Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a licensed pharmacist in Canada and hold two positions. I work full-time as a pharmacy OSCE instructor and curriculum developer for an education company. Additionally, I work as a part-time staff pharmacist in the community setting.

I have a passion for teaching and helping pharmacy graduates get licensure in Canada. Therefore, I mentor graduates and have had the pleasure to be a multiple time guest speaker at the Canadian Pharmacists Association’s IPG programme.

Why did you choose to study at Strathclyde?

I chose to study at Strathclyde for a couple of reasons. Initially, I was considering universities in England. A close friend was studying veterinary medicine at Univeristy of Glasgow during this time and brought Scotland and Strathclyde to my attention.

Having someone close that I knew in a new country was a large factor. The second is that, in Canada, one cannot apply to pharmacy school directly after highschool. Therefore, I chose to apply to Strathclyde because it was faster to obtain the degree than in Canada. Additionally, I was familiar with the high standards that Strathclyde had for their program which influenced my decision.

What do you like most about your course?

I really appreciated the approach and structure the programme had. We started off by learning fundamentals such as physiology and the pathophysiology of minor ailments. Then, as the years progressed, new information was learned and the complexity of conditions increased.

What did you get out of it?

I had an advisor who was one of my professors, Dr. Marie Boyd, she had and has a wealth of knowledge. She was able to identify areas of me, academically, that I wasn't aware of. She provided me great insight and guidance to me throughout the years.

I also developed a range of skills during my schooling. Some of the skills I learned was the ability to speak publicly to large groups of people and the confidence to be a pharmacist. I also gained valuable memories and friendships.

What did you do after graduation?

After graduation, I returned back to Canada and started on the licensure process. I had to take three board exams and then did a short internship in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After becoming licensed, I worked as a relief community pharmacist before becoming settling into my current positions.

What would you say to anyone considering coming to study at Strathclyde?

Strathclyde provides a range of experiences and opportunities that I believe will create a fulfilling university experience, regardless of program. The pharmacy program, whilst not easy, truly prepared me to be a pharmacist, regardless of practice location. I had a fantastic experience at Strathclyde and very proud to be a “Strathy”!