News

Professor Nardine Nakhla, clinical lecturer at the Waterloo School of Pharmacy, has been inspiring students for the last 15 years. Students and fellow colleagues recognize Nakhla’s passion and commitment to teaching, service and research, and know her to go above and beyond for her students. Described as engaging, supportive and inspirational, Professor Nakhla is the 2023 recipient of the University of Waterloo’s highly prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award.

Growing up on a reserve, Amanda Michano’s (PharmD ’22) dream of working in health care was sparked by a visit from a pharmacist.

“I was in awe of the pharmacist who came to help me understand how to use my inhaler for my asthma,” says Michano. “It was in that moment that I knew I wanted to help teach people how to use their medication.”

Randilynne Urslak reflects on receiving the 2022 Winifred Walker Award.

Recognizing that there is a gender gap in pharmacy leadership spurred the Waterloo School of Pharmacy into action.

As an institution that pushes boundaries and disrupts the status quo, the Women in Pharmacy Leadership (WIPL) program developed naturally with the intent to push the profession forward. After its inaugural year, the program has much to look back on.

Our Waterloo Pharmacy leadership team was back on the road for the first time in three years since the pandemic, making trips to Ottawa and Sudbury, to meet with preceptors, co-op employers, alumni, and stakeholders.

“Connecting with our pharmacy and wider health-care community is incredibly important to our experiential program’s success. We continue to thrive and graduate outstanding pharmacists due to these relationships and are incredibly grateful for our stakeholders, preceptors and student organizers support,” says Andrea Edginton, Hallman Director at the School.

Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used medication around the globe. Unknown to most, it is also a leading cause of liver injury with most cases deemed accidental. These overdoses can be fatal without a rescue liver transplant.

On May 15, Waterloo Pharmacy welcomed their newest cohort to the profession of pharmacy at the White Coat Ceremony.

The white coat tradition stems from the medical school’s ceremonies and has become a symbol for many medical profession programs. Our students are inducted into the pharmacy profession by receiving their white coat from practicing pharmacists and swearing a pledge of professionalism.

Dr. Tom McFarlane, a researcher and clinical lecturer at the School of Pharmacy, participates in a study on the importance of pharmacist integration  within cardio-oncology teams to create a robust community of practice for cardio-oncology, thereby strengthening patient treatment.

As this year’s recipient of the McNaught-Taillon Leadership Award, Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, is being recognized for his outstanding individual contributions to Canadian health care through exemplary leadership and mentorship in the advancement of health policy, health information and health informatics. 

The Women in Pharmacy Leadership (WIPL) Alumni Mentorship Program pairs recent alumni who identify as female with working or retired professionals in their field of interest to help them move towards their leadership goals. In this series, the School of Pharmacy will be spotlighting their experiences.