Our Mission
We are a family-owned and locally-operated compounding pharmacy creating customized medications and integrated wellness plans; while fostering relationships with doctors and a foundation set in patient service excellence to better our community’s quality of health and life.
Our Vision
Hand-crafting customized medications while offering personalized wellness consultations in our state of the art laboratory and community pharmacy setting allowing our patients to lead a healthier quality of life.
Our Team
Dr. Norman Ruiz-Castañeda, PharmD
Owner & Pharmacist
Dr. Norman Ruiz-Castañeda was born and raised in Miami, Florida by Cuban parents who instilled a love of family, faith, and food. Wellness became very important to him during his time in college; needing to make a lifestyle change himself. His journey led him to personally transform his relationship with food, fitness, medications, and disease. As a result, he decided to apply himself in a quest to educate and further help others in the medical field.
In 2010, Dr. Norman Ruiz-Castañeda received his Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) from The University of Florida, College of Pharmacy. He is a licensed pharmacist in the states of Florida, Michigan, and Virginia. Dr. Norman’s pharmacy career began in the community retail setting and transitioned into the independent pharmacy, specializing in compounding for the past 10 years. He is currently working towards his Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative Medicine (FAARM) with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M).
Dr. Norman’s dreams of owning his own pharmacy and bringing back value-based patient care to the profession became a reality in 2020. During a pandemic and unchartered challenges, both Norman and his wife Christy, set out to conceptualize, design and buildout North Naples’ first USP 800 compliant compounding laboratories and bring back the nostalgic design of a ‘hometown pharmacy’ with a modern twist; Uptown Chemist.
With his extensive education and experience, Dr. Norman is able to tailor his patient’s treatments with a personable individualized approach. Focusing on integrative medicine and a relationship with the patient’s doctor; he consults and treats each patient with their unique plan. This sets the foundation to better position his patient’s in achieving optimal health by incorporating disease management, hormonal balance, weight-loss and overall well-being.
Dr. Christian Ruff, PharmD
Lead Pharmacist
Dr. Christian Ruff was born and raised in Naples, Florida , a true Neapolitan!
Beginning in 2015, Christian was accepted to the University of South Florida to pursue his undergraduate studies in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology. He graduated in 2019 with his Bachelor’s of Science and was accepted as a candidate for his Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of South Florida, Taneja College of Pharmacy.
During his school breaks, he began working alongside Dr. Norman as a Pharmacy Student learning first hand the art of pharmacy compounding. Dr. Norman has served as a mentor to Christian throughout his studies in Pharmacy. He is no stranger to Uptown Chemist; as many of our Patients have gotten to know Christian during his short work breaks as a Pharmacy Student and shortly after his May 2023 graduation as a Graduate Pharmacy Intern.
Christian passed his National and Florida State Pharmacy Boards to become a Florida State Licensed Pharmacist in July 2023.
We are so excited to have Dr. Christian officially join our Uptown Chemist family as our first full-time Pharmacist working alongside Dr. Norman. His passion for value-based Patient care, compounding pharmacy innovation and hormone therapy knowledge brings an enthusiasm to our team. Our Patients are in amazing hands with our newest Pharmacist, Dr. Christian Ruff!
Dr. Chabely Marsh, PharmD
Team Pharmacist [Part-Time]
Dr. Chabely Marsh is a Florida native who has lived in Los Angeles, CA and Charleston, SC throughout her upbringing and educational career.
In 2001, Dr. Chabely returned to Florida from California and entered Florida State University to pursue her undergraduate studies in Biology and Biological Sciences through the College of Arts and Sciences. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelors in Science and was accepted as a candidate for her Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) at Nova Southeastern University, Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy.
Dr. Chabely graduated and became a Florida State and South Carolina State Licensed Pharmacist in 2010. She moved to Charleston, SC to attend a pharmacy residency at Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center. While in Charleston, she met her now husband Dr. Jon Marsh, who at the time, was working towards his Medical School Residency program at Medical University of South Carolina. They both moved to Naples, Florida shortly after completing their residencies and Dr. Chabely joined the pharmacy team at Lee Health as a part-time Clinical Pharmacist, specializing in Pediatrics and Sterile Compounding at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida.
Drs. Jon and Chabely Marsh reside in Naples, Florida with their two beautiful children and beloved Doodle.
We are so excited to have Dr. Chabely apart of our Uptown Chemist family as our part-time Team Pharmacist working alongside Drs. Norman and Christian. Though new to the community independent pharmacy setting, she brings extensive knowledge in Pediatrics and Sterile Compounding from her hospital and clinical experience. Her positive energy and passion for excellence in Patient care, passion for compounding and her bilingual ability; opens doors for our ever-growing Patient population and offerings at Uptown Chemist. Our Patients are in amazing hands with our Part-Time Team Pharmacist, Dr. Chabely Marsh!
Christy Ruiz-Castañeda, RPhT, M.S.
Patient Relations, Marketing & Human Resources
Christy Ruiz-Castañeda, born and raised in Miami, Florida, is no stranger to the healthcare industry, being raised by two Cuban parent Doctors who served their community in private practice, clinical work and hospital administration.
She met Norman in high school where they both started dating at the age of fifteen. A flourishing relationship led both of them to pursue their undergraduate studies at The University of Florida.
In 2008, Christy graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Tourism Management, specializing in Event Management from The University of Florida, College of Health and Human Performance. She immediately went on to pursue a Master’s of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University, Chaplin School of Hospitality and successfully graduated in December 2010.
Christy and Norman reside in Naples, FL with their three beautiful children and Pharmacy Pup Nash.
In 2019, Christy successfully completed her certification and Florida State Licensing for Registered Pharmacy Technician to assist in creating specialized medications for their patients and work towards the building, designing and opening of Uptown Chemist throughout 2020-2021.
Christy’s educational background and 15 years of hospitality experience working for Marriott International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and private local hospitality businesses; positions her to bring a personalized, creative and patient-centered approach to Uptown Chemist. Her love for creating memorable experiences coupled with a passion for community, marketing, design and wellness will provide our patients with a feeling of well-being and family with every visit to their hometown pharmacy.
Dian Gates, CPhT
Lead Certified Pharmacy Technician & Pharmacy Lab Manager
Dian joined the Uptown Chemist team on September 20, 2021. We are so excited to have her ‘womanpower’ managing the compounding labs. Dian’s pharmacy career begin in 2007 working in both compounding and retail settings.
Dian brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Her expertise in specialty compounding, keeping inventory, staying up-to-date with new equipment and materials, and training our rotating students has proven to be invaluable asset to Uptown Chemist.
Personally, Dian was born in Indonesia, is a mother to three beautiful daughters and is an amazing cook! She enjoys time with her family and friends.
Fun fact: Norman and Dian have worked together on and off since 2011, attributing Dian’s for Norman to transition from retail pharmacy into compounding. She has watched Norman and Christy’s kids grow and having her join the Uptown Chemist family brings it full circle.
Jessica Bedwell, RPhT
Pharmacy Services and Technicians Manager
Jessica [Jess] joined the Uptown Chemist team on February 23, 2022 bringing a wealth of pharmacy and hospitality experience to our team! After graduating from Gulf Coast High School locally in Naples, FL she attended Florida Southwestern State College and graduated with her Associates in Arts degree in 2019.
The practice of pharmacy came way when she began her career at CVS Pharmacy in 2019 after working throughout high school and college in the Hospitality Industry. She became a Florida Licensed and Registered Pharmacy Technician with CVS. At the start of the pandemic, she was offered the unique opportunity as a remote pharmacy technician with Pharmco working with Patients in an online setting.
Jess has shown incredible growth within Uptown Chemist since her start in 2022. She received a promotion January 2024 to Pharmacy Services and Technicians Manager overseeing pharmacy specialty services and special projects, the unique Uptown Chemist patient experience and technician training.
Personally, Jess enjoys to read and spend time out on the water with her family.
Fun Fact: Jess is one of our beloved Patient’s [and biggest fans] little sister and it was meant to be for her to join our family here at Uptown Chemist!
Renee Catalano, RPhT
Registered Pharmacy Technician
Renee joined the Uptown Chemist team on February 28, 2022 opening up the opportunity to bring her back into the world of pharmacy. After graduating from Miramar High, Renee attended Florida Institute of Careers Miami, Pharmacy Technician program where she gain an extensive knowledge base in pharmacy. She graduated in 2001 with her pharmacy technician certification and Florida license.
Upon moving across the state, she began her career working in an array of pharmacy environments; retail, independent, compounding and hospital pharmacy. From CVS to Physician’s Regional, she gained the valuable experience that she brings now to Uptown Chemist. Her patient relation experience shines having spent 8 years managing the front office of a few prominent dermatology centers in Naples, FL.
Personally, Renee loves spending time at the beach, outside in nature and traveling with her husband and children.
Fun fact: Norman, Dian & Renee worked together many years ago at an independent pharmacy, where they grew to love the art of compounding!
“Dr. Norman, & the Uptown Chemist Team provide North Naples with its first family-owned and locally-operated hometown compounding and wellness pharmacy. We can’t wait to have you be a part of our pharmacy family.”
Local Sponsorships & Press
Best of Naples 2022: Pharmacy
Best of Naples 2022 Award
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Uptown Chemist Receives 2022 Best of Naples Award
Naples Award Program Honors the Achievement
NAPLES October 20, 2022 -- Uptown Chemist has been selected for the 2022 Best of Naples Award in the Pharmacy category by the Naples Award Program.
Each year, the Naples Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Naples area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2022 Naples Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Naples Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About Naples Award Program
The Naples Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Naples area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Naples Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Naples Award Program
CONTACT:
Naples Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@us-awards-businesses.com
URL: http://www.us-awards-businesses.com
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2022-2023 Sponsorship
Gulfside Baseball Academy Sponsorship
We are honored to sponsor Gulfside Baseball Academy and their mission to bring our SWFL community to foster a culture that breads excellence on and off the field.
“The culture is designed to let our athletes learn what it takes to be the best they can be on a day-to-day basis. Our players will be held to a high standard on all levels of accountability, responsibility, and learn how to become a man throughout their time with us.”
2021-2023 Sponsorship
North Naples Little League
We are honored to sponsor North Naples Little League in our very own North Naples community. Little League’s mission has always been important to our personal mission of overall wellness in developing the child both mentally and physically.
“North Naples Little League (NNLL) is dedicated to creating an environment that places equal emphasis on learning positive skills such as sportsmanship, competition, and team effort while learning the game of baseball and having FUN. We take great pride in all of our volunteers that dedicate their time to the league every season. NNLL applauds the Board of Directors, League Volunteers, Team Managers, Assistant Coaches, Sponsors and Team Parents that make this program possible.”
2021-2023 Sponsorship
Naples Girl’s Softball League
We are honored to sponsor Naples Girl’s Softball League powering girls through sports. Naples Girl’s Softball league belongs to the larger Babe Ruth Softball organization aligning our missions of education and accessibility of sports to girls in our community.
“The Babe Ruth Softball program, using regulation competitive softball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. In all aspects, Babe Ruth League, Inc. is committed to providing out participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every child with a desire to play softball be afforded the opportunity”
Episode #428
Good Neighbor Podcast | Episode #428
We are so honored to be featured on the Good Neighbor Podcast Episode #428. It was a great conversation with Charlie sharing our journey and story in building Uptown Chemist, your hometown pharmacy!
Thank you Charlie & Barb for having us on and promoting North Naples’ newest pharmacy concept!
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Hole Sponsor | Naples Take A Solider Fishing 2021 Annual Golf Tournament
Uptown Chemist is excited to be a hole sponsor at this year’s golf tournament event planned for Saturday, May 8, 2021! We are proud to partner with Naples Take A Solider Fishing organization as they continue to serve, honor and provide our local Veterans and active-duty Military with fun events year round. These brave men and women risk everything to secure our freedoms we enjoy daily, anything we can do to give back to them is our honor.
If you are attending the event, make sure to snap a picture and tag us on social media at our sponsored hole. Our Pharmacist Norman will be playing the tournament alongside our good friends and local small business, Sticky Holsters on their sponsored team!