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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is about 17% more prevalent in rural areas than urban ones. With rural communities often facing barriers to accessing healthcare, including limited specialists and transportation.
But what if there was a way to increase rural patient access to specialists?
In this episode of The Bottom Line Pharmacy Podcast, Scotty Sykes, CPA, CFP® and Bonnie Bond, CPA talk with Leanna Schwend, PharmD, DCES, owner of Yellowstone Pharmacy in Montana and founder of SugarBEAT for a powerful conversation on turning personal adversity into clinical innovation.
After being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before graduating pharmacy school, Leanna’s career trajectory transformed leading her to create one of the only certified diabetes education programs in a Montana retail pharmacy.
Now, she’s helping patients and other pharmacy owners bridge gaps in diabetes care, education, and revenue generation.
This episode explores:
- The story behind Leanna’s diagnosis and how it changed her mission
- Building and sustaining a certified diabetes education program
- Creating a digital support platform for patients, caregivers, and pre-diagnosis education
- Revenue options: cash-based models vs. accredited services
- And more!
More About Our Guest:
Leanna Schwend is PharmD and independent pharmacy owner who is passionate about Health and Wellness beyond the prescription. Her expertise is in value-added clinical services and leadership with special interests in Diabetes Education, Pharmacogenomics, Nutrigenomics, the Endocannabinoid system, Mental Health, and so much more! Leanna graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy of degree from the University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy in 2011. She then stepped into the role of Pharmacist in Charge and manager of her family pharmacy, Yellowstone Pharmacy of Forsyth, and became CEO/Owner in 2022.
She has successfully implemented an accredited diabetes education program through the American Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, immunizations, medication synchronization, medication therapy management, and pharmacogenomics testing and consulting.
She is a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, holds a certification in Pharmacogenomics, and is a Montana Pharmacy Association Board of Directors.
When Leanna turned 25, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Through her own personal experiences and knowledge of living with diabetes, she is committed and devoted to educating individuals that they can do more than survive…they can THRIVE!
In 2023, Leanna founded SugarBEAT Enterprise, in which she and her teammates aim to deliver a top-notch digital diabetes education solution that will empower individuals on their wellness journey.
Learn more about Leanna and SugarBEAT:
Leanna Schwend, PharmD, DCES LinkedIn
More resources on this topic:
Podcast - Driving Independent Pharmacy Profitability in 2025
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