At Hartig Drug, our customers are the reason we do what we do - and our employees are how we make it happen. They’re the heart that keeps Hartig beating, and we’re grateful for their dedication every day.

Today, we’re proud to introduce Sam Collins, our Pharmacist in Charge at our Waukon, Iowa location, as one of our Hearts of Hartig. 

Sam began her career at Hartig Drug in 2012 while finishing her rotations at the University of Iowa. Knowing she wanted to work in the medical field and help others, pharmacy school felt like the perfect fit - but maybe fate had a little more to do with it. What started as student rotations for Hartig Drug, led to a role as a float pharmacist, taking her to locations like Prairie du Chien, Fennimore, Platteville, and beyond, before ultimately bringing her back to her hometown, Waukon as a pharmacist.

There’s something special about living and working in a small town. In the pharmacy, Sam not only helps meet the community’s medical needs, but also gets to know her patients and their families, building meaningful relationships along the way. Seeing familiar faces every day - and knowing she’s helping neighbors, friends, and family - makes her work even more rewarding. For Sam, it’s not just about filling a prescription; it’s about caring for people she knows and helping solve their problems.

Sam says Hartig Drug of Waukon is a one-of-a-kind place. As part of a long-standing, family-owned Iowa drugstore, it combines the strength of a trusted company with the feel of a close-knit independent community. Everyone at the pharmacy genuinely cares about their patients, and the team brings out the best in each other.

While Sam manages the pharmacy in Waukon, there’s much more that goes into her role. Behind each prescription is a bit of “detective work” - problem-solving with doctors’ offices, insurance providers, and more - all to ensure patients receive the best possible care. In addition to serving customers in-store, there is a second pharmacy that supports assisted living communities, nursing homes, and residential care homes with their medication needs.

Sam is grateful to serve the community she grew up in and to be part of a pharmacy that puts patients first while still finding time to share a laugh. The most rewarding part of her work is hearing the gratitude from those she helps. Whether through a kind word, a phone call, or a handwritten card, those moments are something truly special—and a reminder of the impact she makes every day.