Three students from Sudbury share their pharmacy journeys
It took just one text to connect Jimmy Blanchard (Rx2028), Noah Garbutt (Rx2028) and Harrison Wilson (Rx2028) together before starting pharmacy school. A quick coffee meet-up turned instantly into friendship, and soon after into roommates. They reflect on how they navigated their first year at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy – balancing academics, adjusting to city life and creating a new home within the Waterloo community.
All three began their pharmacy journeys working at different community pharmacies in their hometowns in Sudbury, Ontario.
“Working in a small community pharmacy gave me a sense of belonging – it’s where I fell in love with pharmacy,” says Jimmy, who joined the School after completing his third year of undergraduate studies at Laurentian University. “The prestige of being a Waterloo alum really resonated with me.”
Harrison always knew he wanted to do something important with his career and got his start working in a local pharmacy, choosing it over a job at a pizza place.
“I’m so glad I picked pharmacy. It showed me how fulfilling it is to help people in your own town,” he says. Harrison applied to the School through the Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) program for a streamlined path into pharmacy school.
Noah originally wanted to be an engineer, but working at a community pharmacy near his childhood home during his last year of high school changed his career trajectory. After spending three years at Laurentian University in their pharmaceutical chemistry program, he couldn’t ignore the pull to pharmacy.
“Waterloo’s co-op program really stood out to me. Gaining real-world experience while in school is, in my opinion, the best way to become a great pharmacist.” Noah says.
When they first arrived to the School, there was lots of excitement and nerves. But PHROSH week activities put on by the Society of Pharmacy Students (SOPhS) club helped ease their transition.
“Everyone’s new that first week,” says Noah. “PHROSH week helped me feel comfortable and opened up opportunities for me to make great connections with the rest of my classmates.”
“The first couple months are a learning curve,” adds Harrison. “Balancing lecture hours, part-time pharmacy work and a social life is a challenge but it’s worth it! First year is all about building good habits.”
“You’ll feel homesick at times,” Jimmy admits. “But the key is to find your pharmacy phriends and enjoy your time here.”
L-R: Harrison Wilson, Noah Garbutt and Jimmy Blanchard in front of the School
Waterloo Pharmacy cohort-versus-cohort softball group photo
Noah Garbutt, Harrison Wilson and Jimmy Blanchard enjoying a game of golf together
At Waterloo Pharmacy, classes run from January through December in the first year, followed by the first co-op work term. “The first two semesters build your foundation,” says Jimmy. “I’m excited to apply the skills we’ve learned in first year during our first co-op work term.”
Harrison echoes Jimmy, “I’m excited for co-op, to make money and explore pharmacy. You get to do what you want or try new areas of pharmacy. It would be cool to work out of province too, to see other expanded scopes of practice.”
Noah is looking forward to the Integrated Patient Focused Care (IPFC) courses next term, “They’re known to challenge us, but they’ll make us experts in treating disease states.”
Although they all started with a focus on community pharmacy, they are excited and open to exploring new experiences in different areas in the profession, from hospital to industry and beyond.
When they’re not studying, Jimmy, Harrison and Noah make time for a balanced lifestyle. Every Friday in the summer they get outside for a round of golf in the sun, eat a meal prepared by Harrison together and participate in pharmacy athletic clubs. They’ve played in cohort-versus-cohort volleyball and softball games as well as casual hockey games. As they prepare for their first co-op work terms, all three hope to return closer to home. The School helps tailor each student’s co-op work term to their preferred location and type of pharmacy practice.
Jimmy is open to working even further North than Sudbury, Harrison hopes to live with his grandparents in Cochrane, Ontario to experience rural pharmacy and Noah plans to work in his hometown community pharmacy where he worked as a high school student.
“Working in the communities we grew up in and providing support to the familiar people and faces is the most meaningful work we can imagine,” they say. “Pharmacy is the perfect career for anyone who wants to make a difference in direct patient care.”
All three have set a goal to return to Sudbury to practice as pharmacists after completing their PharmD education.
“For anyone reading this and feeling nervous about moving to a bigger city like I was,” says Noah. “I want you to know it’s not as hard as you might think. It’s perfectly manageable and there are moments here at Waterloo Pharmacy where it truly feels like home too.”