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 her Bachelor's 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, 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. DYLAN CLARK, PHARMD
Team Pharmacist
We are honored to welcome back to Uptown Chemist, Dr. Dylan Clark!
Dr. Dylan was born and raised in Naples, Florida attending A+ rated CCPS schools throughout his academic career; with his major accomplishment being awarded the 2018 Winged Foot Scholar Athlete for Naples High School and went on to be a named finalist for Collier County.
In 2018, Dylan was accepted to the University of Florida to pursue his undergraduate studies in Biology. He graduated in 2022 with his Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and was accepted as a candidate for his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy.
Dylan was one of Uptown Chemist's first University of Florida, College of Pharmacy Student Interns on his Compounding and Independent Pharmacy rotation during his clinical year under the direction of Norman as his UF preceptor.
After his pharmacy school graduation in May 2025; Dylan and his wife, Clara (also a Gator Grad from the UF Levin College of Law) decided to move back to their hometown of Naples to start their careers. Dylan passed his National and Florida State Pharmacy Boards to become a Florida State Licensed Pharmacist in August 2025.
We are so excited to have Dr. Dylan rejoin the Uptown Chemist team as a Team Pharmacist working alongside Drs. Norman and Christian. His passion for compounding pharmacy, excellence in Patient care, pharmacy innovation and pharmacy operations and logistics brings a fresh enthusiasm and perspective to our team. Our Patients are in amazing hands with Dr. Dylan Clark!
DR. CHRISTIAN RUFF, PHARMD
Team 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 apart of the Uptown Chemist team as our Team Pharmacist working alongside Drs. Norman and Dylan. His passion for value-based Patient care, compounding pharmacy 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 Registered Pharmacy Technician
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's of Science in Tourism Management, specializing in Event Management from The University of Florida, College of Health and Human Performance. She immediately pursued a Master's of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University, Chaplin School of Hospitality and graduated in December 2010.
Christy and Norman reside in Naples, FL with their three wonderful children and two doodles Nash & Frankie; who make appearances at the pharmacy from time to time!
In 2019, Christy successfully completed her certification and Florida State License to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician to assist in creating 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 companies; 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, operations 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 Compounding Lab Manager
DESTINY VAZQUEZ, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician & Compounding
JESSICA BEDWELL, RPhT Pharmacy Services & Technicians Manager Registered Pharmacy Technician
HAILEY LANE, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician & Compounding
REESE OBERMAN, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician
JAMIE JIMENEZ, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician & Compounding
ISABELLA HERNANDEZ, RPhT Registered Pharmacy Technician & 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 apart of your health and wellness journey!
