Allyson Lett
Marion,SC
Hometown: Mullins, SC
Current career: Clinical Pharmacist @ McLeod Medical Center, Dillon
Tell us a little bit about yourself and/or your personal journey:
A I am a single mama of my 29 year old son, Logan Hennecy, and also a “Gigi” to my precious 3 year old granddaughter, Bristol Claire. I live in historic, downtown Marion with my golden retriever, Chance. I am a member of Tranquil Community Church. I attended Pee Dee Academy where I graduated Salutatorian. High School was a blast for me—-my class was extremely close and still is to this day. I was involved in many extra curricular activities and clubs. I was always an “A” student but in the 8th grade I had a PE teacher, Coach Paula Heaberlin, that saw something else in me that I didn’t see in myself. As a result, I started on the varsity softball team. Her belief and motivation led to increased confidence in my abilities; leading to All-Conference Softball, State Championship Volleyball and Cheerleading over my high school years. After High School, I attended Francis Marion for two years preparing to transfer to MUSC but my plans changed when the dean of the USC College of Pharmacy came to the school and offered me a scholarship and the rest is as they say history. I graduated a semester early Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from the USC College of Pharmacy. I was a practicing pharmacist at 22 years of age. Interestingly, I began my career at McLeod Regional Medical Center, getting hired after I completed my final rotation and 37 years later I am still part of the McLeod Family. I have had other opportunities along the way. For example, while my son was young, I became a pharmaceutical sales rep for Eli Lilly and Company. There, I rose to the rank of executive sales rep and won many awards and honors, including the coveted President’s Council Award. Just before covid hit, I went back to school and obtained my MBA in healthcare management, this was something that I promised my daddy before he passed away earlier that year that I would do.
One of the biggest accomplishments in my career was working at the historic Professional Pharmacy in Marion. Myself and owner and fellow pharmacist, Mary Jo Fuller (originally from Lake View) obtained our certification as Diabetes Educators and led the state in cutting edge disease state management for patients with diabetes. At that time, we were one of 3 pharmacies in the state to offer this needed service. We participated in a published 2-year study with The State Health Plan where we actively followed patients clinically, working closely with their providers. I presented the culmination of that data in Columbia at a special meeting, where we showed significant decreases in complications of the dreaded disease. This is when I obtained the name “cheerleader for patient successes”. After 37 years, I still love what I do and my patients are still and will always be my passion.
What is a little known fact about yourself?
A. I recently celebrated my 1 year anniversary with EllieMD (my “side hustle”): an amazing telehealth company that offers cutting edge innovative therapies and education that may not only add years to your life but what I believe is just as important if not more important—-adding life to those years. I absolutely love educating patients and empowering them to make better choices that can improve their health and longevity.
Q. Who has been the most influential figure in your life and why?
A. I would have to say my parents, Johnny and Joyce Lett. These two amazing individuals raised me to have strong Christian Values as well as an incredible work ethic. Two valuable things that have truly gotten me this far in life.
Q. What is one of your biggest accomplishments?
A. One of my biggest accomplishments in life I would have to say is my son, Logan. I have always said that he has been my toughest and best days work.
Q. Fun Fact about you:
A. I love to sing…when i was a little girl, i was gonna be a country music singer
Q. Hobbies:
A. Enjoying time with my family and close friends, working out, gardening, reading, going to the mountains or Cherry Grove.
Q. What is the key to success?
A. Hard work, consistency, persistence and a lot of faith. But one of the biggest parts in my opinion is to have a heart of JOY. I had a Sunday School teacher growing up that told me to live a life of JOY you have to live your life the following way: Jesus/Others/ You—-JOY. And that to me is true success.
