FLORENCE, SC / ACCESS Newswire / October 1, 2026 / In a major step forward for career-ready healthcare education in the Pee Dee region, Florence 1 Schools has officially partnered with THE Pharmacy to launch a state-of-the-art pharmacy simulation lab at the Poynor School of Healthcare Innovation in downtown Florence.

Designed to reflect the daily operations of a modern retail pharmacy, the fully immersive facility gives high school students practical, real-world training. The comprehensive curriculum covers essential skills in pharmacology, prescription processing, pharmacy calculations, medication preparation, customer service, technology, inventory management, and patient safety.

By bridging classroom instruction with professional application, the initiative enables local high schoolers to step straight into healthcare roles or pursue advanced medical degrees.

"Our goal is to give students an opportunity to see themselves in healthcare before they ever graduate from high school," said Jarrod Tippins, PharmD, owner of THE Pharmacy. "By placing them in a realistic pharmacy environment and allowing them to learn through hands-on experience, we are helping turn curiosity into confidence and confidence into a career pathway."

The facility closely replicates authentic clinical workflows, allowing students to refine critical thinking, precise attention to detail, clear patient communication, and professional ethics within an interactive learning environment.

"What makes today so powerful is that we are connecting education to experience, experience to employment, and employment to a lifetime of opportunity," Tippins said. "We are planting a seed that can change the direction of a student's life."

"Thank you to Jarrod and Jill Tippins, not only for creating THE Pharmacy at Poynor, but also for their long-term partnership with the district. They are investing in the future of this community, the future of pharmacy, and the entire healthcare industry," said Dr. Richard O'Malley, Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools, in his opening remarks for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Pharmacy at Poynor serves strictly as an educational simulation center and will not dispense medications to the general public.

Located at 301 S. Dargan Street in Florence, the Poynor School of Healthcare Innovation prepares high school juniors and seniors for healthcare careers through clinician-led instruction, hands-on training, professional certification pathways, and workforce-development opportunities.

About Florence 1 Schools

Florence 1 Schools serves students across Florence County, South Carolina, and is committed to providing top-quality education, innovative career pathways, and holistic student support. For more information, visit f1s.org.

Media Contact: Melissa Rollins
Phone: (843) 758-6037
Email: marketing@f1s.org

SOURCE: Florence 1 Schools