Jeff Lurey Retirement

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

GPhA’s Jeff Lurey Retires after an Accomplished Career

Jeff Lurey ATLANTA (September 2021), Georgia Pharmacy Association (GPhA) announces the retirement of Jeff Lurey, RPh, GPhA, VP of Independent Pharmacy, effective January 1, 2022. “Jeff has had a long and accomplished pharmacy career. He’s a pharmacy icon,” said Bob Coleman, GPhA CEO.

Lurey grew up in Warrenton and then Winder, Georgia, graduating from Winder/Barrow High School in 1965. He then attended UGA, studying chemistry, and went on to UGA School of Pharmacy (1965-1970). When asked why he went into pharmacy, Lurey said, “I have always liked science and math. Pharmacy allowed me to combine the two disciplines and make a good living at the same time.” He bought his first pharmacy in 1973, and eventually owned five other apothecary-style pharmacies, which he sold in 1995.

“I think GPhA is the best state pharmacy association in the country (and has been for a very long time),” said Lurey. He has been a member of American Pharmacists Association (APhA) since 1967, and a member of GPhA since I970. He is a member of GPhA, APhA, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), American College of Apothecaries (ACA), and many other social/civic/homeowner associations.

During his accomplished pharmacy career, Lurey served as the president of GPhA’s 5th Region in 1980 and ran for 2nd vice president in 1982. That started a long period of leadership service in numerous positions within GPhA (2nd vice president, 1st vice president, president, and chairman of the board).

Lurey helped start the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation and served as its chairman for many years. He also served on the Georgia Board of Pharmacy (12 years), the UGA Vision Plus Board, and the UGA Alumni Board. He has received the following awards:

When asked to reflect on his 50 years of pharmacy, Lurey told us the biggest change during his tenure was computers. He remembers using manual typewriters to type labels and filing prescriptions by hand, “counting and pouring, licking and sticking.” Patient counseling (Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and Disease State Management (DSM) has also been a major impact on the services that pharmacists provide. Lurey said, “The most significant “negative impact” on pharmacy, in my opinion, has been the total take-over of our profession by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM). I am optimistic we will regain control of our profession and I hope I live long enough to see that happen.”

Lurey is married to his wife Dale (for 51 years). They met at UGA in 1967 and it was love at first sight. They have one son, Alex (born 1974). Alex and his wife Tracy have two children, Richard (13) and Maren (10). They are all big animal lovers and have always had cats and dogs. The newest addition to the family is a cat named Willow. Lurey tells us he will eventually retire to Amelia Island, but will continue to visit Atlanta to see family and watch his grandkids grow up. We asked him what he plans to do in retirement, and he said, “Play a lot of golf.” If you know him, you know that’s right! “We look forward to continuing to work with Jeff in the future in a consultant capacity,” said Coleman. On behalf of the Georgia Pharmacy Association and the pharmacy community, we wish him the best.

 

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The Georgia Pharmacy Association represents Georgia’s pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and their patients. We fight for pharmacists at the capitol. We provide education, networking, and resources to improve pharmacy practice every day. For more information and the latest pharmacy news, visit GPhA.org.

Media Contact:
Michelle Turkington, Director of Marketing and Communications
Georgia Pharmacy Association
mturkington@gpha.org
678-640-4313