• Three Charles Sturt pharmacy alumni honoured at award ceremony
• Mr Brad Butt, Ms Mandy Wang and Ms Erin Cooper received awards at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia ACT Excellence Awards
• Recipients were acknowledged for their work providing care during the bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic

Three Charles Sturt University pharmacy alumni received top honours at the inaugural Pharmaceutical Society of Australia ACT Excellence Awards.

Charles Sturt Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates Mr Brad Butt, Ms Mandy Wang and Ms Erin Cooper were recognised for the contribution they have made in serving the ACT community during a difficult year.

Mr Butt graduated in Wagga Wagga in 2005 and was awarded Pharmacist of the Year. Ms Wang graduated in Wagga Wagga in 2010 and claimed the Early Career Pharmacist of the Year. Ms Cooper graduated in Orange in 2019 and was awarded the Intern Pharmacist of the Year.

PSA ACT Branch President Renae Beardmore congratulated all three winners.

“This year, more than ever, we need to celebrate pharmacists on the frontline who have continued to provide essential medicines and health care to patients during bushfires and COVID-19,” she said.

“Brad is the epitome of what a community pharmacist should be and has led by example, building a strong, community-focused ethic within his pharmacy providing exceptional and innovative personalised customer medication management services.

“His establishment of a service model of men’s health displays many of the qualities consistent with PSA’s Pharmacists in 2023 vision and his professionalism is further exemplified by his desire to deliver more health services to his community.

“Brad’s unique and innovative fee-for-service model is delivering a significant area of need for men with urological conditions.”

Ms Beardmore also paid tribute to Ms Wang, who has shown tremendous leadership as an early-career pharmacist, as well as a desire to innovate the pharmacist’s role.

“Over the last 12 months, Mandy’s accomplishments, like many ACT pharmacists, were framed by bushfire smoke, the threat of bushfire requiring the need for evacuations of her pharmacy and COVID-19,” Ms Beardmore said.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mandy reached out to special communities she identified as having little or no access to healthcare via PBS or usual government care.

“As part of the 2020 influenza NIP program, Mandy personally vaccinated 618 patients and has displayed an incredible amount of commitment, professionalism and care for her patients and the community.”

Ms Beardmore also congratulated Ms Cooper, who was presented with the Intern Pharmacist of the Year Award.

“Erin consistently exceeds the expectations of her role in pharmacy, implementing various professional services, supporting other pharmacists, and above all, making our community healthier every step of the way,” Ms Beardmore said.

“Erin’s peers would describe her as a collaborative and kind pharmacist and was the NAPSA President during the early stages of COVID-19, personally contributing to the creation of tools and support for members.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all ACT pharmacists for their dedication and professionalism in what has been a difficult year for so many people.”