Occupation: Pharmacist.
Tell us, where are you from and how did you get to be a pharmacist in the Pilbara region? I came to Karratha as a fourth-year student to undertake my final placement with Pharmacy 777. It only took 3 short weeks for me to be convinced that I would come back as a pharmacist one day. Fast forward to 2023 and there I was moving my life to Karratha to join the 777 team. I haven’t looked back since!
What are your professional interests/specialities? I am a pharmacist with a few unique roles:
- The core of my job is as a rural community pharmacist. Rural pharmacy is different to metro pharmacy in that it is heavily centred around primary care advice and pharmacy services. I spend most of my time talking to patients about chronic disease management or providing acute care when other health services aren’t available.
- I am part of the pharmacist rotations working on-site at Mawarnkarra Health Service. Each day, a pharmacist visits their clinic in Roebourne to work with other health professionals and patients regarding medication management. It is a true definition of multi-disciplinary care when you get to work alongside other healthcare workers under the same roof but in a community setting.
- Most recently, I have started working in the social media space to advocate for rural pharmacist careers. Our healthcare system needs more rural pharmacists (and every other type of health professional for that matter!) however, I do feel there is a gap in exposing pharmacy students, interns and early career pharmacists to what working in rural pharmacy is truly like. Social media is the most powerful tool available to us to visually show people what the possibilities are. You can find me on Instagram and TikTok@ The Rural Pharmacist.
What do you love about the Pilbara? My love for the Pilbara is based around the people. The team I work with, the community I serve and the friends I have made make it feel so easy. It’s just a bonus that the Pilbara is also accessible to the best of WA and it’s summer year-round!
Did you always want to be a pharmacist? Why? I didn’t know what I wanted to do after Year 12 other than the fact that I wanted my chosen degree to have chemistry in it. Pharmacy seemed like a good fit at the time and has proven to be a great fit since.
What are your passions? Professionally, my passion lies in finding ways to empower pharmacy students, interns and early-career pharmacists to undertake experiences in rural healthcare. We all strive to make an impact in people’s lives because that’s what makes our job so rewarding. I believe that impact is more powerful when workforce numbers are strong.
When you aren’t working, where will we find you? You’ll find me walking along one of our beautiful beaches with a coffee in hand and listening to music.
