DSN Women Leaders 2014: Debbie Garza, Walgreens

Today, she champions the ability for pharmacists to practice at the top of their license for one of the more progressive retail pharmacy chains, but Debbie Garza, divisional VP government relations at Walgreens, got her start on the beauty side of the business. “I started in the cosmetics department (as it was called then) of Walgreens 30 years ago when I was a sophomore in high school,” she told Drug Store News. “When I started college, I was fortunate to have a store manager — who was a pharmacist — suggest I consider going to pharmacy school. Having worked as a pharmacy technician while in pharmacy school and being a staff pharmacist, pharmacy manager and district pharmacy supervisor, I feel I can really lend an understanding of our business and credibility when advocating for our interests.”

 From her beginnings as a pharmacy technician, today Garza is one of the industry’s leading advocates and most stalwart presence at RxImpact, where NACDS members descend on Washington for a day of meetings with members of Congress. At Walgreens, she is responsible for federal, state and local government relations, boards of pharmacy and public policy.  

Garza presently is working toward provider status for pharmacists, which would enable patient access to and payment for clinical services provided by pharmacists. What keeps her excited about the business? “Knowing we are making a difference in people’s lives and have the ability to change how health care is delivered in this country, and the role pharmacists can play can help improve outcomes and lower costs.” 

Garza serves on the NACDS Foundation board of directors, as well as on the board of the Coalition for Community Pharmacy Action.

To view the full DSN Women Leaders 2014 report, click here.