Clancy’s Drug Store: New owner, new services, same great trusted healthcare Clancy’s Drug Store is pleased to announce that the legacy of independent pharmacy owners for this unique pharmacy will continue as Karen Lyons has sold her store to Dr. Sutinder Sandhar, another Pharmachoice owner. Dr. Sandhar, a Boston-trained pharmacist with Doctorate of Pharmacy training, already owns a thriving clinically focused pharmacy in Prescott, Ontario and lives in Kanata, Ontario. His goal for Clancy’s new operations will be a marriage of both enhanced professional services and community satisfaction. Patients will continue to enjoy the same or greater level of personal touch with each visit. Also joining the much loved staff (Brenda Morrison, Debbie Sul, Sara Thomssen, Christine Caldwell and Tannis Higginson) is a local Arnprior Clinical Consultant Pharmacist, Sam Boualavong. An award-winning pharmacist (recipient of a 2012 Pharmacy Manager Award in Ottawa area), Sam is a University of Toronto trained pharmacist who brings with her a wealth of comprehensive clinical services as she holds Chartered Herbalist and Diabetes specialties. Patients will see increased levels of clinical and professional services which include on site sit-down Medication Reviews, certified Smoking Cessation program, Diabetes Management, Blood Pressure and Heart Health clinics, Natural Medicines, Medication Organizer and Flu Shot programs. Both pharmacists have young families and are excited to continue to practice in a independently owned pharmacy environment that allows for a healthy family-work balance. Karen Lyons will continue to work at Clancy’s part time as she eases into retirement and happy to support the new owner’s initiatives for her beloved store. Sutinder’s main goals for Clancy’s will be superior clinical services and easy prescription filling delivered in a fast, friendly and reliable manner. Clancy’s Drug Store will continue to be a pillar in the Arnprior healthcare community.
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Improved Services include: • Medscheck Clinic on Site • Blister Packaging • Diabetes and Weight Management • Flu Shots • Home Health Care Supplies • Compression Stocking • Medical Device Education • Smoking Cessation & Chartered Herbalist Pharmacist on Staff
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613-623-5193 99 John Street. Downtown Arnprior Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, Sunday closed
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6 Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Thursday, August 18, 2016
Arnprior fire chief among most knowledgeable in Ontario Derek Dunn
derek.dunn@metroland.com
Back in the late 1980s when John Okum was pursuing a business diploma, he joined the volunteer fire department in Arnprior. Twenty-eight years later he is not only the fire chief, but is among the most knowledgeable in all of Ontario. Okum has achieved four certifications in recent months. Through the National Association of Fire Investigators he is a certified fire and explosion investigator. Through the Ontario Municipal Management Institute he is now a certified fire service executive, a certified suppression professional and a certified fire prevention professional. He is also a certified company officer, which is difficult to obtain since only a handful are accepted into the program every year. That should bring some added comfort to Arnprior residents, but during a recent interview at his office – with certificates proudly displayed on the walls – he cautioned against, say, leaving the stove on overnight. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t recommend that,” he said with a chuckle. “It (his certifications) is a benefit to the town, I suppose. It’s personal, but also professional: when I do a job, I want to do the best I can.” Born in the Arnprior hospital, Okum has a great fondness for the place and wanted to stay to contribute in one form or another. He is very open and direct about his dedication to safety and serving his friends and neighbours. “I really have a passion for life safety, it’s that simple,” he said. “I genuinely care about people and their experiences.” At many of the worst tragedies to befall individuals and families, Okum has been among the first on scene. It’s a responsibility he takes seriously, and was informed by former fire chief now town councillor Tom Burnette that he would be wise to pursue as far as he can. “He told me I should really consider this as a profession.” And so he won the en-
DEREK DUNN/METROLAND
Arnprior Fire Chief John Okum started as a volunteer firefighter in 1988 while studying business. He is now among the most highly trained and certified fire chiefs in the province. dorsement of the longtime former chief. With more than book smarts, Okum has earned the respect of other management level personnel, and the rank and file volunteers. “He very much promotes the volunteer department; without them we wouldn’t be able to succeed,” said Rick Desarmia, deputy fire chief and fire prevention officer. “With the guys he’s got an open door policy. ‘Let’s deal with the problem.’ And he came through the volunteer system, so he knows what a commitment it is.” Fire prevention officer Cory Nicholas said Okum is supportive and quick to acknowledge accomplishments of others. “Chief Okum is a very progressive fire chief and I have been fortunate to have him mentor me over the years,” Nicholas said. “It’s nice to see him get the recognition he deserves.” The town’s top bureaucrat, chief administrative officer Michael Wildman, is also impressed with his fire chief’s newly earned credentials. He also points to numerous other staff members who are added to the municipality’s knowledge levels. “We have a number of staff who have been working very hard at increasing their training and certifications,” Wildman said. “We have several water and sewer operators who have upped their accreditation over the last few years. In a postWalkerton era, this is a high standard to meet.”
The town has several administrative staff who have either just acquired the certified municipal officer (CMO) accreditation or they are nearing completion of the program. When it comes to municipal certification, the CMO is recognized as the gold standard, he said, because of the rigorous process that goes into the accreditation process. It usually takes upwards of three years to complete. “The CMO is really unparalleled in the municipal sector,” he said Arnprior also has other job specific certifications with staff in recreation, engineering and finance as well. Many of the accreditations and certifications require annual re-certifications, which requires a great deal of commitment. “We are very proud of staff’s efforts, commitment and accomplishments,” Wildman said. Wildman neglected to mention a recent letter to town council from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario. It detailed Wildman’s graduation from the association’s executive diploma in municipal management. Called an “intensive process,” the program is the most comprehensive career development one designed specifically for Ontario’s municipal managers. “It’s another example of staff bettering themselves and benefiting the community,” Coun. Dan Lynch said at the July 13 council meeting.