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Kinney Drugs, the leading healthcare organization in New York and Vermont, presented its most outstanding pharmacists and stores with awards at its recent Pharmacy Conference at the Turning Stone in Verona, N.Y.

The height of the event is the presentation of awards honoring pharmacists who have shown the utmost commitment to patient care and the company throughout the year. These individuals and store teams have made it their mission to express Kinney Drugs' culture of caring for the community, to their colleagues, business partners and most importantly their customers.

The most prominent award of the conference is the Quest for Excellence. This award honors a pharmacist's overall dedication to their customers, community, as well as professional representation of Kinney Drugs. The honoree also demonstrates an overwhelming desire to provide exceptional patient care and achieve operational excellence at all levels. In addition to much appreciation and fanfare, the winner also receives a one carat diamond ring to signify the magnitude of this award. This year's recipient was Robert Kline, R.Ph. supervising pharmacist at Kinney's Alexandria Bay, N.Y. store and a 20-year veteran of Kinney Drugs.

"The QUEST for Excellence is truly the highest level of recognition and appreciation attainable by an individual within our organization." commented Mike Duteau, Director of Pharmacy Operations. "Mr. Kline has constantly led by example, putting the needs of the customers and his pharmacy team first. He prides himself on the store's level of service and continually strives for improvement. His dedication is admirable and his insistence on teamwork is unwavering." He inspires his coworkers and brings the concept of outstanding customer service to a new level."

Outstanding Community Service is a top award given at the conference each year. Community service is a cornerstone of Kinney Drugs and is what separates them for other pharmacies in the communities they serve. This award is presented to a pharmacist who exemplifies exceptional commitment and dedication to his/her community. Lisa Brown, R.Ph. at the Elbridge, N.Y. received the Outstanding Community Service Award.

"Her commitment to the community as well as her profession is unwavering and admirable," stated Mike Duteau Director of Pharmacy Services. Customer comment cards pour in about Lisa and her continued dedication to his patients. Lisa goes above and beyond to build business while bettering the lives of the patients she serves in many Kinney communities, she also he finds time to dedicate to local charities in her community.

The A. Eleanor Jackson Store Support Award is another prestigious award given at the conference. It honors an administrative associate who provides an exceptional level of support to the stores, and ultimately our patients. This year Kinney Drugs honored Carol Breckenridge, an integral part of the store support system as Pharmacy Supply Chain Manager.

"Carol has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the stores as well as corporate objectives. Her drive and determination continue to exceed all expectations and she will spend days at a store, working hard to ensure success. Her contributions directly impact the success of our company and we greatly appreciate all of her efforts," stated Mike Duteau, Director of Pharmacy Operations.

Entire store teams are also honored during the conference with the Store Recognition Award. Regional pharmacy managers evaluate stores on incomparable customer care, sales growth, and execution of the total business plan. The candidates are also judged on the overall store appearance throughout the year, their involvement in staff development, community support and the level of customer service that they provide.

The Store Recognition Awards are presented by the regional managers and accepted by store pharmacists. The winning locations in the Northern region include: Saranac Lake, N.Y., Milton, VT., and Elizabethtown, N.Y. Winning locations in the Western region included: Elbridge, N.Y., Skaneateles, N.Y., and Weedsport, N.Y. Winners in the Eastern locations included: Camden, N.Y., Oswego, N.Y. and Clinton, N.Y. Central regions winners included: Adams, N.Y., Watertown, N.Y. and Alexandria Bay, N.Y.

"We are very proud of all of our pharmacists and the level of personal attention they give to their patients, commented Bridget-ann Hart, President and COO. Exceptional patient care, commitment to healthy communities, dedication and hard work played a vital role in the success of this past year."

About Kinney Drugs

Kinney Drugs is a leading community pharmacy and retail business. Founded in 1903 by Burt Orrin Kinney, the organization has grown into an employee owned company with a network of 88 stores in central and northern New York and Vermont. Many are freestanding units offering drive-through pharmacy services, free prescription delivery and online and telephone refill services. All locations offer a full line of healthcare, personal care and beauty care products, cosmetics, convenience food and beverages as well as digital photo processing services and Hallmark greeting cards. Kinney Drugs operates its own distribution warehouse to service its retail locations.

The company also operates three other divisions that bring healthcare services to customers outside of the retail environment. These include ProAct, Inc., a full service prescription benefit management company, HealthDirect institutional pharmacy services and HealthDirect mail order pharmacy services. Kinney Drugs is an employee-owned company headquartered in northern New York. For more information, visit www.kinneydrugs.com.