Ira Katz is Inman Park Festival's Parade Grand Marshal

by Karen Heim

INMAN PARK — The Festival Committee is pleased to announce Ira Katz, R.Ph., as this year’s Parade Grand Marshal. Ira is the owner and pharmacist of the Little 5 Points Pharmacy, serving the community since February 1981. Here are some testimonials from the neighborhood made prior to the announcement of his selection as Grand Marshal:  

“What other pharmacy will let you pay ‘later’ when you rush in without cash, credit card or check? Ira knows you will return with money. He also lets you pick up prescriptions for friends and neighbors. Since he knows your friends and neighbors, he trusts you.”

“Twenty years ago, when my best friend was fighting his unsuccessful battle against AIDS, Ira was there to help. Back then, insurance payments for new, cutting edge AIDS drugs were very cumbersome. My friend was expected to fill out tons of paperwork before getting reimbursed for his drugs from the insurance company.  Ira offered to handle the paperwork and deferred payment for these very expensive drugs until my friend was paid.”

“Especially right now, with so much unrest in health care, to have pharmacists who know us, pay attention to our health, and answer questions of any sort...how can it be better? Ira and his folks are the most important health care professionals in my life.”

“What is really significant is that no matter what doctor we go to, they know and trust Ira. He is so well respected in the entire medical community.”

Ira received his B.S. in Chemistry from Emory University in 1975 and his B.S. in Pharmacy from St. John’s University in 1978. Ira is a member of the Georgia Pharmacy Association and past member of its Board of Directors.

He is a founding member of the statewide Academy of Independent Pharmacy (AIP) and has served as Board Chair. He remains active in AIP as a committee chair and board member. Ira is also a member of the National Community Pharmacy Association. As an adjunct professor for Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Ira mentors students interested in community pharmacy.

Ira is a member of the Little 5 Points Business Association and is a supporter of community events, including the Inman Park Tour of Homes and Arts Festival. Ira has received numerous awards professionally but is most proud of being selected as Atlanta’s No. 1 Neighborhood Community Pharmacy by both Atlanta Magazine and Creative Loafing in 2012.

When not in the Pharmacy, Ira is busy in the political arena as an advocate and voice for independent pharmacists and consumers at both the state and national levels. He is frequently  interviewed on pharmacy and drug-related matters by CNN and local TV journalists.  

He is married to Mindy Wertheimer, Ph.D., clinical professor and M.S.W. Program Director at Georgia State University. They have two daughters, Jessica and Leanna, who both grew up in the Little 5 Points Pharmacy.

Ms. Heim is Inman Park Festival Parade organizer.