IPC Member Spotlight: Andes Health Mart Pharmacy
For Chip Andes, independent pharmacy has never been about filling prescriptions. It has always been about serving people.
That philosophy has guided every chapter of his career, from his earliest days as a pharmacist to building Andes Health Mart Pharmacy into one of the most respected community pharmacies in southern Illinois. It is also one of the reasons IPC recognized the pharmacy as its 2026 Most Valuable Pharmacy.
Located in Effingham, Illinois, Andes Health Mart Pharmacy has earned a reputation for doing the things that matter most in community pharmacy: knowing patients personally, investing in staff, embracing innovation, and remaining committed to exceptional care no matter how challenging the industry becomes.
Chip & Michael Andes holding MVP Award
A Vision Years in the Making
Long before he became a pharmacy owner, Chip knew he wanted to work in pharmacy. As early as high school, the profession was on his radar. Ownership, however, felt much farther away.
After graduating, Chip worked in both independent and chain pharmacy settings, gaining valuable experience and learning what kind of pharmacist he wanted to become. While he appreciated the opportunities each role provided, he found himself increasingly drawn toward a patient-centered approach to pharmacy.
Over time, that vision became clearer.
He wanted to create a pharmacy where relationships mattered, where patient care drove decisions, and where pharmacists had the freedom to do what was right for the people they served. Eventually, that desire led him to take a leap of faith and build something of his own.
Today, that vision lives on through Andes Health Mart Pharmacy.
Creating the Best Possible Patient Experience
When people talk about Andes Health Mart Pharmacy, they often mention the welcoming atmosphere, the convenience, and the level of personal attention they receive. None of that happened by accident.
In May 2025, the pharmacy celebrated the grand opening of its new location, a project that represented years of planning and investment. For Chip, the move was never simply about having a newer building. It was about creating the best possible experience for patients from the moment they arrived.
The new location gave him the opportunity to address challenges that had existed at the previous site and build a pharmacy around accessibility and convenience. Parking, patient flow, drive-thru access, and overall functionality were all designed with the customer in mind. The goal was simple: remove barriers and make healthcare easier for the people who depend on the pharmacy.
That same patient-first thinking carries over to every interaction.
Chip believes patients should leave the pharmacy knowing they were genuinely cared for. Whether someone needs a quick pickup, assistance managing medications, or extra time to ask questions, the team works to meet patients where they are and provide the support they need.
A Commitment to Personalized Care
Independent pharmacies often talk about relationships, but at Andes Health Mart Pharmacy, those relationships are at the center of the business.
Chip believes every patient deserves individualized attention. Some people simply need efficiency. Others need reassurance, education, or guidance through complex healthcare situations. The pharmacy’s role is to adapt to the patient’s needs, not the other way around.
That approach has created lasting trust throughout the community and helped establish the pharmacy as a resource people turn to when they need answers.
For Chip, excellent patient care remains the most effective form of marketing. When people feel cared for, they remember it, and they tell others.
Building a Team for the Future
Andes Health Mart Pharmacy Team
When discussing the pharmacy’s success, Chip is quick to redirect attention to the people around him.
Receiving IPC’s Most Valuable Pharmacy Award was meaningful, but he views the recognition as a reflection of the entire team rather than a single individual. In his eyes, the pharmacy’s accomplishments are only possible because of the pharmacists, technicians, and staff members who show up every day committed to serving their community.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the pharmacy’s story is the number of team members who started as technicians before pursuing pharmacy school. Chip has spent years helping develop future pharmacy leaders, giving them hands-on experience and exposing them to a patient-focused model of care.
The result is a team that understands not only how to operate a successful pharmacy, but also why that work matters.
Leading Through Growth and Service
One quality that stands out when speaking with Chip is his humility.
Despite receiving recognition from his peers, he remains focused on how he can continue improving both as a pharmacy owner and as an advocate for independent pharmacy. He openly acknowledges that there is always room to grow and sees leadership as an ongoing responsibility rather than a destination.
The Value of Partnership
As an IPC member, Chip values having an organization that helps independent pharmacies compete in an increasingly complex marketplace.
From purchasing opportunities and contract support to business resources and pharmacy advocacy, IPC provides tools that help owners focus on patient care while strengthening the business side of pharmacy.
Looking Ahead
Kirsten Mattson, Beth Andes, Chip Andes, & Michael Andes
The recognition as IPC’s 2026 Most Valuable Pharmacy celebrates more than a successful business. It recognizes a philosophy.
For years, Chip Andes has built his pharmacy around a simple belief that continues to guide every decision: if you take care of patients, good things happen.
In an industry that often feels defined by challenges, Andes Health Mart Pharmacy serves as a reminder of what independent pharmacy does best: building relationships, strengthening communities, and putting patients first every single day.
