Young Leader in Pharmacy Christine Tan: "My passion lies in serving the community."
Snapshot:
Education:
Bachelor of Medical Science 2019, Western University
PharmD Candidate 2023, University of Toronto
Current role:
APPE Student, Undergraduate Pharmacy Society Past President
What excites you about being a pharmacist?
What excites me about becoming a pharmacist is that it can be a jumping off point for so many interesting professions. We know that pharmacists are found in hospital, community, and pharmacy settings but that is just the tip of the iceberg. With the skills we learn in school and practice, pharmacists can quickly adapt to so many areas in healthcare, and every day a new field emerges that we can fill a space in. So, the prism of possibilities in this profession is what excites me about being a pharmacist!
When you graduated, what did you envision for your future?
In the same vein of the world of possibilities that exists for pharmacists, I can honestly say that I have no clue what my future holds. My passion lies in serving the community, as it has served me and my family so well since coming to Canada in 2005. I have experience in community pharmacy and student leadership. After I graduate, I would like to serve the community in ways that are innovative, advocate for the profession and show what pharmacists are capable of. I’m excited to continue to explore more during my APPE placements (Toronto General Hospital, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sanofi Pasteur, Costco) this year!
How important is mentoring in your career?
Mentoring is the most important aspect of my career. What I love about pharmacists is how willing we are to help our patients and one another. I remember preparing for my PCAT to apply to pharmacy school and a labmate mentored me on all the great resources they used for studying. At the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, students and staff provided me support and encouragement to lead the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society in my third year. Now, I get to work under the amazing pharmacists at my hospital, community and industry placements. Mentoring has inspired me to be the best pharmacist and human I can be.
Was there an “aha” moment for you, when you realized the impact of the difference you’re making?
It sounds silly but my “aha” moment was while I was eating truffle fries after planning a joint conference between University of Toronto and Waterloo University pharmacy students. It took months of planning with my vice-president and Waterloo PVPs and countless hurdles due to the evolving COVID-19 restrictions leading up to March 2022. However, near the end of the conference when we had an in-person celebration dinner after a weekend of case competitions, debates and talks, I finally took a breath and relaxed while eating my truffle fries. When I looked around, I could see the impact we were making by bringing everyone together. All the delegates truly enjoyed the opportunity to connect, and that fulfillment is what drives me to become a future leader in pharmacy.
If you can accomplish just one thing in your career, what would it be?
I hope to accomplish many things, but in the end, the one thing I want to accomplish and I am not ashamed to say it is that I do indeed live by a Beyoncé quote: “The lives I have touched will be the proof that I leave that I made a difference and this world will see...I was here”. From planning conferences to mentoring students after being mentored myself by exemplary pharmacists, I wish to leave a mark on those that I have the pleasure of working with. The difference I hope to leave will be to bring people in pharmacy together and connect them in ways that continue to drive our profession forward.