Friend of Pharmacy 2007: Bobbie L. Riley

Bobbie L. Riley

Bobbie was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. She was accepted to Drake University majoring in Math and Computer Science. While working in a drug store just three weeks before her freshman year at Drake, two pharmacists suggested Bobbie consider pharmacy as a career. They shared the benefits of the profession and selfishly were looking for an intern for the next five years. Bobbie switched her major to pharmacy and hasn't looked back.

Bobbie met her husband while attending Drake. He had returned to school to receive a pharmacy degree to join his parents who had owned and operated an independent pharmacy in Geneva, Illinois. Upon graduation, they moved to the far western suburbs of Chicago where they still live today, and where Bobbie accepted a position with Osco Drug.

As Bobbie moved into a corporate role, she spent 10 years in various Human Resource roles including Regional Trainer, Manager of Pharmacy Education and Director of Recruiting and College Relations. She returned to pharmacy operations as Pharmacy Operations Manager and then moved into Pharmacy Process Redesign. Upon SUPERVALU's purchase of Albertsons last year, Bobbie was asked to oversee pharmacy operations for the Eastern Retail Division overseeing nearly 300 pharmacies which cover five banners and 14 states.

It was during her tenure as Director of Recruiting and College Relations that her fondness for Purdue blossomed. Bobbie worked closely with Dean Rutledge, Jackie Jimerson, Christopher Smith and others to develop a Multicultural Scholarship Program at Purdue as her company had done with several other schools of pharmacy across the country. The main focus of this program was to insure that we work together to develop future pharmacists to match the country's diverse patient base. She enjoyed working with a group of professionals and a University whose goals so closely aligned. Purdue's program quickly caught up to and surpassed the success seen with any of the other scholarship programs of this type.

Although it has been several years since the inception of this program, Bobbie waits eagerly each spring to receive her invitation to attend the Multicultural Luncheon. It is both personally and professionally gratifying to see what this program has grown into with the continued support of the University and now many other corporate sponsors. Purdue students, faculty and staff have always made Bobbie feel very welcome and proud to be considered a Friend of Pharmacy.

Bobbie and her husband, Tim, feel very fortunate to still be enjoying their profession after nearly 20 years. They enjoy the many benefits it has brought to their lives and enjoy sharing time with friends, family and their two spoiled labs whenever possible.