Meet the Pharmacy Practice + Business Award winner for Raise Your Voice Kristen Watt: Fearlessly promoting pharmacists in Canada and beyond
Kristen Watt owns and operates an office-based specialty retail community pharmacy in Southampton, Ont., focused on compounding, pain, optimizing medications, travel consultations and vaccines services. She also serves on several boards of directors, and is an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Pharmacy.
Why she won: Throughout her career, Watt has distinguished herself as a passionate and tireless advocate for the pharmacy profession, whether in her own community or on an international scale.
As Vice-chair of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, she works relentlessly to address issues impacting patient choice and access. One example is her recent effort to rally voices against restrictive Preferred Provider Networks, highlighting how they compromise personalized care by limiting where patients can access pharmacy services.
On a recent medical aid trip to Zambia, she advocated for the building of a medical clinic in partnership with local officials and International Needs Zambia, further proving her dedication to improving health outcomes beyond her own community.
Active on social media, Watt boldly speaks out about pressing issues, such as the regulation of nicotine products in pharmacies and the need for continued exemptions for controlled substances prescriptions. She is often seen taking the time to clearly and civilly explain pharmacy’s position to stakeholders from medicine, the benefits industry or government. She is frequently called upon by local and national TV stations, radio and newspapers to explain pharmacy and primary care issues in the context of news reports. In the educational setting, she has inspired future graduates by co-ordinating hands-on experiences for pharmacy students, giving them the chance to learn in an innovative community-focused setting. Her leadership roles on the Board of PharmaChoice Canada and the Chapman House Residential Hospice in Grey Bruce further exemplify her dedication to community health and governance.
- Q&A with Kristen Watt
What do you enjoy the most about what you do?
The advocacy. I enjoy speaking truth to power about the reality of pharmacy and pharmacists providing care. I enjoy shaping the narrative and being honest about the struggles, challenges, opportunities and wins for the profession and our patients. I love it can be about individual interactions and successes and then big system changes all from the same profession.
What is your biggest challenge?
Managing expectations—my own and that of others. The wants and needs of the pharmacy profession are vast. Getting things done takes time. And there are so many avenues to approach all the change. Things that sound great in theory may be an impossible ask at some tables. Trying to manage all of this and still come out ahead and serve the needs of the profession and patients is very challenging.
Is there someone in particular who mentored you, or served as a role model?
There are many, but two pharmacists, Jane Fielding and Suzanne Alton, who played a big part in my interest in the pharmacy overall. There is also Jen Belcher as a woman in Ontario Pharmacists Association, Mike Boivin as a clinical expert and Amy Oliver as a business expert. I'm so grateful for all those who've taken the time to lead and teach before me.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give a young pharmacist who wants to make a difference?
It's never too late to start. Coming out of school I was pretty burnt out and took a few years to focus on my personal life instead of my career. I got to some tables later than others, and that's ok. It's never too late to see where you want to be and start the journey to get there. In that vein, take breaks, slow down and don't burn yourself out early. This career can be a long one, so take care of yourself while in it.
What’s your favourite way to spend time outside of work?
Spending time with my two sons brings me great joy. I coach my oldest in competitive soccer and my youngest is getting into football. I love watching them do what they love. I also love to read. It's a great way to disconnect and get lost in problems that aren't my own!
Name something you’re really good at that has nothing to do with pharmacy.
Cooking. We're just coming off Christmas where I made four different Christmas dinners and had a blast doing it. There's nothing better than my kitchen, Christmas music and a glass of wine.
What’s next for you?
Properly remunerated autonomous prescribing for Ontario is my main goal in my advocacy career. As pharmacists we should be properly paid for all we do and should be able to work to our full scope as defined by education and ability, not any other profession.
