Alumni-owned Dreier Pharmacy receives national recognition for their 57-year tradition of exceptional community care

By Katie Ginder-Vogel

In 1967, when Donald Dreier (BS ’58) and his wife Jana purchased the Dreier Pharmacy and Gift Shoppe in Shawano, Wisconsin, they had two goals: to provide superb customer service to people in the surrounding area and to offer innovative pharmacy services that met patients’ needs. Through pursuing these goals, the Dreiers had tripled the size of the business by the 1980s.

“He did a lot of new things that we continue to do,” says Jana Dreier of her late husband. “He wanted to partner with assisted living facilities and started working with Shawano County Nursing Home, and we’re still serving facilities, group homes, and individual residents. He also partnered with Shawano County Jail, and our kids continue that. He built a very good relationship with the Menominee Nation, and generations of families still come here — the children and grandchildren of our original patients.”

Donald and Jana Dreier’s children Tim Dreier (BS ’89) and Jessica Dreier-Huntington (BS ’92) run the pharmacy now, with Jana’s support, since Don’s passing in 2022. Tim’s daughter, Avery Dreier, now in her second year of the PharmD program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy, is following her family’s tradition.

“I was brought up to treat people how you want to be treated, and it’s rewarding when you know you did something good for somebody.”
—Tim Dreier

“I want us to keep evolving, like my grandma talks about my grandpa doing,” Avery says. “My grandpa started blister packing in the ‘70s, and that was high tech at the time.”

Dreier Pharmacy’s long tradition of innovative pharmacy services and care for the community led to its selection, out of nearly 4,500 HealthMart pharmacies, as the 2024 HealthMart Pharmacy of the Year.

“It’s an honor to continue what Don started,” Jana says. “He was very interested in community, so we continue to sponsor charity events and give a lot of donations and support to our community.” 

A beloved community resource

Dreier Pharmacy has always offered the latest in pharmacy services, and they currently provide medication therapy management, medication synchronization, home delivery, and immunizations. Adjacent to the pharmacy area, they also sell décor, clothing, accessories, and more. Tim says he thinks the pharmacy’s informal services set it apart. 

“For example, we have two Native American tribes nearby: the Menominee Nation, with whom we work a lot, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians,” Tim says. “Both tribes have clinics and pharmacies, but if a patient needs something they don’t carry, they will work with us. Several years ago, the Stockbridge-Munsee computer pharmacy system was down during the holiday season, and we took over all their services as a way to support our community.”

The Dreiers are known for going the extra mile for their patients — often literally.

“A few years ago, we had a 30-inch snowstorm, and we delivered necessary meds to people’s houses that day,” Tim recalls. “In the winter, when a customer’s car won’t start in the parking lot, we’ll jumpstart it for them. People call us at home in the middle of the night for medications, and we’ll meet them.”

One patient even came in to ask if they could mend his favorite jacket that got torn.

“These are the things not every pharmacy does,” Tim says. “I was brought up to treat people how you want to be treated, and it’s rewarding when you know you did something good for somebody. We’re patients’ first line of information in the healthcare system. They know us, so they feel comfortable talking to us.”

Jessica says she developed a sense of responsibility for her community by watching her father interact with community members.

“People loved my dad and came to him for help and advice,” she says. “All the people who loved him continue to come to us, so we try to give them the same good service our father did.” 

Anywhere the Dreiers go in the community — the grocery store, church, or athletic activities — people connect with them, often asking questions. 

“I don’t mind, and it’s good to see we can help them, and they trust us,” Jessica says. “I definitely think that’s a positive.”

“Starting with my father, my whole family is pretty well-known in the area,” Tim adds. “There are a million other pharmacies that do a lot of the same things we do, but our commitment to our patients and to our history is unique.” 

Three generations of Badger pharmacists

The Dreier family’s history at the UW—Madison School of Pharmacy runs as deeply as it does on Shawano’s Main Street.

“I grew up with red and white striped bibs and always thought I’d go to Madison,” Avery says. “We have such a great pharmacy school, and I love that they’re focused on making us excellent clinical pharmacists and well-rounded people.” 

“I enjoyed everything the university had to offer, like sporting events, and my professors taught me to work hard, so that I could accomplish something worthwhile,” says Tim.

Jessica agrees, adding that the environment helped prepare her to serve her community beyond the pharmacy counter.

“Growing up behind the pharmacy counter, seeing role models like my dad serving the community, made me want to be part of that.”
—Avery Dreier

“I got a great education, and I love UW–Madison — we’re lucky to have it here in the state of Wisconsin,” she says. “The social activism, diversity, and getting out and meeting friends, all helped me grow.”

Avery will graduate with her PharmD from the School of Pharmacy in 2027 and is poised to follow in the family tradition.

“I am really proud of how far my dad and aunt have gotten us,” she says. “Looking forward, I’d like to see us expand into long-term care and the pharmacy care sphere — with point-of-care testing, collaborative practice agreements, and test-to-treat programs.” 

Jessica appreciates the way Avery’s ideas from pharmacy school push her and her brother.

“I might get stagnant, and she can show us new ideas,” Jessica says. “Push me a bit, and I’ll listen.”

Don knew Avery was attending the School of Pharmacy, and Jana says he would be happy to know that she is committed to maintaining the family pharmacy.

“I think it’s amazing,” Jana says. “My husband would be happy to know the pharmacy that he started is poised to continue into the future.” 

As the last community pharmacy in the Shawano area, Dreier Pharmacy is not without its challenges.

“Community pharmacy is difficult, and what makes me proudest is that right now is that Avery realizes that, but she sees the gratification that we get when we can help people and would like to keep our family tradition going,” says Tim.

Avery plans to return to Dreier Pharmacy full-time after pharmacy school and perhaps a community pharmacy residency. She’s enrolled in the Rural Health option in the PharmD program and is considering the School’s new Entrepreneurial Training and Independent Pharmacy APPE track. 

“Growing up behind the pharmacy counter, seeing role models like my dad serving the community, made me want to be part of that,” she says. “People trust their community pharmacist above all else. Being a family-owned community pharmacy lets you practice the way you want to and give back the way you want to. I look forward to that in my future.”