CAPT 2026 Pharmacy Technician of the Year inspires students and colleagues

Amy Tamminga, the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians’ (CAPT) 2026 Pharmacy Technician of the Year, is not only a part-time instructor in the pharmacy technician and assistant programs at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., but she also works casually at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital and supports Shoppers Drug Mart—where she discovered her love for pharmacy—during its flu vaccine season.More recently, she became an injection assessor for the Ontario Pharmacists Association, helping certify students to administer injections once they're registered. And two months ago, she added a new entry to her resume: mother. After giving birth to a baby boy, she is currently on maternity leave, doing “a completely new kind of work that I’ve really enjoyed.” When she returns to the workforce in the fall of 2027, she says she will decide “how many jobs I will have at one time; or, if I keep all of them, how I can manage them better.” Tamminga’s introduction to the profession began when a pharmacy assistant in the St. Catharines' Shoppers Drug Mart where she was employed encouraged her to try working in the dispensary. “After my first shift, I was hooked,” she says. “I loved how much there was to learn and how pharmacy professionals genuinely help patients, whether it's through medications, education, or understanding coverage and costs. The more I learned, the more I wanted to do.” So when her husband’s job brought the couple closer to London, Ont., Tamminga enrolled in the pharmacy assistant program at Fanshawe College, returning subsequently to take the pharmacy technician program. “I realized I wanted to become a pharmacy technician because it would allow me to take on more responsibility and open doors beyond community pharmacy,” she explains. “While still in the program, I was given an opportunity to work as a technologist at Fanshawe, which later led to an instructor position.” She became regulated in 2023.Tamminga continues to work in community and hospital pharmacy, as it allows her to stay on top of new developments in the profession. “As an instructor, one challenge is keeping course material current because pharmacy is always evolving,” she says.As one CAPT award nominator noted, “Amy continues to work to full scope in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. She also contributes to community health and professional development through immunization services and training activities, sharing her expertise with other pharmacy professionals.”“Amy has demonstrated exceptional dedication to pharmacy practice, education, and professional advancement,” noted another nominator. “As both an educator and practicing registered pharmacy technician, she consistently inspires students and colleagues through her professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence.”Tamminga found out she had won the CAPT award on the same day her newborn son was discharged from the NICU. “It was a day filled with emotions, and I'm incredibly grateful and honoured to have received the award.”CAPT board members explain that nominees were evaluated using CAPT's Pharmacy Technician of the Year scoring rubric, which assesses candidates across four key domains: Professional Excellence, Patient & Community Impact, Teamwork & Leadership, and Professional Collaboration. Tamminga earned “an exceptional score,” said the board spokesperson. “Her achievements reflect a career dedicated not only to serving patients, but also to advancing the pharmacy technician profession through education, advocacy, and lifelong learning.”Tamminga’s commitment to lifelong learning is evidenced by her decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Athabasca University focused on adult education and computer science. “As an instructor, one of my favourite things is creating hands-on learning activities and simulations for my students, and I’d like to continue building those skills and finding new ways to make learning engaging and realistic.”While she believes the profession is moving in the right direction, “especially in community pharmacy,” there is still room for growth. “I'm looking forward to seeing how pharmacy technicians can take the lead for more immunizations now that we can administer Schedule III vaccines,” she says. “I also think technicians could play a larger role in areas like collecting patient information for minor ailment assessments and supporting workflow so pharmacists can focus on clinical decision-making.” Whatever career path her students follow, she urges them to “keep an open mind.” After all, “there are so many opportunities in pharmacy that many students don’t even realize exist. When I started school, I thought hospital pharmacy was my goal. Now I'm an instructor, while still maintaining connections to both hospital and community practice. You never know where your career might take you, so be open to new experiences."

CAPT 2026 Pharmacy Technician of the Year inspires students and colleagues

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