Home is where Rick Gates, ’95 BSPh, discovered the strength of community and the values that would shape his life. And where is that home? Iowa.
Gates was born and raised in West Des Moines, Iowa. During high school, he played ice hockey, driving himself to and from the rink. His parents required him to help pay for his car insurance, leading him to his first job at Kiburz Drug Mart, a local independent pharmacy.
“I saw firsthand how pharmacists serve as trusted health advocates and pillars of their communities,” Gates said. “Whether offering a quick consult or guiding someone through complex care, they made a real difference. That experience ignited my interest in patient care and advocacy, and it’s what led me to pursue a career in pharmacy.”
Gates followed this path to the University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. He was the first in his family to attend college and the decision felt clear.
“Its commitment to academic excellence, clinical leadership, and innovative research stood out,” Gates recalled. “The hands-on learning, especially through research and clinical rotations, gave me the foundation to launch my career. The strength of the Iowa pharmacy alumni network ultimately helped me land my first internship with Walgreens.”
"Throughout my career, I’ve stayed grounded in the values I learned at Iowa."
-Rick Gates
That was 30 years ago. Today, Gates serves as Walgreens’ chief pharmacy officer. He feels fortunate to have worked alongside passionate teams dedicated to advancing the pharmacy profession throughout his career.
One significant highlight was the launch of the Walgreens Deans Advisory Council, which unites 17 pharmacy school deans and senior Walgreens leaders to bridge the gap between academia and practice. This collaboration aims to address workforce challenges and ensure pharmacy education evolves alongside the profession’s needs.
Gates is also proud to have helped create PharmStart, a program that removes financial barriers for eligible Walgreens team members to complete their pharmacy school prerequisites.
“I remember the pressure I felt early in my pharmacy journey—balancing academics, work, and cost,” he said. “We’re working to make sure that our 50,000-plus pharmacy technicians can pursue their pharmacy dreams without financial hurdles standing in their way.”
More recently, Gates was named chair of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)—a role he views as an opportunity to continue driving progress that empowers pharmacists and improves care in every community they serve.
“Organizations like NACDS are critical for shaping policy, improving public health, and expanding access to care,” Gates said. “Being involved allows me to give back to a profession that has given so much to me and to ensure we’re paving a stronger foundation for the next generation of pharmacy professionals.”
Gates also views the role as an opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking leaders, mentor the next generation, and champion ideas that will move pharmacy forward.
Receiving the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from the UI College of Pharmacy was a full-circle moment for Gates, “given how much that institution shaped my path.”
“When I look back to graduating in 1995, I could never have predicted that a student internship at Walgreens would grow into a 30-year journey and ultimately into the role of chief pharmacy officer,” Gates said. “Throughout my career, I’ve stayed grounded in the values I learned at Iowa. I’ve always been a practitioner at heart, and I want to be part of shaping where pharmacy goes next. Staying connected to the college allows me to do that by supporting the education of future pharmacists and contributing to a community that shaped my own path.”