Student Associations Welcome Class of 2T4 during Orientation Week

Photo 1: Henry Cheung, Christine Tan, Fiona Lui, Hanwen Lu, Aileen Liu, Perry Wyslobicky and Runyang Yin and 2T3 students from last year's Class Council.
Photo 2: Jasmine Carter, PSGSA Council 2019-2020 President
Photo 3: PharmD 2T4 Class Photo

From a virtual club fair to physically distanced picnics, incoming students of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy’s Class of 2T4 received a warm welcome from their peers during Orientation Week 2020.

“We are proud to say we had an amazing turnout for opening ceremonies with more than 200 views and great participation in Discord, icebreakers and livestreaming platforms throughout the week,” said Christine Tan and Chelsea Alder, second-year PharmD students and Phrosh 2020 Co-Chairs.

Last week, the PharmD Phrosh Planning Committee in collaboration with the Faculty’s Undergraduate Pharmacy Society (UPS) hosted five days of mostly virtual with some in-person activities to welcome first year students to the program. The UPS is a student-run organization that links all four classes together with faculty and staff to enhance the educational experience at the Faculty through social, athletic, and professional activities.

A variety of social activities took place, including a hobbies night, games day, clubs fair, coffeehouse and a “Big Sibs,” session, which featured virtual one-on-one meetings between first-year and upper-year students. UPS in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) also hosted physically distanced picnics in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Waterloo, Windsor and other major cities for 2T4 students entering the PharmD program.

Watch the 2T4 class Welcome Video filmed and produced by the 2T3 Class Council.

Master’s and PhD students beginning their PharmSci programs in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences also enjoyed a variety of orientation activities planned by the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Student Association (PSGSA). The PSGSA is a student-run organization that builds community among graduate students by organizing networking opportunities, themed social events, workshops, presentation seminars, sporting events and more.

“The PSGSA benefits graduate students as it provides unique opportunities to network with other students. As a result, the graduate student learning experience may be improved and leadership skills better developed,” said Jasmine Carter, a second-year PhD student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and President of the 2019-2020 PSGSA Council.

One thing that was clear throughout orientation week was a shared vision among many incoming students to make difference in the lives of patients and society broadly. Some students indicated a desire to act as a bridge between health professionals while others commented on how they want to connect one-on-one with patients in the community.

The Faculty is thrilled to welcome the Class of 2T4 to the Pharmacy Phamily!