High Five: Jeff Simpson

It’s comforting to have Jeff Simpson as our pharmacist.

When it comes to medications, I’m very sensitive, tending toward weird and unpredictable reactions. Simpson is attentive, knowledgeable and always interested in information I give him as a result of research and experience.

Simpson has worked at the Valley ShopKo pharmacy since 1990. Such longevity is unusual. This is beneficial for me – having to educate a batch of rollover pharmacists about my idiosyncrasies would be discouraging.

But the thing I appreciate most about Simpson is his unfailing cheerfulness, year after year. Ask him how he is, and he enthusiastically says, “Great!” And you know he means it. Simpson is one of the most upbeat people I know; I feel better just being around him.

“I love my job, absolutely; I love coming here all the time,” he says. “I could go to a hospital or mail order, but I like interaction with people. They can have several questions about medication, and I like being there for them.”

Though the job requires patience, Simpson says he sees the positive side of medicine. “You get some problem people and situations every so often,” he says, “but the good people make it so rewarding.”

Simpson’s smile and kind spirit are good medicine any day of the week.