Wed 2 September 2026
ACT celebrates its 2026 Branch Award Winners
AdPha's ACT Branch has announced the winners of its 2026 Branch Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists, technicians and teams whose work has strengthened patient care and advanced the profession across the territory over the past year.
Early Career Pharmacist Award: Nash Jamaludin ANZCAP-Res.
Nash has been recognised for his outstanding leadership in transforming end‑of‑life pharmacy services within Canberra Health Services through the successful implementation of both the ACT Voluntary Assisted Dying Pharmacy Service and the Palliative Care Clinical Pharmacy Service. These initiatives established robust governance, safe and compliant medication systems, and specialised pharmacist training for one of the most sensitive areas of healthcare. The VAD Support Service has already been commended for delivering compassionate, safe and dignified care to patients and families navigating voluntary assisted dying in the ACT.
In parallel, the creation of the Palliative Care Clinical Pharmacy Service embedded dedicated pharmacy expertise within the Specialist Palliative Care multidisciplinary team, addressing a critical gap in complex medication management at end of life. This model has strengthened therapeutic decision‑making, improved symptom management, enhanced access to essential medicines and ensured continuity across the full end‑of‑life care pathway. Together, these achievements demonstrate Nash’s exceptional leadership, innovation and advocacy, positioning him as a national leader in shaping the future of Australian palliative and end‑of‑life pharmacy practice.
Achievement Award: Jessica Barnard FANZCAP (Edu.)
Jessica has been recognised for her exceptional leadership in clinical education, workforce development and innovative training within ACT Health. Her work has transformed pharmacy education across Canberra Health Services, creating a connected, supportive and capability‑building environment for students, interns, early career pharmacists and practitioners entering hospital practice. Through strengthening the preceptor program, elevating intern training, and leading the residency program, Jessica has shaped a culture where learning is safe, encouraged and genuinely supported. Her programs have consistently produced confident, thoughtful pharmacists who are well prepared to deliver high‑quality, patient‑centred care.
Jessica’s leadership has had a profound systemwide impact, most notably through the introduction of the Transition to Practice Program, which provides tailored support for pharmacists entering hospital practice from diverse backgrounds. This initiative has improved workforce readiness, strengthened medicines management capability and enhanced patient safety across the service. Her work exemplifies the National Competency Framework across leadership, education, collaboration, professionalism and patient care, while her ongoing contributions to advanced clinical services, medication safety and policy further demonstrate her commitment to excellence.
Congratulations to all of this year's ACT Branch Award winners, and thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination.