The human side of pharmacy
For Mera Yousef, co-op transformed classroom knowledge into meaningful patient care, showing her that communication is just as important as clinical expertise.
Mera Yousef, a second-year Pharmacy student, has always been passionate about helping others through health care. Her first co-op work term gave her the opportunity to apply what she learned in the classroom while discovering that one of the most important skills a pharmacist can have is the ability to communicate with patients in a way they understand.
Mera’s co-op journey
Pharmacy Student, Pond Mills Medical Pharmacy, London, Ontario
Mera completed her first co-op work term in a community pharmacy where she had previously worked as a Pharmacy Assistant. During her term, she processed prescriptions, prepared medications, managed inventory, communicated with patients and supported the pharmacy team. Returning as a Pharmacy Student allowed her to take on new responsibilities while applying her academic knowledge to real patient care situations.
Q&A with Mera
What inspired you to pursue pharmacy?
"I've wanted to work in health care for as long as I can remember because I've always wanted to help people."
"After moving to Canada five years ago, I worked as a Pharmacy Assistant and realized that this was exactly where I wanted to be. I also saw firsthand some of the challenges patients experience within the health-care system. That motivated me even more because I want to contribute to better patient outcomes and hopefully make a positive difference in people's lives."
How has your first co-op changed your perspective on what it means to be a pharmacist?
"Before my first work term, I thought being a pharmacist was mostly about having a strong understanding of medications. While that knowledge is incredibly important, my co-op showed me that the human side of the profession is just as meaningful.”
“Every patient has different concerns, different experiences and different ways of understanding health information. I realized that being a good pharmacist isn't just about providing the right medication. It's about listening, communicating with empathy and making sure each patient feels comfortable asking questions and taking an active role in their own care."
"That's a perspective I'll carry with me throughout the rest of my education and my career."
What was the most rewarding part of your co-op experience?
"The most rewarding part was finally seeing everything I'd learned in school come together with real patient care. We spend so much time learning about medications, communication and patient assessments in class, but it's completely different when you're applying those skills with actual patients.”
“Even small conversations made a big impact on me. Whether I was helping someone understand how to take their medication or directing their concerns to the pharmacist, I realized how important community pharmacists are in people's everyday lives. By the end of the work term, I felt much more confident and independent than I did on my first day."
What is one lesson you'll carry into future work terms?
"Communication.”
“Before my co-op, I thought the hardest part of being a pharmacist would be remembering medications and treatments. I still think that knowledge is incredibly important, but I realized something else matters just as much: making sure patients actually understand what you're telling them.”
“I met patients from many different backgrounds, and some experienced language barriers or weren't familiar with medical terminology. Those conversations taught me to simplify my explanations without leaving out important information. If a patient leaves the pharmacy confused, then I haven't really done my job."
What interested you most about the Pharmacy program at Waterloo?
"The co-op program was one of the biggest reasons I chose Waterloo. Instead of waiting until the end of your degree to apply everything you've learned, you get to alternate between school and work terms, putting new knowledge into practice almost immediately.”
“Every academic term builds on the last, and each work term gives you the chance to reinforce those lessons in a real pharmacy setting. That combination helps you grow much faster because you're constantly connecting classroom learning with real patient experiences."
If you could describe your co-op experience in one word, what would it be and why?
"Transformative."
"My first co-op work term changed the way I see both myself and the profession. It gave me the confidence to apply what I'd learned in the classroom, challenged me to think critically in real patient care situations and showed me that effective communication is just as important as clinical knowledge.”
“Looking back, I can see how much I've grown in just one work term. I left feeling more confident in my abilities, more certain that I chose the right career path and even more motivated to continue learning. "
What's next for you?
"Right now, I'm excited to continue building my clinical knowledge while exploring different areas of pharmacy practice."
"My first co-op work term gave me a strong foundation in community pharmacy and confirmed how much I enjoy working directly with patients, but I also want to experience other environments, like hospital pharmacy, to better understand the different roles pharmacists can play.”
“Every work term is an opportunity to become a better health-care professional."
"I hope to continue strengthening my patient assessment and counselling skills, learning from experienced pharmacists and finding new ways to make a meaningful impact on the people I care for."
