Chris Phillips is passionate about his work as a pharmacist. A twin passion is helping persons with developmental limitations earn a paycheck while providing a chance to add dignity and purpose to their lives.
In his daytime job as an owner and pharmacist at Chris’ Express Drug in south Oklahoma City, Chris works with a team of pharmacists and technicians to ensure they provide their clients with timely, top-tier service. I caught up with this busy individual recently to ask him about his involvement with the Work Activity Center (WACOK.com) in Moore.
How and when did you get involved with the nonprofit?
Beverly Young, the executive director of Work Activity Center, approached me to participate with the WAC as a board member. I accepted a board member position in 2015. In 2020 I accepted a position as vice president of the board and soon after accepted the position of president of the board.
Why did you get involved with this organization?
I got involved so that I could give back to the community that I live and work in. I chose the WAC because it represented an area that I have a passion for, which is adults with developmental limitations. I felt, and still feel today, that they are underrepresented and often pushed aside in society.
At the WAC, some of the kindest and gentlest souls get the opportunity to work and earn a paycheck. The work is customized to their abilities. The WAC not only provides some income, but also some dignity and purpose, which may be the most important mission of the WAC. The WAC also provides some much-needed respite during the day for family members.
How can readers get involved in supporting the nonprofit?
The WAC needs funds to operate and quality jobs for our clients to work on during the day. We ask the members of our community to support the center with donations. Also, let us know if you know of a business that has jobs available, including counting, sorting and packing items; collating newsletters and mailings; labeling and sealing; and product assembly.
And we welcome fundraisers honoring the WAC. It's important for our members of the community to recognize the role that the WAC plays in the community for an underappreciated group. We would really love a grant to help fund the center.
We’d also like to hear some about your business?
Chris' Express Drug (ChrisExpressDrug.com), located at 12032 S. Western Ave., in Oklahoma City, is an independently owned pharmacy that has a small-town feel but also has competitive hours and all the technology that a chain pharmacy would have, including an app and website for refill and texting when prescriptions are ready.
We also offer full reviews of medication profiles to help our patients completely understand all the medication they are taking and the drug interactions/side effects that accompany their regimen. We offer lab testing for COVID, flu and strep.
One of our most unique services is custom prescription compounding, where we help design a drug specifically for a patient and make it in our state-of-the-art lab.
Our other very unique service is service itself. We staff our pharmacy with at least twice the technicians and pharmacists as our chain competitors so that patients can get quality assistance in a timely manner. Our primary focus is service.
