I believe young leaders are beginning to pave an exciting path for the future of the pharmacy profession by introducing a fresh perspective and new approach to providing patient care.
For many years pharmacists have been known as the “pill counters” or “druggists” hidden behind the pharmacy counter, but the truth is pharmacists are a lot more than that and have proven so throughout the pandemic.
The world of pharmacy generally has a very "aha" feel. We learn something new every day because the world of healthcare is dynamic. An 'aha' moment for me in particular was when I learned that pharmacy goes beyond the traditional paths of community and hospital.
Understanding the hardships of building a new life in an unfamiliar country, I am driven and passionate about helping my patients who face similar challenges to those I faced not so long ago.
As accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists are well-positioned to make a great impact for their patients in various ways. I'm most excited about using our accessibility and positioning within the broader healthcare system to fulfill unmet needs.
Pharmacists have so much clinical knowledge that is often underutilized. When you’re able to provide an alternate perspective on health and wellness to a patient and they are grateful for this, it really makes being in this profession worthwhile.
It's unfortunate but I still hear things like "pill pusher" or "pill counter" when referring to pharmacist skill sets. We are so much more than that and I will continue to advocate for pharmacists by creating systems where pharmacists can become leaders.
On the busiest of days, a familiar smile or wave from across the counter reassures me that we are making an impact in the community and that gives me all the adrenaline I need to come into the dispensary every day.
I'm driven by patients. Specifically, finding ways to improve the quality of healthcare patients receive while reducing barriers they face when accessing pharmacy services.
There has traditionally been a barrier to community pharmacists being engaged in research. I have worked to overcome this barrier. We are on the frontlines. What we do is practise, and this has real-world applications.