Class of 8T8 honours classmate Ian Walker by establishing named award at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

In July of 2021, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy lost a valued member of the alumni community, Ian Walker.

A proud member of the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Class of 8T8, Ian was a treasured classmate, loyal friend, respected colleague and dedicated pharmacist for 32 years. He demonstrated an unwavering commitment towards patient care through his compassion, understanding, and respect for his patients.

Dedicating himself as a patient advocate, Ian always went above and beyond, giving his time and attention to ensure all aspects of his patient's needs were met.

To honour Ian’s memory and celebrate his legacy and passion for Pharmacy, the Class of 8T8 decided to create a new scholarship to support undergraduate students in financial need.

Led by a fundraising committee of Michelle Cain, Ralph Wierzba, Paula Newman, Mary Chan, Sheila Diviesti, Donnie Edwards and Martha Fabello, the Class of 8T8 set out to raise $25,000 to establish The Ian Walker Award for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care.

And within the first few days of their fundraising effort, the class raised an incredible 60% of their goal.

Inspiring pharmacists of the future

When asked about the impact they hope the award will have, the committee said “Patient centered care was Ian’s highest priority. He always made time to listen and acknowledge the concerns of his patients thoughtfully when supporting their health care needs. We hope that this award will inspire young pharmacists to keep their patients as the focus of their practice every day, just as Ian did.”

Once established, the new endowed scholarship will support fourth year undergraduate students at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, who demonstrate a high level of dedication and commitment towards patient-centred care in a community practice setting.

“Ian’s easy-going personality made everyone feel at ease and warm up to him quickly. One can never know who needs to hear a compassionate voice on a particular day, so remember to show your best professional self every day,” committee member Mary Chan said.

The award is only $10,185 away from completion and the group looks forward to continuing their fundraising efforts and achieving their goal.

Once established, The Ian Walker Award for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care will have an indelible impact on generations of students and the pharmacy profession. The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy is proud to honour Ian’s legacy and congratulates the Class of 8T8 for this amazing initiative.

Pay tribute to Ian's memory by donating to this new scholarship and support deserving students:

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