Check out the winner of our Rising Star Award: Sydney Morin
Sydney Morin is a clinical pharmacist in Montfort Hospital’s cardiology unit, and assistant professor in the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She is also the founder and executive director of the RxEducator Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health literacy among vulnerable populations through community-based outreach.
Why she won
Morin has demonstrated exceptional leadership early in her career by creating and delivering pharmacy-led education programs that address gaps in health literacy among at-risk communities. Through the RxEducator Initiative, she works closely with Ottawa Public Health, newcomer health organizations, and community resource centres to deliver tailored outreach sessions that help patients better understand medications, access pharmacy services, and advocate for their health. This initiative has greatly contributed to improved health literacy in vulnerable populations and has impacted the community at large.
At the university, Morin plays a central role in curriculum development, teaching, and student recruitment, while also fostering collaboration among faculty through the Pharmacy Pedagogy Team she founded. She is an associate clinician with five university pharmacy programs and precepts pharmacy students on the hospital’s inpatient cardiology ward. In clinical practice, she is active in institution-wide efforts spanning antimicrobial stewardship, medication safety, and patient education—bringing an evidence-based lens to every aspect of care.
What her nominator said
“Sydney Morin has distinguished herself by her remarkable and groundbreaking achievements within her first years of practice."
Morin’s focus on advancing pharmacy practice through education, research and community engagement are all hallmarks of a Rising Star in the profession.
We asked Sydney
What’s one piece of advice you’d give a young pharmacist who wants to make a difference?
“I recommend approaching your career with curiosity and a willingness to step into new opportunities and collaborations, even early in your professional journey. This openness to learning can reveal strengths and interests you may not yet recognize and connect you with communities and experiences that shape meaningful practice.
“One key lesson for me is that meaningful growth is rarely achieved alone. Collaboration and community building are foundational to professional development, shaping both how we learn and how we contribute.”