How Delivering Prescriptions at Age 15 Shaped My Dental Career

At 15 years old, I got my first job working for Longway Pharmacy in Flint, Michigan—an independent pharmacy that served the community long before big chains like Walgreens and CVS came to dominate the healthcare space. My boss, Mr. Mike Larson, gave me the opportunity to be the delivery girl, driving around town to deliver medications to elderly patients who couldn’t leave their homes.

But here’s the thing—it wasn’t just about dropping off medicine. It was about connection, care, and community.

The Power of Personal Touch

Every delivery turned into a mini house call. I wasn’t just a pharmacy courier—I was a listener, a friendly face, and sometimes the only person some of these elderly patients saw all day.

These moments stuck with me. I learned the value of slowing down, showing empathy, and offering genuine, personalized care. I witnessed how deeply people appreciated a warm smile and thoughtful service. That human connection—so often lost in today’s fast-paced healthcare world—was everything.

Lessons That Became My Foundation in Dentistry

Looking back, those delivery routes through Flint were my first training ground in what would later become the mission of VIP Smiles Dentistry: to treat every person with compassion, respect, and care beyond the clinical.

Here’s what I carried with me into my dental career:

• Service should be personal. Whether it’s medication or a smile makeover, people want to feel seen and heard.
• Relationships matter. Trust is earned over time, through honest conversations and consistency.
• Every smile tells a story. Just like those patients I delivered to, everyone deserves to feel confident and valued.

It’s why at VIP Smiles, we don’t rush appointments, and we treat every patient like family.

Coming Full Circle: A Call to Say Thank You

Today, I had the chance to call Mr. Mike Larson and say thank you.

Thank you for giving a young girl her first job.

Thank you for modeling how to run a business with heart.

And thank you for planting the seed of service that would grow into the career I love today.

Why This Story Matters

In a world where healthcare can often feel rushed and impersonal, I’ve committed to doing things differently at VIP Smiles Dentistry. My goal is to bring back that lost art of human connection—one smile, one conversation, and one life-changing experience at a time.

From a delivery girl in Flint to your smile makeover expert today—thank you for letting me serve you.

Need a dentist who cares beyond the chair? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Catrise Austin at VIP Smiles Dentistry today.