Randilynne Urslak named recipient of the 2022 Winifred Walker Award
Randilynne Urslak’s (Rx2023) Reflection
Growing up in a small town, I never felt comfortable talking about women’s health. My monthly routine consisted of hiding my tampon on the way to the bathroom and making sure nobody was in the aisle at the store before I grabbed a box of pads to purchase.
The stigma that exists around many women’s health topics often deters women from accessing care and can cause them to feel ashamed, self-conscious, unclean and unfeminine, which negatively impacts sexual health, social health, and overall well-being.
While significant improvements have been made over the past few years in women’s health, there is still a lot of work to do to overcome the inequity that women have experienced in the health-care system for centuries. I truly believe that pharmacists can make a difference.
It is an honour to be the recipient of the 2022 Winifred Walker Award. After receiving this award, I was invited to join the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Kitchener-Waterloo Branch.
It was during one of the CFUW Kitchener-Waterloo Branch meetings that I met Alison Watson, whose mother, Winifred Walker, inspired the creation of this award. I aspire to continue Winifred’s legacy through innovative thinking and advocacy to advance women’s health.
Randilynne Urslak and Alison Watson
It was inspiring to sit in a room full of strong, powerful women who are all dedicated to serving their communities while promoting education and opportunities for women. One speaker spoke about her experiences as an Indigenous woman navigating the healthcare system and led a conversation about local housing, healing, and reconciliation.
It is through conversations such as these that give me an opportunity to learn about diverse populations and the intersections between them. I am able to reflect on my own biases and preconceived notions to make tangible steps toward cultural competency and humility. My journey has only just begun and I look forward to further growth and learning.
My work in women’s health continues to expand and receiving this award has only inspired me to further pursue work in this space. My current research focuses on peripartum mental illness in women. Following a review of the current evidence, I am now developing a survey to be distributed to pharmacy schools across Canada to assess the status of peripartum mental health curriculum. I have presented my research nationally and published in an international journal with the aim to promote the role of the pharmacist and how pharmacy professionals can help fill the current gap in care.
Every patient’s healthcare needs and challenges are unique, and I strive to be a pharmacist in my community who acknowledges and addresses them individually. I plan to continue advocating for women’s health and providing a trusted avenue of support where women feel comfortable accessing the resources and information they need.
I’ve learned that pharmacy is a space where science, innovation, and compassion can work together to create a better health-care system for all. Through this profession, I want to help women become the best versions of themselves and empower people to feel in control of their own health.