Pharmacy technician Tana Yoon is always prepared to take on a new challenge. Her range of roles have included frontline pharmacy technician, leader, manager, educator, speaker, assessor, and certifier.
Most recently, Tana became the first pharmacy technician to serve as president of the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). Tana is looking forward to serving as president for the 2025-26 term.
“It feels really exciting and a little nerve wracking. It’s an example of breaking a historic professional barrier by stepping into a role that’s been traditionally held by pharmacists,” she said. “I think I’m going to learn a lot and want to provide valuable contributions.”
Tana is eager to work with other pharmacy leaders at a time of growth and change for CCAPP.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to be able to work alongside academics, leaders, representatives from many pharmacy organizations, and the CCAPP team,” said Tana. “I’m extremely grateful to be at the table as we work on a new three-year strategic plan, develop an online accreditation platform, and enhance information sharing, among other priorities. CCAPP’s pharmacy education standards are truly the backbone for helping to ensure we have competent and forward-thinking pharmacy professionals.”
As president, Tana looks forward to contributing the varied expertise she has acquired over the course of her 35-year career.
“I’m really thankful for my varied background in pharmacy and I think it should help set me up for success in this leadership role because it gives me a more comprehensive and holistic view of the pharmacy world,” she said. “I think that the more facets of pharmacy that you’ve practised in, the easier it is to understand and address some of those unique challenges that pharmacy professionals face in different roles and settings.”
As the first pharmacy technician at the helm, Tana also hopes to advocate for and support her pharmacy technician peers.
“I’m hoping to demonstrate the value of pharmacy technician contributions and maybe break some stereotypes that limit technicians to more supportive roles,” she said.
Encouraging her pharmacy technician peers to expand their knowledge and skills, work to full scope, and pursue professional and leadership opportunities has been a career-long passion for Tana.
“As pharmacy technicians, we have to seize opportunities to showcase our abilities and to participate as effective and collaborative leaders in pharmacy,” she said. “I really hope that I can influence and empower other pharmacy technicians to aim high.”
Tana is grateful for the leaders and mentors who inspired her at different stages of her career and she hopes to pay it forward.
“The support I received really shaped me, so now that I’m in a leadership position, I hope to do the same for others. When I think of pharmacy technicians who are early in their careers, I would have a few pieces of advice,” she said. “Number one, strengthen your soft skills—your technical abilities of course are very important, but soft skills are key. I also think it’s really helpful to learn the business side of pharmacies and stay current with industry changes. And finally, it’s so important to not undervalue your role. Our perspectives as pharmacy technicians matter and we are essential members of the pharmacy team.”
As she begins her year-long term as president, Tana plans to follow her own advice and take a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.
“What I learned really quickly many years ago when I first became a pharmacy technician is there’s all kinds of things that people like to complain about and lots of problems that come up every day when you’re working in a pharmacy,” she said. “I think it’s really important to be part of the solution and the only way that you can do that is by getting involved.”
For Tana, leadership roles have many benefits, including opportunities to pursue personal development, to collaborate with her peers, and to have an impact on the pharmacy landscape, but her main priority in her role as CCAPP president is simple: to make a difference for Canadian patients.
“It’s very rewarding to have a purpose and make a difference, even if it’s indirect or very small,” she said. “Being involved in these decisions and having the chance to have positive impacts on patients is really what it’s all about.”
