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The Harrison College of Pharmacy team placed in the top 10 in the nation in the 2026 Good Neighbor Pharmacy National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. The Student Business Plan Competition aims to motivate students in pharmacy school to create a thought-out plan for either purchasing an existing pharmacy or opening a pharmacy from the ground up, and to prepare tomorrow’s pharmacy entrepreneurs for a successful future.

Members of the Auburn team include Brooke Dugan (Class of 2027), Laney Skipper Furey (Class of 2027), Mackenzie Hannon (Class of 2028), Burke Langham (Class of 2027), Kylie Pavlovec (Class of 2029), and Jaelee Price (Class of 2027).

The Auburn business plan focused on expanding the scope of independent pharmacy practice while increasing access to personalized healthcare services for patients from all walks of life.

To accomplish this, they developed a business model centered on the acquisition of an established community pharmacy in the Auburn area and the implementation of innovative services that target the needs of the local population. The name ConnectRx was chosen to represent their commitment to connecting patients to accessible, personalized care, bridging gaps in healthcare, and fostering lasting relationships between patients, pharmacists, and the community.

“We are so honored to place in the Top 10 of the 2026 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition,” said Price. “This project represents more than a business plan, it was the opportunity to transform a vision for the future of independent pharmacy into a realistic and sustainable model of care. Through this experience, we gained an even greater appreciation for the dedication, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of independent pharmacy owners who work tirelessly to serve their communities while navigating the many challenges of healthcare and business ownership.”

Others in the top 10 include Ohio Northern, Rutgers University, Arkansas-Medical Sciences, Georgia, Ole Miss, Missouri-Kansas City, South Carolina, Texas and Washington. The teams’ business plans were graded by independent pharmacy owners, business coaches and consultants, financiers, or community pharmacy practitioners, who must follow a detailed rubric when grading plans.