The 2020-21 academic year was a time marked by significant shifts in how we teach and learn at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

I was honored to accept the role of Associate Dean Academic and to assist our planning as we pivoted to a predominantly virtual learning environment. Our faculty and staff collaborated to ensure students and learners received the best possible experience. Through the many challenges we faced, we found opportunities for innovation and growth, ones we will continue to leverage in the years to come.

We also found new depths of resilience and inspiration whether as essential frontline workers, educators, researchers and trainees, or the administrative staff that support our programs and education delivery.  We welcomed Assistant Professor Natalie Crown as our new Director of the Doctor of Pharmacy program and announced Associate Professor Carolyn Cummins as the new Director of the Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate program.

Although the pandemic disrupted our usual educational delivery, our community rose to the challenges and supported each other in the provision of high quality learning experiences.

It was truly a collective effort that I am grateful to have been a part of.

Jamie Kellar
Associate Dean Academic
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Toronto

In just seven months, Natalie Crown, Director of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program, and other faculty members trained over 600 PharmD students to contribute to Ontario’s vaccination efforts over the fall and winter, including how to prepare and administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Getting vaccines into arms requires training not only on how to give the vaccine safely but also to support the patient receiving the vaccine.  “We enhanced our typical injection training to include more content and skills building to engage with patients around issues and concerns related to vaccination,” said Crown. “We developed a new assignment, video content, and role playing through certain challenging scenarios.” Crown worked with Clinical Sessional Lecturer Jennifer Cheng, a pediatric nurse, to enhance and deliver the training, and Professor Anna Taddio and to develop the new content related to building vaccine trust. The program also offered the training earlier in the term to help meet demand for pharmacists in the province’s vaccination effort and many students leapt at the opportunity. “I’ve had some students say they’ve personally delivered over 1,000 vaccines,” said Crown. 

Many of our faculty and alumni pursue careers with global impact. To support current students in this path, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy announced a new Certificate in Global Studies in Pharmacy last year. Several third year PharmD students are pursing the Certificate with rotation experiences in Ghana, the United States, and with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Why did you choose the Certificate in Global Studies in Pharmacy?

“I think our goal as pharmacists, and healthcare providers in general, are to help others and reduce suffering in the world.  I chose this rotation because I wanted to learn more about Gulu culture and pharmacy practices, as well as make a positive impact.”

- Jonathan Ko, rotation with St. Mary's Hospital Lacor, located in Gulu, Uganda

“I have always been an avid traveller and as I started travelling further, I began to notice disparities in healthcare systems between countries. This awareness made me want to explore the intersection of pharmacy and global health, and thus pursue a Global U Certificate.”

- Peter Pham, rotation with Canadian Armed Forces

“I chose this rotation because I thought that participating in an international rotation would give me a unique perspective on how pharmacy is approached and conducted in other countries. While the rotation is remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I do believe I have learned more about practice in the US during this rotation than I possibly could have in domestic rotations or on my own.”

- Samuel Kinahan, rotation with University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy