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Kenton
Pharmacy
West TN Pharms, a West Tennessee pharmacy chain co-owned by five University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy graduates, received its very own UT mural in April 2023 as part of the “Everywhere You Look, UT” campaign.
Kenton Drug Company located in Obion County is home to the 36th mural in the campaign.
Co-owner Derek Holyfield is a proud graduate of UT Martin (‘98) and the UTHSC College of Pharmacy (‘02). Holyfield, along with partners Jennifer Hopper (UTM ‘95, UTHSC ‘98), Greg Emison (UTHSC ‘02), Brian Whitby (UTM ‘01, UTHSC ‘05) and Kelly Weaver (UTHSC ‘04), founded the chain of eight pharmacies in rural West Tennessee with the aim of providing high quality pharmaceutical care to patients in mainly rural, underserved areas.
“We all felt that it’s better to work together, in our rural home areas, than with big pharmaceutical chains,” Holyfield says. “Pharmacy should be about taking care of patients, not just making profits.”
In addition to the Kenton location, the group’s other pharmacies include Duncan’s Pharmacy in Dyer, Duncan’s Express Pharmacy in Trenton, Duncan’s Pharmacy of Greenfield in Greenfield, Cavalier Pharmacy in Alamo, Three Oaks Pharmacy in Medina, Raines Pharmacy in Bells and Hometown Drug Company in Brownsville.
Holyfield attributes West TN Pharms’ success to UTHSC’s curriculum, culture and connections.
“My big takeaway from UT was that I was capable of doing whatever I chose,” Holyfield says. “But, at the end of the day, the patients always come first.”
Holyfield hopes that the 15-foot-wide mural on the side of Kenton Drug Company will be an emblem of his UT pride and a reminder to the daily 4,129 passersby of the unique opportunities the University offers. Additionally, he hopes that the reminder will encourage his fellow UTHSC pharmaceutical graduates to join the campaign as well.
“(UT) President (Randy) Boyd says he wants one of these murals in every county,” Holyfield says. “Well, there’s almost a pharmacy in every county with a UTHSC pharmacy grad.”
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SEe it for yourself:
Kenton Drug Company
116 East College Street
Kenton, TN 38233
Meet the Artist
Painting a 40-foot mural on a metal grain bin in 90-degree heat calls for a special type of artist.
Troy Freeman started his mural painting career while still in high school, painting mascots for his and area schools before advancing to sign painting work for local farmers and then founding his own business.
Free Sky Studios, Inc. is a Springfield, Illinois, based professional mural and sign painting business providing commercial and residential clients with a professional source for quality, creative work. With more than 20 years of experience, Troy focuses on delivering quality service marked with exceptional talent and professionalism in every project.
From a 65-foot corn cob to 4-story Frank Lloyd Wright tribute mural, Troy has the experience and expertise to tackle any location we envision.
Troy Freeman
Owner and Lead Artist
Free Sky Studios, Inc.
freeskystudios.com