We were lucky to catch up with Josie Phillips-ross recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Josie, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I saw a trend with women being on depression and anxiety medication and got very curious about how I could help in different ways. This was the start of my three additional years in functional medicine school. I wanted to be able to provide the best care for my patients possible, so I received my certification in dosing bio-identical hormones through C4 at PCCA and A4M Functional Medicine Endocrinology Fellowship. Through this fellowship, I had a HUGE “ah-hah!” moment and began to heal my health: my adrenals, detoxification pathways, hormones, and gut health.

Changing my entire practice and career was very risky but after going through functional medicine, I could not go backward! Functional medicine has truly changed my life and my family’s. I am passionate about teaching each patient to do the same!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Upon finishing pharmacy school, I was given an opportunity to work in a big box pharmacy for a few months. I had no intention of opening a pharmacy, but after that internship, I was bound and determined to open a pharmacy that employees loved and patients felt like family. I opened Phillips Family Pharmacy in 2013.

Since then, we have been serving Riverside, Missouri, and surrounding communities for over a decade now. My motto since day one has been to treat every patient like family. I have had a passion for helping patients, which is a big reason why I opened my pharmacy eleven years ago. A few years after Phillips Family Pharmacy opened, we started non-sterile compounding (which is a way to produce unique dosage forms of medications based on patient preferences and restrictions), and from this, I developed a passion for women’s hormone health.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

It has not been a smooth road, owning an independent pharmacy is very tough these days with low to negative reimbursements, DIR fees from insurance companies, and insurance forcing patients to big stores.

The journey has been unique in that I do not give up easily. I am passionate and driven, and I know I am making a difference in my community, which is why we are still here today.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think word of mouth is the best way to market and boost your business. I have built this by listening to patients and prescribers, adapting to what is needed and providing the best customer service I can!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phillipsfamilypharmacy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionalpharmdjosie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Phillipsfamilyrx