Are you a social media guru who follows us on all of our channels, or can you barely tell the difference between Facebook and Twitter? Either way we would love your feedback on our social media and blogging efforts! We would really appreciate it if you could take a couple of minutes out of your day to fill out the UBC Pharm Sci Digital Engagement survey. The results will help us to us create and share content tailored to your interests.
Last Thursday evening UBC Pharm Sci together with the BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) hosted the 2014 White Coat Ceremony. In this annual event the Faculty officially welcomes new BSc(Pharm) students, and celebrates the commencement of their journey. Incoming students recite and sign the Pledge of Professionalism (below) and are presented with a white coat.
“The White Coat Ceremony was one of the first instances where our entire class was together,” says Anna Chen, a first year BSc(Pharm) student. “I am very excited to spend the next four years getting to know each and every one of my classmates! Congratulations to everyone on getting into the Faculty!”
The White Coat Ceremony is an important part of the students’ journey into the profession as it instills a sense of pride and belonging, while highlighting early on the ethical and professional responsibilities of the profession.
The evening included speeches from Dr. Michael Coughtrie, professor and dean, UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, David Pavan, President of the BC Pharmacy Association, Marion Pearson, Director of the Entry-to-Practice Program, Rachel Edey, 4th year BSc(Pharm) student and Barbara Gobis, Director of the Pharmacists Clinic.
UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Pledge of Professionalism
For students in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at The University of British Columbia, there is a need to build and reinforce a professional identity founded on integrity, ethical behaviour, and honour. This development, a vital process in pharmacy education, will help ensure that you are true to the professional relationship you establish between yourself and society as you become a member of the pharmacy community. Integrity will be an essential part of your ever y day life and it is incumbent upon you to pursue all academic and professional endeavors with honesty and commitment to service.
To accomplish this goal of professional development, I as a student in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at The University of British Columbia will:
ACCEPT the responsibility for my actions as a student and as a healthcare professional that will reflect on both myself and my school.
CONSIDER the needs of others before myself.
DEVELOP a sense of loyalty and duty to the profession of pharmacy by contributing to the well-being of others and by accepting accountability for membership in the profession.
FOSTER professional competency through life-long learning and striving for high ideals, teamwork, and unity within the profession.
COMMIT to the Oath of a Pharmacist and the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists as set forth by the profession.
DEDICATE my life and practice to excellence by an ongoing reassessment of personal and professional values.
MAINTAIN the highest ideals and professional attributes to ensure optimal patient care.
*Adapted from the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Pledge of Professionalism
Do you feel that midterms, projects and extracurricular activities have put you in a squeeze? Stress can cause you to lose motivation, hope and eventually end up in burnout. By taking time in your day to practice self-care you can help manage that stress and thrive throughout the year. Read on for some self-care tips:
1. Appreciate your senses.
– If you have been feeling stressed about a future deadline, noticing the sensations around you can help you focus on the present moment, allowing you to temporarily forget about your worries. Breathe in fresh air, take a hot shower, go for a walk, watch the clouds go by, listen to music and notice all the senses around you!
2. Do a pleasurable activity.
– Allowing yourself time in the day to do what makes you happy will help you keep your focus and motivations for your studies. It doesn’t have to be a large amount of time – small activities such as walking a dog, gardening, watching a movie, journaling, or exploring campus can also work well.
3. Break the routine.
– Getting into a routine can make you feel stuck in place, which increases your stress. By disrupting your daily routine you can feel refreshed and regain motivation. This can be accomplished by busing to a new place, trying a new activity, joining a Meetup group, studying in a new location or even simply striking up conversation with someone you haven’t spoken with before.
4. Get in touch with your inner-self
– With midterms and project deadlines on the horizon, it is easy to focus on studying and forget about yourself. Take some time to reflect on what makes you happy. This could come by way of reading novels or poetry, meditating, spending time in nature, praying, attending church, or anything else that helps you feel connected to yourself emotionally and spiritually.
Taking a small amount of time in your day to practice self-care can have large pay backs in terms of motivation and ability to focus throughout the year. If you are interested in learning more about self-care and positive mental health, be sure to check out Thrive at UBC.
– Ivan Yastrebov, Communications & Marketing
Now that school in full swing and midterms are just around the corner you may be contemplating an increase in your caffeine intake! Even if you aren’t a coffee or tea drinker, cafés are a great place to study – providing a change of scenery with snack and beverage options close at hand. With this in mind, we have compiled a handy map of coffee shops at UBC:
Of course, we must mention The Daily Dose – UBC Pharm Sci’s own café serving coffee, snacks and light food items all day. It’s a great place to recharge between classes.
Also, many people find that the ambient noise in cafes helps them to focus on their work. We’re fans of the app Coffitivity which allows you to recreate the sounds of a café in your living room. Coffee not included!
What’s your favourite coffee shop on campus? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook.
– Ivan Yastrebov, Communications and Marketing
Are you contemplating Pharmacy as a career choice and wondering what life as a Pharm Sci student is like? Are you a first year student who is curious about how to make the most of your four years here? Or maybe you would just like to be inspired by and learn more about your classmates. Either way, we are here to help!
The Student Talks video series was launched earlier this year with the intent to highlight Pharmacy student leaders. Each episode profiles a different undergraduate student – showcasing their day-to-day routines and delving into why they chose to study here at UBC Pharm Sci.
The first episode of Student Talks followed then fourth-year student and BCPhA Student Ambassador Aaron Sihota, who commenced as a student senator for PhUS and later became President of the society. Watch below to learn more about Aaron’s experiences and why he chose pharmacy as a profession:
The next episode introduced then third-year student, Rho Chi Honour Society President and BCPhA Student Ambassador Renée Dagenais. Renée has also been involved as a student member of the CSHP through which she participated in the student mentorship program. Learn more about Renée below:
As you can see, there is a tremendous range of opportunities available to become more deeply involved in the UBC Pharm Sci student community. To learn more, check out our previous blog post on this topic.
Do you know a Pharm Sci student who might like to be featured in a future episode of Student Talks? Perhaps you are that person yourself? If so, send us an email at pharmsci.cmassist2@ubc.ca.
Keep an eye out for the next episode of Student Talks – coming soon to YouTube!
-Ivan Yastrebov, Communications & Marketing
A day at UBC can be spent a million different ways. You can take a stroll through Nitobe, brave the stairs and sunbathe at Wreck Beach, or browse through the extensive galleries at the Museum of Anthropology.
The Story of Medicines exhibit is one of UBC’s newest attractions. It is one of the most exciting features of the new Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, highlighting pharmacy’s essential contribution to human health. The elegance and educational value of the project has recently earned international recognition – the Story of Medicines exhibit was a Silver winner in the 2014 Summit Creative Award competition, under the category of Education Institution Interactive Media.
Here are a few of the highlights of the Story of Medicines exhibit.
The Origins and Evolutions of Pharmacy – This section was developed with the assistance of alumnus and pharmacy historian Steve Dove, and traces the history of pharmacy from ancient times to the modern world. It houses artifacts from the collections of the Faculty.
The Role of Pharmacy – This section exhibits the many career paths in Pharmaceutical sciences, such as community pharmacists, government, industry, and academia.
Six Drugs that Changed the World – There are six drugs that had a major impact in human history: anesthetics, antibiotics, birth control pills, vaccines, analgesics, and insulin. This display takes you through the creation and societal impact of these six drugs.
Journey of a Drug through the Body – This is my favourite exhibit in the Story of Medicines, as it demonstrates pharmacokinetics, or how medications are metabolized throughout the body. It includes customizable options for body type, type of drug, and method of administration. After specifying your options, you are taken through the step-by-step process of drug metabolism.
Interactive Alumni Yearbook – Look through decades of UBC pharmacy alumni, including the CP3, Bsc (Pharm), MSc, PHD, and PharmD grads. Compare hairstyles, class composition, and see what some of the grads are up to today.
The Story of Medicines is located on the main and mezzanine levels of the Pharmaceutical Sciences building. It is open to the public from 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday.
As a society, we are obsessed with body language – it allows us to analyze someone partially subconscious thought process. We want to pick up on peoples non-verbal cues, as it is a perceived indicator of what they are really thinking. However, we almost always see body language as something external from ourselves.
Body language is also a powerful manipulator of how people receive you, but it also has a powerful effect on how you perceive yourself. This month’s TED Talk, “Your body language shapes who you are” by Amy Cuddy explores the science of personal body language perception.
One of the most important lessons I have learned from this TED Talk is the importance of Power posing. Power posing, interestingly enough, is when you stand in powerful poses for roughly two minutes. Typical power poses require you to spread out as much as possible – stand with your legs squared to your shoulders and your hand on your hips our outreached or place your hands flat on a table while standing. If you need inspiration, think of the poses you see from powerful CEO-types in the media.
Power posing, for two minutes, can help increase your testosterone and lower your cortisol, which has the overall effect of making you seem more commanding or positively increasing your presence. You come across as a more confident,
Power posing is a technique I have personally tried before, especially before interviews. I can personally attest to feeling more confident, and having a more communicative interview after power posing – especially compared to interviews where I have gone in after low-power posing (such as hunching my shoulders or glancing at my phone). I feel as if my responses to questions were more coherent, and my ability to react to questions was quicker. I have found that power posing forces a confidence boost, which makes me feel like I am more qualified for the interview (reducing that “I’m-not-supposed-to-be-here” feeling, which sucks).
Power posing, and more general awareness of body language can be used in many more situation than just interviews – it may help you feel more confident when walking into a seminar, or help you understand group dynamic better while working on a project. Being more aware of how your body language is being perceived is an important skill to hone, as it can often give away more information about you than your words.
Try taking power posing into the upcoming school year, it may just change how people perceive you – but more importantly, how you perceive yourself.
Have you used power posing before, or something similar? What did you think? Tell us in the comments, or tweet us at @ubcpharmacy.
–Sukhman Perhar, Communications and Marketing
Without a doubt, UBC is at its most stunning in the summer months. Beautiful clear skies create a sparkle in the water, outdoor patios boast friends catching up, and late sunsets at Wreck Beach mean plenty of time to work on a tan. While everyone may know that Nitobe is stunning this time or year, or to Instagram the Rose Garden, there are a couple of more low key spots on campus to enjoy during the summer. I asked around the office, and here are a few of our summer campus gems.
“This university has no shortage of beautiful spaces around campus, but one of my absolute favorite gems at UBC has to be the Museum of Anthropology (MoA). Architecturally, the MoA is stunning. Designed by Arthur Erikson, the towering concrete pillars and floor to ceiling glass make it one of the most visually appealing structures on campus. Not only is the museum itself magnificent, but tucked between the park’s trees, the MoA sits on the edge of campus, giving it a beautiful view of the ocean and a perfect spot to watch the sun set over the water. The area surrounding the museum features a serene reflecting pool and is accompanied by a series of First Nation’s totem poles. The large green space and hills outside of the MoA make it an ideal place to sit, take in the beautiful scenery and unwind after a long day. I find the museum and all that surrounds it to be one of the most peaceful and quiet places on campus and try to venture out to it as much as I can.”
– Brandon Lal, Communications & Marketing Assistant
“One of my family’s favorite places on campus is the community garden, located just down Main Mall towards the Stadium. We’ve had a plot there for the past 3 years and every summer my kids would run/bike to the garden after dinner to water it, and to of course pick and eat peas, carrots, strawberries, lettuce, etc. I grew up in Los Angeles not knowing a thing about growing my own vegetables and fruits, and while I still don’t have a clue (thanks to my husband who does all the gardening), I absolutely LOVE watching the joy and excitement in my kids when picking and eating stuff out of our own garden! Not only that, the garden becomes a very popular socializing spot in the summer where all of our friends gather around and catch up.”
– Grace Wood, Manager, Office of the Associate Dean, Practice Innovation
As for me – if you are looking for a quick thrill without leaving campus, the Greenheart Canopy Walk is definitely for you. You can find it in the heart of UBC Botanical Garden, making it much closer than a comparable adventure in Capilano (plus, I honestly believe the UBC one is better). Designed by Greenheart, a Vancouver company that has eco-centric projects all over the world, the Canopy Walk allows you to take a beautiful stroll in the trees. The platform at the highest peak (20 meters) allows you to see the forest in a whole new light – peering at the tops of 100 year old trees, rather than looking up from below. It leaves you with a sense of awe and reverence for nature. While I may be 65 feet in the air, suddenly I always feel more grounded than ever before. The actual canopy walk is a little wobbly, but never nauseatingly so, making it a great place to take your family when they visit.
What is your favourite hidden campus gem during the summer? Comment below, or tweet it to us at @ubcpharmacy, or hashtag a picture with #ubcCampusGems
– Sukhman Perhar, Communications and Marketing Assistant
“Why truly innovative science demands a leap into the unknown” by Uri Alon is this month’s featured TED Talk, as it highlights to combination of science and creativity to truly create the most innovative science advancements. Many Pharmacy students intend to use their training in Pharmaceutical Sciences to pursue a career in research.
Uri Alon has created the concept of the cloud – a metaphysical space for researchers who are confused about the direction of their work. The creation of the concept, and its proliferation in the scientific community, has allowed a dialogue to be opened about the process of knowledge creation.
An inspirational talk for anyone, not those just going into research, highlights the importance of embracing failure and transforming it to a point of creativity. By continuing to pursue options after an initial failure, and by allowing yourself to use the subjective and emotional side of your brain, researchers can push beyond the boundaries of the known into innovative unknown solutions.
By combining science and the lessons learned in improv acting, the cloud that Uri Alon has created allows researchers to persevere through their intellectual doubts and stalls, emerging from the cloud with innovative new solutions to their original problem.
What do you think? How do you combine creativity and science?
– Sukhman Perhar, Communications and Marketing
Have you heard? Our latest issue of Discover, the official Pharm Sci Magazine, is out. In the summer issue, there was a distinct focus on the future of Pharmacy – and that means our graduating class of 2014.
In this summer’s feature, we can see how the Faculty of Pharm Sci can leave a lasting impression on many of our graduates. Six of this year’s graduates had parents who were also UBC Pharmaceuticals Alumni, demonstrating that a love for pharmacy can be passed down from one generation to the next. Our featured family – the Nolan’s – had three generations of UBC pharmacists!
For many students, the Faculty itself began to feel like family. In a piece interviewing some of our pharmacy graduates, many grads commented on the tight knit community that was created during their four years at UBC. Late nights studying, skits nights, and faculty sports matches’ fostered an environment of friendship and camaraderie.
Along with reliving some of their favourite moments with UBC Pharmacy, grads also offered advice for students remaining in the program, and gave us a glimpse of what the future holds, for themselves and for the pharmacy as a whole. They commented on the importance of exploring as many different opportunities as you can while still in school, and most were very hopefully that the future of pharmacy was going to include an expanded role for pharmacists.
Read the summer issue online here.
Make sure you check out the latest issue of Discover, and comment below what was your favourite article.
–Sukhman Perhar, Communications and Marketing
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