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NEWS
INTERN PHARMACIST OF THE YEAR
Robert Scarso was presented with the Victorian Intern Pharmacist of the Year Award at the annual Victorian Pharmacists Dinner for his work at Chemist Warehouse in Fairfield. This Award recognises intern pharmacists who show outstanding performance in their development and act as role models among Early Career Pharmacists.
Also, Valda Comber FPS received a certificate of appreciation for her service as a co-founder and executive of the Pharmacist Support Service Management Committee from its inception to 2016. Geelong-based pharmacist Greg Porte also received a certificate of appreciation for his tireless efforts in ensuring patient-focussed care by collaborating with other health professionals and pioneering new models of care. He operates the first Health Destination pharmacy in Victoria.
CAREFUL LISTENER RECOGNISED
Community pharmacist Beatrix Zielonka-Perry from McCrae on the Mornington Peninsula is the 2016 PSA Victorian Pharmacist Medal winner. Ms Zielonka-Perry’s award was presented at the annual Victorian Pharmacists Dinner on Friday 18 November.
PSA Victorian President Ben Marchant said Ms Zielonka-Perry received the Award for her passion, empathy and exceptional care for the local community, particularly in the area of mental health. ‘Beatrix is an accredited pharmacist with more than 30 years of community pharmacy experience. She has been proactive in the development of counselling in pharmacy,’ Mr Marchant said.
Ms Zielonka-Perry’s interest in counselling and mental health led her to complete a degree in psychology. She now owns and operates a pharmacy in McCrae on the Mornington Peninsula and is a leading advocate of pharmacist counselling.
‘Beatrix is passionate about pharmacists being out front talking to people.
She believes if pharmacists listen carefully and encourage patients to talk, sooner or later they will discover what is going on, and are well placed to offer help,’ Mr Marchant said. The Victorian Pharmacist Medal recognises the excellent contribution of pharmacists at the grass-roots level by improving the wellbeing of the general public. Through this Award, the Victorian State Committee seeks to tell the stories of many quiet achievers within the profession.
MARK DUNN A LIFETIME ACHIEVER
Pharmacy internet pioneer and former Australian Pharmacist columnist Mark Dunn FPS is the 2016 Tasmanian Pharmacy Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Mr Dunn was honoured – along with several
other Tasmanian pharmacists – at the Tasmanian Pharmacist Dinner at the Glen Albyn Estate in Hobart in November. Other winners included Tasmanian Pharmacist of the Year Susan Lee, from the Valley Road Pharmacy in Devonport, and Rebecca Wyatt who won the 2016 Early Career Pharmacist Award (posthumously nominated).
In a collaborative effort, PSA, the Pharmacy Guild
of Australia, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists Australia (SHPA) and University of Tasmania, Pharmacy Department worked together to host the third awards night and celebratory dinner.
PSA Tasmania President Dr Ella Van Tienen said that as the former owner of Australia’s southern-most pharmacy in Dover, Mark Dunn has experienced the professional isolation of a rural pharmacist. To help overcome the tyranny of distance, he embraced emerging technologies and established AusPharmList to support pharmacists.
REMUNERATION AND REFORM
ROADSHOW IN 2017
Pharmacists are invited to attend a nation-wide roadshow focusing on remuneration and reform issues in February and March 2017.
PSA’s Remuneration and Reform roadshow will cover all States and Territories and focus on a range of key pharmacy topics including the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation as well as new opportunities presented by reforms in Australia’s health system.
The roadshow will also highlight how PSA is advocating to create a brighter future and career opportunities for the whole professional – including Early Career Pharmacists - to support pharmacists working to their full scope of practice.
Events will be held in each State and Territory staring in Western Australia from February 13, 2017.
The roadshow is due to finish in Brisbane in early March.
Stay tuned for more details will be provided on www.psa.org.au
14 Australian Pharmacist January 2017 I ©Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.