Andrew Savo, Rx2021 - Sault Ste. Marie
Navigating
the
region
I liked the region because of the variety and quality of rotations, as well as the infinite amount of places to go adventuring!
I did a lot of hiking, as there are lots of nearby places to go, e.g., hiking trails, waterfalls to climb, beaches to go see. We went camping, played frisbee outside, and ordered wings every Friday! Lots of great places to eat. Often you can cross the border to the US, but during the pandemic that was not an option.
Housing was easy to find, and there are lots of bus stops. All my rotations were within 10 minutes of driving, and one was within walking distance.
The RCC, Tracy McCoy, was also my first preceptor. She was in contact with us the perfect amount, and it was very clear that she cared about us getting quality placements where we wanted to go. She has great connections, so pretty much no matter what kind of rotation you want, she'll be able to give it to you.
Practice site descriptions
Sault Area Hospital, Renal program: Worked closely with other healthcare professionals, especially the dietitians. Did med workups with patients on hemodialysis (often rather complex, way harder than MedsChecks in community), helped dose Aranesp and Eprex, and did a lot of medication teaching.
alternatives. Able to make lots of recommendations to prescribers. At SAH, pharmacists have a very good reputation because they do the most with their knowledge and scope.
Rome's
(Loblaw)
pharmacy: Regular
community
pharmacy,
but
this
pharmacy does
a
little
of
everything,
including
methadone
and
clozapine.
The
two
pharmacists
who
work
there
are
incredible
at
their
jobs,
and
know
how
to
push you
to
be
your
best.
I
honestly
don't
think
I
could
have
gotten
a
better
community
placement
anywhere
in
Ontario.
Was
able
to
do
as
much
as
I
wanted with
a
high
level
of
independence.
I gained skills in communicating with other healthcare professionals, therapeutic knowledge, and probably most importantly, real-life experience working with medications. Learning meds in school is one thing, but putting that into practice in the real world is another. In the real world, we have to deal with backorders, hospital formulary restrictions, cost to patients, nonadherence, ever-changing labs, and patients who just don't seem to be getting better even when we would expect them too. Another great skill I learned was about following up, as we often don't get that experience in school. For support resources, the UW pharmacy library was the biggest support, allowing me to use Lexicomp, the CPS, and other resources.
Advice for future students
The drive is literally the worst part about the Soo. Bring lots of sunscreen, bug spray, and a good pair of hiking shoes!
The Soo has a great variety of rotations, incredible preceptors that will push you to practice like a pharmacist should, and if you feel like going somewhere new with a few friends, you're probably going to all get it (because honestly, the Soo is vastly underrated so nobody ranks it #1).