Winter and the rainy season has arrived, and with it the Winter issue of Discover Magazine. In this issue we have highlighted several initiatives, including the Emphasis study, Flu Clinics, and more. We also caught up with several students who shared their favourite memories of the year, which ranged from Mr. Pharmacy to Manufacturer’s Night. Read the Winter issue below or download the PDF.
UBC Pharm Sci student immunizes community member.
Once again this year, our trained and certified 4th year students participated as immunizers for several influenza immunization initiatives across UBC campus during the month of November.
Since 2012, our 4th year students have been volunteering at UBC-wide interdisciplinary flu clinics, working alongside nursing and medical students to immunize UBC staff, faculty, and students. These flu clinics are organized by UBC Risk Management Services and 2 of these clinics took place in our very own building. This year, 116 students immunizers participated in these clinics, and 55 of them were pharmacy students.
Since 2013, our pharmacy students have also participated as immunizers at flu clinics hosted by our Pharmacists Clinic. These clinics target members of the public and individuals on campus who are not receiving vaccinations through the UBC influenza immunization program. The Pharmacists Clinic offered 4 influenza clinics this season, and 22 of our students volunteered as immunizers.
We would like to recognize the following 4th year pharmacy student immunizers who helped to make the influenza campaign another huge success this year:
Pharmacy Student Immunizers
Special thanks also goes to 3rd year students Nic Jones, Caitlin Sande, Hyung-Chan Shin, and Trishia Sy, who volunteered their time to help out with administrative duties during the flu clinics that took place in our building.
Ivy He
This week as part of our ongoing “Meet the Student Services Team” we would like to introduce Ivy He. Ivy is the Faculty’s Receptionist and is the friendly face behind the reception desk in Student Services. Read on to learn more about Ivy:
Tell us about yourself and what brought you to your role with Pharm Sci Student Services?
Prior to working at the faculty, I worked at a non-profit organization and assisted people from different age groups and cultural backgrounds. As the first point of contact for visitors to the Faculty and the Office of Student Services, I strive to provide the best experience for the students and visitors.
What is your role within Student Services?
I help students with printing credits, room bookings, supplemental and deferred exams, lab coats, and other enquiries. I also assist with different events such as the Dean’s Luncheons, Dean’s Reception, and Multiple Mini Interviews.
What do you enjoy most about your position?
I enjoy seeing our students become successful in their professional career. It makes me very happy when students come back and tell me that they enjoyed their summer job working in a pharmacy or that they were hired for a position they were seeking.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy dancing and watching movies.
What is your favourite Vancouver winter-time activity?
Sitting by the fire, drinking hot chocolate and watching a movie at home.
Do you have any advice for students?
Other than studying hard in school, start to develop your professional network and get involved in different professional development opportunities. Aim high, work hard, and give back.
If you have any questions for Ivy, please feel free to comment below, or contact ivy.he@ubc.ca.
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.
UBC Pharm Sci staff member setting up in Pharmacy Practice Lab
In preparing to apply to UBC Pharm Sci you may have already looked at the curriculum, explored the different involvement opportunities available and watched our Student Talks videos. But perhaps you’re still not sure what life would be like as a student here at the Faculty? Read on for second-year BSc(Pharm) student Joshua Quisias’ account of a typical day:
“A day in the life of a UBC Pharm Sci student usually starts with a 9:00 am lecture in the new Pharmaceutical Sciences building. Since our schedule is integrated, the topic could range from pathophysiology, to pharmacology, to therapeutics. Regardless of the topic, the material covered will be important for good pharmacy practice, effective patient care, and exams.
After 3 one hour-long lectures, class is over by noon. This is a good chance to take a break and grab some lunch from the Daily Dose, with my classmates. We usually take this chance to briefly discuss the lecture material and upcoming exams, but soon end up putting that on the backburner and talking about any events that are coming up. Recently, the discussions have focused around Mr. Pharmacist and the Pharmacy Gala, two of the most popular annual events for our faculty. Sure, being a pharmacy student is hard work, but no one said it couldn’t be fun too!
After lunch, we split up – half of us head to the practice lab where we practice skills that we’ll need when we’re out on rotation and are practicing pharmacists. Some of these skills include counselling, compounding, and learning how to do certain physical examinations. The other half heads up to a tutorial room, where we discuss patient cases or learn more about the aspects of pharmacy practice.
Once lab or tutorial is over, usually by 5:30 pm, it’s time to head back home, get some food, and hit the books. Preferred methods of studying are personal and dependent on the subject. For me, if the topic is memorization-heavy, such as frequently prescribed medications, I like to make flashcards otherwise is the material is concept-heavy, as pathophysiology is, I like to go over the learning objectives. Usually, this study time includes chatting with friends about some of the more difficult topics, as discussing material really helps me clear up my confusions with the material. Once I feel happy with the amount of studying I’ve done, or once I’m struggling to keep my eyes open, it’s time to go to bed and get some rest before the next day starts.”
– Joshua Quisias, 2nd year BSc(Pharm) Student
Thanks Joshua! We hope this helped give you some insight into the day-to-day life of a UBC Pharm Sci student. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave them in the comments or on Twitter or Facebook.
– Ivan Yastrebov, Communications & Marketing
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
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
Over the last three weeks, Ivan, Julia and I have shared different ways you can make the most of your time at UBC Pharm Sci. To conclude this series, we have asked several of our students and faculty members to share their responses to the following question:
What one piece of advice would you give students to maximize their learning and professional experience during their Pharmacy studies?
Here’s what they had to say:
“Explore all of your options and find your niche. Figure out which clubs and associations do what, and take opportunities to really discover what area you would find satisfaction in practicing in the future. Be honest with yourself about what you want and go after it. It’s much easier to make connections and refine the skills you will use in your career if you start specializing yourself early on. No one expects you to be good at everything, but make sure that future employers can see your goals and intentions through the experiences you chose in school.”
– Andrea Silver, Third year BSc(Pharm) student
“My one piece of advice to students is to leverage your student status as much as possible. Introduce yourself to influential people in the profession (and other health care stakeholders) and ask their opinions and advice. People are willing to give students a surprising amount of time in the spirit of supporting someone’s learning process. This also gives you practice building a network of people and you will be surprised how important your network of people will be in practice.”
– Barbara Gobis, Director, UBC Pharmacists Clinic
“An important piece of advice I would give current and new students is to learn from your mistakes and accept criticism in a healthy way. This may be a cliché, but this is a world-class program and is designed to help you learn and improve your skills. Although it may be hard to accept sometimes, learning from your mistakes leads to improvement and development – a very important trait to have as a future pharmacist.”
– Jason Alessio, Second year BSc(Pharm) student
“I strongly encourage each student to get involved while in the program. There are several clubs, sports teams, student societies, or professional pharmacy associations that students may join, as well as opportunities for students to take part in both clinical and laboratory research with leaders in the field! Getting involved not only provides you with the chance to build relationships with individuals in the Faculty and pharmacy community, but it also provides balance to your life and enriches your learning experience. As well, it allows you to discover your niche in pharmacy and decide where you would like to go with your career.”
– Renée Dagenais, Third year BSc(Pharm) student
I hope this series has equipped you with some ideas on how to enhance your learning, development and experience here at UBC Pharm Sci.
What would you recommend to future students? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
– Raul Scorza, Communications & Marketing Assistant
Are you contemplating a career in Pharmacy, but think that a degree in Pharmacy only has one path after graduation? Did it peak your interest when Julia talked about Pharmacy as a varied career with many different pathways? Do you have another passion that you want to integrate into your career? If so, read further and you may be surprised as to what Pharmacy could have in store for you! Here are a few different jobs you may be able to take on with a degree in Pharmacy.
1. Community Pharmacists – While this may seem like the job you are destined for with a pharmacy degree, there is more to it than meets the eye. The role of the community pharmacist is to help people manage their medication and diseases to enhance their quality of life. Through an increased scope of practice, pharmacists are now able to offer medication therapy management and other services to help support their patients in leading happy and healthy lives.
2. NASA Pharmacist – Do you have an interest in space? If the answer is yes, you could be like Tina Bayuse, who after an experiential rotation in a pharmacology lab at NASA became the organization’s first ever clinical pharmacist. From there she continued expanding the program providing medication to astronauts and their families, while helping prepare medical kits for space missions.
3. Researcher – With a passion for science and an excitement for problem solving, a researcher might be the role for you. As a researcher you will be on the front lines of pharmaceutical sciences. You will use your knowledge to look into the unknown of pharmaceuticals. This could include medication interaction, health economics, population health, toxicology and much more. Becoming a researcher requires a lot of training and discipline, but the end result is very rewarding because your discovery has the potential to positively affecting people’s lives.
4. Veterinary Pharmacist – If you have a passion for animals, with a couple of extra certifications, you’ll be able to serve as a veterinary pharmacist. In this role, you’ll be helping veterinarians figure out the right medication, dosage and delivery method for a variety of animals suffering from a range of health conditions. Since most veterinary programs offer two courses on pharmacology, the knowledge that pharmacists contribute is highly valued.
5. Medical Writer – Are you interested in the science of pharmacology and the art of writing? Becoming a medical writer might allow you to pursue both of those passions without much compromise. The career is quite varied and could include journalistic, technical or even creative writing depending on which position you are in. By applying your writing abilities to your medical knowledge you will help communicate scientific ideas in a variety of forms.
As you can see, a degree in Pharmacy does not only lead to one career path. Instead there are many different paths you are able to pursue, allowing you to combine your other passions into a job that is interests you!
– Ivan Yastrebov, Communications and Marketing, UBC PharmSci
Studying pharmacy does not have to be hard, just follow four tips!
Study Actively
Perhaps your current studying method is not working for you because you are not being active enough. Group facts into lists of five to seven points each as that is the amount of information the brain can clearly memorize at one time. When reviewing the material, explain them in your own words or discuss answers with a classmate. You are more likely to remember a conversation than memorize a stack of notes.
Learning style
Discover what type of learning style suits you best. Are you a visual, auditory or experiential learner? For example, if you’re a visual learner then draw diagrams and use colours to help yourself absorb the material better. Most people are a combination of learning styles, so blend them together! Reading text out loud covers visual, auditory and oral aspects of learning because multiple senses are absorbing the same information at once.
Eat well
You need to nourish your brain and by extension your body if you want it to perform at an optimal level. Stay hydrated and snack on high-energy food like fruit, granola bars, and vegetables. Having a treat is important too, as your favourite foods will boost your mood and motivate you to study.
Group Study
Having a hard time working through problems? Studying in a group is a great way to come up with solutions together and generate ideas about what could be on the exam. Building your pharmacy knowledge base takes time and dedication so be patient.
“Get enough sleep the night before an exam – a tired mind is a slow mind!” – Kathy Seto, Instructor
-Vivien Lee, Communications and Marketing, UBC PharmSci
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