Dawn Ipsen, PharmD began her journey in the world of compounding pharmacy nearly 25 years ago as a graduate intern. Today, she remains passionate about finding solutions to ensure patients get the medications they need, delivered in a way that best fits each unique condition.
“I love the science of it, and I also love the creative, artistic side of it,” shares Dawn. “Everything that I get to do is individualized medicine, which I firmly believe we all deserve, and I get to solve problems that normal pharmacies and drug manufacturers aren’t able to solve.”
In 2014, Dawn took ownership of Kusler’s Compounding Pharmacy, continuing its 50+ year legacy of providing excellent service to the Snohomish community. Two years later, she and her husband, Michael, purchased Clark’s Compounding Pharmacy in Bellevue. Both locations continue to build on a solid reputation for providing quality services with compassion and having a strong commitment of providing customers with the best products that make a positive difference in their health.
Unlike most retail pharmacies that simply distribute pre-made, commercially available drugs, Kusler’s works with prescribers to customize medications to meet the individual needs of patients, including those with allergies, sensitivities, or specific requirements.
“I really like the collaboration part of what I do,” says Dawn. “Because there are so many intricate details, we work very much in a team approach with the prescriber and the patient to make sure all of it is matching up correctly.”
Because of the versatility of services, Kusler’s is a great option for the whole family, including children and pets. For kids who have trouble swallowing pills, the Kusler’s team can create a liquid form of medications in customizable flavors. For children with specific sensitivities, they can avoid using certain fillers, dyes, and preservatives.
As a Full Fellow Veterinary Pharmacist, Dawn also understands the nuances of working with veterinarians and medications for all types of animals. “It would be hard to shock me anymore with the type of pets,” she explains with a bit of a chuckle. “We obviously help cats and dogs - we do that every day - but we’ve had tarantulas, wallabies, sugar-gliders, and quite a few pet chickens. There are several exotic veterinary practices in our area and as a result, there are all kinds of different birds, turtles, and rabbits that we make medicine for on a daily basis.”
Kusler’s also carries its exclusive KC Pro-Nutrients line of vitamins and supplements and provides services such as wellness support, hormone balance consultations, medication reviews, and travel vaccinations and health consultations.
“If somebody is faced with a medication problem – such as they can't find it, have an allergy or concern about it, or want to explore the possibilities of a more natural approach, we are able to be an educational resource for them and work with their current medical team to see how we can help,” says Dawn.
For more information, visit kuslers.com or call/text 360-568-1297. Also follow @kuslerscompoundingpharmacy on social media and explore educational resources through the KC Wellness Talks podcast and YouTube channel. Referrals are not necessary for consultation services and pharmacy team members are available to assist patients in coordinating communication between prescribers and the pharmacy.
“What I do is extremely rewarding, it makes a tremendous impact on individual lives within our community. I get to see the outcome of people reaching their health goals"