Jessica Gagatek is a fourth-year pharmacy student at the University of Saskatchewan. Originally from British Columbia, Jessica moved away in 2000 to carry out postsecondary studies in Calgary, Alberta. While originally in the education program, she switched into sciences and completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree in 2004 (University of Calgary). Continuing with her education, Jessica worked toward a Master of Science degree in neuroscience through the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, at the University of Calgary. During this time she gave a poster presentation at the Society for Neuroscience conference in Washington, DC, carried out research on invertebrate synapse formation and brain plasticity, and published both a thesis and journal article entitled “Postsynaptic expression of an epidermal growth factor receptor regulates cholinergic synapse formation between identified molluscan neurons” ( European Journal of Neuroscience , 2008).
In 2007, Jessica began her pharmacy education at the University of Saskatchewan, and during this time she has contributed numerous hours to extracurricular activities around the college. She has been actively involved on many councils, including the Saskatchewan Pharmacy and Nutrition Students Society, the local and national Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) council, and the Professional Development Week 2011 Conference Planning Committee. Under her leadership, the University of Saskatchewan was awarded the 2009 Award of Professionalism, as well as the 2009 CAPSI–IPSF (International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation) Health Campaign award. Her involvement with CAPSI goes beyond advocating for the students and has included writing a local operating manual and getting ratified under the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union. Her latest contribution to the student body stems from her interest in teaching and includes running educational sessions for lower years to help supplement areas not covered in the curriculum, with efforts of increasing their confidence as they enter practice.
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Jessica Gagatek (middle right) accepts the CSHP/CAPSI Hospital Pharmacy Student Award from CSHP Past President Jason Howorko (far left) and Student Delegate Anna Huisman (far right). Also shown is Timothy Leung (middle left), co-recipient of the Student Award. |
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Jessica was the recipient of the Canadian Pharmacists Association Centennial Award 2010, the Shoppers Drug Mart Commitment to the Profession award 2009/2010, and the CSHP Future Leader Award 2009. Her future goals include giving back to the profession and to her patients, as well as to the college, with teaching and accreditation.
Timothy Leung is a fourth-year pharmacy student at the University of Alberta. After 2 years of preprofessional study at the University of Alberta, he began his pharmacy education in 2007.
As a student pharmacist, Timothy practised on the surgery and medicine units at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, during the summers of 2009 and 2010. During this time, he also performed an audit to quantify the value of pharmacist coverage on surgery units. His results were used to support the assignment of a full-time pharmacist in vascular surgery. Following this, Timothy completed 2 evaluations of procedures in the intensive care unit, as well as a review of documentation by clinical pharmacists. In addition, Timothy facilitated a journal club on “Effects of intensive blood pressure control in type 2 diabetes mellitus”, presented the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2010 “Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults” to pharmacists, and developed a clinical tool for management of C. difficile infection in adults. His work on C. difficile infection allowed him to deliver a lecture on problems associated with antibiotics in the course Pharmacy 407: Infectious Diseases I.
Recently, Timothy finished an elective rotation in ambulatory cardiology at the Heart Function Clinic and Hypertension Clinic at the University of Alberta Hospital. In addition to his direct patient care responsibilities, Timothy developed a medication history tool and an initial assessment documentation tool that has been adopted by the Hypertension Clinic.
Timothy’s most recent research project focused on the characterization of prescribing practices for the management of urinary tract infection in long-term care in Alberta Health Services Edmonton Zone. The results will support the development of future education programs for professionals practising in long-term care.
This past December, Timothy completed his term as President of the Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association. During his term, he represented students in the development of the postprofessional PharmD program and market modifier fee implementation, served on faculty committees, and sat as a representative on the Alberta College of Pharmacists Council. His involvement and contributions earned him the faculty’s Myros Samycia Family Award and the CAPSI/Wyeth Guy Genest Passion for Pharmacy Award.
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Timothy Leung (right), recipient of the CSHP/CAPSI Hospital Pharmacy Student Award, accepts congratulations from CSHP Past President Jason Howorko (left). |
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Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy , VOLUME 64 , NUMBER 2 , 2011
