Erin Nunan named 2016 PSA Early Career Pharmacist of the Year

July 29, 2016 As a part-owner in the Studfield Pharmacy in Wantrina South in Melbourne, Erin has shown outstanding qualities to improve health in the Third World as part of her quest in pharmacy abroad.  She left Australia to work in very difficult and remote areas to improve the lives of thousands of people. Erin has worked in the Solomon Islands with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to draft the Solomon Islands’ National Medicines Policy, worked for Aspen Medical in Timor-Leste and has been involved in helping to reduce AIDS in Swaziland, which has the highest HIV rate in the world, through the Clinton Health Initiative.

Among her many talents, Erin is fluent in Solomon Islands’ Pidgin language and is also studying law at the University of New England.

Media contact: Brad Watts
PSA Executive Director, Communications 
0487 922 176

2012 Young Pharmacist of the Year: Brooke Myers

In the citation accompanying her nomination for the Young Pharmacist of the Year, Brooke Myers’ nominators wrote that she was making a great difference in underprivileged pharmacy student communities worldwide.

‘First PNG, now Sri Lanka and Pacific communities, the impact of her work is enormous and mirrors her work at home as an Early Career Pharmacist leader and champion,’ they wrote.

Brooke said she was humbled, but thrilled to have won the award for 2012.

‘My love for pharmacy started as a bright eyed and bushy tailed 17-year‑old student pharmacist at James Cook University in 2003,’ she said.

‘Since then I have endeavoured to immerse myself in health education and promotion and to make the most of any opportunity I have been given. We are part of a brilliant profession, one that has already given me more and pushed me further than I ever imagined it would. This award is the highlight of my career.

‘I feel honoured to be on the same list as the previous recipients of this award, who have each inspired me by their enthusiasm and dedication. I am encouraged to be a better pharmacist every day by the people that I work for, and with, and by the strong mentors I have found within the profession. I am also encouraged by the students I teach and the patients I see, what an honour it is that we can positively influence the health care of our country.

‘I am extremely grateful to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and to Symbion, for this accolade. I am dedicated to this profession and cannot wait to part of the future of pharmacy’.

– from Australian Pharmacist November 2012

2011 Young Pharmacist of the Year: Chris Freeman

A dedication to the profession of pharmacy, and a motivation to practice within the profession, saw Queensland pharmacist Chris Freeman named the Young Pharmacist of the Year.

Mr Freeman is renowned for his commitment to collaborative health care. His PhD aims to investigate integrating a pharmacist into a primary health care team with an overall goal to increase the quality use of medicines. For the past two and a half years he has worked in an integrative environment and has facilitated other pharmacists into this environment across Australia.

Mr Freeman said, ‘I am honoured to receive the PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year Award. Looking back at the previous recipients, I am encouraged by the impact they have been able to have on our profession.

‘I hope that my career will also positively influence the pharmacy profession. I would like to thank the many people who have acted as mentors and as guides during my career. It is through their good grace that I have been able to achieve what I have to date.

‘I believe it is an exciting time to be a young pharmacist, with the evolution of the health system we are ideally placed to extend our roles and ultimately provide positive health outcomes for patients.’

– from Australian Pharmacist, November 2011

2009 Young Pharmacist of the Year: Bruce Elliot

A commitment to improving pharmacy practice through high-quality continuing professional development and practice support has seen Queensland community pharmacist Bruce Elliot named the 2009 PSA Young Pharmacist of the Year.

‘I love health and have always had an interest in health. When I started at university I really fell in love with the profession and the role it plays in the community,’ Mr Elliot said.

Announcing the award at PAC, National President Warwick Plunkett said Mr Elliot, who works as a community pharmacist in Yeppoon, was an example that all young pharmacists could aspire to.

‘Bruce, who is Vice-President of the Queensland Branch of the PSA and a National Board member of the Society, is an outstanding role model for our next generation of pharmacists and a future leader of our profession,’ Mr Plunkett said.

Mr Elliot said he was humbled to be the recipient of the award ‘particularly as I look back at previous winners who have been a personal inspiration to me and no doubt to many others in the profession.’

‘I have been blessed over my career to work alongside many talented pharmacists who have inspired me to continually seek practice improvement.

‘As I reflect on my career to date, I can now see what a tremendous influence their mentoring has provided and I am so grateful for this. Pharmacy is a great profession to be a part of because of its increasing diversity.

‘The scope of practice is constantly being extended and there is no doubting the integral role pharmacists play in primary health care in Australia. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the profession and working with pharmacists from across  Australia to help shape our future role.’

Mr Elliot said opportunities from living and working in regional areas had helped in creating a rewarding career.

– from Australian Pharmacist November 2009

‘I am proud that my work in delivering quality continuing professional education has benefited other regional pharmacists whose tireless efforts in their communities should not be overlooked,’ he said.