By SHELLEY HANSON

WHEELING — For Matt Rafa, being a pharmacist means more than just dispensing medications.

It means helping his patients and giving back to the community as well.

Rafa, 42, is the pharmacy manager for the Kroger Pharmacy in Warwood. He has worked as a pharmacist for 12 years and as an employee with Kroger for 22 years total.

As a pharmacist, Rafa likely had his pick of cities and companies to work for, but he chose to stay in Wheeling.

“I returned because family is super important to me, and Wheeling, Warwood specifically, was the community that helped to raise me, and I wanted to give back for the opportunities I was given,” he said.

Rafa said his job allows him to help people, but he has figured out other ways to get involved with the community as well.

“I encourage anyone entering into any job to figure out how their job can help them to do more in their community, but pharmacists are one of the most accessible, trusted healthcare providers, so we are in a unique position to help on a broader scale,” he said.

Rafa is one of the charter members and past president of the Ohio County Virtual Lions Club, which is the first cyber club in West Virginia and 16th cyber club to start in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“I am a charter member of Grow Warwood Pride, a nonprofit volunteer organization to improve the community. In my time with Grow Warwood Pride, I helped start the Warwood Farmers Market, something I am particularly proud of,” he said.

Rafa is also president of the West Virginia Pharmacists Association.

One of the life lessons he’s learned over the years is that being a pharmacist gave him the ability to do more, not less.

“Just like a driver’s license allows you to drive a car, it doesn’t mean you can’t walk. So I have worked to think outside the box to find ways to leverage my tools to improve the organizations and projects I have worked on to be better,” he said. “A pharmacist’s ability doesn’t stop at the pharmacy door.”

Rafa believes the future of pharmacies across the country will continue to advance into a more clinical role and not just a dispensing role.

“Where there is still a need for dispensing medications, our value continues to increase in helping to fill the primary care shortage,” he said. “In rural locations around West Virginia, pharmacists are often a valuable resource for community health.”

Rafa believes the Ohio Valley’s bright spots are its residents.

“Wheeling’s bright spot has always been and continues to be its people. We have amazing people who dedicate their time and money to provide for Wheeling and its people,” he said. “From the small businesses popping up to the volunteer organizations that support the communities in numerous ways, the common thread is the people.”

Rafa said he is most proud of the relationships he has built personally and professionally.

“And how I’ve continued to work to connect people to improve the community that I live and work in,” he added.

“I’m proud to serve my community through a national company like Kroger because I’m able to serve with a small-town feel with big company resources.

“I’m able to bring those resources to our community and run my pharmacy like I would an independent pharmacy with national resources.”

Rafa said his motto or philosophy is, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Rafa resides in Wheeling with his two pet dogs, Eli, a husky-labrador mix, and Scooter, a beagle.