This year we were challenged to cultivate our community in new and different ways; to rethink our connections to the physical spaces we cherish and the atmosphere that inspires our work. Our community shone through.   

Our alumni network continues to lead the way for new generations of pharmacists and new innovations in pharmaceutical sciences while providing the foundation for community post-graduation. Across our organization and beyond we continued to expand and deepen our focus on equity, diversity and inclusion as guiding forces for the education we deliver and the research we lead.

In June 2021 the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy established an EDI Working Group to develop a strategy and draft terms of reference for a standing committee that will be integrated into our governing Faculty Council. Co-lead by Professor Jillian Kohler and Lachmi Singh, Director, Education Programs and Administrative Services, the EDI Working Group will make recommendations on how to support a healthy and inclusive learning and work environment for everyone at the Faculty.

The recommendations will provide evidence-based guidance on how we can:

• Develop more EDI training opportunities for all members of our community to address issues of unconscious bias, mistreatment and implementation of EDI into practice.
• Further incorporate principles of EDI in our recruitment, retention, and career advancement practices with regards to faculty, staff and students.
• Ensure the makeup of our committees and decision-making bodies is inclusive and works to reflect the diversity of our department.
• Assure that our programs and curricula prepare our graduates to meet the needs of the diverse communities they will serve in their careers in Canada and around the world.
• Create a data strategy to collect, maintain and interpret data on EDI.
• Develop a mechanism/framework for feedback and complaints processes within the Faculty.

“The strategy will provide Dean Dolovich with recommendations on how to support EDI in key areas such as training and education, recruitment and career advancement, and governance,” said Jillian Kohler who is also Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Governance, Transparency and Accountability in the Pharmaceutical Sector. The EDI Working Group will finalize its recommendations by January 2022.

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A new fundraising initiative led by faculty and staff at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy established two awards to support Black and Indigenous students:

• The Undergraduate Award for Black and Indigenous Students will create a $25,000 endowment  and will support one or more Black or Indigenous undergraduate student(s) entering year 1 of the undergraduate pharmacy program who has the highest admission index.
• The Graduate Award for Black and Indigenous Students will create a $50,000 endowment and will be given on the basis of academic and research excellence. Financial need may also be considered.

Personal contributions to these awards made by faculty and staff have been matched by the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

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