Waterloo Pharmacy students graduate at University of Waterloo’s 117th convocation

On Friday, October 26 the School of Pharmacy celebrated the graduation of 115 PharmD students, 15 PharmD bridging program students, and 4 graduate students. After the formal ceremony on the University of Waterloo main campus, pharmacy students and their families were invited to the School of Pharmacy for a convocation reception.

“The class of 2018 has the distinction of graduating during the 10^th anniversary of the School of Pharmacy,” said Hallman Director David Edwards, addressing the crowd at the reception. “We opened our doors 10 years ago and we had a vision for the type of pharmacy student, the type of pharmacist, and the type of health care professional we wanted to represent the University of Waterloo. Graduates who are medication management experts who also have the people skills, communication skills and leadership ability to make a difference in health care. With the class of 2018, we’ve definitely succeeded.”

As Director Edwards remarked, the class of 2018 has been well-prepared through extensive experiential opportunities and robust classroom education. This preparedness is important as these graduates enter a pharmacy profession where scope is expanding and pharmacy funding cuts make the business side of the profession increasingly challenging.

“As individuals and as a cohort we faced many challenges over four years,” said Melanie Sanderson, valedictorian for the class of 2018. “We'll remember the lessons learned - the determination, resilience and tenacity we'll take forward into our profession.”

Several PharmD graduates were also honoured with awards at the reception.

• Mortar and Pestle Awards (top academic performance): Loran Ellero-Dione, Taylor Geertsema Ai-Leng Foong, Dulcie Lai, Claire Millington, Jamie Orlando, Amanda Owen, Melanie Sanderson, Kristen Stypa, Sarah Stone, Robert Taglione, Sammi Taraborrelli
• Lisa Mclean Award (for success in the professional practice sequence): Khrystine Waked
• Charlie Bayliff Award (for an exemplary student pursuing a hospital residency): Melika Bozorgi
• Fresenius Kabi Canada Student Leadership Award (for a student leader pursuing a hospital pharmacy career): Melissa Cammuso

Four graduate students also earned their degrees during the fall convocation. Ding Wen (Roger) Chen of the Foldvari lab (below) and Amir Rafiee of the Slavcev lab earned PhDs, and Osama Madkhali of the Wettig lab and Alex Durocher of the Blay lab earned their Masters of Science.

Congratulations to all our new graduates!