Young Alumni Profile: Alex Mok

Since graduating with his Class of 1T8 in June 2018, Alex Mok has started working as a Compliance Specialist at Sanofi Canada, where he liaises with internal and external partners to drive accountability across Sanofi Canada.

He has had the opportunity to lead and support various special projects that streamline medical operations and reconfigure business processes. He is also involved in developing materials that communicate disease management concepts and results from scientific literature to support the medical team.

As a student at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, Alex was involved in extracurricular activities to enhance student life for his fellow pharmacy students including being on the Phrosh Week Planning Committee, serving as Class President and  Vice-President of the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society (UPS)

Alex continues to be involved with the Faculty as a Co-Class President for Life for the Class of 1T8 and as a Young Alumni Committee member.

What’s the biggest surprise you’ve encountered about professional pharmacy life?

The biggest surprise I’ve encountered about professional life is the realization that I am applying my pharmaceutical knowledge to real-life situations that impact patients. Learning in pharmacy school follows a structured approach, whereas my current role challenges me to think critically in supporting evolving organizational priorities.

What professional lessons that you learned at the Faculty have already come in handy since working? 

As pharmacists we’re trained to listen to patients and support their concerns through motivational interviewing. The ability to listen and communicate transparently with others has been one of the best lessons I learned from my time at the Faculty. In my role, I’ve found it highly important to be an assertive listener—someone that is aware of when to listen and when to communicate ideas as necessary.

Which room/spot at the Faculty do you miss most?

Definitely the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society (UPS) meeting room in B1. I’ve had many memorable experiences there with fellow classmates over the years —from event preparation and planning to the not so glamourous cleaning of BBQ equipment. For me the UPS room is where my pharmacy degree began and where it ended, so I’ll always have a connection with that room.

What is one of your most memorable experiences during your pharmacy degree?

The most memorable experience during my pharmacy degree was the UPS Awards Ceremony in 2017. Each year the UPS Vice-President is tasked with the organization of a reception that welcomes +250 attendees, including award recipients and their family members. Undertaking this during my term was one of the most challenging things I had to plan logistics-wise. However, by the end of the reception my team had honoured me with an inaugural Vice-President’s Award, and it was certainly unexpected. I was very humbled and grateful for the appreciation I received from my team. Reflecting back, I’m very proud of our accomplishments that year on the 2016-2017 UPS Council and the memories we shared.

What motivates you to continue to stay connected with your alma mater?

What motivates me the most is maintaining long-lasting connections with my classmates and discovering new initiatives that engage and bring together alumni. I also enjoy having the opportunity to network with future generations of pharmacists at various Faculty events. One of my goals is to take on a student so that I can share my experiences and provide guidance for their career journey.

Calling all Class Presidents: Are you a Class President for your Class? 

Connect with us at alumni.pharmacy@utoronto.ca or 416-946-5554 to learn more about alumni opportunities for you and your class.