One of the largest obstacles that rural communities face is equitable access to quality health care. For many people in these areas, the nearest provider can be a 30-minute drive from their homes or longer. In these health care deserts, pharmacists have a unique challenge and opportunity to serve this population.

Originally from Candler, North Carolina, Taylor Galyean ’21 (PharmD) has been serving the rural community since attending UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s campus in Asheville. Galyean chose this tightknit community for the smaller class size, where she had more individualized interactions with the faculty and with her fellow classmates.

Her love of community translates into the work she does now as a pharmacist at the Walgreens in Bryson City, North Carolina — the only pharmacy in town and one of the only pharmacies within a 20- to 30-mile radius.

Galyean’s primary responsibilities include administering immunizations, answering questions when doctor’s offices are closed, and educating patients about available immunizations and care options. She also helps patients manage their long-term treatment plans, such as checking that patients are on track with their medications and monitoring their own health.

The high volume of patients poses some challenges. Galyean and her colleagues can’t dedicate as much time as they’d like to providing individualized care.

Independent community pharmacies fill this gap particularly well. With a smaller volume of patients, pharmacists can establish better relationships and provide individualized care plans that best fit the patients’ needs. However, independent community pharmacies have been closing all over the state and beyond, further limiting access to high-quality and individualized care in rural communities.

One such location was Bryson City Pharmacy, which operated for 19 years until it was bought out by Walgreens. Galyean worked there before her current role.

“At Bryson City Pharmacy, I felt like I pretty much knew [everyone],” says Galyean. “There was more of a chance to build those relationships with patients.” This is particularly crucial in rural communities, as pharmacists are some of the most accessible health-care resources for many people.

“Access to health care in rural North Carolina is a growing challenge, with shortages of health care providers across all our rural counties. Community pharmacies can serve as the ‘front door’ to health care for many rural communities,” said Stephanie Kiser, a professor of the practice and the executive director of the Rural Pharmacy Health Initiative at the pharmacy school. “The pharmacists in those settings are highly trained and well-positioned to play a greater role in addressing many of the gaps in care our rural communities experience. Smaller, independently owned pharmacies have a vested interest in their communities because they are more often personally connected to the places they also call home.”

Galyean is determined to provide her patients with quality care. She works diligently with her team, ensuring consistent communication and collaboration, and uses the resources available to her to keep track of her patients and their medications.

“We all deserve to receive the same quality of care, and in these areas, there might not be resources for patients,” Galyean says.

Galyean recommends that current pharmacy students interested in rural health should look into the Rural Pharmacy Health Certificate Program, which is designed to prepare student pharmacists for collaborative, interprofessional practices that address the unique health care needs of North Carolinians living in rural and small communities.

Beyond the pharmacy counter, Galyean continues to hone her skills and knowledge through reading and research to become the best pharmacist she can be, all while preparing to run her second marathon in October.