Annual academic award ceremony recognizes exceptional pharmacy students.
For Janessa Sawatzky, a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student, winning the Mike Kupfer Memorial Award, for having academic achievement and demonstrating a high degree of empathy for fellow students, was particularly meaningful.
“[My award] kind of just says, ‘you're a good person.’ Which is nice,” joked Sawatzky. “Somebody thought of me and nominated me for it, which feels good.”
After graduation, Sawatzky wants to work rurally and continue to share their empathy with others.
“That's where I find the most impact on the patients, and you can follow them more closely and get to know them.”
Sawatzky was one of 57 students receiving recognition awards at the annual College of Pharmacy Academic Awards Ceremony. Thirty-nine different student awards and the Outstanding Teacher Awards were handed out at the ceremony on October 26 at Apotex Centre.
“It takes a lot of work to maintain a good GPA as well as engage in a lot of leadership activities and involvement in community, and certainly your efforts are very much recognized,” said Dr. Christine Leong, associate dean (academic) of the College of Pharmacy, in her welcoming remarks.
“I feel like we are the most accessible health care profession. That’s one of the reasons why I chose pharmacy in the first place,” said Cherry Nguyen, second-year PharmD student.
“Having that patient relationship and putting in the trust for them that ‘oh, we have a health-care practitioner that cares for us and we have resources that we get rely on.’"
Nguyen received the Pharmacy Class of 1966 Scholarship and William G. Eamer Community Leadership Scholarship for Student Excellence. She was chosen for her academic success, demonstrated social responsibility and participation in leadership activities.
“Contributing to the community, as well as demonstrating leadership, are both important qualities.” said Nguyen. “I love serving the community. It just brings me such great joy.”
Nguyen also takes part in mental health awareness initiatives and outreach to undergraduates. She is the Manitoba Jr. Representative for Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI), which successfully advocated for pharmacy students to be included in the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness.
David Fasano presented the Lori Fasano Scholarship through tears, memorializing his wife who passed away earlier this year. Lori Fasano [B.Sc.Pharm/82] suffered a brain injury in 2013 and was unable to move or speak for the last 13 years of her life.
“I do present with mixed emotions, said Fasano. “This year has been a combination of both grieving and relief.”
Going forward the award will be known as the Lori Fasano Memorial Scholarship and every year a new second-year PharmD recipient will receive the award, which will be given to them again in years three and four.
“We look at this as an opportunity to change the fundamentals of her scholarship and to continue her love of pharmacy. And her legacy.”
Hannah Storsley received the Lori Fasano Scholarship for demonstrating excellence in academics, athletics and leadership ability. Last year, she coached volleyball through Athletes in Action. Storsley also received the Marguerite Hulme Scholarship in Pharmacy for high academic standing.
Three instructors received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, selected anonymously by students in first-, second- and third-year classes.
Iurchenko won for “his kindness and approachability, which make his classroom a great place to learn,” said Leong.
One student commented, “He is a truly kind professor, who genuinely cares about his students success and development of understanding both the lecturers and lab.”
“Kristi brings real enthusiasm, is encouraging with every learner and her passion for teaching is clear to everyone she works with,” said Leong.
“She is always going above and beyond for us,” one student commented. “And I always felt I could approach her whenever I had a question and never feared judgment once.”
“Joanne integrates ways to keep students engaged and weaves leadership training into the course, which resonates with students as they look ahead,” said Leong.
One student commented, “she was so inspirational in her empathy and dedication to create a safe environment to make students feel valued and heard.”
To learn more, watch a reel of the the annual ceremony.
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