Pharmacy technician Yan Chiu is no stranger to breaking barriers.
Throughout her career, she has progressed from unregulated employee to pharmacy technician to store manager to pharmacy owner. Now, she is the first pharmacy technician to receive ACP’s Leadership Development Award.
“None of this happened overnight, but through hard work, continuous learning, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities, I was able to achieve goals that once seemed far beyond my reach,” said Yan. “I hope my story encourages others to dream big, pursue leadership opportunities, and recognize that meaningful impact can come from any role.”
Yan opened Glow Wellness Pharmacy in Calgary in February 2026, becoming a proprietor’s representative and leader in her pharmacy. In her leadership role, Yan strives to create an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for patients.
“Pharmacy professionals are often among the most accessible healthcare providers,” said Yan. “By taking the time to educate patients, simplify complex information, and encourage open communication, pharmacy teams can play a significant role in improving health literacy and supporting overall patient safety.”
As a Cantonese speaker, Yan puts extra effort into breaking down language barriers for patients.
“I have seen firsthand how language barriers can affect a person’s healthcare experience. When patients do not fully understand their care, they may feel isolated from the healthcare system and the risk of medication-related problems can increase,” said Yan.
She said thinking outside of the box and incorporating tools like translation apps have helped her connect with patients.
“Effective communication is a critical part of patient safety—I have seen situations where patients misunderstand instructions, miss important information, or feel uncomfortable asking questions because of language differences,” said Yan. “These experiences have strengthened my belief that patient education must be clear, culturally appropriate, and delivered in a way that patients understand whenever possible.”
Yan’s passion for making health care more accessible extends beyond the pharmacy to her volunteer work.
“I lead talks at senior homes in Cantonese to offer medication education to help bridge language barriers,” said Yan. “I hope to empower seniors to better understand their medications, ask questions, and feel confident managing their health.”
While Yan has already accomplished important milestones as a leader in her pharmacy and in the community, she is committed to continued growth and development. As the recipient of ACP’s 2026 Leadership Development Award, which is granted annually by Council to a recipient who demonstrates exemplary professionalism, leadership, and citizenship, Yan will receive up to $5,000 from ACP to advance her leadership skills through attendance at a prominent leadership conference or leadership development opportunity.
Yan said she plans to use the award bursary to strengthen her leadership skills to become a better leader, mentor, and community advocate.
“As a new pharmacy owner, I want to learn how to build strong teams, better support underserved populations, and inspire others in the pharmacy professions to pursue their goals and reach their full potential,” she said.
Looking towards the future, Yan plans to use her leadership skills to deliver quality, person-centred care and mentor and support other pharmacy professionals.
“I would like to expand community education initiatives, particularly for seniors and individuals who may face language or cultural barriers when accessing care,” said Yan. “I also hope to mentor future pharmacy professionals and encourage others to pursue leadership opportunities.”
As a pharmacy technician who is defined by her commitment to leadership, Yan hopes her professional journey can inspire other pharmacy professionals to think big and take risks.
“One of the biggest messages I hope to share is that people in the pharmacy professions should never limit themselves or their aspirations,” said Yan. “I have found that growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and saying ‘yes’ to opportunities that may feel intimidating at first. Stay curious, seek out mentors, continue developing your skills, and don’t let your current role define your future possibilities.”
As a pharmacy owner and dedicated community volunteer, Yan is already making a meaningful impact and she remains committed to breaking barriers as a pharmacy technician, mentor, and leader.
