How long have you been a pharmacist?

My name is Rita G. Jackson Winn. I am a registered pharmacist serving as pharmacy manager at Walgreens in Natchez, Mississippi. I attended Xavier University College of Pharmacy in New Orleans, Louisiana. I’ve been a pharmacist for 33 years, since 1986. I grew up in Tallulah, LA. 

My name is Michael Winn, Sr. I am a registered pharmacist working as a staff pharmacist at Walgreens in Natchez, Mississippi. I also attended Xavier University College of Pharmacy. I’ve been a pharmacist for 34 years, since 1985. I grew up in Fayette, MS. Before owning my own pharmacy, I worked for Eckerd drug stores for 13 years.

We owned and worked at Winn Pharmacy for 13 years. We sold the store to Walgreens in 2011 and have worked there ever since.

What does a day in the life of a pharmacist look like?

Rita: I work a typical 40 to 42 hour work week sharing morning opening and evening closing rotations with a staff pharmacist.

Michael: I work a typical 30 to 32 hour work week sharing morning opening and evening closing rotations with a pharmacy manager.

Why did you decide to become a pharmacist?

Rita: I had a mentor when I first started in the profession of pharmacy. His name was Michell Dumas of Natchez, MS. He showed me how to be thankful, and to have love and respect for every person looking for service. Everyone that came through the door was special.

Michael: I was encouraged toward the profession by Michell Dumas and Aaron Henry, a pharmacist in the 1950s at Fourth Street Drug Store in Clarksdale, MS. Aaron was a civil rights leader and the head of the Mississippi Branch of the NAACP. Both men showed me how to love, care for, fight for, and give back to their communities.