Mr. Sylester Flowers' Obituary
Sylester (Syl) Flowers, R. Ph., an innovative pharmacist who was the founder and chairman of Ramsell Corporation of Oakland, CA and who was at the forefront of the information technology transformation of the pharmacy business, passed away peacefully June 21 after a brief illness. A resident of Pleasanton, he was surrounded by his loving family and several close friends.
In 1981, Syl was one of the first pharmacists in the Bay area to install a computer for managing patient information. He became an IT professional, devoting both time and money to research in health administration technology.
Throughout his career as a pharmacist, scientist, and business entrepreneur, he maintained his commitment to his full-service community-based pharmacy and his inner-city clients while taking full advantage of the technological advancements that revolutionized his profession. As a result, he expanded into other pharmacy and healthcare-related businesses, particularly the new specialty of pharmacy benefit management (PBM). Ramsell’s Public Health Services Bureau (PHSB) was the first and only PBM business in the country to specialize in prescription information and processing for low-income people infected with HIV.
In 1992 Syl was asked to develop an outpatient prescription benefit plan for the San Francisco city and county AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAPs use state and federal funds mandated by the Ryan White CARE legislation to provide most HIV medications, as well as numerous social services, at low or no cost to qualified HIV/AIDS patients. For the next four years Ramsell managed the San Francisco ADAP as a successful pilot program. The model that Syl developed for ADAPs now services ADAP programs in nine states. Ramsell currently operates in eleven states.
Born on June 30, 1935, in High Point, NC, to the late Carrie Flowers Kelly and Isaac Kelly, Syl grew up in Clarendon, PA, a Pittsburgh suburb.
After completing high school in 1953, he attended Howard University in Washington, DC, on an academic scholarship and graduated from its School of Pharmacy in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Pharmacy. While in college, Syl was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Following graduation, he spent a year as a research assistant in neuro-pharmacology at the Leech Farm Hospital, the psychiatric unit of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh and then was commissioned into the United States Army Medical Services Corp in 1959. He served in the Army on active duty until 1961, and was a Reservist from 1961-1965.
His West Coast career began in 1961 when he went to work as a pharmacist at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco. On January 8, 1964, he accomplished his dream of opening his own community-based retail pharmacy – The Apothecary – in Oakland, CA.
Three years later, he founded the Ramsell Corporation – named for the San Francisco street on which he lived. Ramsell went on to own six community-based pharmacies in the Bay area. But in keeping with Syl’s belief in individually owned community pharmacies, he sold them to his managers, retaining only The Apothecary.
In addition to running his own pharmacy, Syl held several other related positions. Between 1970 and 1981 he was an assistant clinical professor of pharmacy at the University of California’s School of Pharmacy in San Francisco. As an adjunct professor of pharmacy at the University of the Pacific he supervised and mentored student interns. He also served as pharmacy director for the San Francisco County Mental Health Department’s methadone treatment program from 1971 until 1982.
In 2001, the Flowers Heritage Foundation was founded. In 2003, the Flowers family awarded an educational grant to Howard University School of Pharmacy; and in 2007, awarded the School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific in Stockton, California with a Scholarship Endowment for Diversity. The Sylester Flowers Award for Innovative Leadership in Public Health was established in 2009 to recognize individuals or organizations who share Syl’s values and commitment to delivering outstanding, innovative contributions in the field of public health.
Syl was a member of: the American College of Apothecaries, fellow (F.A.C.A.), 1967-; American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; and the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
He was the recipient of numerous awards, including: the California Pharmacists Association, Academy of Pharmacy Management, Appreciation of Contribution to Pharmacy Management Award, 1980-1985; KQED-PBS California, Hero of the Year, 2004; Aetna African American History Calendar, 2005, a California State Senate Resolution (2007) recognizing business accomplishments and commitment to the community; the Pharmacy Foundation of California – Michelotti Public Health Prize (2008); the Howard University Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement (2009); the American Pharmacists Association Foundation Pinnacle Award (2009); and was named to the California Pharmacists Association Hall of Fame (2009).
On January 17, 2008, Syl officially retired from Ramsell, and appointed his son, Eric Flowers, as President and CEO. During the past six years, Syl devoted his time and attention to his family, friends, and travel.
He was predeceased by his mother, Carrie Flowers Kelly, step-father, Isaac Kelly, and his siblings: Henry, Wilson, Archie, and Mary. He was divorced from Susan Albert Flowers and from Helen Meyer Flowers.
Syl is survived by his children, Gina Nightengale and husband, Richard, of Upper Marlboro, MD; Sylvia Flowers-Renaudon of Paris, France; and, Eric Flowers and wife, Hillary, of Oakland, CA. Also seven grandchildren: Jasmine and Jared Nightengale, Camille and Gabrielle Renaudon, and Zachariah, Ezekiel and Azura Flowers; a devoted companion, Diane Bloomberg, many other relatives and lifelong friends.
A Memorial Service, honoring his life and accomplishments, will be held on Friday, June 27, at 10 am, at Faith Fellowship Foursquare Church, 577 Manor Blvd., San Leandro, CA 94579; Pastor Gary Mortara will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Flowers Heritage Foundation, www.flowersheritagefoundation.org.
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