Category Archives: Uncategorized
FollowStudent Services Update – Admission into UBC Pharm Sci
This week, Jennifer Chatterton, Director of UBC Pharm Sci’s Student Services, has an important update on admissions.
“As many of you are aware, we sent out a round of admission offers last week and this week. Everyone who received an offer of admission will have until June 2nd to accept or decline their offer of admission. This means that offers will continue to roll out slowly over the next few weeks, as we wait for responses from our applicants. We will notify all applicants of their status (admit, refuse or waitlist) as soon as we are able and we appreciate your patience. We know it is hard to wait!
For those of you who have received an offer of admission, the Undergraduate Admissions Office is currently working on confirming your offers. Once they have reviewed your final transcripts and are able to confirm your offer, they will update your status on the SSC and you will be able to accept your offer and pay your deposit. If you do not intend to accept your offer, we would appreciate it if you could notify us immediately so that we can offer your spot to another applicant. Offers that have not been accepted by June 2nd will be given to other applicants”.
-Jennifer Chatterton, Director, Student Services
Congratulations on the students who have already accepted their admission into UBC Pharm Sci. Patience and good luck to those still awaiting their admission. Feel free to shoot us a tweet @UBCPharmacy, and we would love to congratulate you on admission!
Remember – UBC Pharm Sci’s Official Blog is a platform for you to experience a transparent admissions process. If you have any general questions or concerns, please share them in the comments section!
– Sukhman Perhar, Communications and Marketing
UBC Alumni Weekend!
Firstly, congratulations to the fresh batch of graduates making the transition from students to alumni – we look forward to hearing about all you have accomplished during future alumni events. Welcome to UBC’s Young Alumni network.
This upcoming weekend, UBC will be celebrating Alumni Weekend. This fun filled weekend includes family friendly camps, a beer garden, free admission into all UBC attractions, and a presentation by Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage – host of the show “MythBusters”.
More than the fun fuelled events, Alumni Weekend is also a great learning opportunities with many professors and alumni giving presentations and showcasing their work at UBC. Some of the events that look particularly interesting are: the Paino & Erhu Projecet (for music lovers), WINE: A Blend of Art and Science (for budding wine connoisseurs), and Robots, Resource Books, and Baristas(for young Alumni who are confused about the value of their degree).
Of course, here at UBC Pharm Sci we are also celebrating Alumni Weekend. Pharm Sci prof Dr. James McCormack will be giving a talk on type-2 diabetes. Far from being the usual health talk, Dr. McCormack is using Tom Hanks as a case study to present information that he thinks Hanks would need to know to make an informed decision about treatments. Dr. McCormack’s presentation is Saturday, May 24 at 1:15-2:15 in the Norm Theatre.
We hope to see some of our Pharm Sci Alumni out in force this weekend – see you there!
TED Talk Tuesday: Freeman Hrabowski and the Four Pillars to College Success in Science
If you are not familiar with TED Talks, you are in for a treat. TED talks are short (18 minutes or less), powerful talks that are designed to spread ideas. Presenters are often industry leaders and trailblazers. The TED community is actively involved both online and offline, and believes in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and the world. One of the most inspiring features of TED Talks is that they are solutions driven – with a focus on presenting constructive solutions to social issues
In honour of some of the great content that is freely available to anyone with an internet connection, we are going to start a monthly feature – TED Talk Tuesday. Each month, we will highlight one TED Talk and we encourage everyone to engage in a conversation about the topics.
This month, I want to share a TED Talk by Freeman Hrabowski called the “4 Pillars of College success in Science”. This talk focuses on the ways that Universities can help ensure that students who enter a science program will successful graduate with a science degree. Check it out:
UBC is consistently ranked as a Top 40 University in the Sciences, and implementing some of the four pillars of success that Hrabowski discusses in his presentation.
The first pillar of success is high expectations, at both the university and high school level.
The Faculty of Sciences, and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, sets high expectations of students from the start. The Faculty of Science has the highest admission averages, at 93.4% in 2012. Both Faculties take into consideration more than test scores and review applicant’s personal profiles (Sciences) and conduct interviews (Pharmacy). This ensures that students are well rounded and are passionate about their chosen field of study.
The second pillar of success is building a community in the STEM faculties. Rather than viewing classmates as competition for grades, internships, and jobs, students should work together and get to know each other as colleagues.
Science One and the Coordinated Science Program, alternative first year programs, help foster a sense of community among Science students. Students are placed in smaller classes and are encouraged to form frienships not just study groups. After first year, almost every science major has a Facebook group where students can interact with and get help from their peers. However, community building has to go past just the academics – which is why I was so pleased to see that there are groups such as PIGS – Pharmacy 2014 International Gastromers – a group of Pharmacy students who like to try out restaurants together.
The third pillar of success is that researchers produce researchers. Having opportunities for experiential learning, rather than just lectures, is critical to success in the sciences.
With the newly opened Pharmacists Clinic, UBC Pharm Sci students can shadow pharmacists and help provide a range of therapeutic services. This is the first University affiliated, licensed, patient care centered pharmacy. The BSc (Pharmacy) curriculum also emphasized experiential learning, in the form of clerkship completed at community hospital sites.
The last pillar is that the faculty must be willing to engage with students. A faulty that is truly invested in the success of its students is critical to their success.
Having just stared working with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, it is apparent to me how much the Faculty really does care and engage with its students. From trying to keep students informed about their admission status, to featuring their work, to providing opportunities and information about grants and scholarships, the Faculty is committed to the success of its students.
What do you think? Do you agree that these four pillars are part of student success in the sciences? What do you think UBC could be doing better? Tell us in the comments!
Second Student Talks video out now!
We’re proud to share with you the next installment of the UBC Pharm Sci Student Talks series.
This ongoing video series will showcase the UBC Pharm Sci undergraduate student experience and help start a conversation around pharmacy practice and the unexpected but rewarding moments that await students at our Faculty.
This episode features third-year BSc Pharm student Renée Dagenais. Renée is the President of the Rho Chi Honour Society and also serves as a BCPhA Student Ambassador.
What excites you the most about pharmacy practice? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section!
-Raul Scorza, Communications & Marketing
Jimmy Fallon, Walter White and Clinical Pharmacy – A Recap of Pharmacists Awareness Month 2014
Jimmy Fallon and Walter White walk into a hospital to speak with a clinical pharmacist…
If you thought that the above was the only way these three subjects could be related, think again. We agree – it sounds like the start of a terrible joke. In reality, however, all three are connected by Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) 2014.
The end of March brings Pharmacist Awareness Month to a close for the year. At UBC Pharm Sci, the University’s Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns Chapter (CAPSI UBC) and the Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (PhUS) participated in raising awareness about the role of pharmacists in patient care.
UBC PAM’s Facebook page has been active since the start of the month and was well populated with facts and information about pharmacy. For example, did you know that the B.C. Government will cover expenses on smoking cessation medication in order to help individuals to quit?
UBC Pharm Sci students and faculty also participated in Student Booths at the SUB. The Student Booths aimed to connect the larger UBC community with pharmacists and pharmacy students in order to learn more about the profession in a fun and engaging way. Performances at the SUB included Dr. Mary Ensom playing the electric violin, students playing the acoustic and electric guitar, and an impressive, artistic rendition of the Breaking Bad anti-hero completed in less than 8 minutes.
Still, March, and thus PAM, is not yet over. There is still time to attend the final event hosted by CAPSI UBC and PhUS on March 26: Avenues in Clinical Pharmacy, a conversation on career paths for pharmacists in a hospital setting. Previous events included visits to local high schools and a discussion on how pharmacists can market themselves most effectively.
All of these outstanding efforts were part of PAM celebrations across Canada. Fleming College in Ontario demonstrated how pharmacy technicians can help people with Alzheimer’s disease using colour coded-based reminders on pills and Memorial University students planned a Public Pill Drop. BC’s own Mill Bay Pharmasave shared in the fun by uploading their #creative and #informative take on Jimmy Fallon’s #Hashtag video!
What were your favourite PAM initiatives? What events would you like to see take place next year? Share with us in the comments!
-Raul Scorza, Communications & Marketing
Drum-roll please…the first UBC Pharm Sci Student Talks is out!
This week, we are thrilled to release the first episode in our new series, titled UBC Pharm Sci Student Talks.
This ongoing video-interview series will share UBC Pharm Sci undergraduate student experiences and delve deeper into the student perspective on a variety of topics, including: how to get involved as a student, thoughts on future practice, and their fondest memories with UBC Pharm Sci.
Our first Student Talks features fourth-year BSc Pharm student Aaron Sihota. Aaron is former President of the Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (PhUS) and currently serves as a BCPhA Student Ambassador.
Here is Aaron’s story:
Stay tuned for our next episode of UBC Pharm Sci Student Talks. What interview questions would you like us to ask our students? Let us know in the comments section!
-Raul Scorza, Communications & Marketing
How you can help raise awareness of Pharmacists Awareness Month
Last week, we shared a rundown of events that CAPSI UBC and the Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (PhUS) are hosting in celebration of Pharmacists Awareness Month (PAM). As a UBC Pharm Sci student, you’re in a great position to educate your non-pharmacy peers about the crucial role pharmacists play in patient care. We’ve compiled some ideas to help you do just that:
Image Credit: Caely-Ann McNabb, UBC Pharm Sci Alumni Relations Manager
Share PAM-related news releases and interviews uploaded by the BCPhA
The British Columbia Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) has joined the national and provincial PAM campaign. The Association intends to raise awareness about the benefits pharmacists bring as health care providers to the province’s health care system. To do so, the BCPhA will periodically distribute news releases and ask members to participate in interviews with local media outlets. Keep an eye out for these news releases and interviews and share with your friends – just this past week, a BCPhA member appeared on Breakfast Television Vancouver!
Create posters with the official CPhA Pam 2014 logo
Maybe you lean more towards the ‘digital artist/pharmacist’ profession. The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) has got your back if you wish to promote PAM through your digital skills. The CPhA has made the official campaign logo available in English and French here. Why not use it to create posters that you can post online or in print to celebrate PAM?
Start a conversation about the scope of your practice (in BC) with this chart
One of the goals of PAM is to share with patients what services you, as a future pharmacist, will be able to provide. The range of these services varies from province to province. Did you know that in British Columbia, pharmacists are qualified to provide vaccinations, renewals and adaptations, asthma and diabetes consultations, along with expert medication advice? Use this chart prepared by the CPhA to review the services Pharmacists in BC can provide.
Forward PAM word games to your peers
Keep your friends entertained on the long commute while promoting PAM at the same time! CPhA has prepared word games like this crossword puzzle and word search to showcase in a fun and engaging manner how pharmacists contribute to patient care.
Share on Facebook and Twitter
Where could you share all of the above ideas? Take to Twitter and Facebook to connect with UBC Pharm Sci’s PAM organizers and let them know you are working to raise awareness of the practice of pharmacy. Tweet @UBC_PAM and visit UBC PAM’s official Facebook page. You can also view PhUS and CAPSI UBC’s event videos and photos on Facebook.
Image Credit: Caely-Ann McNabb, UBC Pharm Sci Alumni Relations Manager
How have you raised awareness for PAM? Share in the comments section.
-Raul Scorza, Communications & Marketing
Get excited, get involved – CAPSI UBC and PhUS are hosting Pharmacist Awareness Month events
March is a great month. Whether you’re preparing to cheer for your favorite college basketball team during March Madness or are simply ecstatic to start the only month that is also a verb (we were surprised about this too!), March has something for everyone. March is also the Canadian Pharmacists Association Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM), an annual campaign to raise awareness about the crucial role of pharmacists in patient care.
To promote PAM, CAPSI UBC, the University’s Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns chapter; along with PhUS, the Pharmacy Undergraduate Society, have prepared a variety of events to take place throughout March:
March 3 to 7: SUB Demonstrations
This week pharmacy students are hosting a booth in the SUB to promote the profession of pharmacy among their peers. Poster presentations will be showcased on topics including asthma, COPD, diabetes, the importance of re-hydration and skin-care. On Monday and Friday, students will also demonstrate some of the tasks pharmacists undertake in their practice.
March 3 and March 6: High School Outreach
UBC Pharm Sci students will visit local high schools to inform a younger audience of some of the exciting opportunities the profession of pharmacy offers, as well as the application process to the BSc program. Pharm Sci volunteers will also highlight the importance of having a variety of healthcare professionals available within a community.
On March 3, UBC Pharm Sci visited Churchill Secondary and will visit John Oliver Secondary on March 6th.
March 13, 6-8 pm: Annual Pharmacy Information Evening (PIE)
The evening of March 13 represents a chance for prospective pharmacy students to learn more about the admissions process and student life. These insights are courtesy of students already enrolled in the program together with Barbara Gobis, who will also introduce the new Pharmacists Clinic.
March 18, 5-6:30 pm: Marketing Yourself Speaker Series
On March 18, CAPSI and PhUS will address the topic of “How to Best Market Yourself in Pharmacy” by hosting a speaker series in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building’s Main Lecture Hall.
March 26, 5-7 pm: Hospital Pharmacy Speaker Series
CAPSI and PhUS have invited representatives from the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists to join in a conversation about the active role hospital pharmacists play in patient care. Representatives will also advise on the potential paths students can pursue within a hospital setting.
Which of the above events will you participate in? Which activities are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments section!
– Raul Scorza, Communications & Marketing Assistant
Making the Most of your UBC Pharm Sci Experience: Campus Student Involvement 101
Last week Raul outlined a few different volunteering opportunities around campus. If that piqued your interest and you want to find out what other opportunities exist, read on!
1. UBC Residence Life – Are you interested in a wide range of activities and want to help fellow students? Being a residence advisor is a multi-faceted position with a broad scope of requirements, including planning programs, providing peer support and more. While applications have now closed for these positions, there are other ways you can get involved in the residence community. Through the residence councils, you could get elected into a representative position that involves planning events, large and small.
2. UBC Recreation – Are you more of a sporty type? UBC Recreation organizes all UBC intramural leagues, special sporting events (e.g. Day of the Longboat) and manages the student gym (the Bird Coop). UBC Rec offers a variety of positions such as event staff, referees, marketing, logistics and others. This will allow you to combine your interest in sports with your other skills and helping you gain a sense of satisfaction from helping provide recreation opportunities to other students. They also host Storm the Wall, which is hailed as an unofficial UBC graduation requirement.
3. UBC Student Leadership Conference – Would you enjoy planning a large conference? If so, the UBC Student Leadership Conference (SLC) might be the place for you. This is one of the largest student-run conferences in North America and offers the opportunity to see keynote speakers such as Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli and Sarah Kay among others. There are a range of opportunities to help out including finance, logistics, marketing and more. Applications are currently open.
4. AMS – Maybe student government is more your forte? The AMS is the student governing body in charge of a large number of student services and businesses, offering everything from affordable food to the U-Pass. The nominations for the executive positions are now over, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for you to get involved. There are numerous volunteer or paid positions still available in the different arms of the AMS.
As you can see there are a variety of opportunities available across campus and you’re sure to find one to fit your schedule and interests! Take the time while you are studying to give back to the community and get involved and you might be rewarded in ways you never expected.
– Ivan Yastrebov, Communications & Marketing Assistant