For pharmacist Ethan Swanson, the question has never been if he wants to be a leader. Rather, his focus has been on how to become the best leader he can be. Ethan continually pursues new opportunities to become a better leader, advocate, and pharmacist. A key aspect of his leadership approach has always been to focus on solutions, rather than problems.
“I’ve always considered myself to be a problem solver—it brings me a lot of joy to help others overcome the challenges they face,” said Ethan. “My approach has always been to have the attitude of fixing problems instead of just complaining about them.”
Last year, Ethan had the opportunity to hone his leadership and problem-solving skills when he attended the ACP Leadership Forum. During the forum, he learned about another potential opportunity to develop his leadership skillset: applying for ACP’s Leadership Development Award.
“I was quite excited to apply for another opportunity to further develop my leadership skills,” said Ethan. “I’ve been working on my skillset over the last few years by precepting students, leading a clinical team, and getting involved with provincial advocacy, and this presented a new opportunity to learn from my peers and other leaders.”
ACP’s Leadership Development Award is granted annually to a recipient who demonstrates exemplary professionalism, leadership, and citizenship. The recipient receives up to $5,000 from ACP to advance their leadership skills through attendance at a prominent leadership conference or leadership development opportunity.
Ethan was selected as the 2025 recipient in recognition of his dedication to advocacy, leadership, and improving patient care. He plans to use the award bursary to attend the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress in Montreal in 2026.
“With this award, I’m hoping to see if I can find different solutions to some of the challenges the pharmacy professions face by meeting pharmacists from across the world at the FIP World Congress next year,” said Ethan.
Ethan believes that, in today’s rapidly changing healthcare landscape, it is more important than ever to bring new ideas and solutions to the table.
“With the rise of new digital health technologies, rapidly changing government policy, and the ever-rising demand for pharmacy services, I think now is definitely the time for pharmacy teams to show their communities that they’re ready to practise to their full scope, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and rise to the occasion to meet the vision that is healthy Albertans through excellence in pharmacy practice,” said Ethan.
Ethan hopes to find some new solutions and ideas that will meet the needs of Alberta’s healthcare landscape.
“I’m really hoping to meet pharmacy leaders from all around the world and learn what challenges they’re facing and how they plan to overcome them. I think there is immense value in learning from peers and other leaders,” said Ethan. “We may have different ideas on how to solve the same issues—there may be new ways to address problems we face here in Alberta that we wouldn’t have otherwise thought of that we can learn about from our peers from around the world.”
Ethan also sees a meaningful opportunity to make lasting professional connections.
“My father once told me, you can never have too many friends, and I think it makes a lot of sense in the leadership world,” said Ethan. “When your time of need comes, you may need to reach out to somebody for help or they might ask the same of you and you’d hope that you could help them too.”
Ethan’s focus on collaboration and professional development is based on his belief that everyone has a role to play when it comes to leadership and advocacy.
“I truly believe each and everyone of us can play a role in improving our work environment and the quality of the care we provide to our patients,” said Ethan. “Pharmacy team members really need to recognize the value of informal leadership—you don’t have to be the boss or the manager to instill positive change within your team. You just need to bring your ideas, collaborate with your colleagues, and explore all the different ways you can collaborate as a team to address challenges.”
In 2024, ACP updated the eligibility requirements for the Leadership Development Award, enabling pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have been practising in Alberta for up to five years to apply. Ethan encouraged his eligible peers to consider applying for the Leadership Development Award next year.
“It makes me really happy to see the college supporting its regulated members to be their best professional selves and I am really grateful to have this opportunity,” said Ethan. “I encourage others to pursue their own development because when we’re empowered to improve as professionals, I think that will improve patient care as well.”
For Ethan, the personal development all comes back to his ability to provide quality person-centred care for his patients.
“At the end of the day, we’re in the business of people—working with people and helping people. Now, more than ever, it is so important to work together to advocate and bring new ideas to the table to find ways to make pharmacy-led health care better for both patients and professionals,” he said.
