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 and the New Brunswick Pharmaceutical Society honoured Saint-Quentin pharmacist Jean-Roch Cayouette with the Bowl of Hygeia at their Past President’s Dinner and Awards Banquet held as part of the 2013 New Brunswick Pharmacy Conference.
The Bowl of Hygeia is the most widely recognized international symbol for the pharmacy profession and is considered one of the profession’s most prestigious awards. This award recognizes pharmacists who make outstanding contributions to their profession and to their communities.
Jean-Roch Cayouette was the first Saint-Quentin resident to become a pharmacist and he opened the first community pharmacy in that town. Jean-Roch has always said that volunteering is his way of giving back to the community that gave him so much when he was younger.
Over the years Jean-Roch has been the owner and operator of pharmacies in Saint-Quentin, Edmundston and Grand Falls. He eventually partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart in all three locations. He is now the Associate Owner of the Shoppers Drug Mart in St Quentin. Jean-Roch gives roughly 150 presentations free of charge every year on health issues, stress, and motivation.
In addition to serving six years on the board of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association, Jean-Roch has also volunteered on a variety of other boards, including the Region 4 Hospital Corporation Board of Directors for nine years; the Catholic Health Association of New Brunswick committee for 10 years; Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Joseph de Saint-Quentin Board of Directors for 11 years; Hotel Dieu Saint Joseph de Saint Quentin advisory committee for 13 years; and, Manoir Mgr Melanson Board of Directors with Dr. Bernard Savoie for 12 years. Jean-Roch also was a member of the Provincial Government's Advisory Committee for Health benefits that made recommendations on a Prescription Drug Plan for the Uninsured in New Brunswick.
“The pharmacists honoured have made outstanding contributions to their communities and to their profession,” says Alistair Bursey, President of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association. “We are proud of the work done by our award winners, who range from long-time community volunteers, to lifelong learners to young professionals who are already enhancing our profession.”
Approximately 200 New Brunswick pharmacists attended the annual conference held over the weekend at the Delta Hotel in Fredericton. The conference included the annual general meetings of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association, New Brunswick Pharmaceutical Society and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists as well as professional development sessions and a keynote address by New Brunswick Health Minister Hugh J. Flemming.