PSOTY award finalists announced

The state finalists for the 2021 Viatris Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) award have been selected, with the national final scheduled to take place at PSA’s national conference, PSA21.

 

Last night, students from across the country vied against their peers to demonstrate their professional capability, from clinical knowledge to counselling techniques. The winner of the national award will receive a travel prize for pharmacy-specific education to the value of $5,000.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said that these awards provide pharmacy students with an opportunity to learn and grow as professionals.

 

“It is wonderful to see such a high quality of pharmacy students competing this year, and I congratulate all the state winners who will be competing in the national PSOTY final.

 

“The PSOTY award recognises some of the outstanding pharmacy students within the profession, and gives them platform to apply their skills and to be judged on them.

 

“These awards are a fantastic opportunity for students to further explore their role as future pharmacists, encouraging students to learn and grow as professionals by putting their clinical and communication skills to practice,” A/Prof Freeman said.

 

State winners include:

ACT: Juliet Contreras (University of Canberra)
NSW: Stephanie Worden (University of Newcastle)
QLD: Zoe Robinson (Queensland University of Technology)
SA/NT: Dharshan Rasiah (University of South Australia)
TAS: Ashlee Shaw (University of Tasmania)
VIC: Alex Loric (Monash University)
WA: Allira Payne (University of Western Australia)

 

The NAPSA wildcard winner, Ma Christel Joyce Manuel (University of Western Australia), will also join the state winners at the national final.

 

During the national final, students will be tested with a real-life clinical situation, where a patient will present with signs and symptoms or a specific product request. Students are then required to use their clinical knowledge and emotional intelligence, to identify the most appropriate course of treatment and tailor their counselling skills to provide the most appropriate advice. A judging panel assesses all state finalists, subsequently selecting the national winner.

 

PSA extends thanks to the PSOTY award sponsor, Viatris, for their ongoing support and wishes all state finalists the best of luck at the national final.

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463