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.
Meet the Team
DR. NORMAN RUIZ-CASTANEDA, 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 Doctor 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.
NICOLE GERAGHTY
Director of Business and Team Development
Nicole was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Plantation, Florida, a true Floridian!
In 2003, Nicole graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and a Minor in Communications. She met her husband, James Geraghty at FSU. After graduation, they moved to Naples, Florida in 2003 where she began working for The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples.
As a Senior Sales Manager for the world renowned Ritz-Carlton properties in Naples; she spearheaded top revenue dollar deals, expanded market presence and developed and maintained long lasting relationships with her team and clients. Known for innovative thinking, relationship building and a results driven approach, Nicole is committed to forging impactful community connections for Uptown Chemist.
Nicole and James are proud parents to two wonderful children and an adorable Doodle. In their free time you can find the Geraghty Family on the soccer field and most always (in good times and in bad) you will find them cheering on their beloved Seminoles.
Nicole’s expertise in relationship development, customer service, communications and luxury hospitality plays an essential role to continue growing and expanding the Uptown Chemist pharmacy experience to our community and beyond!
DR. CHRISTIAN RUFF, PHARMD
Lead Pharmacist
Dr. Christian Ruff was born and raised in Naples, Florida; a true Neapolitan!
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 Doctor 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 Drs. Norman, Chabely and Robert. His passion for value-based Patient care, compounding pharmacy innovation and hormone therapy expertise brings an enthusiasm to our team. Our Patients are in amazing hands with Dr. Christian Ruff!
CHRISTY RUIZ-CASTANEDA, RPhT, M.S.
Marketing Manager & Patient Relations
Christy was 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 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 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 wonderful children and Pharmacy Pup, their Doodle 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 ‘woman power’ 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!
REESE OBERMAN, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician | Courier Service
Reese joined the Uptown Chemist team on October 2, 2023 deciding to return to the pharmacy world after a brief break to focus on school and building up his Mobile Coffee Cart business. He has worked in customer service since graduating high school. Reese worked up his way up in Publix from being customer service staff to becoming the Front End Coordinator assisting with daily operations.
In 2020, Reese pursued his Pharmacy Technicians License while working at Publix and began working within the pharmacy along working on his degree in Entrepreneurship at Florida Gulf Coast University
He is a devoted teammate at Uptown Chemist, friend and our very own coffee enthusiast. On his leisure time you can catch him drawing and brewing up the next best coffee recipe. He also enjoys cooking dinner with friends.
Fun fact: Norman and Christy met Reese during his time managing coffee at their favorite local coffee spot. We are glad he decided to come back to pharmacy!
ATTILA HEPP, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician | Courier Service
Attila joined the Uptown Chemist team on April 8, 2024. Coming to us from the customer service world, he is a perfect addition to our front of house Pharmacy Tech Team! You will also find Attila out in the community hand delivering our Patient medications via the Uptown Chemist Courier Service.
We are so excited to bring Attila into the pharmacy world. He worked hard on his licensing coursework and exam to become fully licensed Pharmacy Technician in July 2024.
On Attila's off time, he is working on his Pilot License and enjoys spending his free time flying planes.
Fun fact: Norman met Attila while he was working next door to Norman many years ago. Norman was always very impressed with how smart Attila was and his gift to connect and help people.
SAMANTHA ORTEGA, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician
Samantha [Sammie] Ortega joined the Uptown Chemist team in June 2024. A recent graduate of Lorenzo Walker Technical College, Sammie is an integral part of our Compounding Lab, preparing customized medications tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs.
We are thrilled to welcome Sammie into the pharmacy world. After completing rigorous coursework and earning her Pharmacy Technician License in June 2024, she has quickly proven her skill and dedication to precision in compounding.
When Sammie isn’t in the lab, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family.
Fun fact: Sammie was an Uptown Chemist student intern completing her clinical hours in compounding through our partnership program with Lorenzo Walker Technical College.
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.
