Class Notes
Have you decided to pursue graduate studies, taken on a new job, got married, started a family? We want to hear from you! Update us and your fellow alumni on your personal and professional achievements since graduating from the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.
Tiana Tilli
1T7 PharmD
Tiana Tilli published her first article in BMJ Open Quality on the role of pharmacists leading opioid stewardship interventions. Tiana recently accepted the position of Director of Pharmacy Innovation and Professional Affairs at Wholehealth Pharmacy Partners. Although races have been cancelled, she continues to train for her first half marathon. Tiana is excited to have purchased her first home! After moving to Toronto for pharmacy school, she’s both surprised and happy to call the city home.
Nisha Gajaria
1T9 PharmD
Shortly after she graduated, Nisha became a pharmacist at the Transplant Outpatient Pharmacy (TOP) at Toronto General Hospital. It’s funny how things come full circle-her first job after she graduated from my undergraduate degree was also a job in the Outpatient Pharmacy Department at Toronto General! In addition to her role at TOP, she enjoys working casual shifts in community pharmacy and participating in the IPG Program as a Clinical Instructor.
Judith (Judy) Y. Mitchell, née Barth
6T1 BScPhm
In 1963, Judy moved to British Columbia and began an off-again on-again career there by moving back and forth to Ontario a couple of times. “Lucky me got to rewrite provincial jurisprudence exams 4 times!” Judy’s two sons were born in B.C., Cameron is a lawyer in Kitchener and Andrew owns a communications company in Lausanne, Switzerland. Cam has two fantastic daughters that Judy adores. She has traveled to Switzerland a few times and loves it there. It turns out her ancestors came from Bern, Switzerland, in the 17th century!
Judy managed 3 clinic pharmacies and was staff pharmacist at several more, (she moved a lot). Her last job before retiring was in Belleville. Judy’s next move was to the local golf course where she happily played for many years, notably with a hole in one in 2010. Gale MacKinnon (aka Gorp) claims he doesn’t remember them dating in 1962, but does remember their wedding date of January 2, 2020. Judy and Gale are still golfing weekly and walk every day to keep in shape.
In Memoriam: Nelson John Joseph Strader
5T0 BScPhm
After graduating from the Faculty of Pharmacy in 1950, Nelson owned and operated Wexford Heights Pharmacy in Scarborough for 36 years. He contributed his time and expertise to several organizations including: The Ontario College of Pharmacist Council, serving a term as President; the Board of Directors of the Drug Trading Company; Chairman of the Board of the Brotherhood Foundation involved in life-lease and accommodation for seniors; Chairman of the Board of The Wexford Residents Inc. which owns and manages both a seniors residence and a long-term care facility. He was also the pharmacist representative in a Drug Abuse Program developed and sponsored by IDA Drug Education and The Council on Drug Abuse. On June 28, 2020, Nelson died peacefully in Guelph, Ontario. He leaves behind his loving wife, Jean Pauline, of 70 years, along with his children Sheryl Teed Callum, Brian, and grandson, Jason. To those who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him, Nelson will always be remembered as a brilliant man and a true pharmacist.
James (Jim) Snowdon
7T0 BScPhm, Toronto
0T8 PharmD, Creighton
After 48 years in the same shop, Jim took his shingles down and sold Snowdon Pharmacy. In addition to curating pharmacy artifacts at the Faculty, he is now delightfully busy visiting grandchildren in BC, making fancy wooden toy trucks, and cooking up a storm in the kitchen. And he is loving this next chapter in his life.
Constance (Connie) Sellors
7T1 BScPhm
Connie was born in 1947 and raised in Forest, Ontario. After 3 years at University of Western Ontario in Honours Physiology, she transferred into second year Pharmacy at U of T in 1968. Connie enjoyed her over 40 years in community and hospital pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy as TA and Applicant Interviewer, OCP Assessor and Committee Member, OPA Conference Planner and Council Member, and as researcher to develop patient assessment materials and integrate pharmacists into primary care. Connie holds a CPhA Centennial Pharmacist Award for her contributions to the profession over the last 100 years. She was married for over 40 years to Dr. John who died in 2011. She has two sons, Chris and Joe.
Hugh Gale MacKinnon
6T1 BScPhm
Gale is happily retired after 42 years at MacKinnon Guardian Drugs, Niagara Falls. He enjoyed many years on OPA Council, and was President in 1983. Gale has enjoyed sailing his sloop on Lake Ontario and on larger vessels from Manitoulin Island, Caribbean, and Mediterranean Seas. He still enjoys regular golf and curling.
Gale’s wife Joan died of cancer in 2012. He has a son in a Niagara group home and a daughter with two grandchildren in Halifax. His golf buddy and classmate Judy Barth joined him in 2015 and they married in 2020. Gale has enjoyed daily FaceTime sessions and some golf games with fellow 6T1 classmate, Morley Weinberg, during the pandemic.
Anne Milochik
7T1 BScPhm
After graduating in pharmacy in 1971, Anne worked in hospital pharmacy in Barrie and Toronto. She completed a Masters in Pharmacology from University of Alberta in 1978. The majority of her career afterwards was in the pharmaceutical industry in scientific and professional services, regulatory affairs, corporate affairs, then project management in new product development, supply chain management, capital remediation, and technology transfer. Anne worked at Searle, Bayer, ApoPharma, CIBA Vision, Novartis Consumer Products, and Taro. She received her Management Development Certificate from York University and Project Management Professional Certification from the Project Management Institute. Anne volunteers at the Faculty as an interviewer for MMIs and a mentor to students interested in careers in the pharmaceutical industry.
Anne married Stephen Potocny, an Engineer and Management Accountant, and lives in Mississauga. She volunteers at the Mississauga Food Bank, Pathways Community Programs, and Mississauga Symphony Orchestra (currently Board President).
In Memoriam: Gordon Chalmers Johnston
6T2 BScPhm
Notice from McConnell Funeral Home: Gordon passed away peacefully, at Moira Place Long-Term Care Facility, Tweed, on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in his 83rd year. Son of the late Charles and Katharine Johnston. Husband of Elaine Johnston. Loving father of Jennifer Johnston (Michael Griffiths), Kristin (Derek) Potts and Katie (Andy) Hunt. Dear Poppa to Lexie, Liam, Jamie, Will, Mykelti, Cameron and Bella. Brother of Elizabeth Fraser, Charles (Sharon) Johnston and the late Marilyn Johnston. Gordon’s passion for so many years was supporting his community of Madoc and area. He proudly served Madoc and area as a pharmacist and entrepreneur for more than 50 years. He drew joy from cottage life, horse ownership and his family home. Gordon will be remembered for his kindness and incredible generosity, his wonderful smile, dry sense of humour and, of course, his adoration for his family and friends.
Phillip Kim
1T7 PharmD
Phillip is currently working as a staff pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart in East York. Since graduating, he has had quite a few life events. He traveled outside of North America for the first time (to Hong Kong and Bali). He got engaged and married to his beautiful wife Nancy. He helps coordinate and host the yearly Young Alumni Event with a committee of fellow graduates and amazing alumni coordinators. He and his wife started a health consulting business (Holistic Pharmacy and Nutrition). These past few years have been very exciting and he's looking forward to catching up with colleagues and hear about all the amazing accomplishments they have done and what plans they have for their future.
Linda Sparrow, née Weryho and Mac Sparrow
7T0 BScPhm
Linda and Mac retired from pharmacy practice in January 2012 when Dell Pharmacy, the company for which they both worked, was sold to Rexall.
Since then, they have pursued their love of travel by visiting places such as Antarctica, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, and India. They are looking forward to their trips to Croatia and Egypt in 2022.
Linda and Mac both golf three or four times a week and extend their golf season by going to Arizona for 2 to 3 months after Christmas. In addition to fitness classes, they have started hiking along the Bruce Trail and hope to cover as much as possible of the 600 kilometres over the next several years while they are still physically able. They have four super grandchildren, two boys and two girls, who they see quite often since they are within an hour drive.
In December 2019, they sold their house of 48 years and moved into into a brand new condo building in downtown Burlington in July 2020. They love it. Life is good!
Celso A. Teixeira
7T1 BScPhm, Toronto
7T5 M.H.S.A, Alberta (U of A)
- Completed hospital residency in London, Ont. winning 1974 Sandoz Award - best residency project in Canada
- Among first pharmacists to open University Hospital (’72) in London - established first hospital-wide IV admixture service in Canada
- Completed Masters in Health Services Administration - University of Alberta in 1975
- ’76-’86, Director of Community Health Services in Saskatchewan Ministry, managed provincial primary care services
- ’87-’98, CEO of Health Council in northwestern Ontario - restructured hospital & health services
- ’99-’03, Director of Strategic/Business Planning - Alberta Ministry of Health
- ’04-’09, Director of Health Planning - Fraser Health Authority in B.C.
- ’09-’14, Consultant - perinatal services in B.C.
- Coached >350 youth in basketball or soccer over 25 years in Regina/Thunder Bay/Edmonton
- Married - 2 kids and 3 grandkids
In Memoriam: Ian Walker
8T8 BScPhm
Notice from legacy.com: It is with great sadness we share the sudden passing of Ian Spencer Walker (Toronto), at the family cottage on Sparrow Lake, near Gravenhurst on July 29, 2021. Ian, 56, was predeceased by his brother, Nigel, and mother, Anne. He is survived by his wife, Lisa and their three, children: Owen, Ariel, and Emma; Ian's father, Jeffrey; brother, Andrew (Anthony), and brother-in-law, Stephen (Leighanne), as well as extended family in England.