Michael Collins specializes in oncology pharmacy and works just up the street from the School of Pharmacy at Grand River Hospital. Mike is also one of the first graduates from the PharmD bridging program available to our BScPharm graduates.
Where they’re working:
Mike knew he wanted to work in a hospital before he’d even begun pharmacy school.
“I worked in a retail pharmacy as part of co-op in high school,” he explains. “I enjoyed the experience but felt a lack of clinical involvement; it felt too much like a business.”
Through his co-op terms, Mike joined hospital pharmacy teams in Guelph, Ottawa, and Kitchener, and each of these experiences solidified his interest in hospital practice. Upon graduation, he completed a residency with the Hamilton Health Sciences.
“Although not a required qualification for hospital pharmacists, residency training provides a solid foundation for any new hospital pharmacy practitioner. The opportunity to learn from so many different leaders in their field is an once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Today, Mike is an oncology pharmacist at Grand River Hospital.
“Cancer is a scary diagnosis,” says Mike, explaining his interest in the field.
Reflections
on
the
Program
The practical experience of co-op really helps you get a feel for a real-life job. I was also lucky to take advantage of sitting on some external counsels as a student, which helps build some relationships with practicing hospital pharmacists and directors.
Not only do oncology pharmacists require complex therapeutic knowledge, we also require the soft skills needed to empathize with patients in such a difficult part of a cancer patient’s life. It’s a privilege to be a part of the patient’s journey here at the cancer centre.
As an oncology pharmacist in the out-patient chemotherapy suite, Mike collaborates closely with patients on a daily basis. New chemotherapy patients meet with an oncology pharmacist for a 35-minute consultation before they begin the treatment. Pharmacists like Mike are available to patients during future visits, and the result is a sustained and close therapeutic relationship between Mike and his patients.
Alumni Answers
UW: What advice do you have for current students interested in hospital practice:
MC: Establishing your career goals early on in pharmacy school can help you get on the right track to secure a residency position and subsequent clinical pharmacist position. Also attend all of the networking events you can and make sure you participate in any hospital pharmacy student events.Hospital pharmacy is a small world and you never know who you will meet at just the right time.
UW: You’ve travelled to Zimbabwe to volunteer as a pharmacist – what inspired this trip?
MC: The HIV/AIDs epidemic in Africa presents a unique healthcare situation in many parts of Africa.When presented with the opportunity, I knew I wouldn’t get many other chances to volunteer in a place like this since I would soon graduate, start a family and need to pay off student loans.This experience has changed the way I see the healthcare experience in Canada.
UW: In addition to your regular duties, you co-ordinate student co-op and PharmD placements at Grand River. What does this role entail?
MC: We have many pharmacy students from several universities across Canada. In 2015, we had over 40 pharmacy student placements at GRH. As the student coordinator, I am responsible for arranging all the necessary paperwork required for placement, student orientation and training. I also act a liaison between the university and our preceptors.
Non-Pharm Fun
"I play in a variety of indoor, outdoor, men’s and coed soccer leagues. I still play for the same men’s soccer club I started with in second-year pharmacy school. When not playing soccer, I enjoy fantasy football and craft beer."
What to know where else pharmacy can take you? Read more Five Years in the Field profiles.