Amy Page named PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year for 2015

A Melbourne pharmacist with a strong interest in deprescribing, the Quality Use of Medicines, geriatrics, pharmacy education and herbal medicines has been named the PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year for 2015 during a ceremony at PSA15 in Sydney today

Amy Page has received the award also in recognition of the unique balance of academic, clinical and policy development she brings to her work. Ms Page works in a GP clinic and is an accredited pharmacist who has completed a great many home medicines reviews.

She is completing her PhD on deprescribing, which at its core is about improving the quality of life of consumers who often don’t have a voice, such as elderly and those with dementia.

Ms Page said she was humbled to be the recipient of the 2015 PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year award.

“I am particularly grateful when looking at the exceptional pharmacists who are previous recipients of the award,” she said.

“This award is a celebration of the teams I work with. I’m lucky enough to have worked with passionate, strong teams: from the rural interdisciplinary team in Geraldton and the network of rural pharmacy academics, to the research team at University of Western Australia, and the primary health care team in Melbourne. I am privileged to work with amazing health care professionals who inspire me every day.

“The award also acknowledges the influence that other people have had on my career. In particular, my family are always supportive and encouraging. I have also been blessed to have amazing teachers and mentors from undergraduate studies through to my wonderful PhD supervisors.

National President of PSA, Joe Demarte, said Ms Page was well-known in academic pharmacy circles as a progressive young pharmacist whose opinions and insight into the profession were well beyond her years.

“She is a very driven pharmacist who strives to improve the health outcomes of elderly patients and other at-risk groups through a unique combination of direct clinical support through HMRs and pharmacy practice, but notably working in non-dispensing or non-traditional roles,” he said.

Brett Barons, General Manager Symbion, sponsors of the awards for the 11th consecutive year, said Ms Page was one of the few pharmacists in Australia to work in GP clinics providing medication advice to GPs at the time of prescribing and education on quality use of medicines.

“She is a wonderful example for all young pharmacists and for the profession as a whole,” Mr Barons said.

Media contact:   Peter Waterman
Public Affairs Director
0487 922 176

2013 Young Pharmacist of the Year, Katie Hayes

A commitment to the pharmacy profession and to ensuring pharmacists make a noticeable difference in the community has seen Tasmanian pharmacist Katie Hayes being named PSA’s Young Pharmacist of the Year for 2013.

Ms Hayes has demonstrated an intense commitment to seeing pharmacies transition from being traditional places of medication supply to destinations where customers are provided with a whole range of pharmacy experiences and as well as a broad scope of health solutions.

She practises what she preaches and has shifted the role of the pharmacist at the pharmacy she works in to include more interaction with customers.

Ms Hayes said the award recognised the influence that others have had in her career.

“I have a very supportive family who have encouraged me and have been extremely patient throughout my career,” she said.

“Without my wonderful staff at our community pharmacy in Risdon Vale, we could not have achieved half of what I had hoped.”

Patrick Davies, CEO of Symbion, sponsors of the awards for the ninth consecutive year, said Ms Hayes was one of the new generation of pharmacist leading changes and innovation.

“These young pharmacists are our future and Katie stands out amongst them for her forward-thinking, her commitment and her willingness to put into action what she believes will improve the profession and the experience for her customers.

“She is helping to shape the pharmacy of the future, a pharmacy which will be able to grow and remain viable in the face of changes to health systems and economic fluctuations.”

2010 Young Pharmacist of the Year: Vivienne Mak

South Australian pharmacist Vivienne Mak graduated in 2006 and worked as a full-time community pharmacist before returning to the University of South Australia in 2009 to complete her PhD, focusing on pharmacy practice.

She was awarded the Australian Postgraduate Award and Sansom Pharmacy Fund Research Scholarship to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy.

‘I am passionate about the future of the pharmacy profession and have an immense interest in improving the direction of pharmacy and the way pharmacists practice. This has sparked my interest to pursue a career in research to promote re-professionalisation,’ she said.

‘With the current changes in the health system and within the pharmacy profession, it is an exciting time as a young pharmacist to be a part of the pharmacy profession.’

She actively contributes to the pharmacy profession as a council member of PSA South Australia Branch and as chair of PSA’s SA Early Career Pharmacist Working Group.

‘I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive this award. It provides a unique opportunity for me to reach for a higher level of professionalism and innovation within the pharmacy profession. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the profession and to pursue research excellence.’