Legislator Profile: Rep Justin Boyd

Representative Justin Boyd

Fort Smith

District: 77

Represents (Counties): Southwest Fort Smith in Sebastian County

Years in Office: 5

Occupation: I graduated from UAMS College of Pharmacy in 2000 and completed a Primary Care/Family Medicine Pharmacy Residency at AHEC-Northeast (now UAMS Northeast- Jonesboro) in 2000/01. I also completed an MBA in 2007 from the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas- Fayetteville.

Mentors: Mike Smets was my childhood pharmacist. My interactions with Dr. Smets influenced me becoming a pharmacist. Danny Eaker employed me as an intern during pharmacy school and as a relief pharmacist during my residency; I learned a lot about community pharmacy and owning a pharmacy from him. Dr. Eaker made it a point to take me to the APA Regional meeting every year. Keith Larkin employed me part time when I moved back home to Fort Smith; I cannot express to you all the kindness and caring Dr.Larkinshowshispatientsandstaff.SteveBryanttookme under his entrepreneurial wing and gave me the opportunity tojoinhisgrowingnumberofpharmaciesasaco-owner;this was a generous opportunity for me and my family.

What do you like most about being a legislator? Being a legislator, like being a pharmacist, is a great opportunity to help individuals, my community and my state.

What do you like least about being a legislator? Being a legislator takes me away from home and the pharmacy. This can be challenging to balance, but my home and pharmacy families continue to have my back. We make it work.

Most important lesson learned as a legislator: Being a legislator is a team sport. One person doesn’t call the shots, a majority does. Most admired politician: There are many politicians from whom I continue to learn. Choosing one is too challenging, but I feel pretty good with two: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. George Washington did his duty and then chose to go home. He knew he wasn’t a king and set a great two term precedent. Abraham Lincoln overcame many challenges to keep the Union together and end our nation’s scourge of slavery.

Advice for pharmacists about the political process and working with the Arkansas Legislature:

We have a representative form of government. I have found virtually all legislators listen to their constituents especially when a legislator possesses a personal relationship with a constituent. Develop a personal relationship with your state representative and senator!

Your fantasy political gathering would be: The Second Continental Congress during the drafting of our Declaration of Independence adopted July 4, 1776

Hobbies: HuntingespeciallydeerandturkeyandwhenIfind additional timeand energygenealogyand fishing

How important is it to have a pharmacist in the Arkansas legislature? Having a pharmacist in our legislature gives legislators direct access to a colleague who can answer questions about pharmacy. It makes a difference, because pharmacy issues are often technical and politically charged. §