Choosing Excellence: HealthPoint’s Fourth Annual Managers and Supervisors Conference
Our managers and supervisors gathered at Johnstown House on Sunday, 20 September, for HealthPoint Pharmacy’s fourth annual conference. Under the theme “Where we’re at and where we’re going,” we took time to reflect on our progress, share ideas and look ahead to the coming year.
At the heart of the day was a simple question: how do we keep choosing excellence—for our patients and for each other?
Supporting our teams to deliver great care
The morning focused on where our business is today and what we want to achieve next.
We explored the responsibilities we share across HealthPoint. Our leadership team provides support with regulation, systems and standardisation, helping our pharmacies spend more time focused on patients. Our managers and supervisors bring that support to life by nurturing colleagues, building confidence and creating workplaces where people feel valued.
That everyday support matters. When our teams have the tools, encouragement and confidence to do their best, our patients benefit.
Excellent patient care, personal service and convenience remain the foundations of our group. As we grow, our priority is to keep strengthening those foundations while preserving the local relationships that make each pharmacy special.
Building our partnership with Uniphar
After dinner, we welcomed Derek McHugh from Uniphar, who shared an update on our partnership, how it has developed and the plans for the year ahead.
It was also an opportunity to discuss practical ways to make things work better for our stores. Feedback from the day will inform follow-up conversations around rep engagement, stock availability, online ordering and clearer invoicing.
Thank you to Derek and the Uniphar team for their continued support. We look forward to building on our partnership over the coming year.
The daily choice to pursue excellence
We were delighted to welcome fellow pharmacist Jack Kavanagh for a powerful and thought-provoking talk.
Through his own experience of life after a serious accident, Jack spoke about choosing to embrace life, adventure and difficult challenges in pursuit of a greater goal.
The message we took away was that each day presents choices—a left or right turn—and those decisions shape the direction we take.
For our pharmacies, that means choosing excellence in the everyday moments: listening carefully to a patient, anticipating what they might need, supporting a colleague under pressure or following through on a problem.
Excellence takes effort, particularly on busy days. Jack also reminded us of the importance of looking after ourselves. Spending time outside, reconnecting with nature and recognising the things that help us recharge can make a difference to how we feel and how we support others.
There was plenty for everyone to take into both their working and personal lives.
Celebrating exceptional colleagues
A highlight of the conference was recognising two people who contribute so much to our teams.
Geraldine Cooper from Drumcondra received our Supervisor of the Year Award. Geraldine is an incredible support to her colleagues and has played an important part in helping the pharmacy go from strength to strength.
Helen Hassett from Green Road received our inaugural GOAT Award—“Greatest of All Time.” From helping with stock and planograms to supporting stores when they need an extra hand, Helen’s contribution is felt across the group.
Huge congratulations to Geraldine and Helen on their well-deserved recognition.
Congratulations also to Patrick Cooney and Eileen in Tullamore, who each won a pair of sunglasses!
Turning feedback into action
The conference was also a chance to listen. Our managers and supervisors shared valuable feedback about where we can improve, and we left with clear areas to follow up on.
Alongside our discussions with Uniphar, we will review how we can refresh our front-of-shop offering and strengthen our apprentice technician and pre-reg programmes. We will also explore how a dedicated trainer or lead training role could better support learning across the group.
These conversations help us build a business that supports its people and responds to what our stores need.
Looking ahead, together
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave up their Sunday to attend, contribute and share their experience.
We left Johnstown House with fresh energy and a shared commitment to keep supporting one another and choosing excellence in patient care.
Local Pharmacies. Stronger Together.