Born in a small village in India, Sam Maddula faced immense challenges from birth—poverty and legal blindness shaped his uncertain future. His fate changed in 1987 when his parents discovered an Eye Camp run by the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) in Andhra Pradesh. This organization not only secured him a visa to the United States but also connected him with Dr. VK Raju, who performed dual corneal transplants at no cost when Maddula was just two years old. “That surgery transformed my life,” he recalls, expressing deep gratitude for the foundation’s role in his journey.
Speaking at an Eye Foundation of America fundraiser in New Delhi on January 31, 2025, Maddula shared his inspiring story. Despite early hardships, he refused to be defined by his circumstances. Facing economic struggles, social stigma, and limited opportunities, he persevered, earning a doctorate in pharmaceutical studies from Rutgers University in 2009. Determined to make a difference, he launched Bank’s Apothecary Specialty Pharmacy in Philadelphia in 2010, focusing on mental health and substance use treatments.
Under his leadership, the company grew from a small startup to generating $350 million annually, becoming the largest independently owned behavioral health specialty pharmacy in the country. However, his childhood struggles were never far from his mind. Forced to leave the United States for several years, he attended school in extreme conditions in India before returning at age nine. “I had no control over my life then, but I knew I could shape my future,” he says. Despite struggling in pharmacy school, he persevered, eventually working in a struggling pharmacy in a high-crime neighborhood. His relentless efforts transformed the business, providing essential care to marginalized communities.
By 2015, his company expanded across the northeastern US, and by 2020, it was the nation’s largest specialty pharmacy serving patients with mental health and substance use disorders. In 2022, it generated nearly $333 million in revenue. In 2023, he sold the company, believing in reinvesting wealth for the greater good. His work now extends beyond healthcare—through his Maddula Foundation, he has donated millions of dollars to education and medical initiatives, advocating for equitable healthcare access.
A sought-after speaker and advisor, Maddula supports organizations like the Eye Foundation of America while mentoring future pharmacists. In 2023, he founded Workshop Strategy, a consulting firm guiding healthcare businesses, private equity firms, and Fortune 500 companies on growth strategies and investment opportunities. He also helps medical startups navigate regulatory complexities and scale their operations.
Personally, Maddula is a devoted husband and father of two daughters. Professionally, his mission remains clear: to create lasting impact in healthcare, finance, and philanthropy. “I was given the gift of sight, and now I want to help others find their light,” he says, urging others to take action against childhood blindness. “Small efforts can create big change. Let’s make a difference together.”
