MENA, Ark. – For families in Polk County, filling a prescription just got more personal. Healthy Connections is proud to welcome Dr. Alicia Kalinowsky, PharmD, as the in-clinic pharmacist at the Healthy Connections Community Pharmacy in Mena.
The Community Pharmacy has long served patients at the Mena clinic, but having Kalinowsky as the dedicated in-clinic pharmacist strengthens the connection between pharmacy services, providers, and the patients who rely on them.
“Our mission has always been to expand care for the communities we serve, and having Alicia as part of our team is an exciting development,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections. “She brings a patient-first approach, a wealth of training, and a commitment to making healthcare more accessible. We’re thrilled to welcome her to Mena.”
Seamless Care for Mena and Polk County
What does it mean to have your pharmacist working right alongside your provider? For patients, it means safer, faster, and more connected care. Because the pharmacy is located inside the Healthy Connections Mena clinic, patients can see their provider and then fill prescriptions just steps away—making visits more convenient and improving communication between the care team and the pharmacy.
Kalinowsky explained that one of the greatest advantages of this model is safety, since prescriptions can be filled immediately and pharmacy staff and providers can collaborate directly.
Alicia’s Journey to Pharmacy
A native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Kalinowsky earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Louisiana Tech University. She also spent three years as a pharmacy intern in community pharmacy before joining Healthy Connections.
She said she always knew she wanted to be in healthcare but wasn’t sure exactly where she would fit in. She enjoyed connecting with people, and mathematics was a subject she excelled at in school. Pharmacy gave her the opportunity to bring those passions together while still working closely with patients. Today, that same drive guides her approach to patient care in Mena.
A Patient-Centered Approach
Kalinowsky is passionate about providing safe, supportive, and personalized care. She emphasizes that pharmacy is far more than filling bottles behind a counter. Each prescription involves a careful process of checking for accuracy, ensuring the dosage is correct, and making sure medications do not interact in harmful ways.
“Providers can check, but sometimes they don’t know everything that the patient is on if they’re not the ones who prescribed it,” she said. “We’re able to get the full picture sometimes and serve as the last safeguard before medication gets to the patient.”
By combining clinical expertise with patient-first compassion, Kalinowsky ensures the pharmacy isn’t just a place to pick up prescriptions—it’s part of the care team.
Getting to Know Alicia
Although new to Mena, Kalinowsky is eager to become part of the community. She grew up in a military family as the middle of three sisters and returned to Hot Springs for high school. She is engaged to be married later this year and looks forward to making Polk County a central part of her life.
When she isn’t working, she enjoys hiking, crafting with her Cricut, reading, and watching sports with her family and friends. She is especially fond of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series. Kalinowsky says she looks forward to building relationships in a town where neighbors still know one another by name.
Visit the Mena Community Pharmacy
The Healthy Connections Community Pharmacy in Mena is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., inside the Healthy Connections Mena clinic at 136 Health Park Lane, Mena, Arkansas 71953. Stop by after your next appointment and see how convenient in-clinic pharmacy care can be.
For more than 25 years, Healthy Connections has provided medical, dental, and behavioral health services across Arkansas. With Kalinowsky now serving as the in-clinic pharmacist, patients in Mena and Polk County can count on pharmacy care that is convenient, connected, and focused on their health and safety. It’s one more way Healthy Connections continues to serve with community, compassion, and excellence.
Call the pharmacy directly at (870) 242-1938, or reach Healthy Connections at 888-710-8220. You can also visit www.healthy-connections.org to learn more.
