April 7, 2020
Group shot of PAM Student Volunteers

The month of March is a time where we celebrate the profession of pharmacy by participating in Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM). Each year, students at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy embrace the opportunity to promote the pharmacy practice through a number of events and community outreach initiatives. Although, Pharmacist Awareness Month was unable to be celebrated as planned, the determination of our students to promote the important role pharmacists play in our community never wavered.

PharmD students and PAM organizers Elaine Nguyen and Kristina Miclat reflect on this year’s Pharmacist Awareness Month, and how the actions displayed by front line pharmacy workers during COVID-19 is an inspiration to all pharmacy students. Both Elaine and Kristina shared their thoughts through posts on LinkedIn:

Portrait of PharmD student Elaine Nguyen

Elaine Nguyen

Class of 2T1,
CAPSI Senior Representative

Although Pharmacist Awareness Month has finally come to an end, awareness of our profession continues to be as strong as ever. 

These past two years, I have had the honour of spearheading the Pharmacist Awareness Month campaigns at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. This time of year, I am constantly inspired by the passion and commitment that is embodied by my fellow classmates as members of the pharmacy community. Whether it be organizing public outreach programs, creating advocacy kits, or hosting harm reduction workshops, UofT pharmacy students continue to demonstrate how proactive leadership and advocacy can propel positive changes for the future of our profession.

This March, we were not able to celebrate Pharmacist Awareness Month in the way that we had anticipated. However, the unexpected setbacks did not stop our students from seeking innovative ways to promote the integral role that pharmacists play in the healthcare system, and how community members can aid in the collective effort to overcome this pandemic. Ultimately, the spirit of Pharmacist Awareness Month never wavered, and I am incredibly proud of the actions that my fellow pharmacy students have taken to play their part in supporting our pharmacists during this difficult time. 

A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to making UofT’s Pharmacist Awareness Month a success. Most importantly, thank you to all the pharmacists who are setting a powerful example for pharmacy students every single day!

Portrait of PharmD student Kristina Miclat

Kristina Miclat

Class of 2T2,
CAPSI Junior Representative

Pharmacist Awareness Month 2020 was not what we were expecting, but the unified efforts of our pharmacy community managed to raise awareness about the profession in completely new ways.

This year I had the opportunity to lead the PAM Campaign at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. As a part of our efforts, UofT CAPSI members participated in community outreach initiatives at partnering pharmacies and schools. We were also able to celebrate at the PAM Kick-Off with our peers, Dean Lisa Dolovich, the Ontario Pharmacists Association, and the Ontario College of Pharmacists. We did not yet know that their inspiring message regarding the critical role of pharmacists as front-line health care practitioners would be proven more true than ever in the weeks ahead. 

While we were not able to celebrate PAM together in the way that we had planned, the actions of pharmacists through this pandemic has contributed to raising awareness about what our profession can do. In the end, this is what PAM is all about. Thank you to everyone who contributed to PAM 2020. Finally, thank you to the amazing pharmacists who are working hard to support their community at this difficult time.  

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