A minute with... archive
AdPha members are progressive advocates for clinical excellence, passionate about patient care and committed to evidence-based practice.
Here, we spend a minute with some of them, to learn about their lives across Australia and how their work in a variety of healthcare settings improves patient outcomes.
A Minute With... Bianca Heron
FANZCAP (Informtcs, PublicHlth) | Chair, MM2024 Scientific Program Committee | Acting Director of Clinical Information Systems Governance, NT Health, Darwin, NT
This interview is part of a series for Medicines Management 2024
Hi Bianca! Tell us a little bit more about your current role.
I recently started in a new role as Acting Director of Clinical Information Systems Governance at NT Health, where a key responsibility is leading the development, implementation and monitoring of the clinical safety and quality governance framework for NT Health Digital Health Solutions.
Why did you decide to join the Medicines Management Scientific Program Committee?
I have always loved going to the Conference and I really wanted to provide a voice and increase opportunities for NT within the program!
What has been the most rewarding experience from your time on the Medicines Management Scientific Program Committee (MM2023 or MM2024)?
I really enjoy meeting and working with pharmacists and technicians across such a wide range of areas. Their thoughts and contributions are so unique and invaluable for consideration in the programs. You get exposure to topics and ideas that you don’t get in your normal workplace.
What is your favourite memory from attending a Medicines Management conference?
It always has to be your first conference. Mine was in Darwin - I had the amazing opportunity to present on my work, and was overwhelmed by all the amazing work and people that attend conferences.
What sparks joy for you?
Learning new things, and running (except when training for a marathon!).
Which parts of the program spark the most excitement for you?
It may sound like a cliché, but I am excited for all of it. It's really going to be a challenge to decide which parts of the program to attend over others! But overall I'm very excited to hear all the new and advancing ideas in the pharmacy and technician space.
A Minute With... Monique Scott
ANZCAP-Reg. (Generalist) | Co-chair, MM2024 Scientific Program Committee | Team Leader, Clincal Pharmacy and Acting Clinical Manager, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tas
This interview is part of a series for Medicines Management 2024
Tell us a bit more about yourself! What is your current role and how would your colleagues describe you?
I am a Tassie girl, born and bred! I am a simple soul who loves her family and friends, her job, and a good bottle of Tasmanian Pinot Noir. At Launceston General Hospital, I currently hold the substantive position of Team Leader, Clinical Pharmacy and am backfilling the Clinical Pharmacy Manager role part-time. My day-to-day involves a blend of strategic planning, staff pastoral care, collaboration with medical staff, and hands-on involvement in patient care.
Colleagues would likely describe me as a highly dedicated individual. I'm someone who leads by example, always willing to roll up my sleeves and tackle challenges alongside my team.
What has been your most rewarding experience from being on the Medicines Management Scientific Program Committee (for both MM2023 and MM2024!)?
The most rewarding experience from my time on the Medicines Management Scientific Program Committee last year was seeing the program come to life in Cairns - it was a surreal feeling attending the conference and seeing our hard work come to fruition. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to do it all again at the helm with Bianca [Heron, Chair of the MM2024 Scientific Program Committee] to deliver a program full of 'spark' for MM2024!
What sparks joy for you, both inside and outside of work?
At work, I find joy in the ability to influence practice change to better serve our community. I am exceptionally lucky to work with a phenomenal group of people across the Tasmanian Health Service. Outside of work, travelling sparks immense joy - from exploring my island home to island hopping in Greece. I'm lucky enough to be able to secure leave for three overseas trips in 2024! And of course I cannot miss the trip over the Bass Strait for MM2024!
Which parts of MM2024's program spark the most excitement for you?
The program promises to spark attendees' interest in bringing new innovation to their practise! There are some very exciting invited speaker sessions in the works - it sounds like science fiction, but are self-assembling nanorobots synthesising DNA subunits the future of modern medicine? Get ready to ignite!
A Minute With... Maryam Sherkat Masoum
FANZCAP (Inf,Dis, Steward) | Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist, Royal Perth Hospital | SHPA Infectious Diseases Leadership Committee Member
This interview is part of a series for Infectious Diseases Pharmacists Day 2024
Why are you passionate about working in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS)?
Antimicrobial stewardship principles impact almost every patient we encounter in the hospital. For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an AMS pharmacist is the people - the people I am privileged to work with, the people I teach or learn from, and most importantly, the people I can help. Being able to have a significant and meaningful impact on the patient’s journey is a truly rewarding experience (and certainly staves off boredom at work!).
What is the biggest lesson you have learned in your career?
Working in the field of AMS is certainly a steep learning curve, but collaboration and building relationships is essential to the success of every initiative. We work in health care because we want to help others and every healthcare provider has each patient’s best interests at heart. This can create conflicting views, where management goals are seemingly not in alignment. It is important to lead every encounter with kindness and diplomacy, and be creative in one’s approach when managing challenging situations (which are frequently encountered in the world of AMS).
What does Infectious Diseases Pharmacists Day mean to you?
The role of infectious diseases pharmacists is rapidly expanding with many exciting and innovative initiatives led by some of my colleagues nationally and internationally. I think, as pharmacists, many of us tend to be less extroverted than other healthcare professionals and less likely to advertise our knowledge and achievements. Infectious Diseases Pharmacists Day provides a platform for us to share our accomplishments and experiences, how we navigate challenges, and to empower ourselves and each other.
A Minute With... Laura Triggs
ANZCAP-Res. | Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship Advanced Training Pharmacist Resident, Canberra Hospital
This interview is part of a series for Infectious Diseases Pharmacists Day 2024
What attracted you to your role?
I became interested in gaining experience in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infectious diseases after going to an antimicrobial lecture series at university (shout out to the excellent presenter Fiona Doukas, who is now my registrar training program mentor!). I remember learning about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and thinking it was an area where health professionals could make a real difference. So I jumped at the opportunity when an AMS job came up after I completed my foundational residency.
What excites you about your work?
I absolutely love learning and then being able share that knowledge with others. The learning opportunities in infectious diseases are endless, especially relating to antimicrobial pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD).
What do you hope to achieve in pharmacy… or in other health-related fields?
I can definitely see myself staying in the AMS/infectious diseases specialty area, and would love to either undertake a PhD looking into PK/PD of antimicrobials or gain experience working on national standards or policies relating to AMS and antimicrobial resistance.
What’s your special talent?
My special talent is somewhat useless but a fun party trick – I can balance on a bike without moving or falling off (it’s called 'track standing' if you want to Google it!).
A Minute With... Dr Margaret Jordan
General Practice Pharmacist, Woonona Medical Practice | Research Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong | Transitions of Care and Primary Care Leadership Committee Member | FANZCAP (PrimCare, MedsMgmt)
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2024.
Why are conversations about deprescribing so important?
Deprescribing conversations with a patient or carer are best approached through a medication review, which can be either comprehensive or targeted. There is then some context given for the discussion about the medicine/s of interest. By using this approach and the usual or adapted exchanges, patients and/or their carers can twig as to what the purpose of the review is. After reflecting on questions such as ‘What medicines are you taking?’, ‘How long have you been taking this?, 'Why was it prescribed?', etc. the foundations have been laid to consider deprescribing. Taking that next step to introduce cutting back or stopping medicines is so important, as the outcome is often the first steps in a patient’s regimen being rationalised to reduce or cease unnecessary/potentially hazardous medicines.
How can pharmacy professionals empower older patients/patients with a disability (and their carers) through conversations about medicines?
By taking the steps described, actively listening, and then using the patient's/carer's responses to trigger further action, these individuals can be more empowered. I am an advocate for information exchange as shared decision-making enables deprescribing. To begin any deprescribing, establishing what and how much medication the person is taking, and why, is essential. For example, in the case of opioids, the prescription reasons may lead to opportunities for investigating other options, both non-opioid and non-pharmacological.
These individuals can feel empowered to ask questions, including about their past or current medication regimens and the need to remain on their medicines. We call this 'challenging the status quo' and learnt that 'status quo bias' is a known barrier to deprescribing, especially if they have been on their regimen for a number of years. Feedback from one of my patients said 'You just take [the medication] because you've always taken it' and that their deprescribing conversation with a pharmacist gave them 'a real clear picture', having been on one of their medications for around 15 years!
Can you describe a situation in which you've initiated deprescribing and how this benefited the patient?
There are many examples – although at times it is tough going. One of the most memorable experiences for me involved a 91-year-old patient of the practice and their adult carer grandchild. Although both were at first confused about my involvement in the patient’s care, they soon realised the potential benefits of deprescribing when we discovered that: the patient's daily prescribed aspirin had been continued indefinitely after a previous hip replacement, their high-dose antidepressant had been commenced ten years earlier after the death of their spouse, and that their extended daily nap could potentially be attributed to a pregabalin and opioid combination. Feedback from the grandchild was that 'time with [the pharmacist] was really worthwhile to help [the patient] and remind [them] what these medications were doing, or if they're not doing anything and whether we can get rid of them. It made a lot of sense to me and [the patient]. We could have more of an active role in reviewing those medications.'
A few months later when I asked the patient how they were going, they reported feeling wonderful - 'like a 22-year-old!' A while later I received a special message of appreciation from the family through their GP, as all of the patient's medicines had finally, slowly, been deprescribed.
A Minute With... Dr Lisa Pont
Professor, University of Technology Sydney | Senior Research Fellow, Macquarie University | Geriatric Medicine Leadership Committee Member | FANZCAP (Edu., GeriMed)
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2024.
Why are you so passionate about understanding polypharmacy’s impact in aged care settings?
Understanding the impact of polypharmacy in aged care settings is crucial, as polypharmacy can directly influence health and wellbeing, especially among older individuals. Polypharmacy can lead to adverse drug reactions, medication errors, reduced adherence to treatment plans, and increased healthcare costs. By understanding the factors contributing to polypharmacy, we can tailor interventions to optimise medication management, reduce unnecessary medicine use, and enhance the quality of care provided to older adults.
What are some of the tools that can be used to drive deprescribing for patients and their care teams?
There are lots of tools and interventions that have been developed to drive deprescribing, yet rather than focusing on specific tools or interventions, we all have a responsibility for deprescribing. Each healthcare professional involved in medication management should conscientiously assess the need, potential benefits, possible risks, treatment goals and patient/carer views for each medicine at each point in care. We need to be brave and challenge our colleagues to think about stopping medicines when the benefit/risk profile changes; we also need to put our patients and their carers at the centre of the care journey and help them to think about stopping medicines when they are no longer useful.
What is your personal motto for MedsAware Week?
It is very easy to add medicines, especially among older persons with multimorbidity; it is much more difficult to remove them. We often have a ‘plan’ when we start new medicines; we need to flip our thinking and start ‘planning to stop medicines’ as a routine part of medication management.
A Minute With... Brigid McInerney
Assistant Deputy Director of Pharmacy, Monash Health | PhD Candidate,Monash University | Transitions of Care and Primary Care Leadership Committee Member | FANZCAP (GeriMed, ToC)
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2024.
Why are conversations around deprescribing so important for older Australians and Australians living with a disability?
These individuals are often exposed to polypharmacy required for the management of multiple medical conditions, but suboptimal communication between their healthcare providers can lead to unclear plans and confusion regarding the indications for some medications and intended duration of use.
Older people and people living with a disability may be more vulnerable to medication-related adverse effects. The signs and symptoms of these adverse effects may be difficult to identify as the individual may be unable to communicate new or worsening symptoms, or these may be interpreted as a new or worsening medical condition.
Conversations around deprescribing should be tailored to the individual and related to their goals of care and preferences, and should occur at every opportunity in any care setting. This can help to raise awareness of the often fine line between benefits and risks of many medications used by these individuals, while empowering them and their caregivers to engage in conversations about ongoing medication use.
What changes do you hope to see within the deprescribing/medicines education space in the future?
I'm excited to see increased clinician confidence in making deprescribing recommendations and decisions in the acute and subacute settings, in close collaboration with their primary care clinician colleagues and patients. Pharmacists are already very good at engaging patients in conversations about their medicines, but further uptake of education to support conversations about deprescribing may be helpful.
Further advancements in the availability of relevant information required at the time of deprescribing discussions and decisions being made, along with workflow efficiencies to support pharmacists working at top of scope and to facilitate deprescribing conversations with their medical colleagues, will be exciting to see.
Timely and appropriate follow-up in the post-discharge period is essential to follow up medication changes and appropriate monitoring.
My research supports the identification of psychotropic adverse events in residents of nursing homes, and I'm looking forward to seeing this translate to the availability of clear evidence regarding the risks of medications in this population, for consideration in medication reviews and deprescribing conversations.
What is your personal motto for MedsAware Week?
Deprescribing is a vital part of good medication management and is as crucial to patient care as appropriate prescribing!
A Minute With... Anna Jennings
Senior Clinical Pharmacist – Health of Older People, Alfred Health | Geriatric Medicine Leadership Committee Member
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2024.
Why are conversations around deprescribing so important for older Australians?
As the human body ages, the ways in which our medications impact us changes. We have altered pharmacokinetics and are more likely to suffer adverse effects. Additionally, the evidence behind many medications decreases as we age, with medication trials largely conducted on younger participants.
Conversations around deprescribing are essential to make sure medications are both safe and effective. These conversations must always involve the patient and include a discussion about what matters most to them. Medication use must be tailored to our patients as individuals and align with their personal values. As we get older, deprescribing is no less important than the original commencement, or prescribing, of a medication.
Can you describe a situation in which you've initiated deprescribing and how this benefited the patient?
I recently deprescribed amitriptyline in an elderly lady admitted to hospital following a fall. This was in conjunction with the patient and her medical team.
No indication for the amitriptyline could be ascertained from either the patient or her GP; the patient only knew that she had been on it for many years. She was wanting to reduce the amount of medications she needed to take each day and reduce her chances of having another fall. Amitriptyline was slowly weaned to cessation with careful monitoring, and no changes occurred as the dose was weaned and eventually stopped. The outcome was very positive as the patient reduced both her falls risk and her tablet burden.
What is your personal message for MedsAware Week?
Involve your patient in deprescribing - I can’t stress this enough. Spend time talking to your patients about their medications, determine if deprescribing is an option, and then involve them in the decision and process. Do this for your patients as it leads to improved outcomes, but also do it for yourself. Successfully deprescribing a medication and witnessing firsthand the patient benefits is an amazing source of job satisfaction!
A Minute With... Sharon Goldsworthy
Workforce Portfolio Lead, SA Pharmacy, Adelaide, SA
This interview is part of a series for International Women's Day (IWD) 2024
What helps you thrive in your workplace?
The key things that help me thrive in the workplace are having clarity in what my team's prioritised goals are and knowing my role in achieving them, alongisde having a great team to work within!
Delineating work from home life is also very important, including feeding my physical activity and nature needs (rowing, hiking, and native bushland regeneration) and spending time with family.
A Minute With... Claire Hatty
Senior Clinical Pharmacist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Vic
This interview is part of a series for International Women's Day (IWD) 2024
What advice would you give the next generation of women leaders in pharmacy?’
Embrace every opportunity that comes your way and seize the chance to work in different positions, as they provide diverse challenges that will progress your skills toward senior roles.
Have confidence in the skills you have acquired, your knowledge, and your potential.
The significance of interpersonal skills in leadership cannot be underestimated, as effective communication, collaboration and understanding are vital for building robust relationships with colleagues, while empathy fosters trust, cooperation and positive outcomes.
Lastly, surround yourself with people who will both challenge and support you in your professional journey. Their encouragement, feedback and insights will be invaluable contributors to your growth as a leader in pharmacy.
A Minute With... Ione Wallace
Senior Dental Pharmacist, Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne; Clinical Pharmacist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Vic
This interview is part of a series for International Women's Day (IWD) 2024
What does International Women's Day mean to you?
On International Women's Day, I am grateful to the women who came before me, and their courageous and tireless efforts in advancing the women's rights that we enjoy and too often take for granted today.
I will reflect on how fortunate I am to be surrounded by strong, brilliant and inspiring women in all aspects of my life, and I will dream of the steps we all need to take to create a future where women and girls are safe from all forms of violence against women, and our sons and daughters have equal reproductive rights, equal pay, equal political representation, equal access to education, and equal legal rights.
A Minute With... Misha Devchand
Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist, Austin Health | Senior Advisor, Penicillin Allergies and Project Lead, Check Again Collaborative, Safer Care Victoria | Member, SHPA Infectious Diseases Leadership Committee
This interview is part of a series for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in pharmacy?
Implementing innovative services that push boundaries and upskill pharmacists to improve patient care.
Explain your role and its impact on AMR. What are you most proud of achieving in your role as Project Lead for the Check Again project?
My roles are very diverse and I’m fortunate to have a balance between being involved in individual patient care and being able to improve state-wide healthcare.
For the Check Again project, I’m most proud of seeing hospitals progress with the project. I was a coach and a cheerleader for all hospitals involved. The dedication of the hospital teams in ensuring the success of the project was inspiring! It was a very rewarding project to be part of.
What changes would you like to see in the future to promote AMS?
I think AMS still has many steps to take to progress. All pharmacists (ward pharmacists, outpatient pharmacists, etc.) have a huge role to play in AMS and they are under-recognised and underutilised AMS champions. In addition, I think primary care should also be considered and involved when planning for future AMS services.
A Minute With... Minyon Avent
Advanced Pharmacist, Queensland Statewide Antimicrobial Stewardship Program | Consultant Clinical Research Pharmacist, The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research | Chair, SHPA Infectious Diseases Leadership Committee
This interview is part of a series for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in pharmacy?
The opportunities that I have been offered by working as part of a multidisciplinary team. The clinicians that I have worked with over the years have contributed to my clinical and research skills. It has also provided me opportunities to collaborate on projects which have been published.
Explain your role and its impact on AMR. What are you most proud of achieving in your role within the Queensland Statewide Antimicrobial Stewardship Program?
I am an Antimicrobial Stewardship pharmacist working for the Queensland Statewide Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. What has attracted me to this role is the variety, working in a relatively small multidisciplinary team as well as the challenge of setting up a new program. I work with clinical staff in rural and regional areas who often have limited resources and/or skill sets to implement onsite antimicrobial stewardship programmes. I have found that these pharmacists are amazing and very appreciative of the training and support that our program provides. A bonus of this position is that I travel to some amazing parts of Queensland for our site visits.
What changes would you like to see in the future to promote AMS?
[Greater awareness that] ‘antimicrobial stewardship’ programs to promote the responsible use of antibiotics apply to every patient on an antibiotic and are every pharmacist’s responsibility. Pharmacists have a key role to play in addressing Antimicrobial Resistance, educating both clinicians and patients about the appropriate use, duration and route of antibiotics as well as disposal of unused and expired antimicrobials. This is highlighted in SHPA’s Infectious Diseases Standard of Practice and one of SHPA’s Choosing Wisely recommendations.
A Minute With... Tricia Holmes
Senior Pharmacy Technician/Service Coordinator, Royal Adelaide Hospital
This interview is part of a series for Australian Pharmacy Technicians Day 2023
What makes your work as a hospital pharmacy technician exciting?
Working alongside the most amazing assistants/technicians, whose knowledge and skills never cease to amaze me. One of the best parts about being a pharmacy technician is making a difference in people’s lives every day. This fulfilling career allows me to use my specific skills to assist others in health care. A pharmacy assistant’s job is hands on and encompasses various duties and responsibilities each day.
What would you like to see for the future of pharmacy technicians?
There are so many diverse roles for technicians and each role will evolve. I'd like to see continued support for technicians in the expansion of roles and in our career progression.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
SHPA has given me a huge boost in my career pathway. I have been privileged to be invited to the Medicines Management conference as a guest speaker where I have met amazing fellow technicians. SHPA’s education offerings for technicians are also well-delivered and well-received.
I love catching up with my Specialty Practice Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants group. We are a little family that talk about our roles as technicians, but can also have a chat about ourselves outside of that and have a laugh together. It’s great to know that I have that support.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
Reading and spending time with my family.
A Minute With... Kirsten Lowe
Lead Pharmacy Technician – Workforce Development, Royal Melbourne Hospital
This interview is part of a series for Australian Pharmacy Technicians Day 2023
What makes your work as a hospital pharmacy technician exciting?
I feel extremely lucky to work in a hospital setting where I have the chance to make a positive impact on patient health. Hospital pharmacy roles are so diverse, you have different experiences and learning avenues every day. Creating education that provides my cohort with new opportunities and gives them the chance to practice in new and exciting ways is extremely rewarding. I feel privileged to work with such a fantastic group of people.
What would you like to see for the future of pharmacy technicians?
I would like to see more technicians advancing in leadership and management roles. The technician workforce is flexible, highly adaptable, and ambitious, and plays a vital part in pharmacy progression as a whole. Many technicians already possess strong leadership characteristics, and I believe this is an area where more development can occur.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
Being an SHPA member has given me outlets to connect with other pharmacy technicians in Australia. Networking and idea sharing amongst other professionals is crucial for lifting practice standards nationally and it’s always fun talking shop with your peers.
The conferences also provide really great opportunities to see your fellow technicians' project work and cheer them on.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
My favourite way to unwind is quality time with my fiancé and dogs.
A Minute With... Rose Dingal
Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician (PACT), Canberra Hospital Pharmacy Department
This interview is part of a series for Australian Pharmacy Technicians Day 2023
What does your role entail?
I am responsible in doing the final accuracy check of a dispensed medication before they are given to the patients.
What makes your work as a hospital pharmacy technician exciting?
I find working as a PACT exciting and fulfilling because I am able to contribute to our department. The pharmacists that I work with are able to focus more on their clinical duties and work with patients and the medical team on the ward. I also like talking to patients and helping them improve their health.
What would you like to see for the future of pharmacy technicians?
In the future, I see a digital transformation in pharmacy as a whole and the expansion of roles technicians play in enhancing patient outcomes.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
SHPA has been committed to the growth of their technicians. There are discussion groups available and career development choices are handy. Moreover, SHPA appreciates the contribution technicians perform in our profession.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
I enjoy spending some quality time with my husband and our dogs after work.
A Minute With... Radha Regmi
Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician (PACT), Canberra Hospital Pharmacy Department
This interview is part of a series for Australian Pharmacy Technicians Day 2023
What makes your work as a hospital pharmacy technician exciting?
Every day is fun knowing that my small contribution is helping someone to recover from illness or maintain their health and wellbeing. In addition, the support from TCH Pharmacy in providing opportunities to move around different areas of hospital pharmacy and certification programs like PACT keeps my job enjoyable.
What would you like to see for the future of pharmacy technicians?
More nationwide training and certification programs enabling technicians to play a greater role in performing pharmacy duties.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
Access to various technical news, articles and communities of practice to get updates on a variety of things. SHPA membership was desirable criteria for my current role as well.
What is your favourite way to unwind?
Exercise, cooking and a Netflix series.
A Minute With... Dr Jedidiah Morton
This interview is part of a series for Medicines Management 2023, the 47th SHPA National Conference
Research Fellow, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
What can attendees expect to learn from your presentation at MM2023?
My presentation will explain: the place of observational studies in understanding and shaping clinical practice; how to interpret the results of observational studies and randomised controlled trials, as well as the important differences between the two; and common limitations of observational studies and randomised controlled trials, in addition to how to interpret results in the context of these limitations.
What makes your job exciting?
I get to perform difficult and novel analyses to understand new science.
Who are your role models?
Rosa Luxemburg.
How do you give yourself 'space to grow'?
Allow time to read.
A Minute With... Professor Lloyd Reeve-Johnson
This interview is part of a series for Medicines Management 2023, the 47th SHPA National Conference
Professor of One Health, University of Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Qld
What can attendees expect to learn from your presentation at MM2023?
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The critical importance of working across the healthcare boundaries in man, animals and the environment. Human health care does not exist in isolation from pathogen reservoirs, emerging animal diseases or climate change causing vector and human movement. It is short-sighted not to consider the wider systems impacting global health. This implies a shift in preventive healthcare needs for the future.
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The economic factors that drive healthcare delivery to change.
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Complexity economic theory versus traditional healthcare funding.
What makes your job exciting?
My passions are economics - the science of managing scarcity - and epidemiology, which considers the way diseases spread. The rising costs of health care are not sustainable and have to change. The excitement is working internationally to address options for how healthcare delivery can adapt for our future.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
Antarctica – the only continent I have not visited and the only continent likely to give historical clues as to how disease emergence could have been different with less environmental and human pressure on the ecosystem.
How do you give yourself 'space to grow'?
Meeting with great minds internationally to enjoy debates on the most controversial topics and strategies, then returning refreshed to the very small portion I can influence within our global community.
A Minute With... Julia Tisdall
This interview is part of a series for Medicines Management 2023, the 47th SHPA National Conference
Advanced Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS), Brisbane, Qld
What can attendees expect to learn from your presentation at MM2023?
I will discuss and share my journey and experiences of how a team worked on implementing research and quality improvement processes within the technician workforce.
I will explain the following points: What are quality improvement projects compared to research? How to identify quality improvement projects? As well as describing ways to incorporate quality improvement projects within the workforce and how to make project systems/research sustainable within the workforce.
What about research and quality improvement excites you?
Seeing the results of an idea, whether negative or positive; seeing people learn and grow; being able to share with others what I have learnt from my peers; and being able to do my bit in helping to promote technicians, as I believe research helps with showcasing how important technicians are to the healthcare system.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the last year within the industry?
So many advanced technician roles. It's amazing to see technicians counselling patients on discharge. I remember seeing that at the conference last year!
Which fictional character would you most like to meet?
Just Carpet (the Magic Carpet) from Aladdin.
What does ‘space to grow’ mean to you?
It means to me that we should learn from our failures and achievements, reflect, forgive, move forward and grow. No one is perfect in life, including the workforce. We should embrace our differences and grow together, as there is always space to do this.
A Minute With... Dr Hester Wilson
This interview is part of a series for Medicines Management 2023, the 47th SHPA National Conference
GP, Clinical Director, AOD MLHD, Murrumbidgee; Medical Advisor, PaCH SESLHD; Conjoint Senior Lecturer, UNSW; Chair for Specific Interest Group in Addiction, RACGP, Sydney, NSW
What can attendees expect to learn from your presentation at MM2023?
A common sense approach to e-cigarettes: what we know, what we don’t know, and how to work with patients and other healthcare workers to support smoking cessation and decrease harm.
What's something you love about your job and why?
It’s a privilege to work with patients towards best health and wellbeing outcomes. I am humbled by the stories and life experiences of people who experience addiction, and their strength and resilience.
Who are your role models?
I stand on the shoulders of giants – all the wonderful healthcare workers that have gone before me, those who work with me now, and those of the future. I deeply appreciate the work of my pharmacist colleagues - guys, you’ve saved me from a number of medication errors and bad handwriting, for which I deeply thank you!
What one piece of advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?
Go for it and don’t be afraid to ask stupid questions - there is no such thing.
How do you give yourself 'space to grow'?
Being curious, open and respectful.
A Minute With... Michael Bakker
This interview is part of a series for Medicines Management 2023, the 47th SHPA National Conference
Digital Health Portfolio Lead, SA Pharmacy, Adelaide, SA | Chair of SHPA's Electronic Medication Management Leadership Committee
What can attendees expect to learn from your presentation at MM2023?
I hope to cover how advances in technology happening now and in the future will shape how we work.
What is the most exciting thing about future pharmacy?
There is a quote: ‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ To me, this means that we probably can’t anticipate the ways that we will be working, because it will be beyond our current comprehension.
Most of the conversations I have are about shifting workflows from conventional to digital platforms. But what about when technology has advanced to the point where we trust it enough so that some tasks and processes are no longer required at all? It might sound a long way off but when you take the time to look, we already trust machines to do quite a few essential tasks in the world. I think the exciting part is what that allows us to otherwise do with our time.
Who are your role models?
Derek Muller, a.k.a Veritasium on YouTube. He is an expert at taking complex topics and focusing on communicating science. Too often we get stuck in assuming the audience we are speaking to understands the subject matter we are talking about. Being able to talk about complicated topics in a way that encourages other people to understand with you is a skill I wish I was better at.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
I wouldn’t say no to a quick dip in a hot spring in the middle of the snow.
How do you give yourself 'space to grow'?
Woodworking and metal fabrication videos on YouTube with a focus on process over outcome. I want to know how people arrive at making awesome furniture and repairing tractors. Something about watching artisans go about their craft is very inspiring.
A Minute With... Dr Janet Sluggett
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2023
Senior Research Fellow, University of South Australia and the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) | Non-Executive Director of the Australian MedicAlert Foundation and Southern Cross Care SA, NT, VIC
Why is deprescribing important for residents of aged care homes?
Residents of aged care homes take an average of 10 medicines regularly, including high-risk medicines. These individuals often have complex medicines regimens and are susceptible to harms like confusion, falls and sedation. This means it’s really important for us to look closely at the medicines charted to see if things can be optimised. Deprescribing might be part of that process.
How can pharmacists minimise inappropriate polypharmacy for residents of aged care homes?
Many older people transition into aged care homes via hospital and a third of existing residents are hospitalised at least annually. Medicines review is one of the many important ways that pharmacists can contribute to identifying potentially inappropriate medicines, as well as deprescribing opportunities. It’s crucial for us to prioritise medicines reconciliation, review and information transfer for this population, particularly because only one in five new residents receive a medicines review in the three months after entering an aged care home. Few receive multiple reviews during their stay.
How does medicines simplification fit with deprescribing?
Simplification involves consolidating existing medicines and can accompany deprescribing. MRS GRACE is a validated, five-step tool that guides pharmacists through the simplification process. We’ve successfully implemented simplification in hospitals and residential and community aged care services, with tangible benefits both for patients and for the staff who administer medicines.
A Minute With... Deirdre Criddle + Kieran Broderick
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2023
Deirdre: Complex Care Coordinator and Pharmacist, CoNeCT MHE, Fiona Stanley Hospital | 2023 Transitions of Care and Primary Care Leadership Committee
Kieran: CoNeCT Complex Care Clinical Pharmacy, Metro CoNeCT | Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Fiona Stanley Hospital
Why is deprescribing important?
Deirdre: October 31st 2019. On this day, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety tabled its powerfully titled interim report “Neglect”. That report condemned the widespread use of inappropriate chemical restraints in aged care and highlighted the importance of engaging pharmacists in the art of deprescribing. Since then, the call for greater governance in medication management across the aged care and disability sectors has become louder. So, when you ask ‘Why is deprescribing important?’ I would suggest that every frail, vulnerable older person deserves the opportunity to engage in this process. Are you providing your patients the opportunity to take control of their medicines journey? Do you know your patient’s attitude to deprescribing?
When more than half of the participants in the 2022 SHPA Pharmacy Forecast predicted that hospitals were unlikely to provide a dedicated resource for a deprescribing stewardship pharmacist by 2027, I knew we had work to do. I am delighted to see SHPA take leadership in this space and ignite the passion for this important medication safety initiative. Let’s stop neglect, end nihilism and start those dedicated deprescribing discussions today. It’s taken 20 years for deprescribing to progress from a ‘new term’ to a ‘Week for Awareness’. Let’s mark today’s date as that moment – that date where we said ‘Yes’ to making real inroads to deprescribing stewardship.
Can you describe a situation in which you’ve initiated deprescribing and the benefit for the patient?
Kieran: In the pursuit of patient-centred care, the role of a transitional care pharmacist should encompass deprescribing as an integral aspect of medication management, carrying implications for the patient and their overall health and wellbeing.
Consider a recent case of mine, a patient with Alzheimer’s, which highlights the importance of shared decision-making and deprescribing. After obtaining a medication history I started the process of reviewing the indication for each medication and critically evaluating the ongoing need for continued use. The patient was in their 90s and experiencing dizziness, hypoglycaemic episodes, rapid cognitive decline and first-degree heart block. The patient’s guardian and daughter also expressed the difficulty in managing a large pill burden with medicines administered several times each day. Collaboratively, we developed a tailored plan to present to the geriatrician to deprescribe several of the patient’s unnecessary supplementation, statin, sulfonylurea, calcium channel blocker and donepezil, and rationalise all medications to once-daily administration in the morning. This would also allow for daily medication prompts to be implemented: an additional strategy to help support ongoing medication compliance and relieve the family of some of their carer stress. This plan was accepted by the geriatrician, resulting in a more streamlined medication regimen that not only reduced the patient’s pill burden but also translated into tangible outcomes - diminished hospitalisations!
This case highlights the indispensability of deprescribing in the realm of patient-centred care and its role in fostering optimal health outcomes.
What is your personal message or mantra for MedsAware Week?
Kieran: For MedsAware week, my personal message revolves around the pivotal role of transitional care pharmacists in deprescribing medications, and how their unique ability to see a patient's home environment and physically assess their medication management practices enhances this process.
My mantra for this week resonates: ‘Empowering Health Through Thoughtful Transition’.
Transitional care pharmacists are assets in the realm of deprescribing and their influence is highlighted when they step into the patient's home environment and delve into their real-life context. Their unique perspective empowers them to evaluate not only the medical aspects but also the practical intricacies of medication management. This ‘in-home' understanding often uncovers hidden challenges that might affect a patient's adherence, prescribed medications, and overall health outcomes. This may include anything from patients storing their medicines on the kitchen benchtop exposed to direct sunlight, poor compliance of current therapy leading to overprescribing, to social factors which can include financial struggles or medicines diversion.
By embracing this holistic approach and patient-centered care, we work towards ensuring that deprescribing decisions are not only based on medical guidelines but also deeply rooted in the patient's daily reality. Uncovering these hidden challenges and ensuring that this is effectively communicated between the hospital and community sectors is how we improve the health of these patients in transitions of care.
A Minute With... Thuy Bui
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2023
Lead Pharmacist, LRH Partnership Project, Alfred Health | 2023 Surgery and Perioperative Medicine Leadership Committee | 2023 Pain Management Leadership Committee
When did you become aware of deprescribing as a concept?
Around 2010.
How can pharmacists minimise inappropriate polypharmacy?
By taking a proactive role in regularly reviewing their patients' medications and advocating for deprescribing where appropriate, especially with high-risk medications.
What is your personal message or mantra for MedsAware Week?
Regular review of medications to be continued, reduced or ceased is crucial.
A Minute With... Gauri Godbole
This interview is part of a series for MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week 2023
Chair, 2023 Geriatric Medicine Leadership Committee, Specialty Practice | Specialist Pharmacist, Aged Care, Gosford Hospital, NSW Health | 2023 Palliative Care Leadership Committee
Why is deprescribing important?
The art and science of deprescribing is a patient-centered, shared decision-making process that empowers patients and families to 'de-trial' medications. Over time, some medications may no longer be of benefit, may be harmful, or no longer fit with the current goals of care. Deprescribing not only reduces the medication burden, drug interactions and potential for errors but has shown to improve patients' quality of life. It is important, however, to approach deprescribing in a systematic way to minimise rebound symptoms or withdrawal effects. There are a number of excellent Australian and international resources available to guide you through this process! Also, I would highly encourage you to check out our SHPA Geriatric Medicine Specialty Practice landing page and attend one of our seminars where deprescribing is always the protagonist!
Can you describe a situation in which you’ve initiated deprescribing and the benefit for the patient? Or when you explain deprescribing to a patient and they’ve understood the positives?
Recently, a 93-year-old female patient was admitted to our facility with falls, chronic insomnia and gastrointestinal issues. Upon review, we noted she had been on an SSRI. Further patient interviews revealed that she had been on an SSRI for over 18 years! She clearly remembered being prescribed this as her depressive symptoms were due to loss of her partner. Depression screening during the current hospital admission did not indicate depression. Moreover, SSRIs were worsening her presenting complaints. We explained the potential benefits of 'de-trialling' the SSRI to improve her symptoms. The patient was delighted to hear she may sleep better and fall less! We gave her a detailed written plan to wean off the medication, what to do if the symptoms came back, and communicated this to her GP in the discharge summary. It was a gratifying moment for the team! We used the NSW TAG deprescribing guidelines which also include useful patient-friendly leaflets.
What is your personal message or mantra for MedsAware Week?
I look at deprescribing as a jigsaw puzzle. Pharmacists are an important piece of that puzzle - without us the picture is incomplete! All the interventions should work in harmony to create better outcomes for the patient. In my role as a Drug Burden Index Stewardship Pharmacist, we had the opportunity to empower multidisciplinary teams to learn the principles of deprescribing and become deprescribing ninjas themselves! Secondly, not all recommendations can be implemented during a patient's hospital stay. However, do not give up! Clear communication to the primary care teams with recommendations, goals and following up is of paramount importance and can make a huge difference in patient outcomes!
A Minute With... Brenda Shum
This interview is part of a series for International Women's Day
Chief Pharmacist – Royal Perth Bentley Group | SHPA Member | WA Board Director
What factors impact the ability of women to lead others?
Factors that affect an individual’s ability to lead are broadly societal, organisational, and individual. The key component interlinking these is that it is often the perception and expectation of women — both from others and themselves — across these categories, which impact their ability to lead. For example, a woman may have been raised in a culture which primarily attributes caregiving roles to women but is currently living in a society which advocates for women in leadership positions. They may face the challenging duality of being a primary carer in their personal lives, whilst also ensuring they excel as a leader in their professional role. Both roles may carry significant mental and physical loads, and holding both concurrently may have a detrimental impact on the individual’s ability to undertake either. This can result in a destructive cycle of the perception — both by others and oneself — that they are underperforming in either role.
Reflecting on my personal experiences, whilst we cannot control the perceptions and expectations of others, can manage our own reactions to these pressures, and our perceptions and expectations of ourselves.
What advice would you give the next generation of women leaders in pharmacy?
Have a growth mindset — understand that your personal and professional evolution will help you to create and lead the pharmacy profession of tomorrow.
Embrace opportunities, but after you have considered if they align with your key values and your career trajectory.
Don’t reject opportunities based on concerns that you do not have the full spectrum of skills and operational knowledge required for them. Trust in your ability to learn these whilst in the role and embrace this initial discomfort.
Consider vulnerability as a strength, as it helps to create a compassionate and supportive environment in which our team members can flourish. As women, we can be more conscious about exhibiting such traits with the perception that it may indicate weakness. Remember, we are all human, and such interactions help us connect with and better understand our teams.
Take care of your personal mental and physical health. There will likely be many people over the course of your life that will need your support in both your personal and professional spheres, but you must ensure that you are as well as can be within yourself to be able to give this help.
How do you equitably distribute your time between your personal and professional roles/commitments?
I time block my days, particularly weekends, in advance to ensure that I allocate time to these. This does result in some hectic days, but that’s also the way I work best — both in my personal and professional roles! Most days, I do generally have a ‘cut off’ time in the evening, when I will go through a consistent series of actions (e.g. reading for 30 mins), to help wind down and recharge for the following day.
A Minute With... Elizabeth Manias
This interview is part of a series for International Women's Day
Research Professor at Monash University | SHPA Member | Committee of Specialty Practice in Clinical Pharmacy 2014–2017, Member of Transitions of Care and Primary Care Specialty Practice Leadership Committee 2021–2023
Tell us about your career in pharmacy and healthcare.
I have completed bachelor’s and master’s studies in pharmacy and have undertaken a PhD examining health care collaboration and communication in critical care. Aside from being a registered pharmacist, I am also a registered nurse and a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist. My professional experience has mainly been in acute hospital settings, but more recently my focus has turned to the importance of managing medicines across transitions of care. Currently, I work as a university professor, where I undertake research in medication safety, consumer participation in health care, and communication between health professionals and patients and families. I am particularly interested in supporting older people with complex health care needs.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
To me, International Women’s Day is a recognition of the need for collective action to achieve gender equality. It identifies the importance of addressing women’s struggles in health, education, and personal and professional relationships so that the whole of humanity benefits. This day symbolises the value of all women, by celebrating differences and supporting those who are in vulnerable situations.
Do you have a woman in pharmacy that you admire? Why?
I admire many women in pharmacy, and it is difficult to identify someone as a definite standout. If I am required to name only one woman, I would have to say Debbie Rigby. She is at the pinnacle of how pharmacists can make an enormous impact on health care. Debbie advocates for the importance of pharmacists on the health care team, with the aim of enabling better medicine management for patients. She is also very active in policy and guideline development, implementation and evaluation, and in supporting and mentoring pharmacists. Debbie is also not afraid to speak out and is a strong advocate for patients and their families.
Over your career what positive changes have been made for women in healthcare?
I feel there is greater inclusion of women in senior executive roles in health care, and in professional and government organisations. There is greater recognition about the important role that women play in healthcare, as demonstrated by celebration of women’s achievements through prizes and awards. Furthermore, in health care environments, there is enhanced recognition about being aware of unconscious bias within ourselves and other people’s behaviour and activities.
What helps you thrive in your workplace?
I thrive on the ability to work with people who are passionate about improving patient and family care by enhancing quality use of medicines. I am also inspired by helping patients and their families to be more involved in medicine decisions. I also really enjoy mentoring other people and helping students to achieve their goals.
A Minute With... Helene Gjone
First in a series for International Women's Day
Pharmacy Intern, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania | SHPA member| Intern Observer (since 2022)
Do you have a woman in pharmacy that you admire? Why?
I work alongside so many knowledgeable, driven, and passionate women, it would be impossible to name just one!
I admire my primary research supervisor, Dr Laetitia Hattingh, who is a wealth of knowledge about all things research and empowered me to produce two publications during my intern year.
I admire Sarah Barwick, one of the advanced training residents at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), whose knowledge and passion for ID is contagious (no pun intended).
I am also incredibly thankful to RHH pharmacists Zoe Thomas and Mel Nizolek, who invited me over to their houses to help me study for the pharmacy intern exams.
How do you plan to reach your career goals?
As an early career pharmacist my key focus is to keep growing and develop a strong general knowledge before I explore specialist and research pathways. I plan to say ‘yes’ to as many learning opportunities as possible and to keep signing up for more high quality SHPA education events
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Although there is still work to be done, International Women’s Day (IWD) is about celebrating how far we’ve come towards closing the gender gap. Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of incredible women before me I now have access to education, the right to vote, the right to own property, and many other things I sometimes take for granted.
How will you celebrate IWD?
I will be at work wearing my purple scrubs, the colour of IWD! IWD is also a great opportunity to send a thank you card to some of the incredible female mentors who have influenced me professionally.
What helps you thrive in your workplace?
I am driven by intellectual curiosity, so I thrive in situations that allow me the opportunity to continuously learn and grow. Thankfully I still have a lot to learn, so I don’t think I’ll get bored any time soon.
A Minute With... Katie Ambrose
Invited speaker Katie Ambrose, SHPA 2022 Technician of the Year finalist, will present on the Tasmanian Statewide Pharmacy Technician Strategy at MM2022.
What excites you about your work?
Right now, the focus on growth within the Tasmanian pharmacy technician workforce, and the opportunities being created. My current role gave me the opportunity to delve into the creation of processes and training documentation that will assist our technicians well into the future. It’s been an incredible opportunity to be part of such a huge project! Also, the investments being made into the leadership skills of our pharmacy staff in management roles, putting a focus on the importance of good leadership within our teams.
What is your hidden talent?
House and interior design. I designed our home and I’m very proud of the result!
What did you rediscover about yourself during lockdown/the pandemic?
A love for the simple life, and discovering new hobbies.
What is your top tip for to reinvigorate yourself?
I think of this more as grounding myself; stop, think, put things into perspective and don’t compare yourself to others. You create your own story.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Spending time ‘off-grid’ and away from technology, whether that is at home on the farm, or spending a weekend away with friends exploring our beautiful state.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Make sure you find time every day to have a good laugh! (Thanks Nan and Pop!)
A Minute With... Dr Jo Watson
Invited speaker Dr Jo Watson will present ‘Communicating with patients with disabilities and cognitive impairment’ at MM2022. Dr Watson is Postgraduate Studies Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Disability and Inclusion at Deakin University’s School of Health and Social Development.
What excites you about your work?
Having supported people with intellectual disability and complex communication access needs for over 30 years as a Speech Pathologist, researcher and lecturer I am excited to see the evolution in the realisation of human rights for people with disability since Australia’s signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
We have a long way to go however, as a nation, I think the tide has turned, and the inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of life (including health) is now a reality.
What do you hope to achieve in your field of work?
I hope my work continues to further the self-determination of people with intellectual disability and complex communication access needs, a group that I believe are rarely heard in the health system.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
There is power in a union! Humans are relational beings and we achieve our best when we work collaboratively and respectfully with one another.
What’s your hidden talent?
Emerging from an hour scuba dive with 3/4s of a tank of air! I require very little oxygen!
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Putting on a backpack and exploring a new landscape, people and culture, far from my every day.
A Minute With... Professor Johanna Westbrook
Invited speaker Professor Johanna Westbrook will present ‘Big data in aged care’ at MM2022. Professor Westbrook is an NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Leadership Fellow, Co-Director of the Safety, Quality, Informatics & Leadership Program at Harvard University and Director, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research at Macquarie University’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation.
What excites you about your work?
There is so much potential in using existing electronic data silos in the aged care sector to provide meaningful information to care providers, clients and families which can support improvements in care and outcome.
What do you hope to achieve in your field of work?
Demonstrating the value of collaborations between researchers, care providers and families/clients, policy-makers in developing innovative approaches to drive safer and better quality care in the aged care sector.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Be persistent!
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Getting lost in a book or movie.
A Minute With... Bryan Walker
Chair, Pharmacy Technician and Assistants Leadership Committee
In the lead up to Pharmacy Technician Day, we caught up with some SHPA Technician members on their work, career, SHPA membership and plans on #RxTechDay, Tuesday 18 October.
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacy technician?
I am humbled and honoured by the responsibility I have been given helping patients get well again. What is exciting is making a positive difference in someone’s life. It makes the work very rewarding.
What are your proudest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
My proudest achievement has been being a member of the SHPA Technicians and Assistants Leadership Committee. I hope to help technicians form a stronger partnership with pharmacists to achieve a more dynamic approach to learning and training opportunities.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
SHPA membership has given me the opportunity to meet extraordinary people from a wide array of disciplines. SHPA is a wonderful way to express ideas, get words of encouragement, and to know you are not alone.
How will you mark 2022 Pharmacy Technician Day?
I will celebrate with some good food and enjoy the day!
Find out how SHPA supports Technicians and Assistants
A Minute With... Amanda Bernhagen
Pharmacy Technician and Assistants Leadership Committee
In the lead up to Pharmacy Technician Day, we caught up with some SHPA Technician members on their work, career, SHPA membership and plans on #RxTechDay, Tuesday 18 October.
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacy technician?
It’s ever changing, growing, and improving! It’s exciting to be part of a team that is constantly finding the best way possible to help patients.
What are your proudest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
Being the first ever Tech on the SHPA QLD Branch Committee. I hope to continue working with like-minded assistants and technicians as part of the driving force behind the progression of the pharmacy assistant career path, I strongly believe there is so much more space for growth and optimisation of the role.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
At risk of sounding conceited, I believe my SHPA involvement has really helped get my name out there and opened doors for me to be involved in projects that I could only have ever dreamt about previously. It’s so lovely to be a contact for an assistant met through this space, I know I absolutely take advantage of knowing I have assistant friends around Australia I can call or email for their advice or support about the role of a pharmacy assistant/technician.
How will you mark 2022 Pharmacy Technician Day?
At the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital I like to dedicate the day to celebrating my team, I don’t want to give too much away, in case my team are reading this 😊
In the past we have celebrated by asking the wider Pharmacy Department to compile some thank you messages or compliments that are given out the to the team, last year this was in addition to custom cookies I had made and stamped with ‘Happy Tech Day’.
Find out how SHPA supports Technicians and Assistants
A Minute With... Kylie Richardson
Pharmacy Technician and Assistants Leadership Committee
In the lead up to Pharmacy Technician Day, we caught up with some SHPA Technician members on their work, career, SHPA membership and plans on #RxTechDay, Tuesday 18 October.
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacy technician?
Helping people by being part of a safe and efficient heath system. I am a rotational pharmacy technician and I love the different challenges and unique skills and knowledge working in each area of hospital pharmacy provides.
What are your proudest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
Being part of a great team of pharmacy technicians who are expanding our scope of practice. I had the opportunity to take part in a ‘State of the Nation’ presentation, and I would love to one day to be part of a Medicines Management SHPA National Conference.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
SHPA has been a great networking platform to meet like-minded peers both locally and around Australia. I have had the opportunity to be part of the Technician and Assistant Specialty Practice Leadership Committee and Committee Member of the SHPA Tas Branch where I have been a voice for Technicians
How will you mark 2022 Pharmacy Technician Day?
We will have a morning tea to celebrate.
Find out how SHPA supports Technicians and Assistants
A Minute With... Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson will co-lead the workshop ‘Stakeholder engagement: how to pitch your case for change and innovation’.
What excites you about my work?
I actually love my work. I get to have impact on the lives of thousands of people. I get to see my fellow pharmacists and pharmacy technicians given the tools and respect they deserve to provide the care our patients depend on. And I get to work with a team of people who make me deeply proud.
What is my secret superpower?
Diet Coke, I guess. It’s great for boosting productivity and concentr…
What seriously is my secret superpower?
My superpower is the team of people around me and the way we work as a team. A team fuelled by kindness, collaboration, respect, and warmth will get better results than any other team on the planet.
If I have a superpower it’s in drawing these people together and giving them the space to lead with these values in their hearts and embedded in everything they do.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for me?
I didn’t drink gin before the pandemic, but over the last three years I have discovered how refreshing it can be…
But seriously; in Tasmania your approach to recharging needs to be seasonal, a bit like a solar battery system. In summer I make the most of the beautiful sunshine we get here in Tassie with our lovely long days, and spend time on the deck drinking gin with friends, or in the garden building something, or being dragged to a freezing cold beach because my wife tells me the water is actually quite lovely once you get used to it (it isn’t), or taking my kids up to Derby for a ride on the mountain bike trails.
In summer I try and do six months of recharging because the Winter period is a bit more of a slog. In winter, it’s hanging around indoors and playing some Xbox or Playstation. (With gin.)
What is my top tip to reinvigorate my staff?
My tip isn’t rocket science: work-life balance. I expect everyone to put in their eight hours a day, and no more. The best patient care comes from people who are, themselves, people – not robots. We all have families to spend time with, loved ones to look after, hobbies to invest time in, friends to hang out with (and, of course SHPA committees to join and conference abstracts to write!)
Often workplaces tend to only reward people who put in 60-hour weeks, but that doesn’t create a culture of staff who feel energised and satisfied – so how can they care with compassion? The pandemic has made a huge dent in all of our work-life balances… it’s important that, now that things are getting closer to normal, we feel empowered to have the work-life balance we need.
A Minute With... Dr David Holden and Josephine To
Dr David Holden and Josephine To will co-lead the workshop ‘Difficult conversations: what you think you heard is not what I thought you said’.
What can attendees expect from your workshop at MM2022?
The workshop will be an opportunity to learn tips and tricks to improve your communication with patients, families and colleagues. Difficult conversations are difficult, but avoiding them doesn’t make them easier or make us better at them. It’s okay to not be perfect and we can learn to communicate better. We hope that you learn some new skills and gain new knowledge about how to communicate well, and importantly learn that every conversation we have is a chance to reflect and keep improving.
What excites you about your work?
David: Supporting people at their most vulnerable. Working in a team to support patients and families.
Jo: What David said! And seeing people feel more confident in the care they are providing or the care they are receiving.
What did you rediscover (e.g., about yourself, a hobby, about others) during the pandemic?
David: It is ok to be exhausted and ask for help and we can support each other.
Jo: I am very thankful for my support network in and outside of work. A long, slightly complicated cook became a Saturday afternoon routine which I came to enjoy.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
David: You are not perfect, and that is OK
Jo: You can do it – the advice everyone with imposter syndrome needs to hear!
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
David: Hiking and walking out of phone coverage
Jo: Exercise, a good book and cooking.
A Minute With... Professor Jill Klein
Invited speaker Professor Jill Klein will present ‘Stress driving errors, errors driving stress’, informed by her teaching of Clinical Decision Making, Leadership and Resilience and research interests: medical decision making, diagnostic error, and medical student well being.
What excites you about your work?
Being able to have a positive impact on others, particularly in the area of resilience and well-being for healthcare professionals.
What do you hope to achieve in your field of work?
Wow - that's a big question. Helping as many healthcare workers as possible.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I've just read the book 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman - it is full of great advice, I wish I had read it 40 years ago!
What’s your hidden talent?
I am a soccer goalkeeper and can still make a save off the foot of a 25 year old Brazilian guy.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Sometimes Yoga… and sometimes I have days where I'm just playing for the time to watch episode 3, season 4 of some series on Netflix.
A Minute With... Betty Chaar
Betty Chaar will present on ‘Ethical challenges in practice’ at MM2022, and is the workshop lead on ‘Ethical decision making in clinical practice’
What can attendees expect to learn from your presentation and workshop at MM2022?
Attendees can expect to explore in depth some ethical dilemmas in practice, better understand how to manage ethical dilemmas by adopting an approach that involves both clinical and moral reasoning, as well as an enhanced appreciation of the ethical principles underpinning ethical decision making in pharmacy.
What excites you about your work?
Sharing, continuous learning and mentoring. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing generations of young pharmacists blossom into mature, responsible professionals.
What attracted you to studying pharmacy?
I loved the notion of expertise in medicines, and using that expertise to help alleviate pain and suffering.
If you could go back in time, what’s the one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
Careful who you trust…
What’s your hidden talent?
I think I can claim some talent in floral design.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Taking off my watch, turning off the mobile phone, shutting down the laptop and simply not thinking! …and perhaps enjoying some precious time in the sun.
A Minute With... Susie Welch
AdPha Fellow & Senior Pharmacist, St Vincents Hospital
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacist?
I love the work I do (Emergency Medicine (EM), ICU and research), and working with staff and the patients I care for. These areas are always fast paced and challenging. I am continuously learning and often laugh with them throughout the day. Being involved with research enables me to innovate and make change.
What are your greatest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
Helping to spark the interest in EM pharmacy nationally, which is continuing and expanding with the ongoing work of the EM pharmacists across the country and those in the Specialty Practice and Leadership Groups. Initiating and being involved with various research projects over the years, personally and collaboratively with others, to make change and improvements for the pharmacy profession, staff and patient care.
Most recently, working with wonderful and talented pharmacists to assist with the development of the Specialty Practice Group for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health. Hopefully this will lead to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people feeling culturally safe in hospitals, receiving appropriate care and achieving equity in patient care and outcomes. Also, supporting the growth of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pharmacist/technician workforce.
How has AdPha membership contributed to your career?
AdPha has enabled me to be part of a collegiate work environment nationally and it has supported this in the daily workplace. This has inspired me and also enabled much of what I have achieved by enabling communication and collaborations locally and across the country. I have made friends through AdPha networks. AdPha has provided me with various opportunities, most recently being a member of the AdPha Reconciliation Action Plan Steering Committee. Being involved in many aspects of AdPha, hopefully it has enabled us to work together to make positive change eg. Through AdPha advocacy, conferences, CPD offerings and Specialty Practice.
How are you looking to celebrate World Pharmacists Day this year?
Being a Sunday I will be spending the day with my family. Usually, we have an acknowledgement of the day when I am at work. Most recently we have promoted these celebrations to others in the hospital, ensuring that hospital pharmacists are continually recognised as key members of the health care team.
Find ou more about World Pharmacists Day 2022
A Minute With... Susan Trevillian
AdPha Member & Chair, Rural & Remote Specialty Practice
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacist?
Part of my role is developing and leading a really innovative and collaborative pharmacy internship program, that involves our interns gaining exposure across multiple rural health services, as well as community pharmacies, and also a taste of GP practice. Growing 4 pharmacists each year, who are ready to step into early career roles in rural hospital pharmacy, is probably the most exciting aspect of my work at this stage of my career. This time of year we’re preparing our interns for their final exams, and we’re recruiting for next year, so it’s a great time for reflection and forward planning.
What are your greatest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
Probably surviving almost a year as Acting Director of Pharmacy in a 300-bed regional hospital, aged 23-24, with a staff of fewer than 5 pharmacists. Suddenly I was responsible for the people who’d trained me during my internship, and without the incredible support of my now-husband, workmates and SHPA network, I would have likely left the profession. I don’t recommend 12-working-day fortnights with 7 of those on-call, to anyone. 5 years ago I achieved Stage II Advancing Practice Pharmacist credentialling, proving that you don’t have to be practising in a clinical specialty to achieve recognition of your expertise and impact.
How has SHPA membership contributed to your career?
The AdPha community has inspired and supported me throughout my career. In my first 5 years working in a very small department, AdPha was my CPD provider of choice. CPD was via in-person weekend seminars, conferences and snail mail, as attending metropolitan mid-week evening Branch CPD wasn’t feasible (webinars weren’t invented yet). During the next 5 years I contributed via the state Branch Committee, organising branch CPD events and the program for 2009’s Medicines Management Conference. More recently I’ve continued my involvement with AdPha at a national level, via #AdPhaRuralRemote and #AdPhaLeadership Specialty Practice, and representing AdPha on NRHA Council.
How are you looking to celebrate World Pharmacists Day this year?
WPD is on a Sunday this year, during some planned leave, so hopefully instead of looking at multiple snow-covered peaks from my front verandah, I’ll be up on the mountain having fun with my family in the snow. However I’m mindful that one of our home-grown early career pharmacists will be doing their first week on-call for the hospital on WPD. Even though they’ll be well prepared for most things, our more senior pharmacists always make a point of ensuring our early career pharmacists know they are available to help, even if it’s in the middle of the night.
Find ou more about World Pharmacists Day 2022
A Minute With... Bonnie Tai
AdPha Member & Medical Safety Leadership Committee
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacist?
What excites me the most about hospital pharmacy is knowing that the work we do every day makes a difference to our patients and colleagues, and we are an integral part of the community, keeping people safe and healthy. Our values and contributions are now being recognised beyond the traditional hospital setting. We are seeing more and more hospital pharmacists becoming involved in other sectors, like clinical governance, interdisciplinary education, aged care reform, disaster management…just to name a few. Opportunities are limitless for hospital pharmacists – and I am excited to see what the future holds.
What are your career highlights and what more do you hope to achieve?
I’ve worked in hospital pharmacy for two decades and there are so many career highlights! I’d share three significant ones from the last five years:
- Working alongside and supporting The Prince Charles Hospital Pharmacy team during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s challenging time for everyone, but I am still in awe of how everyone worked together, be adaptable, and problem solve on the go to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.
- Achieved credentialing as Advanced Practice Pharmacist in 2019.
- Being as one of the founding members for the AdPha Medication Safety Leadership Committee in 2017.
For the future, I want to contribute more to shaping the professional development for the next generation of pharmacy practitioners and clinicians. Recently, I’ve started developing the AdPha Advanced Training Residency Framework for Medication Safety – which is very exciting!
How has AdPha membership contributed to your career?
Being a AdPha member has supported my career in many ways. The annual Medication Management conference always inspires me with new ideas or insights for implementation locally at the hospital. I have also enjoyed many opportunities to present local initiatives and experiences with colleagues in different AdPha CPD events. One thing that I appreciate the most is the establishment of Specialty Practice Groups. AdPha has created this wonderful space, bringing members together to support and learn from each other, to share experiences and resources, and to lead advocacy on issues that may impact our patients and the pharmacy profession as a whole. Last but not least, friendships that I have gained through AdPha events are some of the best!
How are you looking to celebrate World Pharmacists Day this year?
I am currently taking a career break, so I will celebrate the day by sending thank you messages and funny memes to my pharmacy friends across Australia, and tweeting about World Pharmacists Day on Twitter all day long!
Find ou more about World Pharmacists Day 2022
A Minute With... Karlee Johnston
Associate Lecturer Pharmacology & PhD Candidate
What have you learned or what are you exploring in your PhD?
My PhD is investigating the effect of COVID-19 on pharmacists, particularly relating to burnout, the changes to pharmacists work and the psychosocial impacts. What we have found is that pharmacists working during COVID-19 are experiencing burnout. Much of this burnout is related to relationships with peers and management, challenges managing stock supply and workload issues. Pharmacists have played such an essential role in the provision of healthcare during this challenging time and have felt the effects of increasing workplace demands.
Do you have any tips for pharmacists at work?
There are many resources available to support pharmacist’s wellbeing. The new AdPha wellness Hub is a valuable source of information. We are very fortunate in our profession to have Pharmacists support service, which is a fantastic resource. Having a psychologist if you need one (you can access these through your organisation, through Black Dog Institute and through your GP) is such a wonderful gift to yourself! One of the lessons I have learnt from experiencing burnout a few times in my career, is that I never actually asked for help, in fact I never asked for anything. I realise now that I did not have the skills to communicate my needs, or even really understand what my needs were. I believe that prioritising upskilling in communication, particularly regarding your needs and understanding your values has the potential to change your experiences and outcomes. I always prioritised my clinical skills and did not realise that by prioritising my wellbeing and upskilling in talking about my values and needs would make me a better (and happier) pharmacist. I also believe that with the right skills we have an opportunity as a profession to provide important peer support to one another. My biggest tip is if you don’t already have one, get yourself a mentor – it will change your life!
What do you do to maintain good work/ life balance?
I do not believe in work/life balance – I think it is impossible to balance everything; at least so far that is true for me…however the work/life juggle is real! This has taken me many years, and I am not perfect at it but I am now better at prioritising. I know what is important to me and I am better now at recognising when I am not at my best and refocusing my energy into things that bring me joy. Practically, I put delays on my emails so they only send during work hours (even if I’m getting to them late at night), I enjoy and prioritise time for me (watch a bit of Netflix or go for a walk), I put my out of office on my emails more often and turn my email notifications off after hours. I am learning to say “no” in a way that doesn’t sound like “no” and still leaves the door open for opportunities. I have a mentor… who helps me with this juggle and a family who remind me why practising to improve the juggle is worth it!
A Minute With... Jared Miles and Liam Krueger
Dr Jared Miles and Liam Krueger will co-present ‘Precision medicine: 3D printing’ at MM2022, providing their unique perspective on the current use and application of 3D-printed medicines and its potential to revolutionise precision and personalised medication management.
What excites you about your work?
Liam: The potential of 3D printing drugs is unlimited. The cheapest and most accessible type of 3D printer (fused deposition modelling [FDM]) only came off patent in 2009. These printers went from being $50k+ to being under $400, all the while increasing dramatically in quality. As more and more researchers started simply putting drugs in the polymers, there was no going back.
How do you think 3D printing will reshape medication management?
Jared: 3D printing is all about customisation, so why shouldn’t this apply to medicines as well? 3D-printed tablets could be tailored to suit each patient’s specific medication requirements rather than settling for what’s commercially available. Combinations of medications, doses, release-profiles, and more are all possible to improve patient treatment.
Liam: The settings where we could see drug-compatible 3D printers is near infinite. The footprint of all the machinery required to extrude and 3D print a drug-loaded filament is small enough to fit on an office desk. No factories required, and no bulk freight of medications from dozens of other countries, saving time and cost of logistics and packaging. We can develop a tablet from start to finish on-site, in hospitals and pharmacies. There are so many avenues to explore that have such huge potential for disrupting conventional pharmaceuticals.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Jared: I recharge by spending time either rock climbing or at the beach, depending on whether I want to be physically challenged or chilled out.
Liam: After a long day of 3D printing drugs, one of my favourite activities is to come home and start a print on one of my own 3D printers! The printer I have had for longest has printed over 5 kilometres of filament, and I have just recently built another one! But other than that, there is nothing quite like sitting back with half a litre of iced coffee.
A Minute With... Helen Lowy
AdPha has launched the Wellbeing Hub, a collection of health and wellbeing resources, webinars, articles and fact sheets to help guide and support members. As part of it's launch, we spoke with Helen Lowy, the Chair of AdPha’s Mental Health Leadership Committee.
How do you see the role of the Mental Health Leadership Committee in this space during this challenging time?
The Mental Health Leadership committee provides opportunities for pharmacists to build fulfilling connections with a national community of specialists, that support learning, growth, development, leadership and advocacy, influencing positive reform in the mental health and wellbeing sector, to deliver better outcomes for patients and our communities.
Our committee reduces professional isolation and supports pharmacists in working with meaning and purpose, within a nurturing community where self-care is supported as a critical component of delivering excellence in health care.
Do you have any tips for pharmacists at work?
As pharmacists it is critical that we recognise that we perform at our best when we take personal responsibility and accountability for our own health, safety and wellbeing and commit to creating workplaces where our colleagues feel both physically and psychologically safe.
What do you do to maintain good work/ life balance?
Eat well, sleep well and play well. I enjoy home cooking, best combined with good company, music and dancing, I find! I prioritise sleep, recognising the importance it plays in mental health and wellbeing and I play well, making time for positive connections and pursuits that bring me a sense of joy and wellbeing.
Find out more about Specialty Practice
A Minute With... Minyon Avent
Founding Member & Chair, AdPha's Infectious Diseases Leadership Committee
What attracted you to your role?
I am an Antimicrobial Stewardship pharmacist working for the Queensland Statewide Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. What has attracted me to this role is the variety, working in a relatively small multidisciplinary team as well as the challenge of setting up a new program. I work with clinical staff in rural and regional areas who often have limited resources and/or skill set to implement onsite antimicrobial stewardship programmes. I have found that these pharmacists are amazing and very appreciative of the training and support that our program provides. A bonus of this position is that I travel to some amazing parts of Queensland for our site visits.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt during your pharmacy career?
Being able to relate to people on many different levels. As a pharmacist you have to be able to build a rapport with your patients very quickly. Working on the wards you need to relate to many different professions as well as communicate both with junior and senior staff in a manner that will achieve a positive outcome for your patient. In the pharmacy department you have to be able to work with a range of people from support officers to directors. None of these skills are taught at pharmacy school and they take time to develop.
Leadership Committee highlights and key achievements
I have been an active member of AdPha through my involvement in the Infectious Diseases Leadership Committee and was one of the founding members. It is an amazing committee to be part of and I am currently the chair. I have co-ordinated several AdPha workshops such as the ‘Antimicrobial Stewardship: getting it right the first time’ which was part of the Medicines Management conference as well as the inaugural ID Masterclass to help upskill pharmacists. I was also the lead person in developing the Infectious Disease Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework. I was also fortunate to be part of the working group in developing the first Infectious Diseases Standards of Practice for hospital pharmacists in Australia.
Dream post-pandemic travel destination
Ski holiday to northern Japan. I have always wanted to visit Japan to experience a different culture as well enjoying some wonderful powder snow.
My perfect Sunday
Sailing with my family. I enjoy spending time outdoors and find sailing relaxing for the most part. It is also a sport that is a family great activity.
Find out more about Specialty Practice
A Minute With... Camille Boland
Recipient: 2021 Achievement Award (Tas)
How did you feel when you received the Branch Award?
Surprise was my first reaction! I feel awards are nearly always a reflection of the achievements of multiple people as no one can do it on their own, so I also reflected on the amazing people in my personal and professional life who continually support me.
What made you submit your nomination?
A word of encouragement from a supportive colleague.
Where do you see yourself in five years, in pharmacy?
I hope I am still contributing in my current role as Statewide Clinical Pharmacy Lead for Tasmanian Health Services. We have a growing team and a number of exciting new projects that I would love to see embedded in practice over the coming years.
What attracted you to hospital pharmacy and what excites you about work?
As soon as I did my first hospital placement as a university student many years ago I was hooked. George Taylor was on the wards at the time and I was amazed by what clinical pharmacy could deliver to patient care. This aspect still excites me, plus seeing all the wonderful intern pharmacists I have helped train develop into exceptional pharmacists and leaders in the profession.
What do you hope to achieve in pharmacy?
To develop a strong, resilient team of clinical pharmacists delivering quality healthcare
How has AdPha membership supported you and/or your career in pharmacy?
AdPha membership has opened many doors for me over the years. In addition to providing me with high quality continuing education and advocacy, it has introduced me to a community of inspiring and dedicated professionals and provided many enduring friendships.
Find out more about the 2022 Branch Awards
A Minute With... Adam Livori
Recipient: 2020 William Mercer Young Achiever Award (Vic)
How did you feel when you received the Branch Award?
The call came at the perfect time, I was in between clinic patients, plus members of the cardiology team needed advice and I noted a whole bunch of emails populate my inbox in the last hour. My phone rings and with a sigh I answer phone thinking “happy Friday” to myself. Amazingly, on the other end of the call I had a board member from AdPha telling me I had won, and suddenly I felt a sense of gratification that the work I do is not just important to me, but my peers felt the same way.
What made you submit your nomination?
I intentionally chose to take the career step to Ballarat Health Services in order to work under the leadership and mentorship of Renee Dimond, our deputy director of clinical services. She has been instrumental in my success as my mentor, manager and friend. Renee asked my permission to submit a nomination on my behalf and it has been one of the greatest honours I have received to date. When our mentors see the person we hope to become, it provides fuel to keep moving forward and keep fighting through whatever barriers my come up.
Where do you see yourself in five years, in pharmacy?
In just four weeks I start my PhD with the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety at Monash University working with some brilliant researchers. My five-year plan is to see a dedicated coronary care unit at Grampians Health that I will work in as a clinician, combined with a rich research portfolio, hopefully partnered with an organisation like the Heart Foundation.
What attracted you to hospital pharmacy and what excites you about work?
My original career plan was to work as nuclear pharmacist in drug development and research, and so my BPharm was really just a means to navigate TGA licensing. So I had to intern at a specific hospital to see this opportunity through; Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. However, my requirement to work with patients as a condition of my degree and internship actually pulled me into clinical practice. Curiosity is what drives me for sure, I really love when people are not sure about something and state “I don’t know why this is the case but its what we do”, as it means I get to be the one to work it out.
What do you hope to achieve in pharmacy?
In the way we have our heroes of pharmacy from the generation we come up in, I hope I can be even as half as inspiring to pharmacists coming through in the way pharmacists like Sue Kirsa have been for me. Pharmacists like Amy Page working as clinician-statisticians are showing this wonderful way to practice and contribute to science. I want to foster curiosity in all pharmacists, regardless of their level of experience or their practice setting. Asking questions, and having the means to answer them, is how we drive positive change.
How has AdPha membership supported you and/or your career in pharmacy?
The opportunities and friendships that my membership has given me over the years is invaluable. I think on the surface a lot of professional organisations can seem daunting or perhaps the leadership groups far beyond our reach. At least, I have felt this way at times over the course of my career and the many different organisations I have been involved in. But the truth is I was welcomed by so many different people and have learned so much about education delivery, leadership and working as a “we” instead of a “me”. I think AdPha membership is worth so much more than we realise, and I know in terms of the cardiology specialty practice group, we are always keen to have more people involved.
Find out more about the 2022 Branch Awards
A Minute With... Lisa Nissen
Professor and Head of the School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology
What attracted you to your role?
Working in education and research provides me with the opportunity to work with the full spectrum of health care professionals and consumers. The opportunities are limitless.
What do you hope to achieve in your field of work?
I hope to inspire people to see the potential that pharmacists bring to health and healthcare delivery. We have so much we can contribute to patient care and are an incredibly underutilised resource.
What are you most looking forward to at MM2022/ coming to Brisbane?
Seeing people!!! Networking with my friends and colleagues and being inspired by the amazing work everyone is doing.
What are you speaking on at MM2022? Could you please delve into the topics behind the title: Science by press release?
I am speaking about the influences of the media on the vaccination rollout, and I guess more broadly how it influences our role as healthcare professionals in the engagement and conversations we have with patients every day. The shift since the pandemic has been significant in the role of media in health – we will never go back.
What is your secret/useless/special talent?
I know all the words to the 'Mr Ed' show song.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Coffee in the sun on the front veranda - just being and listening to the world.
What have you rediscovered (e.g., about yourself, hobbies, about others) during the pandemic?
That my previous view on 'busy' was an underestimate! COVID-19 was mad… the pace of implementation and pivot was incredible. But I learnt how generous and committed people were to ensuring great outcomes to the community.
A Minute With... Ashley Crawford
Ashley Crawford, Director – Population Health and Strategy, Drug and Alcohol Services SA Health, is a member of SHPA’s Dispensing and Distribution Leadership Committee
Tell us a little about your role at SA Health
I provide strategic advice and recommendations on how we develop services or policy responses. It’s a unique opportunity to combine my pharmacy and public health qualifications and a great opportunity to have a big, population health impact.
The role is really varied and involves leadership responsibilities along with bringing together a variety of disparate sources – including clinical knowledge or the evidence base – to provide concise recommendations. I really enjoy working with a variety of stakeholders to highlight how important health responses are in the alcohol and other drugs space.
While I’m no longer specifically working in a dispensing/distribution role, my policy role gives me some unique perspectives which can influence the some of the Dispensing and Distribution Leadership Committee (the Committee) discussions.
What are the highlights of being part of a Specialty Practice Group Leadership Committee?
As an inaugural member of the Committee, I’ve really enjoyed contributing to pharmacy at a national level, while also networking and learning from peers across Australia.
It's been so rewarding to collaborate with fellow SHPA members to develop valuable tools and resources that support our peers. Highlights include learning about other members’ experiences embracing technology to support pharmacy dispensing and distribution when developing the Automation Practice Update, as well as collaborating to update the Standard of practice in dispensing and distribution for pharmacy services; the group discussion on some of the pertinent aspects of dispensing and distribution and the different pharmacy models that exist was really interesting.
I really value the opportunity that being on the Committee has given me to provide input into responses to influence national policy considerations (such as the review of medicines recall processes). I’ve also gained some great experiences that have helped me achieve my career aspirations.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Success doesn't have to be linear, and you don't have to take one particular path to get to your end goals. I've made a career from taking on lots of varied opportunities as they present. My key criteria for considering an opportunity is whether I can learn something new from the position.
What’s your dream post-pandemic travel destination?
I love to travel for sporting events – high on my bucket list is to travel to the French Pyrenees when the Tour de France is on!
Tell us about your secret/useless/special talent?
I’ve ‘retired’ now, but I used to cheerlead for a variety of sports teams here in SA including AFL and basketball.
A Minute With... Ed Anderson
During mid-year winter renewals we heard directly from members as they discuss what SHPA membership means to them – as we look forward to another year as your professional partner! Join or renew now
Prior to moving into clinical pharmacy management, Ed had spent most of his career in Infectious Diseases, keen to enhance his growth and development in pharmacy leadership.
Having already experienced the success and benefits of completing an SHPA Foundation Residency, Ed says he knew the deeper, specialised experience in the hospital setting through an Advanced Training Residency (ATR) would be ideal to suit his preferred style of learning.
‘I was hungry to build and develop the skills required to be successful in my current and future roles. Looking back at my decision to apply for an ATR, I feel this was one of the best career moves I have ever made, as the program has exponentially increased my leadership development.
‘For me, the Residency has acted like a catalyst to condense what may otherwise have required many years of learning and development into a two-year program, and I feel so fortunate to have a wealth of knowledgeable mentors and supervisors supporting me.’
Some of the highlights of Ed’s ATR in Leadership and Management so far include co-leading the implementation of Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH)’s Extended Hours and Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting models; leading the state-wide hospital pharmacy review of clinical handover (with the aim to achieve robust systems and consistent processes in the context of expanded pharmacy services); and acting as Co-site Manager of the RHH Pharmacy Department, alongside Duncan McKenzie, during the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic
Ed says the program has also opened many opportunities outside the training structure which have already proved invaluable to his career.
‘Through my Residency I’ve been able to get involved in activities that weren’t previously available to me. I’ve gained access to a wide network of knowledgeable pharmacist and non-pharmacist leaders, such as the Tasmanian Department of Health’s Deputy Secretary and Chief Medical Officer, and SHPA Chief Executive Kristin Michaels. It’s also helped me to expand my own sphere of influence.’
Ed believes SHPA’s Advanced Training Residencies provide a clear path forward for the pharmacy profession, as a structured training and credentialing program.
‘It’s vital we work to further embed the program into the profession. I believe that experienced pharmacists need to lead by example and “do” what we ask of our early career pharmacists. We must illustrate to them that we believe in hospital pharmacy residencies and the skills and training they provide.
‘Not only do SHPA’s Foundation and Advanced Training residencies provide a structured career progression pathway, but looking forward, I hope the programs help other healthcare professionals recognise and understand the level of skills and knowledge held by the credentialled pharmacist.
‘I encourage all pharmacists to consider undertaking an ATR no matter which specialty practice area you work in.’
In May, SHPA formally expanded its Australia-first Residency Program with the release of four new two-year advancement pathways supporting the development and specialisation of the next generation of leading pharmacists across care settings.
A Minute With… Courtney Hill
During mid-year winter renewals we hear directly from members as they discuss what SHPA membership means to them – as we look forward to another year as your professional partner! Join or renew now
Courtney Hill is passionate about the progression and development of the hospital pharmacy workforce and considers virtual education key to meeting the learning needs of pharmacists.
‘From when I started out as an observer for SHPA’s Queensland Branch, the opportunity to gain experience on the committee has always been very valuable. It has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and networks to hit the ground running in my current role as a CE Coordinator.’
Last year, Courtney led SHPA’s first all-virtual event which provided valuable insight as SHPA and its Branches shifted to a full, successful calendar of virtual seminars for pharmacists and technicians.
‘While the Queensland Branch already had some experience providing inclusive education across our state, moving our 2020 Symposium to an all-virtual event unveiled the possibility of providing high-quality education to pharmacists across the whole country, and even overseas.
‘The smooth transition to the current, comprehensive calendar of multi-modal SHPA events has helped ensure uninterrupted education for members wherever they live, through the combination of tailored, self-paced pre-learning and virtual seminars this year.’
Courtney has also tutored at the all-virtual Foundation Seminar in Cardiology and Extension Seminar in Laboratory Tests, and was previously a member of SHPA’s Surgery and Perioperative Leadership Committee.
‘SHPA membership has provided unparalleled opportunities to shape practice while expanding my own experience and expertise.
‘In my current role I work across complex clinical areas including general medicine, respiratory, cardiology, and emergency. I strongly recommend joining any Specialty Practice groups that are of interest, as it is a great way to get involved with SHPA, build your professional networks and access new opportunities.
‘Attending SHPA events since my intern year has helped me develop not only my knowledge and skills but to build relationships and network with other pharmacists in the profession who have inspired and supported me.’
Courtney is currently the Medical Team Leader Pharmacist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and is undertaking a PhD investigating team-based pharmacy service models in general medicine.
A Minute With… Deanna Mill
As hundreds of pharmacy students graduate across the country, we hear from some young professionals who have harnessed SHPA membership to launch into their early pharmacy careers.
Deanna Mill says the unique opportunities to network with pharmacy leaders, and contribute to high-quality journals and conferences, is what sees her renewing with SHPA every year.
‘As a full time PHD student, working casually in hospital, my SHPA membership has proved invaluable for networking and ensuring I stay up-to-date with the latest in hospital pharmacy.
‘It was only after I became a registered pharmacist that I started to understand the importance of SHPA advocacy to the profession; I’m in the loop with what's happening in pharmacy via SHPA’s weekly eNews and find opportunities to give feedback on policy work.
‘Í have presented at two Medicines Management conferences and the SHPA Virtual Congress over the past three years – making connections with pharmacists who are renowned in their field, both virtually and face-to-face – has been extremely beneficial for putting forward research opportunities.
‘Being active in the Specialty Practice discussion forums has been beneficial for networking with influential pharmacists who would sometimes be out of reach as an early career pharmacist.
‘Being an SHPA Member has also led to unique publishing opportunities, I have contributed to DrugScan in Pharmacy GRIT, which has been key in improving my research, writing and communications skills.
‘Working across different sectors as an early career pharmacist, there is immense value in the networking opportunities found across SHPA’s forums, events, and conferences – that is the power of SHPA membership.’
A Minute With… Shania Liu
As hundreds of pharmacy students graduate across the country, we hear from some young professionals who have harnessed SHPA membership to launch into their early pharmacy careers
Shania Liu says SHPA membership has proved invaluable for networking and ensuring she has a voice while advancing from a Student, to Provisional (registration) and now a Full Pharmacist member.
‘While I was a student, I was involved in the education sub-committee for the NSW Branch, allowing me to be involved in planning seminars and networking with hospital pharmacists before my career began.
‘As my interest in Pain Management grew, I joined SHPA’s Speciality Practice forum at the Interest Group level as a Student and have now been elected to the SHPA Pain Management Leadership Committee as a Full Pharmacist member.
‘For me, the best part of being at this level is the two-way nature of working with other members and leaders. You gain an understanding of other pharmacists’ priority areas and glean ideas from their practice, as well as having your own voice and making sure it is heard by leaders in the field.
‘For such an important and ever-changing field such as pain management, there’s nothing like having this forum at your fingertips to understand how you can all work together and ensure safer medicines use for patients experiencing pain.’
A Minute With… Kelly Beswick
We chatted with Kelly Beswick, who is set to inspire at the 2020 SHPA Virtual Congress (VCON) in November where she’ll share the strategies and tools that saw her lead her team in uprooting an entire pharmacy department while balancing patient care with the health and wellbeing of her staff.
On Friday 3 April Kelly Beswick received a call: two health care workers at one of Tasmanian Health Service North West’s two hospitals had tested positive for COVID-19.
Kelly, who is the Pharmacy Manager for the service, and her team leapt into action. By Easter Sunday – with the majority of the Pharmacy staff in isolation and estimates of up to 5000 people in the region requiring isolation – it was announced one of the two hospitals would close, and all staff who worked there would be required to quarantine with their families for the next 14 days.
Presenting in the session ‘Reflecting on 2020: to support our patients, who supports you and your department?’ at VCON, Kelly will share the strategies and tools that saw her lead her team in uprooting an entire pharmacy department, all the while successfully balancing the ongoing provision of patient care with the health and wellbeing of her staff.
Kelly says that while she and her staff had thoroughly planned for the unfolding pandemic, nothing could prepare them for such a drastic event as full hospital closure.
‘I was trying to manage all the logistics – ensuring outpatients could access their scripts, managing outcentres, planning how a pharmacy department one-third the size of ours could complete our work, and determining how to reopen an Emergency Department without a pharmacy or pharmacy staff on site!’
At the same time, Kelly understood how fundamentally important it was that her staff felt informed and supported.
‘We were overwhelmed, and we were scared. It was immediately apparent that we needed to find resources that could help us adapt to our new working environments, so we could continue to provide the best care to our patients, while at the same time looking after each other.’
Don’t miss this session at VCON in November, in which Kelly will share how she led her team through this extraordinary time; from undertaking training to complement the psychological support provided to her staff, keeping communication channels consistent and transparent, to the value of creating spaces for staff to share their experiences, and ultimately, support one another.
The ‘Reflecting on 2020’ session also features Paul Toner, Director of Pharmacy, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Vic, and Anna McClure, Executive Director SA Pharmacy, Sally Marotti, Lead Pharmacist – Experiential Learning, Training and Research, SA Pharmacy and Amber Bendyk, SA Pharmacy Psychological Wellness Lead, presenting on the SA Pharmacy Psychological Wellness program.
A minute with… Kara Joyce
We chatted with Kara Joyce, who is set to inspire at the 2020 SHPA Virtual Congress (VCON) in November where she’ll challenge healthcare professionals to consider what true person-centred care should look like.
Kara Joyce is ready to inspire new conversations and encourage hospital pharmacists and technicians to rethink the way they support people with dementia at the 2020 SHPA Virtual Congress (VCON) in November!
Kara, who is Clinical Program Officer and Educational Visitor Lead at NPS MedicineWise in Melbourne, says she’s focused on the ‘training of trainers’ in the effort to better tailor aged care to the individual.
‘In the age of COVID-19, our training is now multi-modal, with online sessions supplementing face-to-face (where possible) training, in conjunction with in-the-field support. This create positive networking environments for nurse champions based on their geographic area.
Presenting ‘Dementia and changed behaviours: a person-centred approach’ at VCON, Kara will discuss practical tips for hospital pharmacists to keep non-pharmacological interventions top of mind in caring for people with dementia.
‘Who were they before their diagnosis? What’s important to them? These questions are central to understanding an individual’s preferences around how they receive care, beyond any medical conditions.
‘For instance, if we know that Roger used to be a farmer who checked the paddock gates were locked every day at 4pm, and we notice him wandering around this time, it may help us understand his motives. In the right setting, allowing him to safely wander or taking him on a walk may help lessen the discomfort of not being able to clearly share what he’s feeling. ‘
‘As healthcare professionals we’re trained to notice changing behaviours like agitation, aggression and wandering, but we need to remember these are often responses to unmet needs.’
Kara says the timing is right to challenge ourselves on what true person-centred care looks like.
‘I’m really pleased to see Aged Care has dedicated session at VCON in November. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report and the COVID-19 situation in aged care facilities has highlighted the need for further training and support in caring for older Australians
‘It can be so overwhelming for a person with dementia to be in a hospital environment – the sounds, sights and smells – without recognisable people, objects or routines to tether familiarity. How we talk to people with dementia is incredibly important, providing reassurance their day is going to be OK, involving them in the process and taking a little more time than we would for others.
‘I believe part of the challenge lies in changing the language we use. In the busy hospital environment it is understandably easy to label delirium or the shorthand BPSD (‘behaviour and psychological symptoms association with dementia), but the onus is on us to take the time to bring it back to the person.
‘Describing non-cognitive symptoms of dementia as “changed behaviours” instead of using these out of date terms is an example of how a seemingly small shift can encourage positive new perspectives.’
A Minute With... Yvette Haselden
Yvette Haselden has taken her professional impact to a new level in recent years.
As a pharmacist specialising in mental health in Far North Queensland, Yvette Haselden says linking into the knowledge, networks and the support of the Mental Health stream of SHPA’s Specialty Practice program has proved invaluable.
‘With a long-held passion for mental health, I was naturally drawn to the Mental Health Interest Group, initially so I could connect with similarly minded practitioners across Australia.’
Having significant expertise in mental health and an appetite for deeper involvement, Yvette joined the Mental Health Practice Group as a stepping stone to becoming involved at the Leadership Committee level. There, she could directly contribute to the development of educational opportunities for pharmacists with mental health patients in their care.
‘In 2018 I was elected to the Leadership Committee, and in that same year, with the support of the SHPA Secretariat, we hosted the inaugural Foundation seminar in Mental Health. Aimed at all pharmacists, the seminar comprised of presentations from experienced pharmacists, interactive workshops and patient case studies.’
The power of the combined networks of Leadership Committee members sees them uniquely placed to have impact not just at an educative level, but also in national policy and research. Yvette says access to those networks have proved vital.
‘When the discontinuation of phenelzine was announced, Leadership Committee members activated. Drawing on our collective networks, we collaborated with the TGA and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, culminating in the release a joint statement which provided important information and guidance for practitioners whose patients would be impacted.
The committee has also provided feedback on the Advance Care Planning Clinical Guidelines, the Fifth National Mental Health Plan, NPS MedicineWise initiatives to name a few.
While her achievements as a Leadership Committee member have given weight to her Advanced Practice portfolio, Yvette says she didn’t anticipate just how friendly and supportive the group would be.
‘What I love most about Specialty Practice is the friendly, supportive community space it provides, where members share their experiences and networks. Senior members gladly offer advice, assurance, and guidance to junior pharmacists, and it’s so rewarding to see those members’ confidence and skill-bases grow.’
Are you heading for the next level in your specialty area? Read more on the 2020 Specialty Practice elections!
A Minute With... Ron Cheah
It had been a long-term goal of Ron Cheah’s to learn more about anatomy and diagnostic imaging, but it was during his respiratory rotation that he identified it as a need to improve his practice.
Doctors in his ward round would review diagnostic images and notes to form their diagnosis and treatment plans. Like most pharmacists however, Ron says that anatomy and radiology was not part of his formal training.
‘I felt that there was a gap in the understanding of a patient’s condition, as interpreting diagnostic images, or doctors’ notes on diagnostic images, are not currently the expertise or in the scope for pharmacists’.
‘Knowing the full clinical picture of a patient is critical when making decisions regarding their treatment. Having witnessed doctors using diagnostic imaging to help inform their decision‐making, I knew that being able to access that information would empower me to better contribute to collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.’
Ron identified a gap in education offerings for pharmacist after a series of unsuccessful searches online for imaging or anatomy courses tailored to pharmacists. He then approached SHPA with this idea to address this gap.
‘Within my own network, I found physicians who were not only wholly supportive of the value of empowering pharmacists with this knowledge but were also really keen to get involved. This Masterclass therefore, sees physicians who are experts in infectious diseases, respiratory medicine, emergency medicine, and radiology keen to impart their knowledge to pharmacists.’
Quite possibly the first of its kind, SHPA’s Masterclass in Diagnostic Imaging on Saturday 17 October 2020 will arm participants with the skills to interpret diagnostic imaging reports in the context of general anatomy, acute settings, respiratory disease, and infectious diseases, specifically lung disease, equipping them to make more informed decisions when assessing and recommending pharmacotherapy.
Masterclass in Diagnostic Imaging
Face-to-face in Melbourne + virtual attendance option
8:30am Saturday, 17 October 2020
Further information and registration →
A Minute With... Kristin Michaels
As well as being SHPA’s Chief Executive since 2015, Kristin Michaels FAICD is a qualified futurist and executive coach, enabling the organisation to offer a powerful new service to members this year.
Kristin says one-on-one executive coaching is a powerful way to lift your eyes to the horizon.
‘Executive coaching is such a strong formula because it puts you in the driver’s seat.
‘At your pace, you unpack your management style and explore some of the enablers and barriers to your current and future leadership performance.
‘Understanding and harnessing your unique leadership style can improve your personal touch, rapid decision-making skills, and capacity to think and network effectively and strategically.’
New in 2020, SHPA Executive Coaching offers intensive one-hour sessions held via Zoom and/or FaceTime, with discounted rates available only to current SHPA members.
Kristin says Executive Coaching is one of many planned – and unplanned – changes to SHPA’s offerings this year.
‘As we have done for more the six decades, SHPA is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our extraordinary members, particularly through challenging times. The past few months has seen SHPA undertake a tremendous organisational shift to ensure Australia’s hospital pharmacists and technicians are ready for any COVID-19 contingency.
‘Now, we have waived the annual increase in membership fees, and have reintroduced our refer-a-friend offer, as part of our commitment to support every member to renew for another year.’
View all SHPA member benefits and renew today →
A Minute With... Jesseca Eglington
Jesseca Eglington first joined SHPA in 2014, and was soon a regular fixture of SHPA Queensland activity.
‘I had a total of five years contributing to the SHPA Qld Branch, between my roles as Intern rep and observer, Early Career Pharmacist rep, Treasurer and Continuing Education Chair, but this time was memorable for different reasons.
‘On one hand, I was heavily involved in the planning and running of CE events and annual symposia, which provides real-world leadership and organisation experience as well as an easy way to gain high-quality CPD that’s relevant to hospital pharmacy.
‘But more importantly, attending Branch events was fantastic for networking. It can be hard to meet other pharmacists outside my department – let alone from other hospitals! – and the face-to-face time with other people going through the same career stages is just priceless.’
Jesseca says she utilised her SHPA Membership to gain discounted access to Medicines Management conference over many years.
‘I’ve been to five of the last six MM conferences, all around the country, which offers networking on a whole new level, plus motivation and inspiration to keep moving forward and to get involved with research and leadership activities.
‘In recent years, the SHPA Residency Program has added another layer to my involvement, and I have loved mentoring and educating Foundation Residents in my hospital. These residencies are crucial to improving the practice development of our newest team members.’
Jesseca says Specialty Practice is the icing on the cake of her SHPA involvement.
‘As my career grows, the openness and accessibility of the forums – in particular, cardiology – becomes more valuable. Members can keep up with what’s happening nationally in their work areas while troubleshooting their own issues, as others often experience the same issues, first!
‘In a country as big as ours, there’s nothing quite as valuable as breaking down distance to understand how you peers are understanding and tackling issues affecting today’s hospital pharmacy practice – to me, that is the power of SHPA membership.’
A Minute With... Amanda Tey
Amanda Tey says the opportunity to shape the profession, while carving her own career path, is what sees her renewing with SHPA every year.
‘In my early career stages, Medicines Management was influential in exposing me to research ideas in pharmacy. The four I’ve attended and presented at were a great forum for networking and collaborative learning.
‘I joined the Oncology and Haematology Practice Group in 2017 to use the discussion forum as a key resource – it opens you up to peers and experts in the field across Australia. The Practice Group also helped me grow in the discipline. Last year, I was elected to the Oncology and Haematology Leadership Committee.
‘Even in early career stages, Specialty Practice gives you the chance to contribute to key practice and policy documents, which are all about ensuring more people in more places have access to high quality pharmacy care.’
Amanda says big life changes preceded signing up to the Specialty Practice group.
‘At the end of my maternity leave, professional development was the last thing on my mind – but SHPA Specialty Practice membership gives you access to networks and connections that might otherwise lapse.
‘I’m now pleased to be linked in with education opportunities, as I can easily gain all the CPD I need while organising and presenting at SHPA seminars, most recently the Masterclass in Leukaemia and the Foundation Haematology Seminar.’
Amanda, who is ClinCAT credentialled and the recipient of the Vic Branch’s 2019 William Mercer Award, says her SHPA membership answers a simple question.
‘How can you make a national impact, without a national body?
‘For me, that is where the value lies: influencing advances in practice nationwide, while making the most of opportunities to learn from and grow with other experienced pharmacists.’
A minute with... Dr. Roisίn O’Hare and Ann McCorry
Co-presenters Dr. Roisίn O’Hare (top image), Lead Teacher Practitioner Pharmacist, Northern Ireland (NI) Universities Network and Clinical Pharmacist, and Ann McCorry, Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust In Northern Ireland (NI) told us what key developments they've seen in pharmacist prescribing and what delegates can expect to come away with after their session ‘Pharmacists prescribing and its impact on patient care’.
'The roles and responsibilities of all health professionals have undergone tremendous transformation in recent years and the prescribing, and deprescribing, of medication is the most common healthcare intervention patients receive. This has been evidenced by the implementation of prescribing by nonmedical health professionals (NMPs) across many countries including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, with pharmacists prescribing in Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US.
'Those NMPs who have gained prescribing rights, as well as the aims of their prescribing, vary from country to country but are largely focused on:
• improving patient outcomes without compromising patient safety or indeed by improving patient safety
• increasing patient access to medicines via facilitating the most appropriate healthcare professional to prescribe for them
• making better use of the skills of health professionals.
'Given the evidence-base demonstrating widespread suboptimal prescribing by doctors, there is great potential for NMPs to impact positively on patient outcomes and ultimately to improve patient safety in relation to medication use.
'In our session, we aim to outline the use of pharmacist prescribing across the UK, specifically describing our personal experiences in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust in NI. We hope to lead a lively and interactive discussion with delegates while we describe the process of becoming a prescriber in the UK, and debate the many benefits to patients, healthcare teams and health systems when harnessing pharmacist prescribers appropriately.'
A minute with... Meredith Craigie
We chatted with Dr Meredith Craigie, who is set to light up Medicines Management 2019 (MM2019) in November by asking: is medicinal cannabis a medical miracle or an annoying weed? And are opioids pain killers or just plain killers?
As Staff Specialist at the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Pain Management Unit at South Australia’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Meredith says she is passionate about tightening the working relationships between medical staff and pharmacists to improve medication safety.
‘There’s so much value in collaborating to consider the challenges we face regarding medication safety and identifying opportunities to reinforce each other’s messages regarding approaches to prescribing.
‘This cooperation is all about ensuring appropriate checks and balances are in place and, ultimately, keeping our patients safe.’
Meredith, who is also Dean, Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in South Australia, says she highly rates the role pharmacists can play in education.
‘In the hospital setting, pharmacists have so much to offer as educators, not just educating patients at the dispensary, but also providing guidance to early-career medical staff.’
In her talk, ‘Pain killer or just plain killers? How can we work with opioids in the future?’ Meredith will highlight the benefits of medical staff and pharmacist collaboration in the context of opioid stewardship.
‘In tertiary referral clinics we see patients present with a high level of complexity, distress and varying narratives that no single approach can solve. A multidisciplinary approach ensures the safest pain management strategy.
‘The same approach also sees the safest outcomes regarding deprescribing; another area in which pharmacists add value as patient educators.’
In ‘Medicinal cannabis – the next medical miracle or just an annoying weed?’, Meredith will explore the complexities around prescribing new medicines.
‘The immediate challenge is determining which patients benefit and which don’t and how we can keep them safe, particularly in the context of pain management in end-of-life patients, palliative care, and chronic pain.
‘There is also an information void around the new cannabinoid medicines, and high community expectation, so it is important how we can learn from other countries’ experiences.’
A minute with... Natalie Tasker and Duncan McKenzie
This week the Purple Pen Podcasters Jane Booth (@MI_JaneBooth), Formulary and Business Development Manager at Monash Health and Kristin Xenos (@Kristin_Xen), Senior Project Officer at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care caught up MM2019 Program Committee Chair Natalie Tasker and Deputy Chair Duncan McKenzie.
Nat says the MM2019 Program Committee is looking forward to a number of Medicines Management ‘firsts’ in 2019.
‘We will have a knighted presenter this year! Keynote speaker Sir Harry Burns, a public health expert and surgeon by trade, will talk us through the Glasgow effect and what health and wellness means for us all, as a population.
‘Sir Harry will also hold a conversation session where he’ll discuss what shapes and predetermines health in Australia; societal groups which have poorer health outcomes, health inequity and inequality and potential strategies to help promote health and wellness for all Australians.
‘In another first,’ adds Duncan, ‘we’ll have the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health opening the conference this year!’
Duncan says the new national organising approach allows the committee to draw on inspiration from across the country.
‘With expertise, and indeed speakers, from every corner of Australia, we believe this conference will have even more of a national flavour.’
‘It’s allowed us to better represent the views, challenges and opportunities in hospital pharmacy across all of Australia,’ says Nat, ‘ensuring we’re bringing together the most dynamic program we possibly can. The varied knowledge the committee has brought immeasurable value to the conference.’
Nat and Duncan also cover the pre-conference sessions, including Specialty Practice Leadership Committee input, the hot topics covered by invited speakers, great engagement through the Saturday workshops and, of course, their all-important outfit choices ahead of the Octopus’ Garden Gala Dinner!
A minute with... Jessica Toleman
We chatted with Jessica Toleman, whose presentation at Medicines Management 2019 (MM2019) will explore the topic of ‘In search of the best waves – value-based healthcare’.
Being a part of a patient’s healthcare journey drew Jessica Toleman to hospital pharmacy.
‘It is a privilege to a member of a multidisciplinary team that takes part in the patient’s healthcare journey, providing them the best possible care when they are at their most vulnerable.’
Jessica is currently Acting Executive Director for Women’s and Newborn Services at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where she also supports the facility’s Choosing Wisely Program as clinical lead.
At this year’s Medicines Management conference, Jessica is running the session, In search of the best waves – value-based healthcare. In it, she will explore novel value-based healthcare, through strategic partnerships and pharmacy-driven investment and disinvestment that can improve both patient experiences and outcomes and reduce individual and healthcare system costs.
With a background in both community pharmacy, where she completed her pre-registration, and hospital pharmacy in clinical and management positions, Jessica has been involved with a wide variety of project areas ranging from electronic medicines management and optimisation of state-wide anticoagulant use to own source revenue and medical engagement projects.
‘I’m committed to improving the use of medicines, particularly the quality use of medicines, which I believe will facilitate opportunities to reduce low value care in our health system.
‘I am also passionate about providing mentoring and development opportunities to pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
‘When I’m not focusing on improved use of medicines, I’m enjoying living in beautiful Brisbane! I love sharing its great weather and amazing beaches with my family, friends and colleagues.’
A minute with... Libby McCourt
We chatted to Libby McCourt, who will present ‘From watch to recovery – how would you prepare and respond in a natural disaster?’ at Medicines Management 2019 (MM2019)
It was during her intern year at Rockhampton Hospital that Libby McCourt came to know hospital pharmacy work was right for her.
‘What I love most about hospital pharmacy is working as part of a team with patients, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and other pharmacy staff to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
‘The impact a pharmacist can make on someone’s treatment and care, sometimes with very simple advice or interventions, can be extraordinary.’
Now an evaluation pharmacist, Libby recently completed her PhD at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) on the preparedness of pharmacists for disasters and emergencies in Australia.
Having been deployed in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie in 2017, Libby has seen firsthand the challenges health professionals and patients face during times of crisis.
‘I believe the care and services pharmacists provide are just as, if not more important in a disaster aftermath. As a follow on from my thesis I hope to help the pharmacy workforce in Australia become more prepared for disasters or emergencies.’
Libby says she is excited to be co-presenting a workshop at MM2019, From watch to recovery – how would you prepare and respond in a natural disaster?
‘We’re planning a very hands-on session and we look forward to working with participants as they learn about disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
‘It’s not all doom and gloom in my work, though! Outside hospital pharmacy, I enjoy the ease of Brisbane life; it’s not too busy, there are lots of great restaurants and I love living near the Brisbane River and walking along its less inhabited parts.’
A minute with... Lisa Harris
We chatted to Lisa Harris, who will present ‘Taking the AMS tsunami to rural hospitals’ at MM2019.
Lisa Harris says she was inspired to specialise in hospital pharmacy early on in her career.
‘Very early in my undergraduate course I saw first-hand how knowledgeable and effective clinical pharmacists were in the hospital wards. This helped drive my focus on infectious diseases as an area of interest and, more recently, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS).’
Now working as the Hunter New England District Antimicrobial Stewardship Governance Pharmacist at Hunter New England Health, NSW, Lisa is implementing a health service-wide AMS framework and will present ‘Taking the AMS tsunami to rural hospitals’ at MM2019.
Lisa says her passion for AMS grew through more than ten years as a specialist infectious diseases pharmacist at John Hunter before she moved to a wider scope of practice in her current district role.
‘I advocate strongly for AMS because antimicrobial medications are a dwindling resource and we need to work hard to ensure their efficacy so they are available to future generations. I aim to champion AMS; to inspire and draw more health professionals to this important cause.
‘In my presentation at MM2019 I will draw on my experience to demonstrate how we can overcome the challenges and barriers to AMS in rural and regional communities, where AMS consultants are few and far between.
‘Outside of work, I love living in Newcastle. While it is one of the largest regional cities in Australia, it still retains a small town feel with the best of the beach, rural and café lifestyle as well as wineries, walking trails and the coastline.’
A minute with... Dr Sacha Muller-Botti
We chatted to Dr Sacha Muller-Botti, who will lead the Saturday morning workshop at MM2019: ‘Teaching adults: how to make a difference’.
Dr Sacha Muller-Botti says the relief and satisfaction of taking away pain is something that drives him in his work.
‘In anaesthetics, it is a heroic feeling – what we do has an immediate effect. I’m yet to find someone who doesn’t surrender to Propofol!
‘Given that emergencies don’t happen that often, the key question is: how can we train and stay skilled? In simulation, we have the best way to teach as no one gets harmed.
Sacha – who carries extensive professional titles: Senior Staff Specialist in Anaesthesia, Hunter New England Health, NSW; Instructor, Hunter New England Simulation Centre, NSW; Faculty for the Institute for Medical Simulation in Harvard, Boston, USA and Santander, Spain – says his MM2019 workshop will explore theory, modelling and practice on how to speak up to adults in difficult situations.
‘I believe we can learn and practice how to have difficult conversations, while having fun doing it.
‘Ultimately, it’s all about patient safety. Sometimes we know we have something to say, and we know someone has something they can learn from you, but it is difficult to get your message across.
‘We need to have difficult conversations, the stakes are too high; depending on how you analyse the data, medical errors are the #3 cause of death in the United States. This is not OK!
‘I hope attendees will walk out of ‘Teaching adults: how to make a difference’ feeling empowered to speak up to trainees, peers or other disciplines in healthcare.
The beachside setting of the Gold Coast is familiar territory for Sacha, who lives on the picturesque northern coast of Spain.
‘The city of Santander is not so big that it’s hectic, and not so small that it’s boring – it has the best beaches of the world married to the best weather!
‘On a perfect day I can go to the Farmers Markets on my bike, play with my daughters and relax in the hot tub before enjoying wine and a fresh meal while watching a movie with my wife.’
A minute with... Lisa Rathjen
Over the coming weeks we turn the spotlight onto Resident of the Year finalists. Representing SA/NT is Lisa Rathjen.
Lisa Rathjen says the SHPA Residency Program was crucial to her smooth transition from community to hospital pharmacy.
‘Coming from a community pharmacy background with limited hospital experience, I was eager to develop my clinical knowledge and skill set. At first, I felt a bit lost on how to achieve my learning goals and knew I would benefit from some direction, so I applied for the Foundation Residency. It seemed like the perfect way to incorporate my clinical knowledge base into everyday fulltime clinical practice.
‘The SHPA Foundation Residency Program has given me experience in a variety of areas and provided me with opportunities to take on more senior activities, like committee involvement, protocol reviews, workforce recruitment and research projects and audits.
Among the first cohort of Foundation Residents, Lisa says she felt ‘spoiled’ with opportunities to take on greater clinical responsibilities, which led to her place in the 2019 national final of SHPA Resident of the Year.
‘The program leads worked hard to facilitate our learning objectives. I now have a professional development portfolio demonstrating my personal qualities and practical contributions to local clinical pharmacy services, which has helped me to identify areas of personal interest I can focus on now I have completed the Foundation Residency.
‘I was really excited to enter the Resident of the Year competition, to share all I’d learned and showcase the hard work I’d put into meeting the objectives of the Residency Program.
‘My five-minute lightning talk highlights the findings of my research project, looking at the potential for deprescribing antihypertensive medications in the elderly. Deprescribing is an important area of practice as pharmacists can make impactful recommendations, so I set out to apply simple and justifiable deprescribing criteria to my cohort of elderly patients to determine the scope for structured deprescribing.’
Lisa says she is driven to work toward a senior specialty pharmacist role.
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the emergency department and can picture myself in this area, learning by being exposed to a variety of medical conditions. I enjoy challenging myself to take on new responsibilities and learning opportunities and plan to use my residency experience to apply myself to further career development, either further study or possibly research opportunities.
‘While being called Resident of the Year would be nice, it’s more about the hard work that I and all the other residents have put into the last two years. Regardless of the outcome, it’s been a great couple of years with my first cohort of fellow residents, my first research project and my first additional study since university.
‘Of course, there’s life outside the workplace! When I get a rare day off, I like going to the gym, hiking and playing footy with mates.’
Resident of the Year will be announced at the Residency Symposium on Saturday 24 August. Register now!
A minute with... Michelle Paine
Michelle Paine works as Medication Safety Pharmacist at Royal Hobart Hospital. She is passionate about the collaborative aspects of the Specialty Practice program and has joined four streams.
‘It’s great to have an extended network of peers to share experiences and ask questions, it provides a really valuable system, regardless of specialty area, and I’m always being updated through others sharing their experiences. I really appreciate the opportunities to network, learn and contribute to ongoing practice. As a paediatric pharmacist, I have never had access to this kind of resource, so am thrilled SHPA developed Specialty Practice groups.
‘I initially joined the Medication Safety group as it’s relevant to my current role. Then I noticed the Electronic Medication Management (EMM) stream. While EMM infrastructure is still a way off for Tasmania, there are aspects of EMM that are relevant to our health services. There are some risks as we’re still setting up our EMM capabilities, so to avoid any potential errors, I joined this specialty stream to keep up with potential issues for patients, which loop back to helping me in the role of medication safety pharmacist.
‘Women’s and Newborn Health and Paediatrics and Neonatology are long-standing interests of mine, having been a paediatric and NICU pharmacist for 17 years of my career. Practising in a tertiary hospital with a neonatal nursery and paediatrics among mainly adult patients, it’s really vital that I keep up with current issues in these areas as my current role in medication safety covers these areas as well.
‘The opportunities Specialty Practice has offered me are invaluable. For example, I represented SHPA at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) clinical roundtable for the introduction of neuraxial devices (NRFit). As Tasmania is an early adopter of ENFit, and I was heavily involved in the roll-out, I thought the experience and lessons would be useful to participants; this opportunity arose because I am a member of the Medication Safety Practice Group.
‘Of course, work isn’t everything! When I have a rare day off, I spend time visiting Tasmanian eateries, getting out in the garden and spending time with the family.’
Remember you have to be a member to join Specialty Practice Streams, enhance your work prospects and unlock amazing further career opportunities through these specialties. Renew your SHPA membership now.
A minute with... Alex Chan
Alex Chan is a Geriatric pharmacist in the Transitional Aged Care Program (TACP) at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. He is passionate about the ‘brains trust’ aspect of SHPA’s Specialty Practice program, which connects members to 25 nationwide networks of pharmacy professionals, peer learning and advocacy opportunities.
‘I joined Geriatric Medicine and Transitions of Care and Primary Care because they both provide convenient platforms for information, discussions and questions around my current role and interests. The bonus of getting email notifications on every post on the forum is invaluable, and the updates and information on practice-targeted SHPA events and education means I can forward plan my diary. As a bonus I’m exposed to extra CPD opportunities through engaging and interacting in discussion forums as it aligns with my CPD.
‘Being on the Geriatric Medicine Leadership Committee means I have an added opportunity to work and connect with some of the best geriatric pharmacists in the country, which has also been invaluable to me. I am able to contribute to seminar/workshop planning, peer reviewing and writing for DrugScan in Pharmacy GRIT and Practice in Focus and reviewing Standards of Practice.
‘In Transitions of Care and Primary Care I’m enrolled in the Practice Group, through which I’m able to develop and share my expertise and experiences to shape the future of the field. In both groups, I get to connect and discuss with a ‘brains trust’ from all over Australia and find out what other regions are up to. The opportunities offered are tremendous, I can have a voice in Standards of Practice, which means my input can directly impact the future.
‘I think the opportunities of expansion of Specialty Practice streams through things like Advanced Training Residencies can’t be measured. I really appreciate the leadership role I have and some of these contributions, which are all great learning experiences and open a myriad of work opportunities.
‘My family is a priority on days off, things like taking the kids to local parks for bike riding and games, and I love watching and playing basketball when I can.’
Remember you have to be a member to join Specialty Practice Streams, enhance your work prospects and unlock amazing further career opportunities through these specialties. Renew your SHPA membership now.
A minute with... Dr Jennifer Stevens
Dr Jennifer Stevens is anaesthetist and pain specialist at St Vincent’s public and private hospitals at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, and she presented at SHPA’s inaugural Medicines Leadership Forum in 2018, which focused on multidisciplinary collaboration to reduce opioid-related harm in the Australian community.
As part of Scriptwise’s Medication Dependence Prevention Month, Dr Jennifer Stevens shares her thoughts on how to reduce opioid dependence and harm.
‘Together we can achieve so much if we keep patients and prescribers educated and informed. Hospital pharmacists should instruct junior doctors in public hospitals and consultants in private hospitals with consistent messaging about safe opioid use and safe discharge prescribing.
‘Simple information circulated to patients about secure opioid disposal in the home including establishing a safety-at-home program will dramatically change the available opioid pool in the community and prevent unplanned use and misuse.
‘We must support our most junior doctors regarding patient prescribing needs by encouraging them to ask questions of pharmacists and pain medicine specialists, which will increase their awareness about opioid prescription and safety.
‘There is evidence that if whole hospitals work together to increase pre-operative opioid management, the result is a decline in patient post-operative analgesic use, fewer complications and better surgical outcomes, even six months later. The pre-operative link is currently missing. Closing this gap means the peri-operative pain and opioid management of our patients will be easier.
‘My weekends always feature a lot of extra kids and a walk in Centennial Park with my family and the dog. Pancakes for lunch and a run around the Glebe foreshore.’
SHPA is partnering with Scriptwise to promote Medication Dependence Prevention Month, an annual event to raise awareness about preventing medication harms and finding community support.
A minute with... Melissa
Melissa is sharing her story as part of Medication Dependence Prevention Month to raise awareness about the need to help patients understand how to use their medications safely.
'My husband lost his life on 7 July 2016, just one week before his 36th birthday, after a 10-month battle with prescription medication dependence and addiction.
'It all began when he injured himself at work, which resulted in a L4/5 prolapsed disc. He was placed on work cover and under the care of a work doctor to manage his pain and injury.'
'He was a very fit and active man who trained at the gym 6-7 days per week and had done so for over 17 years. He found being inactive and restricted very difficult. He was placed on a graduated return to work plan but continued to be prescribed multiple opiate based pain medication, muscle relaxants, sleeping tablets, anti-inflammatory medications and antidepressants.'
Melissa was amazed how quickly her husband changed and she became gravely concerned for his health. He became more secretive and it was clear he was hiding how much medication he was using.
'The more I tried to help him, the more he pushed me away because deep down he was very ashamed of this.'
'I notified AHPRA of my concerns that his doctor continued to prescribe a cocktail of medications, but things continued to spiral out of control. I was worried sick.'
One afternoon after his daughter found him, and his mother and Melissa performed CPR on him, Melissa’s husband lost consciousness and never recovered.
'The effects of this for us all have been absolutely devastating. Our lives will never be the same again. What I cannot accept and never will is, where was the duty of care? Where was the care plan, the follow up?'
Since her husband’s passing, Melissa joined ScriptWise as a Community Advocate and has shared her story to empower others at community events and workplaces across Victoria.
She is dedicated to reducing the stigma around seeking help and advocating for essential policy changes and more education around this issue.
'I want to help prevent other families from going through what we did.'
SHPA is partnering with Scriptwise to promote Medication Dependence Prevention Month, an annual event to raise awareness about preventing medication harms and finding community support.
A minute with... John Shanks
John says the energy of his co-workers solidified his path into hospital pharmacy.
‘My first post at the John Hunter Hospital had me surrounded by a very enthusiastic group, and it was really contagious. I knew I wanted to work in hospital pharmacy as soon as I’d started.’
After John completed his Masters of Pharmacy at Newcastle University, his early career saw him take up a role combining IT skills and clinical decision support.
‘I became the Top End Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist at Darwin Hospital. This job covered a geographical area seven times the size of Tasmania and I realised pretty quickly the impact a few simple clinical rules can have on improving patient care, such as automatically picking up life-threatening drug interactions in remote patients.
‘The experience motivated me to complete a Graduate Diploma in IT and moved me to the role of project manager for a massive IT redesign project in the Northern Territory – a role I’m still in today.’
John says he wants to see further, effective integration of IT and pharmacy practice.
‘I would like to set up a world-class clinical decision support system for our health service, I think a lot of what we can do could be captured by a computer.
‘We will do more good if we have the tools available to direct us to the patients who need our input and help the most. I’m working to set up a system which helps identify patients in need and facilitates automatic handover as patients progress through wards while allowing auditing as part of our usual pharmacist workflow. I’m looking forward to talking about using dashboards and data in clinical practice, specifically AMS, at SHPA’s EMM Conference in Sydney on 22 June.’
John says his downtime involves all of the good things the NT has to offer.
‘No rain for nine months lets me spend evenings camping or having a BBQ, and the national parks and untouched coral reefs are amazing. In my days off, spearfishing is another passion of mine, I find the challenge… and the reward… very satisfying!’
A minute with... Kristin Xenos
A single lecture inspired Kristin to become a hospital pharmacist.
‘In the first year of my Bachelor of Pharmacy, I saw a presentation by Dr Lisa Pont about hospital pharmacy. I was hooked and knew that was where I wanted to be. I’d started working in community pharmacy at 14 and I was ready for another challenge.’
After her intern year in community pharmacy, Kristin secured a maternity leave role at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital and the rest, she says, is history.
‘I have a real passion for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infectious diseases and was lucky enough to secure a role. Through my work in AMS, I developed an interest in public health and began to see where pharmacy fits into the grander scheme of health care.’
‘I’m currently working as a senior project officer at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare. My role here has taken everything I have learned as a pharmacist and allowed me to inform the work of the Commission at a national level.’
‘Working at the Commission has inspired an interest in equity in healthcare. We interviewed the Commission’s Healthcare Variation Team on the latest episode of the Purple Pen Podcast, about the Third Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation.’
Kristin says she considers herself lucky to have joined the Purple Pen Podcast team.
‘Working on this podcast with Dan (Guidone) and Jane (Booth) means I have spoken with some incredible people and, in turn, shared that with the listeners. I’m also really passionate about pharmacists taking their skillsets into project work, hospital executive suites and being agents of change in the healthcare system.
‘Outside work, I love discovering new cafes around Sydney that hopefully are dog friendly – so my beautiful dog Penny can tag along – and I can hunker down with a good book.
‘I suppose my husband can come too. We are trying to give Penny lots of TLC before our first baby comes along in May!’
A minute with... Kerry Fitzsimons
Three weeks was all it took for Kerry Fitzsimons to fall for hospital pharmacy.
‘At high school I undertook work experience at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) pharmacy department, and I was convinced that I wanted to become a hospital pharmacist. The biggest draw card to working in hospital pharmacy was the many opportunities and varied specialities there are available for pharmacists to be a part of in a stimulating and learning environment.
‘Fortunately, I got one of four intern positions at RPH when I finished my Bachelor of Pharmacy. At the time, RPH was the only hospital in WA offering pharmacy internships. Times have changed!
Throughout my career to date I have had some wonderful mentors who fuelled my enthusiasm and passion for hospital pharmacy practice. I would strongly encourage members to take advantage of the SHPA Mentoring Program which will assist you in building confidence, addressing challenges/barriers and improve job satisfaction.’
One of the mottos Kerry abides by is to never let an opportunity pass you by. ‘My role in medication safety morphed from being the senior audit and drug bulletin pharmacist to medication safety pharmacist at Fremantle and now Fiona Stanley Hospital, the first role of its kind in WA at the time. Taking up my medication safety position at the WA Department of Health was certainly a leap of faith out of the hospital environment, which has broadened my reach for medication safety.
‘I think we all essentially have a medication safety pharmacist within us, as we all strive for safe and effective medication management advocating on behalf of the patient's best interest on the path to wellness.’
Kerry says her main goal as a medication safety pharmacist is to engage as many health professionals as possible in the importance of the safe use of medication.
‘We need to ensure all patients stay safe, and I enjoy working toward this goal through my work in the hospital and health department settings.
‘Working in hospital pharmacy and being a SHPA member since internship has given me so many valuable opportunities, I want to be able to support other pharmacists in their career journey through my involvement on the SHPA WA Branch Committee (currently WA Chairperson).
‘In my spare time I like to be with my family and friends, walking with Holly, my border collie and playing the piano… I’m also partial to the odd TV series binge – I can’t wait for the final series of Game of Thrones!’
A minute with... Chin Yen Yeo
As hundreds of pharmacy students graduate across the country, we hear from some young professionals who have used SHPA membership to launch into their early hospital pharmacy careers.
‘Transitioning from community to hospital pharmacy in 2016, I recognised the benefits of SHPA membership to confidently build my clinical capacity and improve my therapeutic knowledge to ensure my patients would receive the optimal care they deserve.
‘Since then, I’ve completed a Foundation Residency at Blacktown Hospital, which provided hands-on SHPA-accredited learning and allowed me to build skills across education and research.
‘Through the Residency Program and my SHPA membership I gained discounted access to essential SHPA extension seminars and an engaging and interactive seminar on cardiology (cardiology was one of my favourite rotations!)
‘I also attended discounted NSW Branch Symposia in 2016 and 2017 as well as monthly CE hosted by the Branch, at no cost. I have recently joined the NSW Branch Education sub-committee to assist in developing and implementing CE events for members.
‘My Residency projects and SHPA membership saw me enjoy heavily discounted access to the 2017 and 2018 Medicines Management conferences where I presented posters. I secured a research capability grant through SHPA’s National Translational Research Collaborative network to attend the pre-conference Research Bootcamp in 2017. I also presented my research project at the 2018 Residency Symposium and shared my experience as a novice researcher at the 2018 pre-conference Research Bootcamp.
‘Now I am undertaking my Masters in Public Health and plan to specialise in antimicrobial stewardship, I know I need to be active in the Infectious Diseases Specialty Practice stream and I have recently applied to join the Practice Group.
‘In my spare time I also enjoy reading JPPR and Pharmacy GRIT to stay on top of the latest in my field, and to be inspired as to where my pharmacy practice, education and research will go next!’
A minute with... Andy Campbell
As hundreds of pharmacy students graduate across the country, we hear from some young professionals who have used SHPA membership to launch into their early hospital pharmacy careers.
‘I first joined when I was an intern and my SHPA membership started with a bang…
‘In 2015 I was selected as an Intern Representative for the WA Branch Committee. That same year, my honours research was presented at Medicines Management conference in Melbourne.
‘I then joined the Scientific Organising Committee for MM2016 in my home state of WA. I was also an invited speaker, giving insight into ECP perspectives on the development of SHPA’s Residency Program – it’s great to now see the program entrenched nationwide as a crucial stage of experiential learning for early career hospital pharmacists.
‘Through my membership I enjoyed contributing to the mentoring stream at the 2015 Future Summit in Melbourne, which led to another member benefit and source of pharmacist support: the SHPA Mentoring Program, launched in 2017.
‘I have been a WA Branch Committee member since 2018 and I gain my annual 40 credits of CPD through my activity on the WA Branch, either as a presenter or by coordinating CE events.
‘Equally as important at my early career stage is networking, which happens every day through the SHPA Specialty Practice forums. I’m an active member of the Interest Groups for Dispensing and Supply, Sterile Compounding and Leadership and Management and look forward to using the platform to influence and advocate for pharmacists’ essential role in improving patient outcomes in the hospital setting.
‘I’m hoping to present some research at MM2019. I’m really looking forward to networking and sharing ideas with our hospital pharmacy network, and to catching up with colleagues and contemporaries from across the country.’
A minute with... Cindy Lau
Cindy Lau says that she’s been lucky to be in the right place at the right time more than once in her career.
‘During my internship at Mona Vale and Manly Hospital, the Director of Pharmacy sat me down and said, “this is your year to learn as much as you can”, and in that moment I gained a whole new perspective on what I wanted for my career.’
With support from inspiring mentors, a well-timed nudge from her DoP and a love of chemistry and science, Cindy plunged headfirst into an antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist (AMS) role soon after she registered.
‘I was very new to pharmacy but absolutely loved the mix of AMS on wards and the exposure to the challenges of infectious diseases, which when combined with the excellent training I received, propelled me towards a role at St Vincent’s and a Masters.’
But while studying for a Masters might answer a lot of question, for Cindy it created so many more!
‘Every hospital pharmacist is frustrated by medicines shortages and how, as a result of using alternate antibiotics, we’re sometimes seeing more patients with toxicity. Despite this happening, the toxic range for some antibiotics is still really vague.’
It’s exactly this vagueness that inspired Cindy to leap into research, a move that saw her take out the 2018 Pfizer Young Pharmacist Grant for her proposal looking at the toxicity threshold of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infection.
‘I never thought I would go into this field, it’s really been a series of fortunate events, and I can’t wait to learn the basics of pharmacometrics in Adelaide before I travel to Hamburg to undertake a preceptorship with Professor Sebastian Wicha, the man behind the web application TDMx.’
While she’s humble about her achievements and insists her life usually revolves around work, study and research, Cindy divulges that she has a secret double life - as a drummer in a wedding band called The Honeymoon Social.
‘It’s been a lot of fun playing 90s style pop and rock with a group of pharmacists and doctors and stepping out of our normal life - we’ve even had a few gigs which have really amused our friends and family.’
A minute with... Ron Batagol
With over 50 years’ experience in pharmacy and an impressive array of contributions under his belt, Ron Batagol knew applying for Advancing Practice credentials was a worthy challenge.
‘I’m delighted to receive Stage 2 Advancing Practice credentials and learnt so much about aligning practice activities to the advanced level requirements, and the evolving necessity for a career long practice portfolio’.
As a prominent voice in specialist, general and consultant pharmacy, author of ‘Taking Medicines in Pregnancy - What’s safe and what’s not’, and contributor to numerous advisory groups and committees, Ron has a long history of career advancement.
‘From the moment I started my graduate diploma and apprenticeship, I was fascinated by pharmacy, and after 12 years managing in community pharmacy, I wanted to learn more, so I applied for a job at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and after starting studied a Diploma of Journalism and SHPA Fellowship in Hospital Pharmacy’.
Combining an appetite for knowledge and a flair for words, Ron was part of the group of pharmacists who spearheaded the establishment of SHPA’s ‘Guidelines for Clinical Pharmacy Practice’ in 1978.
‘It’s just as relevant now as it was then for pharmacists to measure their current practice competencies against standards, professionally and also medico-legally - you can’t argue with pharmacists doing advancing practice.’
Notwithstanding a lengthy career, Ron shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to pursue his interest in the medico-legal side of pharmacy.
‘I was involved in providing public advice on a major case recently, which was challenging as I put my work forward to researchers and QCs, so I’m keen to continue pursuing that while remaining up-to-date with new drug information and medicines changes.’
When he’s not in the public eye or working as a Senior Pharmacist at Monash Medical Centre and Specialist Advisor to Therapeutic Goods Administration Committees, Ron enjoys catching up with friends and family, and cruising around the world.
‘Good food, good wine and good people to relax with is critically important, taking a break and looking at the world around me has given me the focus I need throughout my career and study to continue achieving my goals.’
A minute with... Tom Simpson
By his own admission, 2018 Tasmanian Pharmacist of the Year Tom Simpson ‘kind of’ got into pharmacy by accident.
After graduating from university with a B.Pharm and working in web development and IT, a move into an information systems role at the Royal Hobart Hospital spurred Tom into completing a pharmacy internship and becoming registered.
‘The key moment for me was at the SHPA National Conference, Medicines Management 2001 where I won a best paper award – that’s when it all came together and I realised I had a real passion for the profession.’
Tom says it took more than ‘getting the prize, getting registered, and getting a specialist job’ to get him where he is today.
‘I’ve had some great mentors who took me under their wing and I was lucky enough to have a Deputy CEO who taught me about hospital management and finances which led to a bunch of cool opportunities across the health system.
‘Looking back, moving out of pharmacy and working with other areas of a hospital such as the kitchens or cath lab has been a real career strength, not only giving me the context I need to manage the pharmacy ecosystem, but also re-energising me and helping me realise I want to be here, in pharmacy.
Tom was also fortunate to be mentored by a hospital CEO who taught him that just because pharmacists do serious work that affects vulnerable people, it doesn’t mean it should be joyless.
Managing an ambitious state-wide program encompassing the roll-out of seven-day services, establishing a multidisciplinary medication safety unit, evaluating bedside medication management, and looking to implement smart pumps across multiple hospital sites is not without its difficulties.
‘Attracting staff is difficult, even though we offer great work/life balance in Tasmania with no traffic jams or overtime, if I announce a great program but can’t find the staff, it stalls.’
Tom stands by this commitment to work/life balance, spending as much time as he can with his family enjoying Tasmania’s outdoors and looks forward to ‘taking my daughter on a trip to a rainforest to go ziplining’.
His other hobby, particularly in Winter, is ‘blowing things up in video games’.
‘I’ve just finished the new Wolfenstein game and last week attended PAX – a national game conference – with my nephew and brother-in-law where, would you believe, there were some really interesting presentations on mental health and the community health benefits of video games.’
If you want to learn more about Statewide Hospital Pharmacy, why not visit Tom and the Tasmanian team at their booth at Medicines Management 2018 in Brisbane.
A minute with... Mark Clifford
What started as a weekend job filling bags and doing odd jobs at a local pharmacy in his teens led Mark Clifford to a new passion, career and country.
‘I started out as a high school teacher initially and realised pretty quickly it wasn’t for me, but it taught me a lot and, education-wise, that’s the reason I now do what I do.’
After Mark stepped away from teaching to gain his UK pharmacy technician qualifications, he tagged along on a trip to Australia with his partner in 2012 – but didn’t anticipate it would lead to a pivotal training and development role today.
‘The Sterile Production Coordinator, in charge of training pharmacists and technicians/assistants in aseptic technique at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, was running everything on her own. My position as Senior Technician was new at the time (2014) so I was able to take over the training to relieve her.
‘Not long after I joined SHPA, which resulted in developing and hosting Branch technician CE sessions and becoming involved in SHPA’s National Pharmacy Technician Network.’
Mark’s commitment to education and his profession has led to not one, but two speaking slots at Medicines Management 2018 in Brisbane this November.
‘I feel so fortunate to be able to present twice about the Branch committee’s innovative thinking in this space and what we’ve achieved with our technician sessions – it’s such a joint effort.
‘I don’t think a lot of technicians realise how they can get involved with research or by submitting abstracts and we’re encouraging that by setting up the NSW Technician Sub-committee which will help them realise their potential.’
For Mark, pharmacy and teaching have nicely dovetailed and in an ideal world he’d create his own job title - Senior Technician for Education and Development - but in the interim, and just as importantly, he’s travelling when he can, crashing on the sofa after a long week or, as he did recently, eloping with his partner to New York.
Be sure to check out Mark's presentations at MM2018 by viewing the full program for more details or registering now.
A minute with... Brooke Bullock
Brooke Bullock knows that if you want to affect change you have to put your money where your mouth is and turn your passion into proof.
As one of Gold Coast Health’s Principal Medical Education Officers, and a current PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, Brooke’s passion for pharmacy and education is already making waves.
‘I had a lot to learn about the research world when I started my PhD, and even though research is not everyone’s cup of tea, I really believe research is the key to change,’ says Brooke.
Focusing on the impact of clinical pharmacists on post-take ward round prescribing, medication appropriateness and cost, the findings of Brooke’s PhD have already been well-received by doctors and pharmacists alike.
‘I am yet to submit my PhD thesis, however the Royal Brisbane and Womens hospital have already implemented placing pharmacists on post take ward rounds because our interim findings were so positive, so that’s a win in itself,.’
Brooke has undertaken numerous volunteer teaching positions abroad and is intent on driving the pharmacy agenda forward and advocating for safe prescribing; naturally drawn to education, she is presenting as an invited speaker at Medicines Management 2018 with Dr Christy Noble.
‘Christy and I are really excited to share the details of our learning program at Gold Coast Health which focuses on equipping junior pharmacists with the skills to take on a greater supervisory role of junior doctors. This provides an opportunity to further empower young pharmacists and doctors in the early stages of their careers.’
With so many irons in the fire, Brooke says she makes sure she keeps a healthy work life balance: running a small home based plant & kokedama business, coordinating craft workshop and most importantly, being a new Mum to her 4 month old daughter Lulu.
Make time to listen to Brooke and Dr Noble’s presentation at MM2018 and check out the full program for more details or register now.
A minute with... Brian Dolan
Promising to be one of MM2018’s most dynamic keynote presenters, Professor Brian Dolan, knows a thing or two about getting people moving.
Brian created a social movement encouraging health professionals to get patients up, dressed and moving while in hospital to maintain autonomy and dignity and reduce the risk of deconditioning.
Having clocked up 350 million (and counting) Twitter impressions, Brian says at its heart #EndPJParalysis is about flipping the script on the final years of life.
‘We ask the simple question: if you have 1,000 days left to live, how many would you want to spend in hospital?
‘If you are 80 years old or over, a week in bed in hospital can lead to 10 years of muscle ageing, 1.5 kg of muscle loss, and leave you five times more likely to end up in institutional care on discharge rather than going home.
‘The more time you spend in bed in your PJs, the more harmful it is. The goal of “End PJ Paralysis” is to minimise development of painful pressure ulcers, reduce risk of falls and reduce patients’ length of stay.’
Brian says #EndPJParalysis now belongs to everyone, and pharmacists in particular can help spread the word.
‘It’s reaching New Zealand and Canada and we’re keen to expand accessibility further through a dedicated app.
‘More importantly, and this is where pharmacists come to the fore, we want to change conversations around healthcare.
‘We used to say “come to hospital, it’s the best place to be” but now we’re saying “lying down is not really good for you”. Pharmacists can help patients understand the rationale and encourage them to stay mobile.’
Brian says he is looking forward to his keynote address at MM2018 in November and he connects strongly with the conference theme.
‘Time is the currency of healthcare, not money.
‘Time hold us all together – waiting lists and access targets are measured in time; time is dangerous for someone at risk of sepsis awaiting antibiotics; time can be wasted going to meetings or looking for equipment.
‘Seventy per cent of health service budgets in Australia are spent on time. It’s called “salary” and “wages” but this is the purchase of our time. So how do we make sure we don’t waste it?’
A minute with... Ruby Graham
8 June 2018
Ruby Graham knew moving to Alice Springs to start an internship would take her out of her comfort zone, but she never anticipated how rewarding it would be.
‘On both a professional and personal level, the last five months at Alice Springs Hospital really have been a gift.’
In search of an adventure after studying, working in community pharmacy and completing a placement on the Sunshine Coast, Ruby secured both a regional internship and a place in the University of Queensland (UQ) Pharmacy Intern Training Program.
‘I decided to take a chance - moving to the outback was an adjustment at first, but the pharmacy team here have been very welcoming and UQ have provided support every step of the way.’
Ruby says the transition hasn’t been without it challenges – from severe disease states to language and health literacy barriers, her clinical and cultural understanding have been put to the test.
‘The first time I had to treat Norwegian scabies was really challenging because it was completely different to what I was used to, but thanks to the amazing insights and clinical knowledge of the health team it was an excellent learning experience.’
While Ruby misses her family and friends at home, she’s taking every opportunity to experience all the outback has to offer.
‘Every couple of weeks we’ll take a picnic to one of the watering holes nearby or I’ll climb up Mount Gillen and watch the sunset or rise over the beautiful orange desert and red rocks – there’s really nothing like it.’
A minute with... Chris Pointon
On his second trip down under Chris Pointon, co-founder of #hello my name is… shares how healthcare professionals are embracing he and his late wife Kate’s inspirational campaign.
‘Everyone working in healthcare, from pharmacists to doctors, nurses to hospital staff make a difference to patient’s lives every single day and it’s amazing to see Australians adopting these four simple words on such a large scale’, says Chris.
In Australia to reiterate the campaign message prior to his keynote address at World Hospital Congress 2018 in Brisbane this October, Chris says starting a therapeutic relationship with a simple introduction is the first step to getting patients to open up, even in countries where English isn’t a first language.
‘During an Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone healthcare professionals sent us pictures of the campaign logo handwritten onto t-shirts as they couldn’t verbally say the words hello my name is…because of infection control’.
Since Kate’s passing in 2016 Chris has taken the social media based campaign on the road, sharing the message and encouraging healthcare professionals to adopt it irrespective of culture or setting.
‘Change takes time and cultural difference come into play but there are a lot of people who actively support the campaign and we’ve had pictures of the smile logo taken in the cockpit of a plane, at the top of the tallest building, and even in Antarctica.’
Outside of the campaign trail, Chris aims to raise $750,000 for two UK-based cancer charities, is writing a book aimed at helping people supporting a terminally ill partner, and is speaking at events.
‘World Hospital Congress is going to be an amazing event and I really look forward to sharing my life story and inspiring people to make a difference in their lives and in the world.’
Find out more or share the campaign message on Twitter.
A minute with... Melita Jensen
As one of only three hospital pharmacists in Western Australia’s 155,000 square kilometre Wheatbelt region, Melita Jensen knows what ‘going the extra mile’ means.
‘While I’m a ward pharmacist based in a 35-bed hub hospital, I spend one day a week on the road covering 13 other sites as there’s no single location in the region with more than 10% of our population’.
Providing acute and aged patient care and monitoring pharmacy stocks across vast areas comes naturally to Melita, who grew up in WA’s sparsely populated Pilbara region.
‘Working in the country and being part of a close community has always been appealing to me, so when my husband Trevor suggested moving to a 25-acre property in the Wheatbelt to build a house and raise our family, it sounded ideal.’
After 15 years working as a retail pharmacist in Toodyay, Melita recognised that clinical input was the piece of the puzzle missing from her career.
‘Even though I’d done relief work in hospitals, I saw retail and hospital pharmacy as separate entities, so in 2006 I gained Home Medication Review accreditation to help with the transition’.
Melita continued on her journey toward hospital pharmacy by becoming a home medication review facilitator in 2008 and completing a Masters of Clinical Pharmacy in 2015 through distance education.
‘Studying online while I was working as a facilitator was a big advantage as I could travel up to 400km a day in my role, so there was no way I could attend a campus’.
Now her children have finished university, Melita spends her time working on their self-build home, training for half-marathons and enjoying the beautiful natural surrounds of the Avon Valley.
‘I love bushwalking the Bibbulmun Track but I also miss the solitude and peacefulness of outback Australia, so now my husband has a motorbike license we plan to explore more of the Wheatbelt and get off the beaten track’.
A minute with... Stuart Birnie
When Stuart Birnie booked a round-the-world trip jetting off from Glasgow, he never imagined he would end up settling in Australia and changing his career focus.
‘I’d already travelled through Africa and South East Asia and had every intention of continuing to New Zealand, Fiji and America but then I decided to make a go of it here and convert my Masters Degree in Pharmacy.’
With a strong background in community pharmacy and dogged determination, Stuart worked steadily through the process of becoming a qualified pharmacist in Australia.
‘Although I’d worked in community pharmacy since high school and was qualified in the United Kingdom, I had to fall back on my experience from my university days as a swimming teacher while I progressed through each stage of the registration process’.
It was while working at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre another serendipitous moment occurred.
‘About two years ago I began teaching the daughter of a pharmacist at the swim centre and this led to a job in his pharmacies in the suburbs of Parkdale and Narre Warren, before I branched out to pharmacies in Hawthorn and Chelsea.’
Picking up where he left off in community pharmacy was a natural fit at first, but Stuart says he began to yearn for a change and a short-term opening at Monash Health seemed like just the opportunity to expand his clinical knowledge.
‘I really enjoy my new role - the interprofessional contact with nurses and doctors and the being part of conversations that influence a patient’s health are making me a better pharmacist.’
While he loves the laid-back lifestyle in Australia and the friends he’s made, Stuart still has unfinished business.
‘I’m taking a chunk of holidays in August to head home to catch up with family and friends but, on the way, I’m going to finally finish the last leg of my round-the-world trip!’
A minute with... Susanne Weress
A natural curiosity, desire to learn and interest in other cultures led Susanne Weress to a career in hospital pharmacy.
‘When I started in pharmacy the bar on employing married women in the Commonwealth Public Service had just been abolished, so it was seen as ‘a good job for a woman’, but I saw opportunities to contribute to public healthcare and travel’.
So that’s exactly what Susanne did. After landing a Commonwealth scholarship to study a Bachelor of Pharmacy at The University of Sydney, Susanne finished her registration year at Prince of Wales Hospital and took off to work in London before returning to locum in rural New South Wales.
‘I worked in community pharmacy, raised two children, lived and worked in Singapore, and started a job-share at Royal North Shore Hospital in1989 - the first and longest of its kind in the Northern Sydney Health area – before being accredited as a consultant pharmacist in 1997,’ she says.
Susanne’s thirst for adventure couldn’t be quelled, her interest in Indigenous health led to locum work at Tennant Creek Hospital and a chance encounter with a doctor returning from Banda Aceh started a 10-year journey with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
‘Being part of MSF has given me the opportunity to work and project visit Kenya, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan, to sit on their Board, and advocate for the establishment of a peer support network in Australia for MSF field workers’.
Always on the lookout for a new adventure, Susanne carried out Home Medication Reviews in Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett, was an NPS MedicineWise Therapeutics Educator/Facilitator, and became an Accredited Tour Manager and Guide, and volunteer trainer for GetUp!
‘The thread of travel has been strong in my life and in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics I heard there would be a shortage of tour guides, so I picked up a TAFE Handbook and thought: why not do it?!’
Eighteen years later Susanne still works as a tour manager, contributes to her profession as a rural/remote locum and social causes, and prioritises time with her grandsons.
‘When I’m home I spend a day a week supporting my daughter Andrea and her baby boys, Oscar and Harley, developing my interest in meditation and yoga, as well as being a keen film-goer, and bushwalker.’
Read more about Susanne’s exciting adventures in the Spring edition of Pharmacy GRIT, free to SHPA members.
A minute with... Duncan McKenzie
A commitment to practising what he preaches is driving Duncan McKenzie, as he prepares to debate for the ‘yes’ team at SHPA’s inaugural International Women’s Day Breakfast Debate in March.
‘My wife, Amy is a pharmacist who specialises in paediatrics, and we have two young children, so our family benefits from flexible working arrangements’.
As Royal Hobart Hospital Pharmacy Manager, Duncan oversees 100 staff across pharmacy, technician, administration and stores roles and he knows that flexibility isn’t just a key enabler and driver of good performance, but a necessity.
‘In Tasmania our staff are mostly home-grown, so we nurture them from internship - we offer flexibility and work-life balance to encourage staff retention because we can’t recruit experienced staff from another local tertiary hospital, we are the only one in town – and mainlanders rarely (but increasingly) migrate south!
‘There’s also been a national shift in the type of clinical work pharmacy departments undertake because of extended hours, shift work and seven-day services, so by its nature we need to be flexible, and at Royal Hobart we’re transitioning as we speak.’
While Duncan would love to fit more clinical work into his role, he feels there are stones left unturned in his management and leadership career.
‘This role keeps me on my toes and I’m proud that we’re moving forward in Tassie. Just recently we secured funding for expanded clinical pharmacy services, new pharmacy educator positions as well as SHPA residency positions, and we’re looking at expanding our ward technician service next.'
So how does Duncan make the most of flexibility in the workplace?
‘My focus is on spending my downtime with my family but I’m also a keen photographer and am passionate about open water swimming – I just try not to think about sharks!’
A minute with... Wendy Huynh
For Wendy Huynh, prioritising work-life balance is everything, which is why she's joining the 'yes' team at SHPA's inaugural International Women's Day Debate in March.
Wendy says she wants pharmacists to start talking about how teams can retain staff and skills, increase morale, beat stress and fatigue and improve patient care through flexible hours.
'Flexibility at work isn't just about starting a family or looking after loved ones, it's essential if you're going to develop your career, further your education or participate in extra curriculum activities with pharmacies governing bodies.
'It doesn't just happen organically either, which is why the International Women's Day Debate on flexible hours in clinical pharmacy practice is so important, to keep the conversation going.'
Wendy says making less sacrifices does not mean devaluing patient care.
'As healthcare professionals we tend to sacrifice our own time because we care about our patients, but we're working in a world where patients aren't nine to five - it's time to advocate for flexible working hours if we want our careers to remain viable.'
While she still considers herself an early-career pharmacist, Wendy is committed to building her clinical pharmacy skills through continuous professional development.
'At Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in New South Wales, I've been exposed to a lot of different fields but I'm particularly passionate about neonatal pharmacology in intensive care as it's a relatively new field that requires a lot of training'.
As a big believer in leaving work at work, Wendy knows Monday is always around the corner, so weekends are sacred.
'I may not go on adventures to far flung destinations as often as I'd like, but I'll always make sure I get out and enjoy the outdoors!'
A minute with... Diana Sandulache
Diana Sandulache fell in love with hospital pharmacy before she graduated but never imagined where it would take her.
‘My parents are physics and maths teachers, so science has always been a part of my life, but it was only after I undertook a placement at Royal Melbourne Hospital that I realised the impact I could have on patients as a hospital pharmacist.’
After graduating and working in a clinical pharmacy role at Royal Melbourne, Diana says she took a chance applying for a clinical education role supporting interns and students.
‘When I interviewed for the role I’d just joined SHPA’s Medicines Management 2015 Conference Committee and started participating in an education stream, so even though I didn’t have a lot of experience, I was able to answer all their questions and I got the job.’
With 15 residents now under her wing at Alfred Health, Diana feels confident managing an SHPA accredited Foundation Residency Program but wants to further empower the pharmacists supporting the program, especially as they move towards advanced practice.
‘I saw an email about the National Translational Research Collaborative 2017 Pfizer Young Pharmacist Grant and thought why not give it a go, I never imagined my proposal would be successful and I’d be lucky enough to go the United States to learn about supporting preceptors from some of pharmacy’s leading minds’.
Before setting off to the States this year Diana plans to spend some quality time brunching with her husband and relaxing with her cat, Rocky.
A minute with... Fawn Birch
Fawn Birch says a world of opportunities opened when she made the move to hospital pharmacy technician work.
After moving to Queensland and transitioning from community pharmacy to an assistant role at Gold Coast Hospital, Fawn says she received the training and encouragement she needed to become a pharmacy assistant manager supervising up to 20 technicians.
‘I love my job – working as a hospital pharmacy technician or assistant ticks a lot of boxes, you get to problem solve, be part of a team, have patient contact and drive your career forward in an integral part of healthcare.‘
Since leaving Gold Coast Hospital nearly four years ago to return to her home town of Wollongong in New South Wales, Fawn has continued pursuing a career in hospital pharmacy by working as an oncology technician, while developing, training and implementing a new ward-based inpatient liaison technician role that helps pharmacists take medication history.
‘I’m passionate about the growing role technicians and assistants play in hospital pharmacy and am really interested in SHPA’s Tech Role Redesign project as I’d like to see more structured career paths and a consistent framework across Australia - especially for new pharmacy technicians and assistants’.
Moving home has been an important step for Fawn.
‘Spending time with my two children, family, and friends is really important to me, especially in such a beautiful town.’
A minute with... Amanda Horiniak
Amanda Horiniak says she always wanted to join a profession that helps people – and she found it in hospital pharmacy.
‘This job is about more than medication, it’s about dealing with comorbidities, surgeries and other illnesses that you just aren't always exposed to in community pharmacy and I find that incredibly fulfilling.’
After finishing her internship and transferring to renal and endocrinology pharmacy, Amanda quickly decided that starting an SHPA-supported Residency Program at the Alfred Hospital would steer her career in the right direction.
‘The residency program has been brilliant – I’ve been well supported by mentors and educational staff, given opportunities to further my skills and knowledge, encouraged to attend seminars and conferences and, more importantly, audits and research projects.’
Amanda’s passion and dedication for continued improvement and her ability to turn any challenge into an opportunity saw her receive the inaugural SHPA Resident of the Year Award at Medicines Management 2017 a fortnight ago.
‘I’m really enjoyed learning the business aspects of pharmacy in my first rotation in dispensary management and am proud that I completed a four-month audit of medication orders in relation to patient demographics, and developed a dispensary orientation handbook for pharmacists which has been adopted by other sites.’
And the next step for Amanda, apart from indulging in some much-loved Melbourne brunches – ‘I’m passionate about pharmacy and clinical education and want to work towards advanced practice.’
A minute with... Glenn Valoppi
Glenn Valoppi entered hospital pharmacy as a 20-year old intern and hasn’t looked back since.
After spending 15 years in public hospital pharmacy, Glenn followed his specialty passion when making the leap to private practice in 2014.
‘I got into infectious diseases through general and transplant surgery and was really excited to be given the chance to move into antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) at a private not-for-profit hospital.’
As a dedicated AMS pharmacist fighting against the very real threat of antibiotic resistance, Glenn notes it’s been a challenging 12 months for pharmacists.
‘While we’ve been good stewards and our messages are gaining traction in the community, the lack of availability of antibiotics – particularly intravenous and recommended first-line antibiotics – has made it hard for doctors and pharmacists to make the right choices for their patients.’
Beyond working to fight antibiotic resistance and recommend modified therapies, Glenn also commits his time to the SHPA Victorian Branch Committee, and to his family.
‘After 10 years I’m retiring from the branch committee this year, but I am really proud of the work we’ve done and what we’ve achieved, particularly on intern allocations – I think we’ve created a fair program that gives students the best chance to start their hospital pharmacy journey.’
While he’ll miss inputting into the committee, Glenn hopes he’ll gain more time to spend with his family and even squeeze in a bike ride or two down Melbourne’s best bike trails.
This week is World Antibiotic Awareness Week, visit NPS Medicinewise for more info
A minute with... Natalie Tasker
Natalie Tasker can’t wait to catch up with old friends and make new ones at Medicines Management 2017.
As Conference Committee Chair Natalie’s excited about this year’s scientific program - but says she’s nervous about missing out with so much on offer.
‘Rahul Singal’s presentation on increasing productivity will be particularly interesting as I think it will challenge us to question why we’ve always done things a certain way and how we can dial back on aspects of our work.’
As a big believer in girl power, Natalie is eager to hear from Emma McBride, Federal Member for Dobell and a leader in the profession, as she recounts her story of leadership and advocacy.
‘I also think Ian Whyte’s presentation on medicines and murder will be thrilling, especially for anyone who is a CSI or forensics lover – I can’t wait to hear it.’
'With 15 streams, keynotes, workshops, contributed papers, and posters, there's so many opportunities be inspired to do more at this year's event.'
Despite a busy workload in medication safety and paediatrics – and squeezing in a trip to California to celebrate her first wedding anniversary! – Natalie’s contribution to SHPA won’t stop once MM2017 wraps up.
‘I’ve been elected to the SHPA Specialty Practice Leadership Committee for Paediatrics and Neonatology and look forward to working with a group of inspiring professionals to make our hospitals a safer and better place for children to receive treatment.’
A minute with... Rohan Elliott
Rohan Elliott loves the diversity of roles in hospital pharmacy
‘Over the years I’ve had a chance to work in so many areas, ranging from dispensary and manufacturing, to drug information and ward pharmacy, not to mention across education and research – boredom is never a factor!’
‘Being able to work in multidisciplinary teams, contribute to decisions about patients' drug therapy, and enhance the appropriateness and safety of patient care has always been a big attraction to me.’
Rohan says actively contributing to numerous initiatives within his area of expertise including SHPA's Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research and Specialty Practice program has opened up new opportunities.
‘Being a part of SHPA's Geriatric Medicine stream has given me a chance to network with and learn from like-minded colleagues, contribute to advocacy and education work, and develop resources for pharmacists working in geriatric medicine.’
When he's not working or volunteering his skills, Rohan loves spending time with his kids or in the outdoors.
'You'll usually find me at my kids' basketball, gymnastics, tennis, or other activities – but if I get the chance I'll catch some live music, or escape the city for a bush walk or camping trip.’
A minute with... Karen Chin
Karen Chin says interacting with patients is why she loves hospital pharmacy.
‘My first placement was in a hospital pharmacy, and I was attracted to the work after seeing pharmacists involved in both patient interaction and clinical pharmacy.’
After working part-time in community pharmacy while at university, Karen decided hospital pharmacy was a better fit for her and she jumped at the chance to do an internship at Frankston Hospital.
‘Working in a public hospital really suits me – I enjoy working in a large team and being supported by my colleagues as we work together to achieve the best patient care.’
Always on the lookout for a challenge, Karen was keen to become one of the first residents at Frankston Hospital to participate in the SHPA Residency Program.
‘I really wanted to challenge myself and I knew that being part of a formalised, structured residency program meant I would be rotated to many different clinical areas, particularly general medicine and specialties like oncology.’
Karen says living close to the hospital on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is a blessing, as she avoids long commutes to work and can immerse herself in her work.
‘At the same time, this is why on weekends I’m keen on heading into the city to catch up with friends over a good cup of coffee!’
A minute with... Shirley Liang
Shirley Liang applied for a pharmacy technician role to ‘give it a go’ – two years later, she’s hitting her stride.
'I had no idea how varied and important the work is behind-the-scenes for hospital pharmacy technicians, overseeing sterile and chemotherapy manufacturing and working on hospital wards, as well as dispensing and distributing medications.’
Shirley says the opportunity to help conduct clinical trials is the most exciting and rewarding aspect of her job.
‘Located in a major tertiary hospital, our pharmacy department supports many trials of new medicines and therapies, and I take part in reviewing protocols, drug ordering and receipting, dispensing and taking returns – it’s almost a “mini-pharmacy” in itself!
‘It is an exciting feeling seeing a drug pass beyond Phase 3/4 trials and onto the PBS and knowing that you played a small role ensuring it was safe and effective for patients to use.’
Looking into the future, Shirley says she is looking forward to the possibility of broader roles for hospital pharmacy technicians.
‘It was great to see SHPA’s white paper on expanded technician practice and I think rolling out standard qualifications and realising roles where technicians have more responsibility will help ensure pharmacy departments everywhere are stronger and more productive.’
For now though, Shirley says her weeks are busy and satisfying at Royal North Shore Hospital – and an ideal weekend sees her relaxing with a nice meal with family and friends.
‘To be honest, it doesn’t matter where, as long as family or friends are there!’
A minute with... Nallini McCleery
Nallini McCleery never imagined hospital pharmacy could be so diverse.
'It’s just different to what you envisage at university.'
‘Working in a public hospital, in particular is very busy, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling and supportive – there is so much on-the-job guidance around pharmacy and clinical roles.’
After migrating from South Africa after high school and graduating from university in 2001, Nallini completed an internship and began her career working in community pharmacy.
‘I only contemplated hospital pharmacy when I travelled to the UK, and ended up working within the NHS for 5 years.’
After returning to Australia and making the leap to Senior Clinical Educator at Gold Coast University Hospital and Health Service, Nallini accepted the challenge of applying for the SHPA Residency Program.
‘The paperwork was extensive but really valuable, as it helped my department understand that we were already fulfilling a number of the practical elements required by the program. The program, itself, would help formalise our process.
‘Structuring our program has been a balancing act – it has to work for the department but also engage the residents – and having support and guidance from SHPA has been crucial.’
Nallini says she really enjoys being a program leader but admits it takes a community to raise a resident.
‘We have 10 residents and I would recommend this program to any early career hospital pharmacist!’
‘Constantly learning and sharing information is integral , which is why I’ll be heading to the Residency Symposium next week.'
A minute with... Michele Cree
Like all hospital pharmacists, multitasking is in Michele Cree’s blood.
As Pharmacist Lead for Critical Care at Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital (LCCH), Michele and her team cover a 36-bed paediatric intensive care unit that manages patients with congenital heart disease, oncology diagnosis who may require extra-corporal life support and/or continuous renal replacement therapies and anaesthetics providing unique insight into the specific pharmacy needs of young people in Queensland.
In addition, the unit cares for paediatric emergencies, with 200 presentations a day, and a dedicated cardiac ward. Michele says this broad coverage has allowed the team to lead improvement measures in Queensland, particularly around standard medicine concentrations.
‘Since 2008 we’ve moved away from individualised concentrations based on patient weight, as we know from research and practice that standardising is safer and more reliable, not to mention more efficient.
‘Australia lags behind Canada and the United States in this regard – where standardisation is a mandatory requirement – so we are enthusiastic about partnering with other hospitals in Victoria to work towards a better, national approach, which may eventually also be adopted in New Zealand.’
Michele says other advances at LCCH have fuelled collaborative efforts to improve patient care, especially at Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville and recently Mackay hospitals.
‘We were quite early in our adoption of a paperless workplace, in Paediatric ICU, for all our monitors and medicines administering, ordering and prescribing, so we have a long period to look back on and share learnings.
‘Our role as the main provider of paediatric hospital care in Queensland has also meant we can make valuable contributions to understanding pharmacists’ role in areas like advanced paediatric life support, and provide advice on how to better manage young people in adult hospital settings.
Michele says for improvements to have strong impact it is important to maintain connections and keep conversations active – such as through SHPA’s Specialty Practice.
‘The local and even statewide pharmacy scenes may be full of familiar faces, but it is fantastic to have nationwide streams to bring together diverse ideas and refine truly practice-defining advice and guidance on policy, education and advocacy.
‘Specialty Practice allows that and I’ll certainly be putting my hand up for a shot at Leadership Committees – not only to improve my own practice, but to see the advances we’ve made Queensland have an impact on the care of young people across the country.'
Alex Kusiak
Alex Kusiak describes herself as a city girl, but a ‘why not?’ attitude took her from Melbourne to Broken Hill after her internship.
‘The move really allowed my career to take shape and it’s been a great experience working to build a reinvigorated clinical pharmacy service, doubling the size of our small team and shaping the department in a way that best serves the community.
‘I’ve also enjoyed working closely with very talented technicians, who handle a broad range of important activities here – this has spurred my strong support for ongoing research into expanding technician roles across the board.’
Alex says her pathway to hospital pharmacy was not always clear
‘I must say I was pretty naïve heading into my degree, I thought hospital pharmacy was all about supplying medicines to a ward! But once placements came around and I discovered there was so much more, I was hooked.
‘The direct interactions with patients, influencing medicines regimes and changes and really being part of the decision-making process is so rewarding.’
Alex says the move from the Southern capital to the Silver City has seen challenges as well as successes.
‘On one hand there is rapid pace, such as guiding junior doctors – on rotation from Sydney – through steep learning curves over three month placements.
‘Then on the other there is the usual difficulties and constraints of time and resources being in regional facility and servicing remote areas.
‘You gain an entirely new perspective of what “timely access” to medicines means when you’re serving Outback communities, and all of sudden complex stock management and much earlier discharge planning becomes part of your core skill set!’
As for her next move, Alex says the future isn’t quite as clear as it once was.
‘I do picture myself moving back to a bigger city and focusing my attention on a pharmacy discipline, so it’s fantastic to see SHPA’s Specialty Practice Streams up and running this year!
‘That said, I’m not in a rush just yet. Broken Hill has a wonderful sense of community, and I’ve made great friends throughout the relocated workforce of nurses, teachers and other young professionals.
‘That’s the biggest reason I’ve stayed out here for a few years, and why I may do so for a few more.’
Kylee Hayward
Kylee Hayward has lived and breathed hospital pharmacy from both sides of the fence, on the ground in healthcare facilities in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia and, since 2013, as Lead Education Pharmacist at SHPA’s Federal Secretariat.
Kylee says the shifts in direction over her career can be traced back to a love of variety.
‘I always wanted to be a hospital pharmacist – my uncle was an anaesthetist, so from an early age I understood the challenges of hospital work.
‘This was certainly realised during my internship at a very progressive hospital in South Auckland, which served a population base with a high prevalence of complex and chronic diseases.’
After a stint in the UK (I was all over the place), in which she met her future husband at a Christmas party (among other things), Kylee settled in Australia and moved into clinical education before joining SHPA.
‘The step up from local level to a national view of healthcare is fascinating, and I feel lucky to be able to partner with members in every state and territory to help ensure every patient, Australia-wide, experiences the same excellent medicines management.
‘Ultimately my work is about the next generation and it’s a joy helping people develop as practitioners and spending time with people committed to helping other people grow.’
Above all, Kylee says interacting with SHPA members as they redefine pharmacy’s role in healthcare is the strongest source of inspiration and enjoyment in her work.
‘I love meeting members, getting to know them and what they’re doing – and not just the whizz bang stuff.
‘SHPA members are truly leading practice to influence change, and this doesn’t just build to a crescendo around conferences or publications, it happens day in and day out across the country.’
And as for her ideal Sunday, away from clinCATs, summits and CPD?
‘I’m sleeping in… and not taking my children to 7,000 activities!’
Jeanie Misko
Jeanie Misko thought she’d made her mind up to skip hospital pharmacy in her student days.
‘I told the Chief Pharmacist on my fourth year rotation that I hated hospital pharmacy and that I’d never be interested.
‘They told me “come back when you change your mind” and, after two years in community pharmacy, I missed the clinical challenges of the hospital setting… so they were right… I did come back’.
Jeanie says having clear goals and making the most of opportunities throughout her career have begun to pay dividends.
‘I always wanted to work at Fiona Stanley Hospital so I was really excited when an opportunity arose. At the moment I’m enjoying my involvement with smart infusion pumps that reduce dosage errors through a “Guardrails” program.
‘In the future I’d like to specialise further and open up broader medicines information services to the wider community, and look at improving smart infusion pump technology across the state.’
Beyond her busy days poring over medicines information and the latest pharmacy research, Jeanie says you can find her in literature of a different kind.
‘I run a book review blog – samstillreading.wordpress.com – so on a day off I’ll often be reading, writing, or both, preferably in a park on one of Perth’s many, many sunny days.
‘It keeps me busy and also in touch with the local book scene – I’m @samstillreading on Twitter and Instagram if you’re interested!’
Although she’s now happily furthering her career as Senior Pharmacist for Medicines Information, Jeanie says it was a brief exchange with West Australian footy royalty that sparked her pharmacy journey.
‘I’m a huge West Coast Eagles supporter and when I was 15 I met John Worsfold, who is a pharmacist, and basically made the decision to emulate him then and there.
‘I even told him on the spot so we both went bright red, hopefully he doesn’t remember!’
David Morton
An hour is all it took for David Morton to commit to entering the world of hospital pharmacy.
‘It’s still very vivid for me, in my third-year placement at the Austin Hospital I was thrown in the mix with some really highly motivated pharmacists running the student program and it just felt right.
‘I’d assumed I would end up in community pharmacy but the pace and the challenges of the hospital environment actually looked…fun.’
Following that moment, other turning points for David, who is currently the Director of Pharmacy at St John of God Bendigo Hospital, have been equally as spontaneous.
‘Five years ago I was a junior pharmacist in a team of 60 exceptional pharmacists. I wouldn’t have believed I’d be a hospital pharmacy manager today,’ he says.
‘My motto was, and still is, don’t predict too far in the future, enjoy what you’re doing at the time and if you do a good job opportunities will open up for you.’
Originally from Wangaratta, Victoria, David began his career at the Austin, then spent some time in Brisbane before his current role in Bendigo, a major centre in Victoria’s Goldfields region. He has thoroughly enjoyed all different settings.
‘What interests and drives me is in a city the size of Bendigo you can have a big impact on public health through influencing how pharmacy is managed, and this influence can have a wide-reaching impact on the community.’
‘For instance, we’ve completely changed our pharmacy provider model, setting a higher standard of clinical pharmacy services. This means country patients from central Victoria all the way up to the Murray, who access our service, can expect the same level of pharmaceutical care as metropolitan patients.
At the end of the day, David says his main motivation is found at home.
‘I’m a pretty new dad and my three-year-old and one-year-old keep me very busy.
‘My ideal Sunday usually involves a beer and the TV but these day’s it’s less likely to be the footy, and more likely to be ABC for Kids.’
Emma Bartlett
For Emma Bartlett, variety is the crucial ingredient in her pharmacy career.
‘Integrating research and managing different roles in my everyday work really appeals to me,’ she says.
‘Hospital pharmacy – particularly in regional and remote area – is the perfect environment for staying on top of the latest developments in medicines management.’
In her fourth year of university, Emma was placed in Port Augusta, at the head of South Australia’s Spencer Gulf, which she says opened many doors for broadening her expertise and experience.
‘As a regional city servicing a huge area of remote communities, being in P.A. has allowed me to work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service on outreach to Outback towns.
‘This involves monthly trips to supply medications, educate local nursing staff, engage with fly in / fly out clinicians to review inpatients and discuss new therapeutic guidelines.’
Emma remains in Port Augusta today and has begun pharmacy research aimed at improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
‘One opportunity I truly enjoyed was working closely with Pika Wiya Health Service to collect information for my internship project “Learning From Aboriginal Experiences Of Infection Management In a Regional Hospital.”
‘An area of focus for the service is improving the supply of and compliance with medicines and, in my intern year, I conducted a project looking at patients that self-discharge to follow and understand what factors affect their medicines use at home.’
When she’s not working Emma, who was born and raised in Keith in South Australia’s south east, is usually in the great outdoors, making the most of desert state’s dramatic landscape.
‘All around Port Augusta there is spectacular scenery – my pick of the bunch is Devil’s Peak near Quorn, where a reasonably difficult hike is rewarded with incredible views.’
Ashleigh Boatman
Ashleigh Boatman says it was seeing her education come alive that attracted her to hospital pharmacy.
‘At uni I loved learning all about bloods and disease processes and, in the hospital pharmacy setting, I could put this knowledge into practice much more easily.’
Hailing from Ararat in Victoria, today Ashleigh is the only oncology pharmacist on the wards at Dubbo Base Hospital, an environment that sees her closely integrated into multi-disciplinary teams at an exciting time for the region.
‘People travel to us from as far as Bourke and Cobar Lightning Ridge near the Queensland border, sometimes driving over four hours each way for one appointment, so we have great determination to improve access in the region, starting with a pilot RVAC (remote video assisted chemotherapy) clinic in Coonabarabran in April.
‘Serving such a large catchment area, we’re working to expand staff and clinical capacity with a 5-10 year goal that all patients can still receive pharmacy services outside Dubbo.’
After prepping for patient discharges and managing complex complementary cancer treatments, Ashleigh says she enjoys the lifestyle on the Western Plains.
‘Dubbo is a perfect fit – it’s large enough that it has everything I need, but small enough so there’s no congestion… I can always get a park!
‘It’s also incredibly easygoing. Lots of people are in the same situation as me, so it is very easy to meet people and make friends.’
Outside the working world, Ashleigh describes her ideal afternoon as in a sunny park reading a book under a tree, ‘although maybe not right now, because all I’m reading at the moment are my pharmacy journals!’