Today marks two special occasions for Island Family Pharmacy – as they celebrate their grand opening along with their late founder’s birthday.
PNC’S Khyomara Santana has more.
Nicolette Baldovino founded Island Family Pharmacy on December 31, 2021. After spending 18 years in the states in pursuit of higher education and experience, she decided to return to the Island and open a pharmacy where the customers could have a more familiar connection with their pharmacist.
Her mother, Nita Baldovino, assures her daughter’s legacy will live on by continuing to provide the service and experience her daughter envisioned.
Baldovino said, “Although Nicolette left so early, I will continue her legacy”
The pharmacy, which aims to provide care that goes beyond the dispensary, plans to fulfill the founder’s wishes of becoming a destination for both the customer’s health and wellness.
Baldovina added, “The vision that the founder has envisioned will go on, she is a very intelligent and dynamic woman. I miss her dearly and of course, what can I do I have to move on, she’s giving me the strength everyday”
What makes Island Pharmacy different is the opportunity for customers to do more in one place. Besides the regular prescription and over the counter medicines, the pharmacy also offers a variety of local products, as well as their unique “Ice cream corner”. Baldovino said, “She really planned that we had an ice cream corner and I said wow, Ram, this is the pharmacy, who has an Ice cream corner? And she said Mom, (shakes her head in disagreement) that might even be the focal corner of my business.”
Some of the flavors offered in the ice cream corner are watermelon, coconut, mango and calamansi, they have sugar free options as well as chicken soup. She said, “Everything we have in that corner is healthy food.”
Baldovino assures the pharmacy’s success also rests in the team, which consists of three pharmacists and five technicians. She said, “My team, of course, I can’t do it without a good team”
Baldovino said she is thankful for the people’s response to the opening of the pharmacy and makes an invitation for everyone to visit and become part of the family.
Baldovino said, “Please, people of Guam, try us, try our service, so you see the difference”
The pharmacy, which is located in Tamuning’s Camacho Landmark Center, plans to eventually branch out to continue fulfilling the founder’s wishes.
Their temporary working hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information, contact the pharmacy at 671-646-6337.
Reporting for the Pacific News Center
I’m Khyomara Santana
