The Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) presented its annual awards on Friday, June 8, 2018 to four Ontario pharmacists and one graduate from the University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy for their contributions to the profession and patient care.
TORONTO, June 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) presented its annual awards on Friday, June 8, 2018 to four Ontario pharmacists and one graduate from the University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy for their contributions to the profession and patient care.
The prestigious awards are presented in five categories that emphasize the role of innovations in pharmacy that positively influence the health outcomes of Ontario patients. With more than 16,000 pharmacists and 4,600 pharmacy technicians located in hospitals, family health teams, long term care homes and in 4,500 pharmacies across Ontario, pharmacists are often the most accessible front-line healthcare providers, and can alleviate healthcare pressures such as wait times in emergency rooms and physicians’ offices.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors at OPA, I’m pleased to announce this year’s pharmacy award winners, and congratulate them on their significant contributions to the pharmacy profession,” says Mike Cavanagh, Chair of the Board of Directors for OPA. “With a new government and a focus on the healthcare industry, these are critical times in the history of pharmacy. Our award winners represent the best of the best in pharmacy, and demonstrate the difference local pharmacists can make every day in the lives of Ontario patients.”
This year’s awards were presented in five categories to the following pharmacy professionals:
- Faraz Razzagh received the Student of Distinction Award for his role among others in establishing the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society Student Leadership Entrance Scholarship, which promotes the profession of pharmacy to potential student leaders.
- The award for Exceptional Achievement in Research and Academia was presented to Dr. Barbara Farrell, a Clinical Investigator with Bruyère Research Institute for her much needed work in developing and evaluating deprescribing guidelines to safely reduce or stop potentially harmful or unneeded medications for older adults.
- The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Rita Winn, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer for Lovell Drugs who is a tireless advocate for patients and the pharmacy profession responsible for public campaigns to raise awareness about the impacts of funding cuts to pharmacy and their impact on patients.
- The Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Bowl of Hygeia award is presented to Phil Hauser, owner of Hauser’s Pharmacy in Dunnville, Ont. And his support of more than 50 community events and programs each year to ensure health and wellness are a top priority in his community.
- Rob Modestino, owner of Rob’s Whole Health Pharmacy is the recipient of OPA’s Pharmacist of the Year award for his integral participation as a provincial appointee to the Windsor/Essex County Health Unit for 10 years, and for his commitment to his patients and community.
“Ontarians deserve the very best from their healthcare professionals, and this year’s award winners exemplify the skills and expertise that the profession brings to the healthcare industry,” says Cavanagh. “These are the professionals who are integral to helping all of us rethink pharmacy and how pharmacists can make a significant difference improving the health outcomes of Ontario patients.”
About the Ontario Pharmacists Association
The Ontario Pharmacists Association is committed to evolving the pharmacy profession, and advocating for excellence in practice and patient care. With more than 10,000 members, OPA is Canada’s largest advocacy organization, and professional development and drug information provider for pharmacy professionals across Ontario. By leveraging the unique expertise of pharmacy professionals, enabling them to practise to their fullest potential, and making them more accessible to patients, OPA is working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system. The pharmacy sector plays a strong role in Ontario with an economic impact of more than $6.3 billion across 4,500 pharmacies, employing 60,000 Ontarians.
SOURCE Ontario Pharmacists Association
