Erik Nelson Receives NCPA Foundation’s NARD Ownership Award

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Oct. 19, 2025) – Erik Nelson, owner of five pharmacies in the Spokane, Wash. and Post Falls, Idaho areas, has received this year’s NARD Ownership Award from the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation as part of NCPA’s Annual Convention, being held Oct. 18-21 in New Orleans, La.

The NARD Ownership Award recognizes an independent community pharmacist who embraces entrepreneurial spirit through promotion and demonstrated excellence in the field of community pharmacy ownership. NARD, or the National Association of Retail Druggists, was for a century the name associated with independent pharmacy. The organization was founded in 1898, and now, as NCPA, represents the nation’s community pharmacists. The selection was made through a blind judging process to guarantee fairness and impartiality.

Nelson graduated from Washington State University College of Pharmacy in 2013 and bought his first store three months afterwards. He shares a passion for independent pharmacy and advancing the profession through the development of clinical services, innovative partnerships, and involvement with community partners. He serves as a student preceptor for the Washington State University College of Pharmacy. He has completed a fellowship from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and he has been awarded the Albert E. Rosica Jr Memorial Award as well as the Washington State University College of Pharmacy Alumni of the Year Award. Nelson is also the president of the Cascadia Pharmacy Group, which comprises 43 stores throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

“Erik Nelson exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that defines the best of independent community pharmacy,” said Jeff Harrell, PharmD, president of NCPA and Cascadia Pharmacy Group, CEO. “From his remarkable start as a new graduate purchasing his first pharmacy to his leadership of multiple stores and the Cascadia Pharmacy Group, Erik has demonstrated that independent pharmacy ownership remains a vibrant and vital path for advancing patient care. His commitment to clinical services, mentorship, and community engagement sets a powerful example for the next generation of pharmacy owners.”

As a student pharmacist, Nelson led a team of four to first place in the Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. As a young student pharmacist, he envisioned a world that was different than what most community pharmacies were offering and he created it. His business plan included compounding, clinical services, and embraced new technologies that would impact the patients and community. Upon graduation he morphed the plan into his first community pharmacy.

Crystal Bryan, Cascadia Pharmacy Group/Washington State University, who nominated Nelson for the award said he “is passionate, involved and gives back to the profession, his peers and the next generation of pharmacists and technicians. He is very engaged in the profession, serving on numerous boards and committees from universities to state associations and NCPA. Erik also participates in research and drives forward change and innovation while providing valuable mentorship to newer or struggling pharmacy owners.”