Former Owner of Business Synonymous with City of Bridgeport, Randel Gum, Nets Major Honor from WVU
By Jeff Toquinto on June 18, 2024
One of Bridgeport’s most well-known pharmacists recently landed a prestigious award from his collegiate alma mater.
Randel “Randy” Gum last month earned the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy’s Outstanding Alumni Community Service Award. The award highlights an alum's outstanding commitment and service to the WVU School of Pharmacy, the pharmacy profession, and the wider community.
“Very pleased, but I was shocked and honored at the same time. It wasn’t something I was expecting at all,” said Gum, who got the notification via email.
Gum’s name, and that of his former business The Prescription Shop, became synonymous with Bridgeport. In fact, he was working to acquire the predecessor to his named business prior to graduating from pharmacy school in Morgantown in 1978.
“Before I was licensed, Bob Reep (who owned Reep’s Pharmacy) was interested in selling his store. I worked for Bob in high school and on and off through college. I was interested in buying, but that was a task,” said Gum. “Thanks to the Small Business Administration and a little help from my parents, I was able to get the pharmacy.
“Getting it was a relief,” Gum continued. “I was studying for my boards and working to buy a pharmacy at the same time. There was a little pressure.”
That pressure produced a Bridgeport community diamond. From his time of buying the business and renaming it The Prescription Shop in 1978 at 101 Doctor’s Drive to a pair of follow-up moves to 227 West Main Street and then to 1212 Johnson Avenue the business was an asset to the city. He eventually sold the shop at the end of 2008.
“I retired and worked part-time until 2019,” said Gum. “Today, I will fill in as needed at Bridgeport Family Pharmacy and volunteer my time 
at Health Access in Clarksburg, but that’s it.”
at Health Access in Clarksburg, but that’s it.”
When Gum, bought the pharmacy his goal was simple. He wanted to provide a service, fit into the community business family, and make a living. It ended up being more as The Prescription Shop crossed into the rarified air of businesses intimately associated with the community.
“Looking back on it, I can say with a little bit of pride that we did become synonymous with the community,” the 1973 BHS graduate who lived all but the first year of his life in the city. “I just remember never trying to say no when a community organization like the football program, the school play, Little League, a civic group or anyone who needed help. I wanted to see those groups, our community, thrive. I honestly don’t remember saying no.”
Gum also got involved with projects in the community. He assisted the citizens in the successful effort to raise funds for the building now housing the Bridgeport public Library, and he was involved with the project that put turf on Wayne Jamison Field.
Those honorable deeds have long been known about throughout the city. However, it was learned by those at the School of Pharmacy in another manner.
Fellow Bridgeport resident and pharmacist Adam Starkey who worked side by side with Gum for years nominated his work partner. The school provided the words used by Starkey to nominate him.
“Generations of Bridgeport residents have depended on him as their go-to for quick, reliable informative healthcare information. It inspired me to be a better pharmacist and to give back to the community. Through the years, Randel focused on providing invaluable consultation to Meadowview Manor residents and staff (the main nursing home in Bridgeport). He became a fixture there for recommending the best pharmaceutical plans to the staff for the aging residents of Bridgeport. As the years passed by, he instilled in me the need to serve the people of our community. Now in his retirement, he selflessly devotes his time to a free Healthcare Clinic in Clarksburg, Health Access which provides medication to the indigent. For the better part of his life, he has worked hard to make Bridgeport and Harrison County at large a better place by serving his fellow citizens through his pharmacy endeavors.”
The WVU School of Pharmacy presents this award yearly to an alum who makes great contributions to their community. The School calls for nominations in early spring, The nominees, and the submitted criteria, are then reviewed by a committee of alumni and School of Pharmacy representatives. The committee then votes on the nominees.
The banquet was held at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown. It took place June 1.
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