I grew up in a small town in Alberta, a place with a population of no more than a few hundred people. It didn’t even have a pharmacy, the closest one was a 30 minute drive away in a bigger community.
It was a mainly a community of farmers and everyone knew each other. Growing up there was memorable, we would spend all day outdoors, everyone would look forward to the annual rodeo, and everyone in the community felt like family.
I missed that feeling, and when I had my own kids, I realized that I wanted to give them the same opportunity I had growing up. I took the chance, and in 2020, took over the associate owner position at the Salmon Arm Shoppers Drug Mart location.
Salmon Arm is a bit bigger than Peers, Alberta, but it was also alike in many ways. The people looked out for each other and no one is a stranger. It was quaint, homey, and for me, the timing was right.
Living and working as a pharmacist in Salmon Arm has been rewarding. You get to know the doctors better, and it can often be easier to obtain the mutual respect of your health-care colleagues in rural settings. After all, our kids are often on the same soccer teams and we see each outside of work around town. Likewise, it’s easier to follow up with patients in a community that’s tight-knit. Even if your patient never comes back to the pharmacy after their visit, you’ll learn about the outcomes of your work one way or another.
To your neighbours in a rural community, you’re more than just their pharmacist. You’re a trusted friend.
This year, supporting these rural pharmacies has become a focus of the Association. A significant portion of B.C.’s population lives outside the Lower Mainland, and we have heard from our members that additional financial supports for rural pharmacies and incentives for students to come to rural areas are needed in the profession. Later in this edition, you’ll read about some of what the Association is proposing as potential solutions.
Later this month, the Association will also be hosting the first in-person conference since the pandemic. There will be a live awards gala, too.
What really stuck out to me was how many pharmacists were nominated this year. Our pharmacists are clearly doing things that are way above what would normally be expected from a pharmacy visit. As a small sneak peek, I can tell you we have selected seven winners, pharmacists who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of mentorship, innovation, patient care, collaboration and more.
See you at the conference in Vancouver on May 31, where we will congratulate our colleagues together.
Mike Huitema
President
BC Pharmacy Association