Employee Spotlight: Kathy Nolan, Certified Pharmacy Technician at Mac’s West Knoxville
Name: Kathy Nolan
Kathy grew up in Nashville and graduated from Western Kentucky University. She moved to Knoxville in 1992 to be closer to her parents and her sister, who’s a teacher at Tate’s School.
Your Role: Certified Pharmacy Technician
How long have you worked for Mac’s Pharmacy?
I’ve been with Mac’s for three years—since the very beginning! I was one of the first to join the team when the store opened.
What inspired you to work in the pharmacy field?
After spending several years at home raising my kids, I was ready to return to full-time work. I decided to become a pharmacy technician and started my career at Walgreens—and I’ve loved it ever since.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Medication is expensive, and dealing with insurance can be frustrating. What I really appreciate about working at a hometown pharmacy is that we have the time to go the extra mile for our patients. Whether it’s helping them find coupons, calling doctors for alternatives, or finding ways to save them money—we’re here to help however we can.
Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had while working at our pharmacy?
There have been so many special moments, but one that sticks out is when a longtime customer mentioned he knew my father and grandfather from Columbia, Tennessee. It was such a surprising and meaningful connection—it reminded me how small the world really is.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in pharmacy?
It’s a wonderful career path! You don’t just get to know your patients—you get to know their families, too. The relationships you build are what make it so rewarding.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I’ve been married to my husband, Dewayne, for 28 years. We have two children—Sam, 23, and Allie, 21. I love cooking, reading, and listening to audiobooks. Some recent favorites include The Help, The Great Santini, and Trail to Hometown. This year, my daughter and I are taking a trip to New York City to see Sunset Boulevard with the original cast and Little Shop of Horrors. Another big part of my life is music. I love going to concerts—it’s one of my favorite hobbies! You’ll often catch me wearing my favorite concert tees to work, and I always get a kick out of the conversations they spark with coworkers and customers. Oh—and life at home is never dull with our three dachshunds: Max, Peyton, and Milo.
If you could recommend one product from our pharmacy, what would it be and why?
It’s a tie between two! First is Gaviscon—I used to take Tums, but Mac introduced me to Gaviscon and it completely changed the game. The second is the NasoNeb. Living in Knoxville means battling serious allergies. Using a prescription for budesonide with the NasoNeb helps the medication reach deep into the sinuses—and it actually works. Total game changer.
