The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

Pharmacist Michelle Mehling plans to open Dahl Memorial Healthcare Community Pharmacy on July 1. "It has been a two-year process," she told the Eagle on Tuesday.

Ekalaka hasn't had a pharmacy since 2003. At that time, it was located in the basement below the clinic. The new pharmacy is right down the hall from the nurses station at Dahl. A window was recently installed there, between what used to be an office and what used to be known as the quiet room. That room will now serve a dual purpose.

The pharmacy is currently experiencing a soft opening for employees. That way, Mehling says, there is some time to work out and find any errors in the system.

Employees at the hospital mentioned several reasons for the new pharmacy. Most frequently, they said that hopefully it will help to stabilize the facility and make it easier for patients to stay with local medical providers at the hospital.

"It's more convenient and will hopefully keep people here," said Mehling.

Tentative hours at the pharmacy, beginning in July, will coincide with clinic hours; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Before July, patients are invited to bring in their insurance cards to make sure that their insurance is in the new computer system. Cash prescriptions can also be filled.

"All customers can come here," said Mehling, noting that the pharmacy will also be carrying a large selection of over-the-counter drugs.

The new pharmacy will also have a wide selection of over-the-counter medications.

In addition to things like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and allergy medications, the pharmacy will have a wide array of hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash for sale.

All payments for the pharmacy will be taken at the main business office near the entrance of the hospital. The pharmacy will have its own direct phone line, 406-775-8896.

Mehling said that a lot of excited staff members at the hospital have pulled together to make the pharmacy a reality. There has also been support from family and community. That excitement was very evident at the facility on Tuesday.

The new Dahl Memorial Community Pharmacy was practically full already, not just from a new shipment of drugs that had freshly arrived, but with bouquets of flowers and candy, all well-wishes for success at the newest addition to Dahl.