Shane Walden always wanted to follow his dad’s professional footsteps.
He spent much of his childhood at Iola Pharmacy, watching his father, Bill, and others provide care to the residents of Allen County.
“I just thought it was so cool to help him out,” Shane said.
Of course, life doesn’t always go according to plan. The pandemic, in particular, threw a wrench in Shane’s education during his third year of pharmacy school. He was offered a job at other pharmacies, but turned them down to pursue his ultimate goal of coming back home.
And now, Shane has ended up exactly where he always wanted to be: Working at Iola Pharmacy, side-by-side with his dad and others who have mentored him since he was a child.
“This is a dream come true,” Shane said.
“I love being home. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
IN 1990, BILL Walden returned home to join Iola Pharmacy after graduating from the school of pharmacy at the University of Kansas.
He often brought Shane to work, where the boy became part of the pharmacy family.
Iola Pharmacy was founded by Jim Arnott and Bret Lawrence in August 1973. Arnott became sole owner in 1988. Jeff Dieker bought into the pharmacy in 1991, followed by Bill Walden in 1993 and Jim Bauer in 1994. Arnott sold his shares to them in 2001. Travis Coffield bought into the pharmacy in 2007.
Arnott is retired and Dieker is semi-retired, but both still help out. Current owners are Walden, Bauer and Coffield.
“They all say, ‘I can remember when you were a little turd running around the store,’” Shane said, laughing. “Now I’m a big turd running around the store.”
Over the years, each served as a mentor. Ultimately, when I am finally able to get in a groove with everything — you know, adulting — I want to do what I can to help this community grow. I don’t want to see this community that I cherish decline. Shane Walden
“The most unique part of that dynamic is that each is different in their own way. I have different and meaningful conversations with each one, so that has shaped me,” Shane said.
The men provided five different perspectives on what it means not only to be a pharmacist, but also what it means to be part of a community.
“Ultimately, when I am finally able to get in a groove with everything — you know, adulting — I want to do what I can to help this community grow,” Shane said.
