EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: KRISTI HAWN, PHARMACIST
How long have you worked with Mac’s Hometown Pharmacy? I have been with Mac’s Hometown Pharmacy for about eight years. My journey began during Pharmacy School with an internship at Mac’s North Knoxville, followed by a year-long residency there. I initially started out in Mac’s Long Term Care Pharmacy and eventually transitioned back into retail pharmacy, and became a PIC (Pharmacist in Charge) in 2021.
What inspired you to work in the pharmacy field? And what do you enjoy most about your job? My uncle, Dr. Jeffrey Summers, inspired me to pursue a career in pharmacy. I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare, and during high school, I worked at my uncle’s doctor’s office. It quickly became clear to me that while I loved medicine, I wasn’t fond of the more graphic aspects of healthcare. What I truly enjoy about my job is the ability to impact people’s lives positively through medicine.
Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had while working at our pharmacy? One of my most memorable experiences was during my clinical internship when I visited a patient’s home to review her medication after her hospital discharge. She was understandably confused about her new medication regimen, as some medications had been added while others were removed. I was there for 2 hours but I will never forget how rewarding it was to help her understand how to take her meds correctly, knowing it would significantly improve her health.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work? What are your hobbies or interests? Outside of work, my four-year-old daughter, Kayleigh, keeps me pretty busy, and we are looking forward to the arrival our baby boy, Carter, who is due on March 12th. My family also owns Whimsy Cookie, and my husband, Cody, has recently opened a baseball facility focused on performance training in Sevierville.
If you could recommend one product from our pharmacy that you believe everyone should try, what would it be and why? I highly recommend a quality probiotic for gut health. Probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut, aiding digestion and alleviating issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. A healthy gut microbiome not only boosts overall immunity but also reduces inflammation and helps maintain regular bowel movements.
