A minute with... archive
Learn about the lives of our members across Australia, working in a variety of healthcare settings to improve patient outcomes.
A minute with...
SHPA members are progressive advocates for clinical excellence, passionate about patient care and committed to evidence-based practice. Here, we spend a minute with them to learn about their lives across Australia and how their work in a variety of healthcare settings improves patient outcomes.
A Minute With... Brenda Shum
This interview is part of a series for International Women's Day
Chief Pharmacist – Royal Perth Bentley Group | SHPA Member | WA Board Director
What factors impact the ability of women to lead others?
Factors that affect an individual’s ability to lead are broadly societal, organisational, and individual. The key component interlinking these is that it is often the perception and expectation of women — both from others and themselves — across these categories, which impact their ability to lead. For example, a woman may have been raised in a culture which primarily attributes caregiving roles to women but is currently living in a society which advocates for women in leadership positions. They may face the challenging duality of being a primary carer in their personal lives, whilst also ensuring they excel as a leader in their professional role. Both roles may carry significant mental and physical loads, and holding both concurrently may have a detrimental impact on the individual’s ability to undertake either. This can result in a destructive cycle of the perception — both by others and oneself — that they are underperforming in either role.
Reflecting on my personal experiences, whilst we cannot control the perceptions and expectations of others, can manage our own reactions to these pressures, and our perceptions and expectations of ourselves.
What advice would you give the next generation of women leaders in pharmacy?
Have a growth mindset — understand that your personal and professional evolution will help you to create and lead the pharmacy profession of tomorrow.
Embrace opportunities, but after you have considered if they align with your key values and your career trajectory.
Don’t reject opportunities based on concerns that you do not have the full spectrum of skills and operational knowledge required for them. Trust in your ability to learn these whilst in the role and embrace this initial discomfort.
Consider vulnerability as a strength, as it helps to create a compassionate and supportive environment in which our team members can flourish. As women, we can be more conscious about exhibiting such traits with the perception that it may indicate weakness. Remember, we are all human, and such interactions help us connect with and better understand our teams.
Take care of your personal mental and physical health. There will likely be many people over the course of your life that will need your support in both your personal and professional spheres, but you must ensure that you are as well as can be within yourself to be able to give this help.
How do you equitably distribute your time between your personal and professional roles/commitments?
I time block my days, particularly weekends, in advance to ensure that I allocate time to these. This does result in some hectic days, but that’s also the way I work best — both in my personal and professional roles! Most days, I do generally have a ‘cut off’ time in the evening, when I will go through a consistent series of actions (e.g. reading for 30 mins), to help wind down and recharge for the following day.
A Minute With... Elizabeth Manias
This interview is part of a series for International Women's Day
Research Professor at Monash University | SHPA Member | Committee of Specialty Practice in Clinical Pharmacy 2014–2017, Member of Transitions of Care and Primary Care Specialty Practice Leadership Committee 2021–2023
Tell us about your career in pharmacy and healthcare.
I have completed bachelor’s and master’s studies in pharmacy and have undertaken a PhD examining health care collaboration and communication in critical care. Aside from being a registered pharmacist, I am also a registered nurse and a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist. My professional experience has mainly been in acute hospital settings, but more recently my focus has turned to the importance of managing medicines across transitions of care. Currently, I work as a university professor, where I undertake research in medication safety, consumer participation in health care, and communication between health professionals and patients and families. I am particularly interested in supporting older people with complex health care needs.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
To me, International Women’s Day is a recognition of the need for collective action to achieve gender equality. It identifies the importance of addressing women’s struggles in health, education, and personal and professional relationships so that the whole of humanity benefits. This day symbolises the value of all women, by celebrating differences and supporting those who are in vulnerable situations.
Do you have a woman in pharmacy that you admire? Why?
I admire many women in pharmacy, and it is difficult to identify someone as a definite standout. If I am required to name only one woman, I would have to say Debbie Rigby. She is at the pinnacle of how pharmacists can make an enormous impact on health care. Debbie advocates for the importance of pharmacists on the health care team, with the aim of enabling better medicine management for patients. She is also very active in policy and guideline development, implementation and evaluation, and in supporting and mentoring pharmacists. Debbie is also not afraid to speak out and is a strong advocate for patients and their families.
Over your career what positive changes have been made for women in healthcare?
I feel there is greater inclusion of women in senior executive roles in health care, and in professional and government organisations. There is greater recognition about the important role that women play in healthcare, as demonstrated by celebration of women’s achievements through prizes and awards. Furthermore, in health care environments, there is enhanced recognition about being aware of unconscious bias within ourselves and other people’s behaviour and activities.
What helps you thrive in your workplace?
I thrive on the ability to work with people who are passionate about improving patient and family care by enhancing quality use of medicines. I am also inspired by helping patients and their families to be more involved in medicine decisions. I also really enjoy mentoring other people and helping students to achieve their goals.
A Minute With... Helene Gjone
First in a series for International Women's Day
Pharmacy Intern, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania | SHPA member| Intern Observer (since 2022)
Do you have a woman in pharmacy that you admire? Why?
I work alongside so many knowledgeable, driven, and passionate women, it would be impossible to name just one!
I admire my primary research supervisor, Dr Laetitia Hattingh, who is a wealth of knowledge about all things research and empowered me to produce two publications during my intern year.
I admire Sarah Barwick, one of the advanced training residents at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), whose knowledge and passion for ID is contagious (no pun intended).
I am also incredibly thankful to RHH pharmacists Zoe Thomas and Mel Nizolek, who invited me over to their houses to help me study for the pharmacy intern exams.
How do you plan to reach your career goals?
As an early career pharmacist my key focus is to keep growing and develop a strong general knowledge before I explore specialist and research pathways. I plan to say ‘yes’ to as many learning opportunities as possible and to keep signing up for more high quality SHPA education events
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Although there is still work to be done, International Women’s Day (IWD) is about celebrating how far we’ve come towards closing the gender gap. Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of incredible women before me I now have access to education, the right to vote, the right to own property, and many other things I sometimes take for granted.
How will you celebrate IWD?
I will be at work wearing my purple scrubs, the colour of IWD! IWD is also a great opportunity to send a thank you card to some of the incredible female mentors who have influenced me professionally.
What helps you thrive in your workplace?
I am driven by intellectual curiosity, so I thrive in situations that allow me the opportunity to continuously learn and grow. Thankfully I still have a lot to learn, so I don’t think I’ll get bored any time soon.
A Minute With... Katie Ambrose
Invited speaker Katie Ambrose, SHPA 2022 Technician of the Year finalist, will present on the Tasmanian Statewide Pharmacy Technician Strategy at MM2022.
What excites you about your work?
Right now, the focus on growth within the Tasmanian pharmacy technician workforce, and the opportunities being created. My current role gave me the opportunity to delve into the creation of processes and training documentation that will assist our technicians well into the future. It’s been an incredible opportunity to be part of such a huge project! Also, the investments being made into the leadership skills of our pharmacy staff in management roles, putting a focus on the importance of good leadership within our teams.
What is your hidden talent?
House and interior design. I designed our home and I’m very proud of the result!
What did you rediscover about yourself during lockdown/the pandemic?
A love for the simple life, and discovering new hobbies.
What is your top tip for to reinvigorate yourself?
I think of this more as grounding myself; stop, think, put things into perspective and don’t compare yourself to others. You create your own story.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Spending time ‘off-grid’ and away from technology, whether that is at home on the farm, or spending a weekend away with friends exploring our beautiful state.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Make sure you find time every day to have a good laugh! (Thanks Nan and Pop!)
A Minute With... Dr Jo Watson
Invited speaker Dr Jo Watson will present ‘Communicating with patients with disabilities and cognitive impairment’ at MM2022. Dr Watson is Postgraduate Studies Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Disability and Inclusion at Deakin University’s School of Health and Social Development.
What excites you about your work?
Having supported people with intellectual disability and complex communication access needs for over 30 years as a Speech Pathologist, researcher and lecturer I am excited to see the evolution in the realisation of human rights for people with disability since Australia’s signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
We have a long way to go however, as a nation, I think the tide has turned, and the inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of life (including health) is now a reality.
What do you hope to achieve in your field of work?
I hope my work continues to further the self-determination of people with intellectual disability and complex communication access needs, a group that I believe are rarely heard in the health system.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
There is power in a union! Humans are relational beings and we achieve our best when we work collaboratively and respectfully with one another.
What’s your hidden talent?
Emerging from an hour scuba dive with 3/4s of a tank of air! I require very little oxygen!
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Putting on a backpack and exploring a new landscape, people and culture, far from my every day.
A Minute With... Professor Johanna Westbrook
Invited speaker Professor Johanna Westbrook will present ‘Big data in aged care’ at MM2022. Professor Westbrook is an NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Leadership Fellow, Co-Director of the Safety, Quality, Informatics & Leadership Program at Harvard University and Director, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research at Macquarie University’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation.
What excites you about your work?
There is so much potential in using existing electronic data silos in the aged care sector to provide meaningful information to care providers, clients and families which can support improvements in care and outcome.
What do you hope to achieve in your field of work?
Demonstrating the value of collaborations between researchers, care providers and families/clients, policy-makers in developing innovative approaches to drive safer and better quality care in the aged care sector.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Be persistent!
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Getting lost in a book or movie.
A Minute With... Bryan Walker
Chair, Pharmacy Technician and Assistants Leadership Committee
In the lead up to Pharmacy Technician Day, we caught up with some SHPA Technician members on their work, career, SHPA membership and plans on #RxTechDay, Tuesday 18 October.
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacy technician?
I am humbled and honoured by the responsibility I have been given helping patients get well again. What is exciting is making a positive difference in someone’s life. It makes the work very rewarding.
What are your proudest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
My proudest achievement has been being a member of the SHPA Technicians and Assistants Leadership Committee. I hope to help technicians form a stronger partnership with pharmacists to achieve a more dynamic approach to learning and training opportunities.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
SHPA membership has given me the opportunity to meet extraordinary people from a wide array of disciplines. SHPA is a wonderful way to express ideas, get words of encouragement, and to know you are not alone.
How will you mark 2022 Pharmacy Technician Day?
I will celebrate with some good food and enjoy the day!
Find out how SHPA supports Technicians and Assistants
A Minute With... Amanda Bernhagen
Pharmacy Technician and Assistants Leadership Committee
In the lead up to Pharmacy Technician Day, we caught up with some SHPA Technician members on their work, career, SHPA membership and plans on #RxTechDay, Tuesday 18 October.
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacy technician?
It’s ever changing, growing, and improving! It’s exciting to be part of a team that is constantly finding the best way possible to help patients.
What are your proudest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
Being the first ever Tech on the SHPA QLD Branch Committee. I hope to continue working with like-minded assistants and technicians as part of the driving force behind the progression of the pharmacy assistant career path, I strongly believe there is so much more space for growth and optimisation of the role.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
At risk of sounding conceited, I believe my SHPA involvement has really helped get my name out there and opened doors for me to be involved in projects that I could only have ever dreamt about previously. It’s so lovely to be a contact for an assistant met through this space, I know I absolutely take advantage of knowing I have assistant friends around Australia I can call or email for their advice or support about the role of a pharmacy assistant/technician.
How will you mark 2022 Pharmacy Technician Day?
At the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital I like to dedicate the day to celebrating my team, I don’t want to give too much away, in case my team are reading this 😊
In the past we have celebrated by asking the wider Pharmacy Department to compile some thank you messages or compliments that are given out the to the team, last year this was in addition to custom cookies I had made and stamped with ‘Happy Tech Day’.
Find out how SHPA supports Technicians and Assistants
A Minute With... Kylie Richardson
Pharmacy Technician and Assistants Leadership Committee
In the lead up to Pharmacy Technician Day, we caught up with some SHPA Technician members on their work, career, SHPA membership and plans on #RxTechDay, Tuesday 18 October.
Tell us what excites you about your work as a hospital pharmacy technician?
Helping people by being part of a safe and efficient heath system. I am a rotational pharmacy technician and I love the different challenges and unique skills and knowledge working in each area of hospital pharmacy provides.
What are your proudest accomplishments and what more do you hope to achieve?
Being part of a great team of pharmacy technicians who are expanding our scope of practice. I had the opportunity to take part in a ‘State of the Nation’ presentation, and I would love to one day to be part of a Medicines Management SHPA National Conference.
How has SHPA membership supported you in your career?
SHPA has been a great networking platform to meet like-minded peers both locally and around Australia. I have had the opportunity to be part of the Technician and Assistant Specialty Practice Leadership Committee and Committee Member of the SHPA Tas Branch where I have been a voice for Technicians
How will you mark 2022 Pharmacy Technician Day?
We will have a morning tea to celebrate.
Find out how SHPA supports Technicians and Assistants
A Minute With... Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson will co-lead the workshop ‘Stakeholder engagement: how to pitch your case for change and innovation’.
What excites you about my work?
I actually love my work. I get to have impact on the lives of thousands of people. I get to see my fellow pharmacists and pharmacy technicians given the tools and respect they deserve to provide the care our patients depend on. And I get to work with a team of people who make me deeply proud.
What is my secret superpower?
Diet Coke, I guess. It’s great for boosting productivity and concentr…
What seriously is my secret superpower?
My superpower is the team of people around me and the way we work as a team. A team fuelled by kindness, collaboration, respect, and warmth will get better results than any other team on the planet.
If I have a superpower it’s in drawing these people together and giving them the space to lead with these values in their hearts and embedded in everything they do.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for me?
I didn’t drink gin before the pandemic, but over the last three years I have discovered how refreshing it can be…
But seriously; in Tasmania your approach to recharging needs to be seasonal, a bit like a solar battery system. In summer I make the most of the beautiful sunshine we get here in Tassie with our lovely long days, and spend time on the deck drinking gin with friends, or in the garden building something, or being dragged to a freezing cold beach because my wife tells me the water is actually quite lovely once you get used to it (it isn’t), or taking my kids up to Derby for a ride on the mountain bike trails.
In summer I try and do six months of recharging because the Winter period is a bit more of a slog. In winter, it’s hanging around indoors and playing some Xbox or Playstation. (With gin.)
What is my top tip to reinvigorate my staff?
My tip isn’t rocket science: work-life balance. I expect everyone to put in their eight hours a day, and no more. The best patient care comes from people who are, themselves, people – not robots. We all have families to spend time with, loved ones to look after, hobbies to invest time in, friends to hang out with (and, of course SHPA committees to join and conference abstracts to write!)
Often workplaces tend to only reward people who put in 60-hour weeks, but that doesn’t create a culture of staff who feel energised and satisfied – so how can they care with compassion? The pandemic has made a huge dent in all of our work-life balances… it’s important that, now that things are getting closer to normal, we feel empowered to have the work-life balance we need.
A Minute With... Dr David Holden and Josephine To
Dr David Holden and Josephine To will co-lead the workshop ‘Difficult conversations: what you think you heard is not what I thought you said’.
What can attendees expect from your workshop at MM2022?
The workshop will be an opportunity to learn tips and tricks to improve your communication with patients, families and colleagues. Difficult conversations are difficult, but avoiding them doesn’t make them easier or make us better at them. It’s okay to not be perfect and we can learn to communicate better. We hope that you learn some new skills and gain new knowledge about how to communicate well, and importantly learn that every conversation we have is a chance to reflect and keep improving.
What excites you about your work?
David: Supporting people at their most vulnerable. Working in a team to support patients and families.
Jo: What David said! And seeing people feel more confident in the care they are providing or the care they are receiving.
What did you rediscover (e.g., about yourself, a hobby, about others) during the pandemic?
David: It is ok to be exhausted and ask for help and we can support each other.
Jo: I am very thankful for my support network in and outside of work. A long, slightly complicated cook became a Saturday afternoon routine which I came to enjoy.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
David: You are not perfect, and that is OK
Jo: You can do it – the advice everyone with imposter syndrome needs to hear!
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
David: Hiking and walking out of phone coverage
Jo: Exercise, a good book and cooking.
A Minute With... Professor Jill Klein
Invited speaker Professor Jill Klein will present ‘Stress driving errors, errors driving stress’, informed by her teaching of Clinical Decision Making, Leadership and Resilience and research interests: medical decision making, diagnostic error, and medical student well being.
What excites you about your work?
Being able to have a positive impact on others, particularly in the area of resilience and well-being for healthcare professionals.
What do you hope to achieve in your field of work?
Wow - that's a big question. Helping as many healthcare workers as possible.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I've just read the book 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman - it is full of great advice, I wish I had read it 40 years ago!
What’s your hidden talent?
I am a soccer goalkeeper and can still make a save off the foot of a 25 year old Brazilian guy.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Sometimes Yoga… and sometimes I have days where I'm just playing for the time to watch episode 3, season 4 of some series on Netflix.
A Minute With... Betty Chaar
Betty Chaar will present on ‘Ethical challenges in practice’ at MM2022, and is the workshop lead on ‘Ethical decision making in clinical practice’
What can attendees expect to learn from your presentation and workshop at MM2022?
Attendees can expect to explore in depth some ethical dilemmas in practice, better understand how to manage ethical dilemmas by adopting an approach that involves both clinical and moral reasoning, as well as an enhanced appreciation of the ethical principles underpinning ethical decision making in pharmacy.
What excites you about your work?
Sharing, continuous learning and mentoring. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing generations of young pharmacists blossom into mature, responsible professionals.
What attracted you to studying pharmacy?
I loved the notion of expertise in medicines, and using that expertise to help alleviate pain and suffering.
If you could go back in time, what’s the one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
Careful who you trust…
What’s your hidden talent?
I think I can claim some talent in floral design.
What does ‘recharging’ look like for you?
Taking off my watch, turning off the mobile phone, shutting down the laptop and simply not thinking! …and perhaps enjoying some precious time in the sun.
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