The Pharmacy Gladiator Story

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The Pharmacy Gladiator, Dr. Jay Phipps’ story is one of remaining relentless in spite of the odds. Dr. Jay had humble beginnings and faced academic challenges with a speech impediment and undiagnosed dyslexia. He was told in the 3rd grade by a reading teacher that if he did not work harder he would be taken from his friends in the “smart” class. Again, in middle school as he struggled to keep numbers from getting reversed, another teacher told him that he was going to have to swap classes without improvement. Pure grit and determination allowed Jay to overcome his learning difficulties to be a first generation college graduate. 

Dr. Jay’s relentless work ethic was instilled at a very young age as his dad would work all week at a factory and then work on the family tobacco farm on the weekends. Dr. Jay got his first job at age 12 working on a cattle farm hauling hay and added on an evening job at age 14 working construction. Throughout high school, Jay worked these jobs while taking pre-college courses and playing football and running track. Due to the cost of college, Dr. Jay attended community college and worked the graveyard shift at a factory which allowed him to save enough money to pay for his two years at Walter’s State Community College and two years at Carson-Newman College (now University). Jay graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Biology to become the first member of his family to graduate from college. The relentless work ethic he learned as a kid was foundational to his success as an entrepreneur and business owner. 

After graduation, Dr. Jay began working at a hospital pharmacy as a “pharmacist assistant”. At the urging of his co-workers, he decided he would apply to pharmacy school and was told to go speak with the Assistant Dean. The Dean was clear and concise when he told Jay that with his grades, leadership, and experience that he would “NEVER get into our pharmacy school.” His friends told him to throw in the cards, but this was a pivotal moment in his life. He worked tirelessly to get all his information into the admission committee, but he was missing the PCAT, the required entrance exam. The odds appeared against him when he called to register, and all of the spots were already filled. He was told that he could be an alternate which means that on a first come first serve basis that if someone did not come on test day then the proctor will allow wait-listed registrants entrance to sit for the exam. Jay arrived at 3 am on a cold February morning to sit alone to wait to discover if he would be admitted and given a chance of achieving his dream of pharmacy school. Jay’s persistence paid off and he not only got into the exam but was admitted to the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, the #7 ranked program in the nation. 

The experience with the Dean inspired Dr. Jay to conquer his fear of running for an elected office and he began his leadership journey in the American Pharmacist Association-Academy of Students of Pharmacy (APhA-ASP). He was elected as the national President of APhA-ASP and served as the youngest voting member of the APhA Board of Trustees where he was exposed to great leaders in pharmacy, government, and healthcare. During the same time, Dr. Phipps was Commissioned Corp of the U.S. Public Health Service and mentored under the Chief Pharmacy Officer, Rear Admiral (Retired) Fred G. Paavola. The experience was vital in his personal development as he was able to learn directly from national leaders such as US Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher & the US Secretary of Health & Human Services. 

Upon graduation, Dr. Jay began a Drug Information and Pharmacotherapy residency with his intent to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry. However, due to the relationships he forged while at APhA, he was presented with an opportunity to work in a start-up community pharmacy. As his residency project, Dr. Jay developed and implemented a business plan to open an independent community pharmacy as a partnership, City Drug Company, McKenzie. After 18 months, Dr. Jay bought out his partners & Phipps Pharmacy was born.

In 2014, Jay’s life turned upside down when he began losing motor control from his neck down. In the summer of 2014, Jay was working out on his elliptical at home when he rolled his head back to stretch. Immediately, a tingling sensation pulsated down his spine and the completely lost control of all four extremities. He slowly regained use of his arms and legs but was tingling down his back any time he moved his neck backwards. In a couple weeks, Jay had an appointment with a physician as a follow up for another medical issue, but he did not share the experience with anyone else. 

The physician immediately ordered an MRI and within seven days had referred Jay to a premiere neurosurgeons in the nation for evaluation. The surgeon immediately identified that over 40% of Jay’s spinal canal was full of abnormal bone growth. The MRI also indicated that the spinal cord was damaged. He was told that if he did not have surgery in the next couple of months that he would be paralyzed from the neck down. The tumultuous journey over the next two years of his health challenges and toxic personal relationship left him homeless and unable to feed himself. Four surgeries later, Jay’s 3rd through the 7th cervical vertebrae were fused together and he had lost the ability to raise his arm above his head with anything heavier than a feather. The obstacles seemed overwhelming, and he was left with a dichotomous choice: give up or REMAIN RELENTLESS. The challenges inspired him to overcome his fear with massive action resulting in growing his business from a team 15  to 50 and tripling the revenue in his business. Additionally, his involvement in his profession and community was reinvigorated. 

The Pharmacy Gladiator’s story to REMAIN RELENTLESS will inspire you find your purpose,                                                                                         to overcome your fears, and reach your potential!