After 35 years at the helm, starting with the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association and then the Alberta College of Pharmacy, Greg Eberhart is retiring as registrar on December 31, 2024.
Greg has made a significant impact on pharmacy practice not only in Alberta, but across Canada, leading the charge to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice, set ethical expectations for pharmacy professionals, and enhance patient safety.
We reached out to some of Greg’s colleagues in Alberta and across Canada for their reflections of their time working with Greg and the legacy he will leave behind.
Fayaz Rajabali – Pharmacist and former ACP Council President
“Greg has been a passionate and dedicated individual, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of not just working with him but also building a great friendship. He embodies true authentic leadership, always acting with conviction and staying true to his values. His ability to inspire and lead by example has left a lasting impact on me and those around him. The wisdom that Greg has imparted on me is nothing less than inspirational and I would label him as one of my greatest mentors. During my presidency, particularly during the intense and unprecedented period of COVID, Greg’s leadership was instrumental in navigating challenges without a rulebook to guide us.”
Pat Matusko, former Public Member of ACP Council
“When you begin to work with Greg, the experience is no different than beginning to work with any new colleague. It is not until you begin a task or project, that you quickly see his qualities and skills. He is thoughtful and considerate of ideas and opinions of others; however, he never loses sight of the goal. He will pivot, slow down, and consult whomever he thinks can offer suggestions on how to move forward. Greg always seeks to balance the benefits/needs and impact on the members the public and other partners in health care.”
Charlene McBrien-Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA)
“The key initiatives that we worked on together, as part of the HQCA’s Health Quality Network (of which ACP was a member and Greg the representative of ACP) was the Alberta Quality Matrix for Health, as well as frameworks such as the Patient Safety Framework, Disclosure of Harm Framework, and Managing Disruptive Behaviour Framework. These were all initiatives that the Health Quality Network members worked on together and endorsed, and Greg was a very supportive and engaged member in these activities. I have always found Greg to be someone who never shied away from tackling difficult or sensitive issues but from a very thoughtful and respectful perspective.”
Margaret Wing, Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Pharmacists’ Association
“Working with Greg has been an inspiring experience. His unwavering commitment to professionalism and excellence created a relationship that fostered forward-thinking for our profession. The relationship between the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) and the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) is envied in other provinces, thanks to his collaborative spirit and leadership.
One of my favourite memories of Greg was captured in a 2008 RxPress article. It was a significant moment when pharmacists were authorized to administer injections, and we had just received approval from Public Health to administer flu vaccines. Greg didn’t hesitate when I asked if I could administer his first-ever flu shot from a pharmacist. This moment perfectly encapsulates Greg’s supportive nature and willingness to lead by example.”
Adele Fifield, Executive Director, National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
“Greg’s impact extends beyond Alberta, to across Canada and internationally. It is impossible to overstate his unparalleled contribution to pharmacy regulation in Canada and beyond, and to the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) specifically. Greg is one of the key individuals who helped establish NAPRA, and he has helped guide the organization through almost 30 years of growth, through its challenges and opportunities. Greg’s influence has been felt across each facet of NAPRA throughout the last three decades. Around our tables moving ahead, without a doubt we will find ourselves asking time and again, ‘What would Greg say to that?’”
Tana Yoon, Pharmacy Operations Manager, Alberta Health Services, Former NAPRA Board Director
“I was one of two pharmacy technicians (and many pharmacists) in attendance at the ACP Leadership Forum one year and throughout the workshop the attendees were placed in pairs to do some deep internal work and discussion. When it was my turn with Greg, the topic was, ‘Tell your partner about something you did in practice that looking back, you know was wrong, you should not have done, and you regret.’ Greg smiled and chuckled and said, ‘Okay Tana let me have it, what have you got?’ Hmm, what to say? Greg then said, ‘You remember at the beginning of the forum we all agreed that all stories shared here are confidential, right?’ Silence a bit longer. Then he said, ‘Let me go first.’ It was at that point that I first realized that there was much more to Greg than his steadfast, tough, and political outer appearance.
While I did not always agree with Greg, I very much appreciate that he made me feel comfortable enough to share my thoughts and have friendly discussion about opposing views. He offered advice and wisdom which has helped me in many different situations. What I appreciate most is how kind and supportive he was to me when I was the only pharmacy technician on the NAPRA Board of Directors. He ALWAYS made time if I had a question. Greg, thank you for all you’ve done in the pharmacy world.”
Jeana Wendel, Registrar, Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals
“Working with Greg over the last seven years has been a truly enriching experience. As a colleague, he brought a sense of professionalism and approachability that made every interaction not only productive but also enjoyable. Greg’s welcoming demeanour and deep understanding of his role created a collaborative environment where ideas flowed freely, and challenges were met with wisdom and thoughtful solutions. His availability for a quick call or a longer discussion was invaluable, and his ability to provide clarity and direction will be greatly missed.”
Christine Hughes, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta
“It has been an honour and a privilege to work with Greg over the years—from the time I was early on in my career at the university right up until the present time in my role as Dean of the Faculty. Greg brings years of experience, wisdom, and a unique perspective of issues facing the profession. He has built incredible relationships within and external to the profession, and has always been supportive of the Faculty, including our programs and research as well as our students. My favourite memory is Greg leading our students in reciting the Code of Ethics. This is part of the White Coat Ceremony for our first-year students, and I was thinking this past January, I cannot imagine anyone else reciting the Code of Ethics with them!”
William (Bill) Shores, Legal Counsel, Shores Jardine
“I was very fortunate to work with Greg over the decades of his career. He brought a passion to pharmacy and a commitment to each project that we worked on that was truly impressive. I have many happy memories of working with Greg over the years, but the ones that stick out for me are the adventures that we went on together—arduous hikes, crazy kayak trips, and mega cycling tours for charity.”
“Greg, enjoy the break from a lifetime of commitment to your profession—enjoy more time with family, and spend more time on hiking and skiing trails and on the bike.”
In lieu of retirement gifts, Greg is encouraging donations to CASA Mental Health, an established non-profit organization delivering holistic, culturally safe wrap-around mental health services to Albertans aged three to 18 and their families.
