Central Medical Pharmacy

With the approval of a long-sought, small business loan Diana Sanchez’ Central Medical Pharmacy opened its doors for business on October 21, 2003.

A pharmacist for 17 years, Diana found her opportunity for self-employment via the Central Diagnostic Clinic: The board members for the clinic were looking for a pharmacist to open a pharmacy in their building.

“The thought of having my own pharmacy had been on my mind for some time,” she remarks. “David and I had discussed the idea frequently for years,” she remembers excited to have learned about the opportunity.

Months later, as she was driving by the clinic with her six-year-old son Gabriel, she stopped to inquire if the opportunity still existed. She was informed shortly thereafter that the opportunity was available.  This was the beginning of a long, but worthy, process!

Diana discussed the idea with her family who supported her full heartedly. In discussing the idea with David Soto, they decided that it was worth taking the risk. Without hesitating, her brother and life-time mentor Ricardo Sanchez, advised: “Go for it, it sounds like a great opportunity.” 

After many discouraging moments in her journey for financing, she found a group of advisers to help her work out her plans.  Gracie Guillen, Economic Development Specialist, with the SBA branch in Harlingen, TX, was the “key” that led them to all the right people.  Diana met with Juan Garcia, loan officer, who was very instrumental in helping her with the SBA loan process.

She also met with Hector Landez, former Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director, and Arturo Gonzalez, SBDC Business Development Specialist; both were invaluable resources that helped her develop her business plan at The University of Texas - Pan American’s SBDC.  Diana credits these advisors with the approval of a small business loan that allowed her to realize her long-awaited dream.

Central Medical Pharmacy is located at the Central Diagnostic Clinic at 864 Central Boulevard, Suite 1200, Brownsville, Texas 78520. Diana Sanchez can be reached at 956.544.0100.  For further information on the services offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a component of CoSERVE, or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), please call the SBDC at (956) 292-7535.