THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) last night highlighted the impressive contribution of several Victorian pharmacists to the profession and health of their communities.
The 2022 Victorian Pharmacist Awards saw Yvette Anderson from Bendigo named as Pharmacist of the Year, recognising her launch of the Spectrum Pharmacist service, which is an online consultation and telehealth clinic tailored to patients with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, dyslexia and ADHD.
Anderson was also recognised for winning the PSA22 Pharmacy Shark Tank competition and the People's Choice Award for the Spectrum Pharmacist service.
The PSA's Victorian Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022 went to Professor Geoff Sussman, who is Associate Professor of Wound Care at Monash University.
He's also a TV writer and performer, Olympian, researcher and sports administrator, with the award recognising his extensive international career and reputation, including four decades in clinical research and practice and over 100 publications.
The PSA Pharmacist Medal went to Paul Gysslink, recognising his "quiet achievement" and consistent contribution to PSA's Intern Training Program through workshop facilitation, assessment, marking and content advice.
He's also a long-time PSA Branch Committee member and has "delivered a strong voice for pharmacists, technicians and assistants," according to PSA Vic President, John Jackson.
PSA Vic's Early Career Pharmacist of the Year for 2022 was named as Lauren Haworth, Pharmacist in Charge at TerryWhite Chemmart in Maddingley.
Haworth opened her pharmacy just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, and has "thrived due to her hard work, commitment and leadership," Jackson said.
The final award went to Intern of the Year, Heba Ali from Chemist Warehouse Merrifield City Pharmacy in Mickleham.
Heba has "demonstrated a commitment to patient-centred care and professional practice and earned consistently high grades in her PSA Intern Training Program Assessments," Jackson noted.
She also contributed to a public health awareness campaign on blood pressure, highlighting the key role of pharmacists in the community, which was instituted at her pharmacy this year.
"Each and every pharmacist recognised last night has made a significant contribution to the profession over the last year and throughout their careers, and I congratulate them all on this worth recognition.
"Congratulations to the award winners and all the nominees for your commitment to better health."
The winners are pictured above, from left: Paul Gysslink, Heba Ali, Lauren Haworth, Yvette Anderson and Geoff Sussman, with PSA Vic Branch President John Jackson.
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