The deadline to apply for ACP’s Leadership Development Award is fast approaching.
Third- and fourth-year students in the pharmacy program at the University of Alberta (U of A) are eligible to apply for the award. Eligible students who have demonstrated leadership, citizenship, and professionalism within the pharmacist profession or their community, or are aspiring leaders looking to sharpen their skills are encouraged to apply!
The recipient will receive up to $5,000 to use towards participation in a leadership development opportunity. This can be a leadership program delivered by a post-secondary institution or through participation at an international conference. It’s an opportunity to learn, share, and broaden perspectives on leadership with pharmacists and other health professionals nationally or internationally.
2022 Leadership Development Award winner Oluwatobiloba (Tobi) Obatusin was a driving force behind the creation of the Black Pharmacy Students’ Association (BPSA) at the U of A, which was recognized as an official student group in 2021.
As president of the BPSA, Tobi led initiatives to build a sense of community for Black pharmacy students, developing a mentorship circle, anti-Black racism webinars, and calls to action to address systematic racism. She also served as a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee at the faculty level; mentored students; and participated in speaker events to motivate and inspire younger generations of Black Canadians.
“When people of colour hold leadership positions, they are able to bring their lived experience to make things better and more equitable,” said Tobi. “When you have people from different walks of life with different experiences, different cultural backgrounds, and different languages, they are able to challenge one another with diverse perspectives. I think this diversity is essential to ensure our profession continues to grow.”
Tobi is now practising as a community pharmacist. She hopes to use her award money to attend a conference that focuses on the intersection of Black health and social issues to explore how social justice and health come together.
Applications must be received by March 15, 2023. The award will be presented at ACP’s Celebration of Leadership June 14, 2023, in Edmonton.
To learn more about eligibility and apply for the award, visit our awards page.
