On January 5, the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy invited friends and family to celebrate the tenth pharmacy class, Rx2020.
In front of a full auditorium, 120 students crossed the stage to don their white coats and begin their journey to becoming pharmacists. The white coat is a symbol of the professionalism, knowledge, and trust that pharmacists embody. The students are helped into their coats by practicing members of their future profession, including School of Pharmacy alumni and representatives from both local and national pharmacist associations.
Community values at the heart of being a pharmacist
The values of community were celebrated by each of the ceremony’s speakers. President Feridun Hamdullahpur welcomed Rx2020 to the University of Waterloo, reminding the students that 2017 is also the University’s 60th Anniversary, and Dean of Science Bob Lemieux congratulated students on joining a leading Faculty of Science.
Director David Edwards welcomed Rx2020 as the School's 10th cohort.
The representatives from pharmacy associations also spoke to the value of community in the work of pharmacists. They reminded students that pharmacy is a collaborative profession where bonds are formed between patient and pharmacist and amongst pharmacists and their many colleagues in the healthcare environment.
The speakers of the night represented many pharmacy organizations, from national groups like the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, to the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) and Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) at the provincial level, and the local Region of Waterloo Pharmacists Association.
“Listening to the speeches from all the pharmacy professionals was very inspiring,” said first year student Alisa Zhang (right). “We're all a little nervous in our first week, but the words of so many accomplished pharmacists helped me remember why I want to be here and that we have so much to look forward to!”
For these new students, perhaps the most important community was the one represented by Melanie Sanderson, President of the Society of Pharmacy Students: the community of fellow students.
I can say that my success in pharmacy school and the reason that I’m up here speaking is due to my wonderful classmates,” said Sanderson (left). “Pharmacy school can be challenging, and it definitely has its ups and downs, but if you work together I can promise you that these next four years will be rewarding and full of success.”
The School of Pharmacy is grateful to the sponsors that support this event each year: Scotiabank, TEVA Pfizer, and the OPA who generously provided the white coats for students. A new sponsor this year, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists – Ontario Branch supplied engraved nametags that were pinned to each coat.
