Two Rainy Lake Medical Center employees proudly displayed certificates of completion they received last week.  

Ana Arp and Jennifer Mankie, pharmacy technicians at Rainy Lake Pharmacy, celebrated completing the technician program and expressed gratitude for the organization that made it possible. 

“We couldn’t have done this without the support of Rainy Lake Medical Center,” Mankie said. “I’m so grateful.”  

The women acquired the certification through MedCerts, an online career training school based in Livonia, Mich., that offers 30 online career readiness programs and 16 career certification programs in the healthcare, IT and office administration fields. 

The women were both hired in January, and began the program in March. RLMC not only funded their education, but provided them with the opportunity to work in the pharmacy full time while going through the course.  

“Rainy Lake Medical Center gave me access to the possibility of not having to choose between my children and my career,” Arp said, noting a grant from JET (formerly Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training) funded half the technician course. RLMC funded the other half.  

Arp and Mankie also were grateful to have each other as a support system going through the course.  

“It definitely helped having someone else going through it, too,” Arp said.   

Ground up 

Arp and Mankie also had the unique opportunity of hands-on involvement in starting a new pharmacy.  

“We were here to see Rainy Lake Pharmacy built from the ground up,” Mankie said. “And we helped with it… We installed shelving units.” 

Arp agreed.  

“I don’t think many people get the opportunity to be part of the build from the inside out,” she said. “ 

Mike Hipler, Rainy Lake Pharmacy pharmacist, said he was proud of the women for their dedication.  

“I couldn’t do this without them,” he said, noting he’s trained many technicians during his career. “These two have picked up quicker than anyone I’ve ever worked with.” 

About Rainy Lake Pharmacy  

Rainy Lake Pharmacy is located at 1580 Highway 71, and features Borderland’s only drive-thru pharmacy window.  

The pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions, call 218-598-5171 or email pharmacy@rainylakemedical.com.