Verne A. Thibodeaux has served as the pharmacy manager of the CVS Pharmacy in the Super Target on Carroll Street since 2009.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Being at one location for 17 years has given Thibodeaux the privilege of seeing his patients grow. One example, he said, is a current college student who is set to graduate in a couple months. Thibodeaux has been her pharmacist since she was a little girl.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember she used to cry, so I would always give her a little stuffed animal,\u201d he said. \u201c(She recently told me), \u2018You remember when I used to cry and you would give me a stuffed animal? Well, I\u2019m not going to cry this year.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Thibodeaux moved to North Texas in 2000 and Fort Worth in 2007. He lives 15 miles away from the CVS he works in and has been given several opportunities to move to another CVS closer to his home. He\u2019s also worked through a company acquisition in 2015 when CVS purchased the Target pharmacy and clinic businesses.<\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t plan on leaving anytime soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the people, I love my team, and I just love my area,\u201d Thibodeaux said.<\/p>\n
The Fort Worthian\u2019s dedication to his patients earned him recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, the Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series spotlighting unsung heroes in Tarrant County.<\/p>\n Thibodeaux first became interested in becoming a pharmacist after shadowing a family friend in his practice. He was drawn specifically to community pharmacies \u2014 most pharmacies are outside of medical institutions \u2014 because of the connection made with clients.<\/p>\n At his pharmacy, Thibodeaux makes sure to develop relationships with patrons in order to build trust. One of those ways is informing guests \u2014 a descriptor Thibodeaux gives the pharmacy\u2019s clients \u2014 of prescription saving cards they might not know about, said Cynthia Wahl, a graphic designer and client of Thibodeaux\u2019s for the last five years.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m always amazed at how great he handles everybody,\u201d Wahl said. \u201cHe gives everybody tips on what to do for their pharmacy needs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably not the most convenient (pharmacy) for me to get to, but I still go to it because he\u2019s there.\u201d<\/p>\n Cynthia Wahl, nominator<\/p>\n Thibodeaux\u2019s approach isn\u2019t necessarily groundbreaking \u2014 community pharmacies often require a more human touch than pharmacies in hospitals and other clinical settings.<\/p>\n But the people-centered approach is more valuable in that area of Fort Worth. The CVS is in an area with a higher concentration of older and younger folks, Thibodeaux said. Those age groups end up valuing the stability, kindness and guidance the CVS provides.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re more accessible where if they can\u2019t get in touch with their doctor or nurse practitioner, they can always call us or come and talk to us and get our opinion,\u201d Thibodeaux said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably not the most convenient (pharmacy) for me to get to, but I still go to it because he\u2019s there,\u201d Wahl said.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n Thibodeaux jokes that the trust built up with patrons makes it hard to go on vacation.<\/p>\n \u201cThey say, \u2018Where have you been? We thought you left,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I\u2019m just like, \u2018Look at the picture on the wall. As long as my picture is up there, I\u2019m still here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The empathy-driven style is not isolated to patients. Because of the connections made between pharmacy staff, the CVS sees higher retention rates than others. Two of the pharmacy technicians have been there for 14 and 15 years respectively.<\/p>\n In his time at the CVS, Thibodeaux\u2019s kindness-first business model has been economically fruitful. The pharmacy has continued to grow, leading him to being constantly busy.\u00a0<\/p>\n He doesn\u2019t mind that, though. In fact, he enjoys it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a job for me, but this is just what I do. And I love what I do,\u201d Thibodeaux said. \u201cEvery day I come in and I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n