McKesson ideaShare 2026: Why Pharmacist Advocacy Matters, According to Trailblazer Award Winner Shahida Choudhry

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Shahida Choudhry, PharmD, owner of the Palms Pharmacy and co-owner of the Primary Care of Wesley Chapel, discussed at McKesson ideaShare 2026 receiving the event's inaugural Trailblazer Award, reflecting on a decade of independent ownership built around problem-solving for her patients, team, and community rather than recognition. She explained how identifying gaps in primary care, dermatology, and weight-loss services led her to build an integrated practice model, including a collaborative primary care clinic and cash-based telehealth consultation services, alongside her pharmacy. Choudhry described how serving in leadership roles with the Florida Pharmacy Association, McKesson’s National Independent Advisory Board, IPC, and NCPA showed her the impact pharmacists can have when they engage directly with state and federal legislators on issues like PBM reform. She also emphasized that authentic storytelling on social media helps position pharmacists as trusted, accessible health educators and humanizes independent pharmacy for a new generation of patients.

Pharmacy Times: Can you please introduce yourself?

Shahida Choudhry, PharmD: Hi, I'm Dr. Shahida Choudhry, owner of Palms Pharmacy.

Pharmacy Times: McKesson is presenting the inaugural Trailblazer Award at ideaShare this year to honor a pharmacist who is redefining what's possible in independent pharmacy and elevating the profession nationally. As the first-ever recipient, what does this recognition mean to you and the work you've been doing?

Choudhry: When I opened my pharmacy about 10 years ago, I wasn't thinking about awards, especially for independent pharmacy. Who's giving independent pharmacy awards? We’re really celebrating ourselves, but my main goal was to keep the lights on, take care of my patients, and make sure my team is taken care of. This award really means a lot to not just me, but to independent pharmacies—that we are making a difference. I really have spent my career pushing the boundaries, as many people know. If someone tells me no, I kind of say, "Okay, that's great, I'll find another route." Being an independent pharmacy owner, you'll get no's everywhere you go. We make it work, especially when our patient's medication is not covered. We will make sure the patient does get the medication. We will find a way to get it to them. This award really belongs to my team, my family, my friends, and everybody that has been with me for the last 10-plus years of independent ownership. It's really not just for me; it’s celebrating with everybody.

Pharmacy Times: You've built a model that goes well beyond the traditional pharmacy—operating as an independent primary care practice and a cash-based remote weight loss and dermatology consultation service. What led you to develop that integrated model, and how has it changed the way you deliver patient care?

Choudhry: It's me not staying inside the box. I've never been really good at staying inside of a box. So, when I saw gaps in care, I wanted to bring the solutions to my patients. In our area, there is a shortage of primary care providers, so I reached out to certain providers that I knew would work well together, and we built the primary care Wesley Chapel. We've been working together for the last two years, and a lot of our patients now have a home primary care practice instead of waiting a year to get an appointment with their primary care practice physician provider. Now they're only waiting a couple days to weeks. On the dermatology side—at that time, there was, again, a gap in care for our patients. So for me, I listen to my patients about what they need, and I go find solutions for them. Our patients don't just come to us to fill prescriptions. We offer solutions for their primary care, their supplements, just anything that they need. We try to find solutions. That's where I think a lot of pharmacists and independent pharmacy owners really shine, because we’re problem solvers.

Pharmacy Times: You serve as a Florida Pharmacy Association regional director, Public Affairs Committee lead, Health Mart National Independent Advisory Board member, IPC Pharmacy Buying Group Board member, and National Community Pharmacists Association member. How do you see pharmacists in leadership roles at the state and national levels driving real change for independent pharmacy?

Choudhry: Originally, when I started, I wasn't in advocacy at all, because I really didn't think my voice mattered at all. But one year I did go up to the Capitol, and I met with senators and legislators. I did not know how much of an impact our voices as pharmacists make. After that, I think the tides turned for me, and now I'm a big advocate for pharmacy. That's why I joined my state association, and I made sure that I'm a director of a committee. Even with IPC-- IPC has a huge governance section, and I make sure that I'm involved in that, because our little independent pharmacy voices will be heard. A lot of pharmacy owners do not reach out and voice their opinion about all of our issues that we have. We have so many issues, but our voices do matter. After that trip, everything changed for me. Even now, I reach out to my senators and representatives in Florida. I did have an issue with one of our state plans, and one of the senators did help me, which was surprisingly amazing. A lot of owners don't know to reach out to their local government officials, and they did help. So, I definitely am a big advocate for change.

Pharmacy Times: You've built a significant national social media presence championing independent pharmacy. Why do you think storytelling and visibility matter so much for the future of the profession?

Choudhry: Pharmacists are really scared to get in front of the camera and just be themselves. Now Gen Z, they get a lot of their information online; a lot of their health information is online. We are the most accessible healthcare providers out there, so why not be the educator that is online? That's what I try to do. I and other pharmacy owners are out there educating. Just educating, even with little tidbits, just getting it out there is so important. Social media is free; it's a fantastic platform. It has helped us get out there. When we go to trade shows, like here, people stop us, saying, "Oh my god, we love your social media," and it's just getting independent pharmacy out there. Folks are like, "Oh, when I go to independent pharmacy, it's super expensive," when we're just the same as your CVS or Walgreens. But it's just seeing us online. When they come in, it's fun to see people say, "Oh my god, you guys are real, and you guys actually have fun at work.” We’re on all platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, Palms Pharmacy or the Palms Pharmacy. Please follow us if you want to brighten your day. Just look at our social media; we don't take ourselves too seriously.