New Brunswick pharmacists gathered in Fredericton on Saturday to pay tribute to the best and brightest in their profession.
The New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (NB chapter) and the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists honoured three emerging leaders in the pharmacy profession with the Scott Knowles Memorial New Practitioner Service Award at their Past President’s Awards Gala held as part of the 2015 New Brunswick Pharmacy Conference.
This award is presented to a new pharmacist (five years or less since graduation) for exceptional service through innovation or contributions to their community, and was awarded to Jessica Dorcas of Fredericton, Ashley Sproul of Waterville, and Sarah Alteen of Fredericton.
Jessica Dorcas has proven her ability to provide outstanding patient care, to embrace expanded roles for pharmacists and to take a leadership role in her profession. A Dalhousie Pharmacy graduate in 2013 and a pharmacy team member at Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy #192 in the Fredericton Direct Charge Co-op, Jessica has taken the lead with the store’s methadone program as well as medication reviews. She is a certified injector and has played a significant role in the pharmacy’s influenza campaigns. Jessica is known for strong research skills, her professional, caring approach, positive attitude and her ability to tackle challenging drug information questions.
“The pharmacists honoured have made extraordinary contributions to building our profession, volunteered countless hours in their communities and have demonstrated excellence in patient care,” says Daniel Pike, President of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association. “These individuals are shining examples of the incredible work New Brunswick pharmacists are doing to improve the health care in this province.”
Approximately 150 New Brunswick pharmacists attended the annual conference held over the weekend at the Delta in Fredericton. The conference included the annual general meetings of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association, New Brunswick College of Pharmacists and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (NB chapter) as well as professional development sessions and a keynote address by Dominic Cardy, leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party.