Pharmacy Daily | Leaders hailed at MM2016

PHARMACIST Debbie Rigby has been presented with the SHPA Australian Clinical Pharmacy Award at Medicines Management 2016, the 42nd Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia National Conference on the weekend.

Rigby (pictured top right) was hailed for her ongoing contribution to clinical pharmacy practice, the pharmacy profession and the well-being of Australians, according to SHPA president Michael Dooley.

Her career has included board roles with NPS MedicineWise, ministerial appointments to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Advisory Council and as a Clinical Reference Lead for the Australian Digital Health Agency.

She also held academic roles, and was one of the first pharmacists in Australia to be recognised as an Advanced Practitioner at Level 3.

"Colleagues and associates recognise Debbie Rigby as an amazing person to work with because she is generous with her time and shares her knowledge with many university programs across Australia and supports CPD/CPE activities within Australia and overseas," Dooley said, adding that she "epitomises what it is to be a clinical practitioner focused on ensuring patients get the best possible outcomes".

Also honoured by the SHPA was Debra Rowett (left), who received the prestigious Fred J. Boyd Award which recognises outstanding contribution to hospital pharmacy in Australia.

Rowett is currently president of the Australian Pharmacy Council, holds a range of key advisory roles and has been an active researcher with almost 100 publications.

She also helped develop the first SHPA Standards of Practice in Clinical Pharmacy.

"Throughout her career, Professor Rowett has been a powerful champion for improving the Pharmacy Profession through both the development and improvement of practice standards and through improvements in the standards of education," Dooley stated.

Medicines Management 2016 also saw the 2016 SHPA Medal of Merit awarded to Kate Richardson (above) who is currently employed at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney as an Electronic Medication Management (EMM) Pharmacist.

"Kate is an outstanding pharmacist who thinks strategically, and collaborates and partners with others to build a vision and deliver outstanding results," Dooley said.