Then Now AuBurn Pharmacy Corporate in Garnett, Kansas

Michael Burns graduated from the KU School of Pharmacy in 1989. After working several years as a pharmacy manager for both a chain pharmacy in Kmart and for an independent pharmacy owner in Stanley, KS, Mike heard about an opportunity in a small town south of Kansas City. At the ripe age of 25 and with barely enough for a down payment, Mike purchased Hiles Pharmacy on March 23, 1992 in Garnett, KS located at 518 S Oak.

Within a few months, the business and real estate of Kingsolver Drug at 122 E 5th came up for sale (formerly Graves Drug.) Upon its purchase the two stores were combined and Burns Pharmacy, Inc. was moved to the south side of the Garnett square on June 30, 1992.

By July 1, of that same year, longtime friend, Steve Auten purchased Sinclair Drug in Osawatomie, Ks. Mike and Steve had worked together during college at an independent pharmacy in Eudora, Mike's hometown. Mike and Steve had contemplated partnership years before but had never completed the vision. Within two years of pharmacy ownership less than 30 miles from one another, Mike and Steve purchased Asher Pharmacy in Steve's hometown of Paola, and the partnership was formed. The following year in 1995, they opened Sugar Valley Pharmacy in Mound City, KS. The partnership continued to grow over the next 10 years adding additional locations in Baldwin and Osage City.

In the summer of 1999, Mike would make the painful decision to leave the historic downtown square in Garnett and relocate Burns Pharmacy to a more convenient location for his patients on the highway next to the new grocery store being built.

While almost at the completion of their next venture: pharmacy purchases in both Wellsville and Parsons and a beautiful new building for the existing pharmacy in Mound City, the friendship and partnership suffered the greatest personal loss of Steve Auten on September 22, 2006. Devastated but determined to honor the memory of his partner and their vision, Mike and the remaining team, picked up the pieces and forged ahead, opening those locations in Wellsville, Parsons and Mound City just days and weeks later.

Prior to the loss of Steve, the partners had decided to rename all the locations for efficiency, enhanced patient loyalty and brand recognition. They chose the name "AuBurn" as it was the final "coming full circle" and bringing together of Auten and Burns. Even with the loss of Steve, Mike was convinced this was still the right thing for the company. The following is an example of how the name changes were announced :

" Nothing has changed but our name. Baldwin City TrueCare Pharmacy is now Auburn Pharmacy. In pursuit of a decade-old vision by partners Mike Burns and the late Steve Auten, we have combined with our sister pharmacies in Wellsville, Osage City, Paola, Garnett, Mound City and Parsons under a single name. You will find the same commitment to outstanding levels of service by our professional pharmacy staff. The only thing that is different is our name. We're proud to re-introduce you to the hometown pharmacy you've always known, now as AuBurn Pharmacy"

With the purchase of Hometown Pharmacy in Louisburg, KS in October, 2008 and a very ambitious purchase of 6 McKeever's Price Chopper pharmacies in Kansas & Missouri on April 13, 2009, today AuBurn Pharmacy, Inc. consists of 14 retail pharmacies. In addition to retail pharmacy, AuBurn has a contractual relationship with the Anderson County Hospital, a St Luke's Health System Hospital in Garnett, where AuBurn oversees the activities of the pharmacy within the Anderson County Hospital. AuBurn Pharmacy is also proud to soon be opening a closed door pharmacy facility in Paola, KS that will service many of our long term care and nursing home facilities including our longtime healthcare partner The Lakemary Center.

Staying true to their original focus of providing quality patient care at affordable prices with a community pharmacy atmosphere, AuBurn Pharmacy continues to provide fast, friendly, one on one service with no long waits and convenient store hours. Because of the loyalty of our customers, AuBurn Pharmacy has been "Caring for the health of you and your community" for over 20 years!