Winn Community Health Center has two pharmacies here in town, one being Pharmacy Services on Main Street across from the courthouse and the second at its clinic at 431 West Lafayette Street. Is there a difference or reason for having two?
The answer is sort of a “yes and no,” the Journal found after speaking with longtime pharmacists Steve Burnum and Chip Little. As owner Steve Shelton moved towards stepping back from his years behind the counter at Pharmacy Services, WCHC (parent of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana in six parishes) wanted to ensure that quality and convenient pharmacy service continues to be available to the general public here.
At the same time, there’s a large need for the pharmacy for the many patients who come through the doors for professional medical help at the Lafayette Street clinic. Thus the need for the two locations. But is there a difference?
Pharmacist in Charge Steve Burnum explains. “Even though we’re what you’d call a ‘clinic pharmacy,’ the one used by this clinic’s patients, it is also available for the general public to use provided one of our healthcare providers writes the prescription. We do take all major insurance and we offer parishwide delivery.”
Often overlooked, he says, is the fact that the clinic serves folks of all income levels (with their varied insurance coverage), not just “low income households.” Regardless income, patients will find excellent care. Yet the clinic is income-based, meaning they can offer “significant discounts” at the pharmacy to lower-income families if they qualify. Such discounts would not be available to the general public at traditional pharmacies including the Main Street location.
Steve and Chip represent a combined 65 years of skilled pharmacy practice. Steve, whose grandfather was Willie Burnum, owner of City Barbershop prior to Rayford Riley, was born in Morgan City where his dad was working at the time. They returned to Winn while Steve was young and he was graduated from Calvin High School in 1989. He received his degree from NLU (now ULM) in 1994.
Chip was born in Monroe where his father, Ray Little, studied pharmacy at NLU before opening Winn Pharmacy in 1968. Chip who was 5 when they moved to Winnfield, was graduated from WSHS and received his degree from NLU in 1991.
The professional paths of the two crossed frequently through the years. They both worked for a time at a small, doctor-owned hospital in Coushatta. Chip took over Winn Pharmacy in 1995. They worked at Walmart. They worked at Fred’s (Express Rx). They came together again at WCHC in 2023.
Steve says a “positive” of this clinic pharmacy compared to the bigger chains is the closeness to leadership. “We’re able to make direct contact, share ideas. It makes the communication level better.”
Chip adds that “this pharmacy’s environment gives us more opportunity to interact with the people about their healthcare needs. You just don’t have that time in the bigger operations.” Chip’s wife, Susan, is a retired teacher. Daughter Sarah is a pharmacist in Texas. Son Thomas is an administrator at Autumn Leaves. Son Hunter is with IP in Mansfield.