Feridun and Mike
Launched in 2017 as a legacy of the University’s 60th anniversary, the annual President’s Community Impact Awards recognize and celebrate those who embody the spirit of innovation and contribute to making Waterloo region strong and prosperous.

Awards are bestowed to community leaders – those within the University of Waterloo who serve their community - and university leaders – those within our community who are strong partners to the university.

Michael Beazely
Professor Michael Beazely of the School of Pharmacy received a Community Leader award in recognition of nearly a decade of service to Waterloo Region, participating in numerous initiatives that make the region healthier and safer.

In 2009, the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council began developing a strategy to address drug use in the Region and created a task force to lead this work. Beazely joined the task force and made important contributions to the team’s report of 99 recommendations to reduce drug related-harms and improve safety in the region.

On the task force, Beazely observed gaps in the ability of existing health institutions to address substance use, drug related harms, and stigma. Motivated to fill these gaps, he volunteered to join the newly formed Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy (WRIDS) in 2015 and the Crime Prevention Council in 2016. He has chaired the WRIDS since 2017 and spearheads efforts to implement the 99 recommendations the task force created.

Community engagement is critical to building strong and collaborative relationships to help address complex issues like drug use and stigma. As Beazely says:

Being engaged in the community makes everybody better: it’s much more than providing time, effort, and expertise. You receive so much education in return. You end up growing with your community at the same time as you are helping to move issues forward, and you can’t help but feel much more connected to those around you.

Michael Beazely

Through his role as Chair he has provided leadership as the WRIDS delivers annual community events like Overdose Awareness Day, hosted at Victoria Park in the heart of downtown Kitchener, and campaigns like Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet, an awareness effort to dispose of old drugs that pose a risk for abuse.

In addition to these types of initiatives, Beazely has also delivered educational workshops in the region and surrounding areas, spreading awareness to audiences that range from parents, teenagers, teachers, pharmacists, paramedics, police officers, and more about topics related to drug abuse.

We are proud of Dr. Beazely’s accomplishments and feel his efforts have contributed to a safer Waterloo Region for all. He is an inspiration to his colleagues and students here at the School of Pharmacy - he is an active and humble member of our community and is highly deserving of this honour.

David Edwards, Hallman Director of the School of Pharmacy