David Feeney, Class of 1971

Dave Feeney is a Rhode Island pharmacist and gold level benefactor of the Pharmacy Future Fund Dean’s Roundtable. A URI Class of ’71 graduate, Feeney first fell in love with pharmacy during his freshman orientation at the university. “I was mesmerized,” says Feeney. “I fell in love with pharmacy and everything it could do—everything you as a pharmacist could do—and I still feel that same way.” In his time at URI, Feeney met mentors and established friendships that would guide him through his academic tenure and professional career. Feeney’s captivation with pharmacy would lead to his creation of the “URxI” branding, a symbol of the College of Pharmacy that is used to this day.
The story of Dave Feeney is also the story of an independent pharmacy in Warwick, RI. Established in 1963 by Brad Oxnard, Oxnard Pharmacy has been providing unmatched service to its customers as well as unbeatable competition to incoming chain pharmacies since its founding. At the head of Oxnard Pharmacy are Dave Feeney and his wife, Priscilla, both of whom have been wholeheartedly dedicated to their 81 hour-a-week operation since 1986 when they purchased the pharmacy. For Dave and Priscilla, Oxnard Pharmacy isn’t their job—it’s their playtime.
“I think it’s the greatest job in the world,” says Feeney. “I love playing
pharmacy.”

The pride of Oxnard Pharmacy lies in its staff. Together, the team provides a community service that both welcomes and supports those in need. On top of this, the staff is just as eager as Feeney to apply new technologies behind the counter. The result is one of the most sophisticated systems of drug administration in the state, placing Oxnard Pharmacy at the forefront of prescription pharmacy.
And it is Feeney’s interest in broadening service that brings both success and innovation to Oxnard Pharmacy. “This pharmacy operation is unique. I don’t know how many places around the country you’re going to find pharmacies with a certified diabetic educator—we’re the first pharmacy in the state to be certified as a diabetes outpatient educator—a certified asthma educator, and an immunizer. A lot of places do one; some might do two; we do all three.”
But according to Feeney, “this is why you go to pharmacy school: To do all the fun things.” Feeney fondly recalls Fogarty Hall being home to him and his peers in their studies at URI—an etched picture of the building hangs proudly upon his home office wall, he says. When asked about the new pharmacy building, Feeney said, “I’m sure it will become a place for students to congregate and learn about the whole profession of pharmacy. The biggest anticipation is that it’s going to be state of the art and that it’s going to be able to morph into what it needs to in order to provide for the future of pharmacy.”
This is what Feeney sees in pharmacy, and what he hopes will continue to inspire students just as it inspired him.
“We’re betting on pharmacy.”
Chad Lamoureux, Pharmacy Student, Class of 2015