RON BAKER
Board Member
Ron grew up in Fairfield, Iowa, attended the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and was graduated in 1973. He practiced community pharmacy for a year in Oelwein, Iowa then moved to Bloomfield, Iowa and practiced at the prestigious Gilfillan Clinic for 10 years. The clinic was featured in a Look Magazine article and described as a mini Mayo Clinic of southern Iowa. He then became a sales representative for Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals which brought him to Norfolk, Ne then later was promoted to District Sales Manager, which brought him to Omaha. He took over Medicap Pharmacy in Council Bluffs in 1989 and joined SIPA in 1990. After the sale of Medicap, Ron joined the staff at Hy-Vee, 7th and Broadway, and was eventually promoted to manager. After retiring in 2014, he as continued to stay active and passionate about the profession lending his expertise and years of experience to the board.
Ron has held a position on the board since 1991 and has served in various capacities, as president and, lately as vice president. As president, he was able to work with pharmaceutical sales representatives to hold monthly continuing education programs and build the association's financial position. He proposed and started the Lou Carta Scholarship Fund which now awards a $1000 scholarship annually. Since that time, requirements for continuing education programs have tightened, and the paperwork is far more restrictive, therefore, SIPA now offers approximately 4 programs a year.
Ron as received numerous promotions and awards throughout his employment such as fastest growing store, elected district representative, best use of television marketing from Medicap. and has served on various IPA and NPA committees over the years.
"I started pharmacy practice with a typewriter and a corded telephone with only one insurance claim to fill out (John Deere). It was pure patient interaction and care. In spite of all the "progress", I want to promote patient care and the caring side of the profession to new students and practitioners and try to maintain common sense in the rules and regulations put forth by PBM's and regulatory bodies."
Also active in the community, Ron is a member of Christ Community Church and he and his wife serve as greeters, as liaison
between the church and Christian Motorcyclists Association Second Mile Riders chapter of which he is Road Captain, is a seasonal driver for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, and attends regular bible studies.
He is an Eagle Scout, and an Army veteran who enjoys motorcycling on his Harley, bicycling, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and SCUBA diving. He and his wife enjoy camping and traveling, stating their most enjoyable trip has been to Israel with their church.