McKesson ideaShare 2026 Brings Independent Pharmacy Leaders Together in Denver

Independent pharmacy professionals from across the country gathered in Denver, Colorado, last week for McKesson ideaShare 2026, an annual event focused on empowering independents to foster connection, discover ways to innovate and thrive, and strengthen their collective voice.

From the moment attendees arrived at the Colorado Convention Center, the event was filled with opportunities for connection, education and collaboration. Throughout the week, pharmacy owners, technicians and industry leaders explored emerging trends, shared best practices and discussed the future of independent pharmacy.

"Independent pharmacies play an essential role in care delivery, with patients relying on them not just for prescriptions, but for personalized support with an increasing range of services," said Crystal Lennartz, PharmD, MBA, president of Health Mart and Health Mart Atlas. "At McKesson ideaShare, we brought the independent pharmacy community together to learn from one another, pairing meaningful connection with actionable education on business, patient care and advocacy. This helps pharmacy teams strengthen their businesses, amplify their voice and continue serving patients."

Education was central to the McKesson ideaShare experience, with programming intentionally designed to equip attendees with everything from big-picture industry insights to practical strategies they can apply in their own pharmacies. Curriculum focused on three key priorities: advancing patient care, helping pharmacies strengthen operational performance and business sustainability, and reinforcing the importance of advocacy and community impact.

A key theme of this year's event was innovation, particularly the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Attendees had the opportunity to explore interactive AI demonstrations designed specifically for independent pharmacy settings.

The conversation continued in educational sessions and on the main stage, including a keynote by Jason Dorsey, author and researcher on crossing the generational divide. Dorsey’s presentation focused on the human side of AI and its potential to enhance patient and pharmacy experiences.

One of the week's most anticipated moments was the announcement of the 2026 Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year. Selected through a live vote by registered attendees using the McKesson ideaShare app, the award was presented to Mace's Pharmacy of Phillipi, West Virginia. Owned by Rich Mace, RPh, and Kathy Mace, the pharmacy was recognized for its commitment to personalized patient care, business innovation and community impact.

"Our approach to care is rooted in service," said Rich Mace. "We believe we have been placed in our community for a purpose — to care for patients, show up in times of need and serve others. That belief guides how we treat patients, how we support our community, and how we make decisions as a business."

Butterfield's Pharmacy of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Latham's Pharmacy of Arab, Alabama, were also recognized as finalists for the award.

Additional honors included the Trailblazer Award, presented to Shahida Choudhry, PharmD, owner of The Palms Pharmacy in Tampa, Florida, and the Going the Distance Award, presented to CHCC Outpatient Pharmacy in Saipan for its commitment to maintaining access to care despite significant geographic and operational challenges they believe could have the greatest impact on their business and the patients they serve.

McKesson ideaShare will return June 24–27, 2027, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.