School of Pharmacy

Graduates, families, friends and School of Pharmacy faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the class of 2013 on May 31 at Glendenning Golf Course. Hosted and organized by the graduating class, the evening included the presentation of a number of awards and the unveiling of the class tile.

"This is always a special event,” said Dr. Linda Hensman, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “For me, it’s particularly significant because it’s the last one that I’ll preside over as dean. I’m extremely proud of this group and all those students who have preceded them. It has been a privilege to have played a role in the growth and progress of so many wonderful young professionals.”

The announcement of the student awards was accompanied by a recognition of those named to the Dean’s List and those who received the Dean’s Award of Academic Excellence, the latter a designation for those who made the Dean’s list in all four years of the program. The faculty award presented at the event was the School of Pharmacy Excellence in Teaching Award. Since 1990, it has been a tradition for members of the graduating class to vote for their choice as the top teacher. This year the award was extended to Dr. Leslie Phillips, marking the eighth time she has received the honour since joining the School of Pharmacy in 1994.

“It’s wonderful to be honoured with this award,” said Dr. Phillips. “I feel validated because I always wanted to be a teacher, not a pharmacist, and I do put my heart and soul into teaching. Winning the award is affirmation that I must be at least pretty good at it and I think it’s human nature to want to succeed at doing something you love. If a student can take something they’ve learned in my class and then use it to make a positive impact on the life of a patient, then I’ve already received my reward. There’s nothing more fulfilling than that.”

A member of the class of 2013 and treasurer of the graduation committee, Maggie Cole delivered a toast to faculty at the event. She was also the recipient of three different awards among some very stiff competition.

“It feels great to be finally finished my degree,” she said. “When I started I remember thinking that the four years was such a long time, but looking back the time has actually flown by. I'm going to miss a lot about the School of Pharmacy, especially the close friends I’ve made, but I’m ready to take the next step and start my career.”

The complete list of student recipients and awards presented at the graduation event includes:

The Pfizer Award of Excellence - Maggie Cole
The CSHP Clinical Excellence Award - Aaron Siller
School of Pharmacy Clinical Awards - Kristin Armstrong, Samantha Kent, Robbie McCarthy, Sarah Way
The Natural Standard Research Collaboration Award - Natalie Holden
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Recognition Award - Tyler Parrill
The Glaxo-Harlow Awards in Clinical Pharmacy - Maggie Cole, Samantha Kent
The James J. O’Mara Award - Robbie McCarthy
The CAPSI/Pfizer – Guy Genest Passion for Pharmacy Award - Deidre Clark
The Dr. L.R. Hensman Prize - Maggie Cole
Dean’s List - Joshua Bragg, Alyssa Hewitt, Tyler Parrill, Robbie McCarthy
School of Pharmacy Dean’s Award of Academic Excellence - Joshua Bragg, Robbie McCarthy
School of Pharmacy Teaching Excellence Award - Dr. Leslie Phillips