A 15-year journey of community service with a heart

In late 2008, Theodore Parker and Kathy Yuknavage found themselves yearning for a change, a new venture that would utilize both their skills while serving the island community they had called home for nearly 35 years. Both had a history of contributing to the Commonwealth, not just in healthcare but also in environmental conservation. This shared vision led to the birth of Brabu Pharmacy, which opened its doors on June 9, 2009. Now, 15 years later, Brabu Pharmacy stands as a testament to their dedication and the community’s trust.

From humble beginnings to expansion

Brabu Pharmacy has come a long way from its modest beginnings. Initially a single-location pharmacy, it has expanded into three locations, offering a range of services including vaccinations and mobile clinics. This growth is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of its staff, who diligently research new, environmentally friendly products and listen to customer feedback. “As an environmentally conscientious organization, we train our staff to expand our organic and environment-friendly healthcare products. They do an amazing job researching new products and listening to our customer base to stock products they want to see on our shelves,” said Yuknavage.

Parker remembers that his father, a retired pharmacist always told him to care for the community, “No matter where you live; give people an education, a livable wage, respect, and a workplace that shows appreciation for their efforts, and your business will succeed. Starting with 1 employee at our opening to the 20-plus employees now is a testament to his philosophy.”

Milestones and achievements

Among Brabu Pharmacy’s significant milestones and their first major achievement was helping local elders sign up for Medicare Part D (for prescription drugs). Yuknavage recounts the struggle to get man’amko enrolled.

“When we discovered that no one was signing up for this program, we set out to find out why. We learned that part of the reason was that neither the Medicare provider’s helpline nor their website included the CNMI in their drop-down menu. At the point when I found out that even the local Social Security office was unable to easily enroll our people, I emailed Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, letting his office know of the hurdles that were preventing our man’amko from enrolling. Congressman Kilili immediately put together a task force in Washington, D.C. to address the issue. Once this was completed, the CNMI went from nearly zero enrollees to over 250 in the first year. Several agencies still refer patients to us to help them get enrolled.”

Another proud moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic when Brabu’s pharmacy technicians became the first in the Pacific region to be certified to administer vaccinations. This initiative allowed the community to receive vaccines directly at the pharmacy, enhancing local healthcare access.

Overcoming challenges

The journey was not without its challenges. Financial difficulties in the first year tested their resolve, but Parker and Yuknavage’s risk-taking spirit and community support pulled them through. “We knew there was a real need in our community, so we pushed forward, and it paid off,” said Yuknavage.

Parker recalls these early struggles.

“Finances were tight, and the economy was weak in 2009. But Kathy’s marketing efforts and our commitment to providing an alternative for prescriptions and healthcare products helped us turn the corner.” Yuknavage’s decision to cash out her retirement to cover initial shortfalls proved to be a pivotal move, cementing their commitment to the community’s needs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brabu was the first pharmacy to offer curb-side COVID rapid assay testing. “Our staff have been fantastic. They helped develop our biohazard safety precautions and because of this we were able to assist the CHCC Department of Public Health in tracing potential exposure routes,” said Yuknavage.

Parker recalls, “We were also one of the first organizations to require masks and sanitize our surfaces to protect not only our patients but our staff as well. Even though we have always offered delivery, during the COVID-19 epidemic, this was extremely helpful to many of our patients who were homebound or in quarantine during lockdown.”

Community contributions

Brabu Pharmacy’s contributions to the community are many. From partnering with local agencies and organizations including the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., Center for Living Independently in the CNMI, Commonwealth Cancer Association, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Aging Center, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan’s office, and all medical clinics on the island to donating medications and supplies to the relief shelters after typhoons, the pharmacy has been a pillar of support. Their “Change for the Better” program helps cover medication costs for those unable to afford them, demonstrating their commitment to health equity.

Yuknavage comments, “You may have seen our ‘Change for the Better’ container at the cash register. Any money collected, including larger donations from some incredible physicians, helps pay for those who are uninsured or who fall through the cracks of the Medicaid program, especially when the medication is for treating acute illness or infections. That’s what the program goes toward.”

Staff achievements

For Parker and Yuknavage, the most special moments often involve their staff’s achievements. Parker fondly recalls when Patsylynn Cepeda, the first staff member to earn a Doctorate in Pharmacy and return to work at Brabu. “Her journey was challenging in the beginning, but we worked with Patsy and kept encouraging her. Her success made us incredibly proud,” he says.

“In the end, she sailed through, even managing to get married and have twins while completing her degree. We cried a bit when we learned she passed her board exams,” Yuknavage adds.

Yuknavage highlights the pride she feels in their continuous learning culture. Brabu has mentored numerous pharmacy technicians and supported staff in pursuing higher education. “We pay for full time staff’s study hours and encourage professional growth,” Yuknavage explains, adding that their staff’s development is integral to Brabu’s success. “I’m proud to say that one of our staff will be graduating with a BS degree in Environmental science this June from Oregon State. This makes me extremely proud as a fellow Environmental Scientist. Currently, we have four new students working with us or volunteering this summer who are interested in pursuing a career in Pharmacy.”

“Over the years, we have had dozens of individuals train with us. We have mentored and helped certify over a dozen Pharmacy Technicians and have helped enroll staff in online training or at Northern Marianas College. We have also encouraged local staff to complete their doctorate in Pharmacy,” said Parker. “Ultimately, we would both like to retire someday and see Brabu and our staff grow and continue to provide care for the community.”

Yuknavage expresses the hope that they all come back to our islands, “I hope we can get someone interested in pursuing a career in accounting. I keep asking people to stream the movie ‘The Accountant’ to show what a sexy profession it can be. I can say with a bit of chagrin, that it’s not working. I need a new tactic,” she jests.

Tanya Concepcion, a current employee of Brabu remarks, “Being part of the Brabu family has been a blessing for me because Ted and Kathy allow us to grow within the company to better ourselves for the community and our families. The passion and commitment that they show to their staff is their way of clearly expressing how much value they see in our people.”

Memorable experiences & successes

“My best experiences are when I am able to obtain a rare or very expensive medication for a patient that I know is lifesaving. On more than one occasion, after spending several hours or even days of phone calls and e-mails, getting an insurance override for a patient’s lifesaving medication is incredibly rewarding. Those are the successes that I remember most,” said Parker.

“I’m proud to see that our staff have adopted the same tenacity. They also spend hours on the phone or online getting coupons or insurance over-rides for our patients,” said Yuknavage.

Guiding principles and future aspirations

At the heart of Brabu Pharmacy’s operations is a commitment to patient well-being and environmental consciousness. “A patient’s well-being is always first. Everything else is second,” said Parker. Yuknavage adds that creating a positive, respectful workplace is crucial, as is their commitment to eco-friendly practices. “Ted is great at keeping things light, we share a common sense of humor. No one wants to work in a boring cold setting, so creating the right atmosphere and choosing a good music stream is critical.”

“We also really try to avoid harming our environment. We do our best to carry organic products; especially those that won’t harm our coral reef, and we recycle and reuse items as much as possible to avoid adding to our landfill. Plastic bags have never been provided at Brabu and staff get ‘the lecture’ if they bring back lunch in one, or with plastic utensils inside.”

Looking ahead, Parker envisions expanding mobile clinics and vaccination services. “We have conducted a few mobile clinics and offered in-house vaccination services to the Center for Living Independently in the CNMI, and to the staff of some private companies,” he says. Yuknavage, with characteristic humor, adds, “And get better parking. Just kidding, …not.”

Gratitude and acknowledgements

As they celebrate 15 years, Parker and Yuknavage extend their gratitude to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan’s office for their support and for their persistence in getting the pharmacy suppliers and insurance companies to work with them so they can provide medication at a reasonable price, medical providers for their trust, and David Burger for his accounting advice. Most importantly, they thank their staff, the backbone of Brabu, for their hard work and dedication.

“Not only have they mastered their roles, they help train new staff. Everyone helps newcomers feel at home and part of the team. Being part of the Brabu familia keeps us all community-focused,” said Yuknavage.

Brabu Pharmacy’s 15-year journey is a story of resilience, community care and involvement, and continuous growth. With an unwavering commitment to the islands, its people, and their Brabu family, Brabu Pharmacy looks forward to many more years of genuine service straight from the heart.