Phillip Wilkins, Jr., 26

"I would see him, the way that he could really help patients out and I wanted to be able to do that too," said Phillip Wilkins, Jr., pharmacist at Malden Pharmacy, of his father, Phillip Wilkins who has for many years been a successful pharmacist.

"I always wanted to do something where you can be beneficial to others- make a noticeable difference."

Helping others is, in fact, one of the main things he likes about his occupation.

He remembers many times when he's seen his dad help customers with complicated issues concerning insurance or he caught instances when prescribed medications were not compatible. Now, he does the same things for his customers.

He explained that because patients visit so many different doctors, they do not always know everything a patient is taking and can easily prescribe medicines that are not compatible with each other. Phillip said that always using the same pharmacy can help catch these issues.

He hopes his patients can see that he cares about them and is always looking for an opportunity to help.

He has a goal of continuing to help his customers and to continue to come to work each day doing the best he can do.

This NASCAR fan who makes it a priority to often attend races and, along with his family, annually visits the Bristol Motor Speedway, initially studied business management.

His interest in business now complements helping to run the pharmacy with his dad.

An attraction to medicine doesn't stop with Phillip, Jr. and his father, he also has two sisters who are involved in the medical field. Annette is conducting her pediatric residency at the Arkansas Children's Hospital while Amelia, in December, graduated with a degree in speech pathology.

Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Phillip was involved in Little League baseball, soccer and tennis- where he was able to qualify for state competition. He also coached Upward basketball and enjoyed FBLA and FFA, acting as farm manager at the school farm showing cattle and swine. He also worked with the Fellowship of Christian athletes teaching and leading group discussions.

He grew up at Joneboro's Middleton Baptist Church which provided him with the opportunity to take mission's trips working at inner city food shelters during Spring Break.

After his 2007 graduation from Middleton High School, Wilkins headed to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to pursue his undergraduate degree in Pre-Pharmacy. He also spent some time at Arkansas State.

Last year, he earned his doctorate of pharmaceutical studies at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

While pursuing his degree, he was part of Phi Lambda Sigma, a leadership society, a member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity, he was class president his second, third, and fourth years at pharmacy school, and was a member of Kappa Psi, and part of the Honor's Council.

The scripture Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," has been motivational to him for many years. Whether studying for a tough exam or simply struggling with day-to-day life, it guides him.

"God has a path all of us," he said, continuing that much prayer and faith has kept him going.

He remembers that his maternal grandfather, Charles Smith, has always encouraged him to keep going. Growing up, he received letters from his grandfather reminding him to strive for the best.

He also knows that he has always been able to pick up the Bible and read that everything will work out.

In 2012, he married his wife Rachel who is a physical therapy student at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. After graduating, she hopes to eventually open a physical therapy clinic funneling proceeds from the practice toward a dream the couple shares- eventually opening an orphanage in a foreign country. They have already been researching the idea and hope to, within twenty years, be able to have made the dream a reality.

Phillip and Rachel are now active in Mount Carmel Methodist Church in Jonesboro where they are excited to have the opportunity to volunteer in many aspects including a local food pantry.