We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michel Daher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michel below.

Michel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My father is a pharmacist, and growing up, he owned 4 pharmacies at the same time. My childhood was a collection of visiting dad at work, eating candy, admiring how people respecting his advice. It was a traditional middle eastern household. My mom would wake us up, feed us, take us to school, pick us up, take us to practice, bring us home, feed us. They showed me what teamwork, selflessness, love, admiration, and hard-work can accomplish. My parents assisted me with my education as they believe the best gift you can give your children is an education. I have become a pharmacist as well, and currently own three pharmacies. I work hard and want to give my patients the same care and love my father did for 30 plus years as a pharmacist. I owe all my success, upbringing, discipline, and hard work to them and I hope one day to be able to pay forward the same love to my own children.

Michel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I own and operate three pharmacies. Two in Los Angeles, one in Myrtle Creek,Or. We come from a line of healthcare professionals in my family, and my dad is a pharmacist. It was in watching him growing up that made me want to follow in his footsteps. My practice in LA helps mostly nursing home and City of Hope Cancer patients. My practice in Myrtle Creek is the only pharmacy within 12 miles and serves as a lifeline for a rural and underserved community. We offer clinical services all around, such as vaccines, clinical decision making in assisting patients with medication management, and free delivery to anyone who needs it.

I think unlike chain pharmacies, we really prioritize and care about patient care. There are no time limits or quotas. Each patient gets unlimited time. They will be the first to tell you they get unlimited access to me, during work hours, after hours, on weekends, late in evenings. Emergencies are always addressed and every patient is treated as family. This is something healthcare was intended to be, yet I feel we have strayed from it as healthcare professionals, and I am trying to recreate it.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Being different and unique. When patients call, they get a live person to speak to them. We respond to emails, two way HIPPA approved texting, cell calls. We provide great service to our nursing home patients. which results in loved ones wanting their family members to receive our services as well. In reality, if you put 100% effort in, and give more than you take, you will always be successful.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Burnout is real. I learned you have to set some boundaries and make sure you take time for yourself away from work. I think for likeminded folks, you put 100% of yourself into your work, you don’t like to say no. That can only sustain itself for so long. You can give your all, most of the time, as I like to say. Take at least one day a week and go do things you enjoy. Weekends are truly meant for rest. If you can’t take a day, work hard and when you are in a position, hire more good people to help offload the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: paxrx.com
• Instagram: @Daherm
• Yelp: Pax Pharmacy- Duarte