Mark Webster, owner of Stay Well Pharmacy and member of BNI Phoenix in Christchurch
2016 Winner Good Sort Pharmacist of the Year
2016 Winner Innovation in delivery of care and advice
2016 Runner up Best Complimentary Healthcare Campaign
2016 Kiwibank Local Hero Award Winner
Last year I was fortunate enough to be awarded a Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Award. These awards are community awards that give thanks to those providing a positive contribution to their region, town, suburb or community. Nearly 350 medals were presented nationwide during November and December.
I was selected for my contributions to mentoring pharmacists and helping young people through my karate clubs, as well as my work to improve the Christchurch pharmacy sector (I own the Stay Well Pharmacy in Hornby). It was a major buzz, particularly with having already won awards at the NZ Pharmacy awards. When I attended the ceremony, seeing the other recipients made me feel extremely humble and honoured to be amongst some fantastic people.
Givers Gain
My recognition in this area fits perfectly with BNI’s core philosophy of Givers Gain; since becoming a pharmacy owner I have trained 11 interns. In addition to the Kiwibank recognition I picked up two awards last year at the Pharmacy Awards – Innovation in Delivering Care and Advice and Good Sort NZ Pharmacist of the Year. An excellent year for me and my team at Stay Well pharmacy – something that could not have happened without the support of my chapter BNI Phoenix.
Givers Gain is something that I practice both in BNI and in my own work. I initiated the Community Pharmacy Codeine alert system, which I want to implement throughout New Zealand, and the development of a template with WINZ to help patients apply for funding for medications. I also worked at Pegasus Health during the first week after the February 22nd Christchurch earthquake providing support and coordinated help to Canterbury pharmacies. I’ve been selected as an expert advisor to the Health and Disability Commissioner and founder and moderator of the New Zealand Community Pharmacy owners chat group.
Karate
In my free time I train in Kyokushin karate. I helped establish two karate schools in Christchurch and love taking children with behavioural problems or learning/self-confidence difficulties and helping them find solutions to these difficulties through the discipline of martial arts. I don’t do the things I do to win the awards, but being recognised for what I do sure was nice. Like many others, we toil away for years, often unnoticed, but these awards give a real opportunity to publicly recognise every day New Zealanders who are doing something special.
Put your health first
Being healthy is a key part of having success in business and life. To this end, I have created the Stay Well House model of fitness that I recommend to my clients. The model is built like a house with four components – foundation, carpet, walls and roof – each representing an important component. The foundation is your multi-vitamin, the carpet is a pro-biotic, the walls are omega 3 (found in fish oil) and the roof is an anti-oxidant. Using this model has greatly improved the health of my clients and I recommend members try it in 2017.
Health is a very personal thing and the conventional model of health falls short for the majority of people with chronic illnesses but as a naturopathic pharmacist I stand on “both sides of the fence”. I’ve used my skills to be able to assist several members including helping someone with their child’s dietary requirements and assisting someone who regularly got sick during the winter months.
I have a few ideas that I recommend members try out for success in 2017:
- Find your “why” and find your “joy”.
- Eat the elephant one bite at a time – break down big problems into smaller, more manageable bites.
- If you don’t enjoy doing something, stop doing it and find something you truly love.
Remember you are the chief physician of your body – you have the last say on what you will and won’t do. Get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. Take responsibility and accountability and use the tools that BNI has given to you for success in 2017.
Live Well Stay Well!
Mark Webster with some of his BNI supporters (chapter members Carol Bradley, Jeanette Kwant, (in front) and Chris Uren, and Tim Lethlean (the 2 gentlemen at the rear)
You can reach Mark on 0508 STAYWELL or www.staywellpharmacy.co.nz
