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.
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
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.
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
This week, Jennifer Chatterton, Director of UBC Pharm Sci’s Student Services, has an important update on admissions.
The admissions process continues! We would like to confirm that our interviews will be held over the weekend of May 3rd and 4th, 2014. At this time, the Admissions Office should have received all of your transcripts and we should have received all of your PCAT scores. We are expecting the list of admission averages from the Undergraduate Admissions Office sometime this week. This means that we will be shortlisting our interview candidates very soon.
Please make sure that you check your email frequently, as we will contact shortlisted candidates via email to invite them for an interview. If you have not heard from us, please also check your junk mail folder. If you are invited for an interview, we will let you know the date and time that we are requesting that you attend. If you have a conflict and cannot make this time, please notify us. Please note: all candidates will be notified of whether or not they are being invited to interview via email.
-Jennifer Chatterton, Director, Student Services
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!
-Raul Scorza, Communications & Marketing
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