Gothenburg Health announces the hiring of a new pharmacist. Johnna Richter will graduate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center on May 7. Once she is licensed, she take over as a full-time pharmacist.

This is a success story for recruitment in rural areas. Rick Zarek, Pharmacy Director at Gothenburg Health, was patient in the recruiting process, and it paid off. People are available, Zarek said, but we had to be patient, and it happened in its own time.

Gothenburg Health has grown and the pharmacy has become more focused on patient care. The need for more help had been apparent for some time.

During the succession recruitment, Zarek said he cast a wide net with his network at the state pharmacists association, the state licensing board and pharmacy schools. It was when he reached out to UNMC to ask if they had someone who would like to work in rural Nebraska, that a connection was made.

Originally from North Platte, Richter and her husband and 7 month old son currently reside in Gothenburg, where they moved last May in order for her to complete her rotations.

Richter will graduate as a Doctor of Pharmacy. She will have completed rotations at Kearney Regional Medical Center, Great Plains Health, Gothenburg Health, Valley Pharmacy, Gothenburg Discount Pharmacy, Innovative RX, and Seven Valleys Health Mart.

Zarek will continue to support Richter and serve Gothenburg Health while also continuing to work with his other clients as an independent contractor and serving on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners.