PANS celebrates pharmacy professionals who made outstanding contributions during pandemic

Nova Scotia’s pharmacist of the year has spent the last 18 months making weekly Facebook videos for his community to keep everyone updated on restrictions and other changes during the pandemic. Michael McIntyre, manager of Wilsons Pharmasave in Berwick, was given the award from the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) as part on an online ceremony in early October. “He has used his passion for pharmacy, his infectious energy and his compassion for his patients and coworkers to help us navigate these challenging times and to ensure his community has access to the healthcare they need,” said Diane Harpell, chair of the PANS Board of Directors, who presented the award. McIntyre started posting the videos starting in March 2020, “to give people a rundown of what is changing” in terms of restrictions, he told Global News. “Initially I was doing it every week because everything was changing so rapidly, but once I got in the habit of doing it, it just became second nature,” he said. McIntyre has worked in the profession since 2007, starting first as a pharmacy assistant. He said he likes being able to help people on a one-to-one basis and providing community-centred care. He said that people now recognize him on the street because of the videos. Read: Nova Scotia to make vaccination mandatory for health workers, teachers The Pharmacy Technician of the Year award was given to Jeannette Shaw from the Medicine Shoppe in Port Hawkesbury. She was the first registered pharmacy technician in Nova Scotia, after practicing in Ontario. She was integral in running the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the pharmacy, where she came in early to prepare vaccines and give injections. In a video about the award, Shaw’s coworkers talked about her dedication. “You could probably give her the name of a customer and she could probably tell you what medications they are on and how many refills they have left,” said pharmacy assistant Sara Pluta. The awards committee had a hard time deciding on the winner for pharmacy team of the year because there were so many worthy nominees, Harwell said during the presentation. The award went to the team at Lawtons Northwood, a pharmacy located in a long-term care home where there were COVID-19 cases. The pharmacy team also serves other long-term care homes in Halifax and Dartmouth, but managed to keep COVID-19 out of the pharmacy and keep the long-term care homes supplied. “We were so concerned that if someone did get sick our homes would go without medications,” said pharmacy manager Candice Norton. The staff put in many extra hours to ensure there were no delays in medication deliveries. “The roles in the pharmacy didn’t exist anymore,” explained pharmacist Holly Howell in the acceptance video. “Everybody did whatever they needed to do to make sure the residents continued to get their medication.” “This award means a lot, because it really acknowledges the hard work that my team put in during the pandemic,” said pharmacy manager Candice Norton. Read: Nova Scotia premier pledges to expand virtual healthcare network across the province PANS recognized the work of pharmacist Krista Trider with the Bowl of Hygeia award, presented to a pharmacy professional who shows outstanding commitment to their community. Trider, a pharmacist at Windsor Pharmasave, was the first pharmacist in the province to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. She opened Avon Medical Clinic with her husband, pharmacist Jason Trider, in 2018 to provide more access to primary care for the community. She also contributes to care in local long-term care homes and gives lectures at Acadia University in Wolfville. The distinguished service award went to Kelly Lee, a pharmacist who has been practicing for 35 years. In her acceptance speech, Lee told stories of all the times she’s counseled patients in odd situations. The future leader award went to Courtney Garland from Hantsport, who graduated in 2020. She was initially hired as a cashier in high school before she became a pharmacist at the same location. “I think the profession will be in pretty good shape with people like Courtney remaining in it,” said pharmacist John McNeil. Read: Pharmacy U for Technicians a resounding success

PANS celebrates pharmacy professionals who made outstanding contributions during pandemic

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