful care.

As Shahida explains, “I didn’t like pharmacy in the beginning, but once I started my internships, I realized how much impact we could actually have.” That realization reframed how she viewed her role and the responsibility that comes with it.

She often describes that moment simply. “I realized I could affect people’s lives without poking them or getting blood on myself. That’s when it clicked.”

From that point forward, pharmacy became less about transactions and more about understanding how medications fit into a patient’s real life.

One patient experience continues to stand out. A patient with multiple sclerosis was struggling with extreme fatigue and relied on medications throughout the day just to function. Shahida reviewed the patient’s medication profile, identified interactions, and adjusted the timing of therapies. Without adding new medications, the patient regained energy, discontinued unnecessary daytime stimulants, and experienced a noticeable improvement in quality of life.

Reflecting on cases like this, Shahida often says that meaningful outcomes come from paying attention. It is not always about adding more therapy, but about understanding what is already there and making it work better for the patient.

As her career progressed, Shahida began to feel the strain that many pharmacists recognize. Long hours, missed family moments, and limited control over care decisions created tension between professional responsibility and personal sustainability.

“At one point, I felt like I was missing everything,” she shared, referring to evenings and weekends spent away from family.

Moving to part time work provided flexibility, but it did not solve the deeper issue. Shahida wanted continuity with her patients and ownership over how care was delivered. “I like having roots,” she explains. “I like taking care of my patients.”

Encouraged by patients who trusted her care and urged her to open her own pharmacy, Shahida took the leap into ownership. When the opportunity arose to open in a location supported by her community, she acted.

The Palms Pharmacy was built with intention. From day one, it was designed to be personal, flexible, and rooted in respect for both patients and staff. Shahida created a culture where team members are encouraged to speak up, improve workflows, and grow beyond rigid roles.

“My staff is invested here,” she says. “They know their voices matter, and if something can work better, we try it.”

That approach has fueled steady growth, expanding from a small team to nearly thirty employees while maintaining the personal connection that defines the pharmacy.

Shahida does not sugarcoat the reality facing independent pharmacy owners. Cash flow challenges, delayed PBM payments, and shrinking margins influence daily decisions and long-term planning.

“It’s a new year, and there’s always a new problem,” she notes. Each year brings different pressures, and staying viable requires constant awareness and the willingness to make difficult calls.

Despite these challenges, Shahida believes disengagement is not an option. “You can’t just put your head down and hope it works out,” she says. Staying informed and involved is part of protecting the business and the profession.

Shahida’s relationship with IPC began more than a decade before The Palms Pharmacy opened. At a time when others questioned whether she could succeed as an owner, IPC offered education and support without hesitation.

“IPC was welcoming from the beginning,” she recalls. “They invested in me before I ever opened.”

That early exposure helped her understand the financial and operational realities of ownership long before she unlocked her doors. Over time, her involvement deepened, eventually leading to board service.

Today, Shahida brings a practicing owner’s perspective to IPC leadership. She engages regularly with IPC resources to stay informed and grounded. The Dose serves as a reliable weekly overview of industry developments. IPC’s Government Relations work reshaped how she views advocacy and the power of individual voices. The IPC Warehouse provides additional flexibility for pricing and availability shift.

“These tools aren’t optional,” Shahida says. “They help you stay afloat.”

Shahida has also been recognized nationally through the Pharmacy 50 Awards, earning a spot on the list for multiple consecutive years. While she is proud of the recognition, she views it less as a personal achievement and more as a signal that independent pharmacy leadership is being seen and heard. As a minority female pharmacy owner, she understands the importance of representation and visibility in shaping the future of the profession. For Shahida, the recognition reinforces her responsibility to keep showing up, pushing for progress, and using her platform to advocate for independent pharmacy owners and the patients they serve.

Shahida’s advice to fellow pharmacy owners is direct and grounded in experience. Stay curious. Keep learning. Do not accept the first no.

“You have to keep learning,” she emphasizes. “You can’t stop.”

She believes sustainability comes from engagement, not isolation. Owners who continue to educate themselves, ask questions, and stay connected to organizations advocating on their behalf are better positioned to adapt.

Shahida remains cautiously optimistic about the future of independent pharmacy. Legislative momentum offers hope for relief and the opportunity to reinvest in staff, training, and expanded services.

“I just want us to be able to breathe a little,” she says. “Then we can reinvest in what matters.”

For The Palms Pharmacy, the future includes continued growth, new clinical initiatives, and deeper investment in the infrastructure that supports both patients and employees.

Her story is not about perfection or ease. It is about intention.

Independent pharmacy survives when owners protect the parts of the profession that cannot be automated, rushed, or outsourced. It survives when pharmacists stay engaged, informed, and committed to doing the work that matters.

That is the work Shahida Choudhry continues to do every day.