Victorian pharmacists leading innovation and excellence
2 June 2025
Five pharmacists have been recognised in the 2025 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Victorian Pharmacy Awards, presented on Saturday night as part of the Victoria and Tasmania Annual Therapeutic Update (ATU) in Melbourne.
The awards, presented by PSA Victoria President Dr Amy Page FPS, recognise pharmacists with an outstanding commitment to excellence in pharmacy practice, who demonstrate exceptional leadership, and who champion patient care.
The 2025 Victorian Pharmacy Award recipients are:
- Sara Murdock MPS, PSA Victorian Pharmacist of the Year
- Dr Wedjan Shahin MPS, PSA Victorian Early Career Pharmacist of the Year
- Katelyn Beattie, PSA Victorian Intern Pharmacist of the Year
- Joe Demarte FPS, PSA Victorian Lifetime Achievement Award
- Linda Ha, PSA Victorian Pharmacist Medal
Dr Page congratulated the award recipients, commending their continued commitment to excellence in pharmacy practice.
“These awardees represent the very best of our profession, from innovators and educators, to advocates who are improving patient care through pharmacy,” Dr Page said.
“PSA is proud to recognise pharmacists who not only deliver exceptional care but also lead with vision and purpose. Their work is a testament to the vital role pharmacists play in improving the health of all Australians.”
Media notes
PSA Victorian Pharmacist of the Year – Sara Murdock MPS
Sara Murdock MPS is recognised for her outstanding leadership in community pharmacy. With over 20 years experience, her work has significantly contributed to public health through the implementation of accessible vaccination clinics, wellness programs, and interprofessional education initiatives.
Sara established the first local community vaccination clinic at a neighbourhood house and led school-based immunisation programs, improving vaccination rates and public confidence in pharmacist-led care. She also partnered with local sporting clubs to deliver wellness programs that support preventative health, mental wellbeing, and injury recovery—broadening the role of pharmacy in community health.
Her commitment to collaborative care is evident in her regular health education seminars for allied health professionals and her close work with GPs and aged care providers to ensure coordinated, person-centred care. In aged care, she delivers medication reviews, engages with residents and families, and trains nursing staff to optimise medication safety.
Sara is also a dedicated mentor, supporting pharmacists and students through practical guidance and leadership. Her ability to balance business ownership, single parenthood, and professional advocacy reflects her resilience and commitment to the profession.
Through her charity work and long-standing involvement in Rotary, Sara continues to advocate for health equity and support vulnerable populations. Her work exemplifies the vital role of pharmacists in delivering accessible, community-focused healthcare.
PSA Victorian Early Career Pharmacist of the Year – Dr Wedjan Shahin MPS
Wejdan Shahin is recognised for her significant contributions to medication safety, pharmacist education, and digital health innovation. As a PSA-credentialed pharmacist, she has delivered Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs), supporting safe and effective medicine use for older Australians.
Her leadership in education is demonstrated through her active role in PSA’s intern training program, where she develops and delivers workshops that strengthen clinical decision-making, communication, and medicines management skills. As a lecturer at RMIT University, Wejdan has embedded real-world case scenarios and role-playing into her teaching, enhancing student engagement and prepare graduates for patient-centred practice.
Wejdan’s commitment to inclusive healthcare is evident in her development of a medication adherence app for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This project, supported by a competitive grant, aims to improve health literacy, reshape illness perceptions, and empower patients in self-management, highlighting her innovative approach to digital health.
She also mentors early career pharmacists, contributing to their confidence and readiness for practice. Her work aligns closely with PSA’s mission to support the profession and improve health outcomes through pharmacist-led care.
PSA Victorian Intern Pharmacist of the Year – Katelyn Beattie
Katelyn Beattie has demonstrated exceptional initiative, clinical insight, and leadership early in her pharmacy career. Within the first few months of her internship, she has taken an active role in dispensary operations, stepping in to guide workflow when needed and consistently prioritising patient care. Her proactive approach to improving pharmacy processes, enhancing efficiency and allowing more time for patient-focused care.
Katelyn’s work in the Webster (DAA) room has deepened her understanding of medication reconciliation and clinical risk management. Working closely with the DAA pharmacist, she has developed the skills to identify potential medication-related risks and suggest safer alternatives, such as optimising administration times. Her contributions have directly supported pharmacists in delivering safer, more effective care.
She has also built strong rapport with regular patients, who now actively seek her out for medication advice. This trust reflects her ability to communicate clearly and compassionately, and her commitment to helping patients achieve better health outcomes.
As part of a weekly intern learning group, Katelyn actively engages in tutorials and case discussions, often researching clinical questions and sharing her findings with peers. Her enthusiasm for learning and collaboration highlights her potential as a future leader in the profession.
PSA Victorian Lifetime Achievement Award – Joe Demarte FPS
Joe Demarte is recognised for his decades-long contribution to pharmacy practice, professional leadership, and health policy advocacy. Since qualifying as a pharmacist in 1973, Joe has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving pharmacy services and advancing the profession in Victoria and nationally.
Early in his career, Joe established a community pharmacy in Brunswick that served a culturally diverse population. He introduced bilingual prescription labelling in languages such as Greek, Italian, and Turkish, and employed multilingual staff to ensure patients received clear, culturally appropriate medication counselling. His pharmacy extended trading hours and collaborated closely with local healthcare providers, setting a strong example of community-responsive care.
Joe’s leadership within the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has been extensive. As National President from 2015, he played a pivotal role in securing a significant increase in funding for pharmacist-delivered professional services under the 6th Community Pharmacy Agreement from $600 million to $1.26 billion. He also chaired PSA’s National Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee and the 6CPA Working Group.
At the state level, Joe served as President of PSA’s Victorian Branch, where he oversaw the passage of the Pharmacists Act 2004, a key legislative milestone for the profession. He also represented PSA on national and state working groups focused on the responsible supply of pseudoephedrine, successfully advocating for continued patient access through pharmacies while addressing concerns about diversion.
Joe continues to practise as a community pharmacist and remains a respected voice in pharmacy policy and practice. His career reflects a deep commitment to patient care, professional standards, and the evolution of pharmacy as a vital part of Australia’s healthcare system.
PSA Victorian Pharmacist Medal – Linda Ha
The Victorian Pharmacist Medal recognises the excellent contribution of pharmacists at the grass-root level in improving health outcome and the wellbeing of the general public. This award seeks to tell the stories of the vital work of the quiet achievers within the pharmacy profession.
Linda Ha is recognised for her work as an aged care pharmacist, where she has delivered meaningful improvements to the health and wellbeing of some of Victoria’s most vulnerable residents. As one of the first onsite pharmacists in aged care prior to government funding, Linda has led practical, patient-focused initiatives that have enhanced medication safety, reduced polypharmacy, and improved quality of life.
At Lifeview, she introduced an electronic psychotropic medication register with automated alerts, a pharmacist-led care plan evaluation process, and a time-sensitive medication protocol for Parkinson’s disease—each tailored to meet the real-world needs of residents and staff. Her stewardship program has reduced unnecessary antibiotic use, and her leadership in the EMBRACE trial has helped embed national dementia care guidelines into daily practice.
Linda’s collaborative approach, including education for nurses, GPs, and families, has strengthened the role of pharmacists in aged care. Her work exemplifies the vital, often unseen, contributions pharmacists make at the frontline of care.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
