PHARMACISTS' Support Service Executive Officer, Kay Dunkley, has been named as the 2020 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Pharmacist of the Year (PotY).
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia SA/NT Branch Vice President, Samuel Keitaanpaa took the Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) of the Year Award, while consultant pharmacist, Debbie Rigby, became the first female to receive the PSA's 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Announcing the winners of the 2020 PSA Symbion Excellence Awards on social media this morning to mark World Pharmacists Day, PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman, said the trio were worthy winners.
"2020 has been an extraordinary year, one where pharmacists have gone above and beyond to serve the community," he said.
"These three pharmacists have all exemplified a contribution to the profession and maintained the highest standards of commitment and professionalism."
Dunkley said she was accepting the award on behalf of all frontline pharmacists who have been there for their communities throughout the bushfire and COVID-19 crises.
"During the bushfires there were pharmacists who slept in their cars next to the pharmacy and others who organised delivery of medicines via Jet Ski or boat when there was no road access and there were those pharmacists who attended evacuation centres to organise medication," she said.
"Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and pharmacists and pharmacy staff once more found themselves on the frontline dealing with community members who were anxious, frustrated and fearful, having to completely change the way they work to ensure public safety and remain open when other members of the community went into isolation.
"These are the heroes of pharmacy who are all deserving of this award and I am accepting it on their behalf."
ECP of the Year winner, Keitaanpaa, became the first NT-based pharmacist to win the award.
"The Northern Territory has provided me with so many opportunities to help improve patients' lives and strengthen other health services and professionals around the safe use of medicines," he said.
Rigby told Pharmacy Daily that she was "excited and proud to receive the [Lifetime Achievement] Award, made more special as the first female".
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