We have all worked with someone during our careers who made a significant impact not only on ourselves and our co-workers, but on our professions, on patients, and on the health system itself. These people are the true leaders in pharmacy, or leaders who supported pharmacy from another perspective.
Their accomplishments stand out.
They inspire us.
They deserve to be recognized.
That’s where you come in.
ACP is calling for nominations for the Honorary Life Membership and the Honorary Membership.
The Honorary Life Membership is the college’s most prestigious recognition of an individual who is or has been a regulated member. The Honorary Life Membership is presented to individuals who are or have been registered as clinical pharmacists or pharmacy technicians and have, in the opinion of Council, rendered distinguished service to the practice of pharmacy.
Distinguished service is defined as long-term service to
- the profession, having provided leadership provincially and/or nationally; and
- the advancement of pharmacy and health care in their community through community service, philanthropy, and/or humanitarianism.
Being presented with an Honorary Life Membership is incredibly meaningful to each recipient. Here’s what a few honorees had to say when they learned they were about to be recognized:
“I honestly was so surprised, and I had no idea ever that this would be coming my way. I got thinking about my pharmacy career, which was quite a long one and varied, and I realized I had many opportunities along the way to do some special things for the profession, so I guess that’s why it all worked out.” – Sheila Kelcher, former pharmacist and University of Alberta professor, 2022 recipient.
“It was a gobsmacking moment for me, it really was. I was never expecting it. A lot of my career has been in hospital pharmacy, so when I learned that the Council of the college had bestowed this honour on me, it was just an overwhelming honour and surprise.” – Linda Poloway, former pharmacist and patient safety advocate, 2019 recipient.
“Skip Gibson (business partner) gave a glowing testimonial on my behalf which was almost too flattering. In my response to it, I got quite emotional and had to quit talking. There were a few more people I wanted to thank, but I got caught up in emotions.” – George Doherty, former community pharmacist and creator of George’s Special Dry Skin Cream, 2018 recipient.
“That was just a complete shock to me. While I have a lot of pride in what I do here, you wonder if people recognize the effort you put into it. I was overwhelmed.” – Mike Bain, curator/owner of the Castor Pharmacy Museum, 2017 recipient.
Individuals who have never been a regulated member of the college but have, in the opinion of Council, rendered distinguished service to the practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians may also be recognized with ACP’s Honorary Membership.
Distinguished service is defined as long-term service to our professions, having provided leadership provincially and/or nationally; and the advancement of pharmacy and health care in their community through community service, philanthropy, and/or humanitarianism.
Past honorees include former public member of Council Joan Pitfield, former University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences dean Franco Pasutto, and Bunny Ferguson, the first public member of the Council of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association (predecessor to ACP).
For details about how to nominate a colleague for either honour, please refer to ACP’s recognition webpage. Nominations are due by March 31, 2024.
