NCPA Names Ed Horton Independent Pharmacist of the Year

UH Graduate Has Owned Stephenville-based Tanglewood Pharmacy Serving North-Central Texas Since 1986 

UH College of Pharmacy alumnus Ed Horton, R.Ph. ('74), owner and pharmacist-in-charge of Tanglewood Pharmacy in Stephenville, Texas, was honored as the Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year at the National Community Pharmacists Association 115th Annual Convention & Trade Exposition Oct. 13 in Orlando, Fla.

Alumnus Ed Horton, R.Ph. ('74), accepts the Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award from newly installed NCPA President Mark Riley and Upsher-Smith representative Joann Gaio. (Photo courtesy of NCPA)

The award recognizes an independent pharmacist for exemplary leadership and commitment to independent pharmacy and to their community. The award is named in honor of someone who exemplified these qualities: Willard B. Simmons, a former executive secretary of NCPA (then the National Association of Retail Druggists) and long-time NCPA Foundation trustee.

"We are proud to announce that Ed Horton is the 2013 NCPA Willard B Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year award winner," said
NCPA President Donnie Calhoun, R.Ph., a pharmacy owner in Anniston, Ala. "In addition to running a highly successful and award-winning pharmacy, Ed has consistently demonstrated strong leadership on behalf of local, state and national associations as a founding member of the Alliance of Independent Pharmacists of Texas and in his assistance to pharmacy students."

"To receive this tremendous honor and be recognized by your colleagues is the pinnacle of my career," Horton said. "Part of what's helped me be successful and be considered for this award is the great staff around me today and in the past, as well as my wife of 40 years Carolyn, who was my first technician/office manager. 

"After all these years, I still enjoy coming to work and the reward of knowing that I am helping people feel better.  It's not only been an honor to receive the award, but also in the number of patients and others who've taken the time to call or write to congratulate me."

Horton received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Houston in 1974, where he was one of three students who participated in a pilot rotational program, which has since become the norm in pharmacy schools throughout the U.S. Horton became owner of the Kemp Family Pharmacy the next year. In 1985, he sold the pharmacy to move back to West Texas where he was raised.

In 1986, he opened Tanglewood Pharmacy and Medical Supplies, which today includes walk-in patients, institutional care, drug rehabilitation facilities, mentally handicapped facilities, hospice care, home infusion, compounding and hormone replacement therapy.

Horton gained a reputation as a pioneer in the industry for the extremely effective way in which he interacted with patients about the importance of their medications and how to utilize them properly. His pharmacy has been voted the best pharmacy in Erath County every year since 1997 by readers of the Stephenville Empire Tribune newspaper, and he was also voted the best pharmacist in 2002. He was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by his alma mater in 2007.

In addition to his pharmacy practice, Horton is a member of NCPA, the Texas Pharmacy Association (including serving as a Director from 2002-2005 and President for 2007-2008), the American Pharmacists Association and the Alliance of Independent Pharmacists of Texas (including currently serving on its Board of Directors).

"On behalf of Upsher-Smith, I commend Ed Horton for his commitment to excellence in serving patients. Mr. Horton is truly an asset to his community, and patients in Stephenville benefit from his knowledge and expertise," said Tom Burke, COO of Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. "Upsher-Smith was founded by a pharmacist, and we have a great deal of respect for the impact community pharmacists have on their patients. Mr. Horton is a tremendous example of how community pharmacists throughout the country are working tirelessly to serve patients."