• PharmD, Owner
• John Higgins grew up right here in Rutherford County graduating from RS Central High School then obtaining his Associate of Science at ICC. In 1990 he graduated with his PharmD from Campbell University. His care and commitment to family and friends in Rutherford County has been a continuous part of both his professional and personal life.
• John worked at Rutherford Regional Hospital and Spindale Drug while in Pharmacy school; and Revco immediately after graduating Campbell. In 1991, just one year after starting his professional career, John took the position of Staff Pharmacist here at Smith’s Drugs of Forest City. In 2000 John purchased the family owned business and has functioned as Owner-Pharmacist since then.
• While always John’s goal to maintain the excellent customer relationships and family values established in 1939, he had a vision to move Smith’s Drugs into the multi-service, modern facility he currently operates.
• Smith’s Drugs of Forest City has everything to meet today customers’ needs for pharmacy, compounding, home medical and long-term health services. The Home Medical Department also provides post mastectomy, respiratory and diabetic/orthotic devices and services.
• Smith’s Drugs of Forest City also has a full-service Old Fashion Fountain serving breakfast and lunch and a charming and unique Gift Shop offering clothing, jewelry, locally made items and more. John oversees the entire operation with the help and support of his dedicated staff.
• When not out hiking, running or watching his son’s soccer game, you’ll find John working in the Pharmacy along with our other well-trained professional staff. The thing John likes best about being a Pharmacist is “being able to serve the people of my community by providing quality health care.”
• Stop in and see John at work. He’ll be happy to answer your questions and assist you and your loved ones as best he can.

• Pharmacist
• Lori has worked as Staff Pharmacist at Smith’s Drugs of Forest City

  since October 2014. She received her BS Pharmacy from the University of Georgia in 1991. Lori has served a number of communities as a retail pharmacist over the years of her career, with roots in independent pharmacy.

• Lori loves animals, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Lori finds her career as a Pharmacist most satisfying when she is “making a difference in someone’s healthcare by listening to their concerns and looking for ways to improve their care.”

• PharmD/Long Term Care
• Blair Pruett is our Long Term Care Manager and graduated from Wingate University with the Class of 2018. Blair is another of our “hometown” staff members and reports that she feels “beyond blessed to begin my career so close to home, allowing me the opportunity to give back to a place that has given so much to me!”
• She was a member of Rho Chi (top 20% of her pharmacy school class) and Phi Lamba Sigma (Wingate’s pharmacy school leadership society.) She hopes to continue her career in long term care pharmacy and eventually become a consultant pharmacist where she can advocate for patients residing in nursing facilities and ensure they receive optimal care.
• Blair tells us that the thing she likes best about being a pharmacist is “building relationships with patients. We get to be on the front lines and communicate with our patients sometimes daily, allowing ample opportunities to not only better their healthcare but also create friendships”.
• When not at work you’ll find Blair spending time with family and friends; relaxing at home; and, watching Netflix. Spend some time getting to know Blair when you visit us at the Pharmacy. You’ll certainly be glad you did.

PharmD

Mikayla was born and raised in Forest City, NC. She graduated from Rutherford Early College High School and Isothermal Community College in 2016 with Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. She began working at Smith's Drugs as a pharmacy technician in 2017, then became a pharmacy intern upon starting the pharmacy program at Wingate University in 2018. She graduated from Wingate University with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in May 2022 as a member of the Rho Chi Honor Society. She began working as a pharmacist at Smith's Drugs in June of 2022. She enjoys being a pharmacist, because it gives her the opportunity to answer medication-related questions and help members of our community improve their health. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, bowling, and traveling to amusement parks to ride roller coasters.

PharmD

I’m originally from Gastonia and graduated from Ashbrook High School. I earned my pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. (Go Heels!) For the last 13 years I’ve worked as a retail pharmacist for a chain company. I’m so excited to be at Smith’s and am looking forward to being able to meet new people and care for our customers on a more personal level. In my free time I love being outside and traveling with my husband and our 9 year old son.