New Brunswick pharmacists gathered in Moncton on Saturday to pay tribute to the best and brightest in their field.
The NBPA honoured Quispamsis pharmacist Erika Maher with the New Practitioner Award at the recent meeting and dinner of the New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, and the New Brunswick Pharmaceutical Society.
This award is presented to a new pharmacist (five years or less since graduation) for exceptional service through innovation or contributions to his/her community.
Erika graduated from the Dalhousie University College of Pharmacy in 2007, and was awarded the Dr. Jessie I. MacKnight - Miss Mona W. Flemming Award in Hospital Pharmacy. She completed her residency at the Prince George Regional Hospital in British Columbia, and hiked the West Coast trail before returning to New Brunswick to join the team at the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation.
AHSC colleagues describe Erika as a "shining star" for her enthusiasm, energy, and genuine desire to provide the best patient care. She pioneered an innovative pharmacy practice in the General Surgery program, received training to participate in cardiac arrests, and travelled for continuing education in anticoagulation strategies. Erika has improved medication safety in the surgery ward by attending daily patient care rounds, developing surgery medication protocols supported by best medicine practices, and by providing in-services to the nursing staff.
Above all, Erika is devoted to her patients. She sees her patients through from when they arrive in the unit until they leave, and she goes the extra mile for them, every time.
The New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association is the voice of pharmacists in the province and is committed to providing leadership for the profession and improving the health of New Brunswickers.