Pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences are constantly evolving, but the Faculty’s academic transformation over the last year is truly remarkable. Three key achievements include the Faculty’s successful accreditation outcome, ongoing curriculum review and renewal, and the Education Contingency Planning response to COVID-19.

The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) awarded the PharmD program accreditation status for six years, one of the best outcomes for a program of its kind. The PharmD for Pharmacists Program accreditation status was extended until 2024 and the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Specialist Program accreditation status was conditionally approved by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.

These positive accreditation outcomes aligned with the Faculty’s first major curriculum review, which included ongoing assessment and educational outcomes review, and professional program enhancement. To support this work, the Faculty introduced a new course reporting mechanism to enhance the program evaluation framework.

The Education Contingency Planning response brought members of our community together to maintain educational delivery during a challenging time. Academic leaders and the Office of Experiential Education worked closely with pharmacy partners, U of T’s Council of Health Sciences, the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network, and peer institutions, to safely and cohesively pause and then restart student experiential learning.

This included faculty members working with other health disciplines to contribute to and successfully launch COVID Curriculum common to all health disciplines across U of T, as well as a pharmacy-specific module for our students and preceptors.

To prepare for experiential learning and fall courses, members of the Education Office provided educational technology and resources, launched an educational continuity hub, hosted faculty and staff training workshops, and created an E-PReP series for preceptors.

Together, we ensured continuity of the student experience and co-created innovative learning opportunities during the pandemic while ensuring students graduated or remained on track to graduate on time.

Sincerely,

Sandra Bjelajac Mejia
Interim Director, Professional Programs;
Academic Lead, Education Office;
Academic Lead,
Office of Experiential Education

Lachmi Singh
Director and Administrative Lead
Education Office