On March 17, 2016, alumni and friends of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences will gather to celebrate the achievements of John Shaske, BSc(Pharm)'78, and Nicole Tsao, at the 2016 Alumni Agent of Change event.
The event, to be held in the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre and hosted by Dr. Michael Coughtrie, professor and dean, UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, will pay tribute to John's outstanding contributions to pharmacy practice and patient care. The evening will consist of short, TED-style presentations with an opportunity for discussion, networking, and conversation among attendees, and will conclude with a cocktail reception.
John Shaske is a UBC Pharm Sci alumnus, pharmacist, and entrepreneur. He graduated from UBC Pharm Sci in 1978, and went on to complete a hospital pharmacy residency at Vancouver General Hospital. Following his residency, John founded Howe Sound Pharmacy, a community pharmacy based on the Sunshine Coast. At Howe Sound Pharmacy, John takes an innovative approach to clinical pharmacy practice, while maintaining an unwavering focus on the health and wellbeing of his patients.
John's contributions to the evolution of pharmacy practice has led to significant recognition in the field. Howe Sound Pharmacy has won the following awards: 2013 Ben Gant Most Innovative Pharmacy Award, BC Pharmacy Association; 2013 The Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy Innovation Fund Grant in conjunction with Drs. Carlo Marra and Larry Lynd from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC; 2014 Pharmacy Practice Commitment to Care and Service Award for Technician Initiatives; and 2015 Canadian Pharmacists' Association Patient Care Achievement Award for Innovation.
John is a strong supporter of continuing education and is a UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences continuing education regional coordinator and clinical instructor. Along with his business partner and fellow pharmacist, Chris Juozaitis, John regularly shares his knowledge of clinical pharmacy practice and entrepreneurship with his colleagues and the public.
UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate student, Nicole Tsao, will also be honoured at the event as a future Alumni Agent of Change. Nicole is a pharmacist and PhD student with Collaborations for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE). Her research involves evaluating the safety of biologic medications in women with autoimmune disease during pregnancy, along with the impact on infants exposed to biologics in utero.
"Our alumni have had a tremendously positive impact on patient care, and scientific and clinical advancement in B.C. and beyond," says Dr. Coughtrie. "I'm pleased to formally recognize and celebrate John Shaske's and Nicole Tsao's achievements with our alumni and friends on Thursday evening."
The UBC Pharm Sci Alumni Agent of Change is an annual event, designed to bring together the UBC Pharm Sci community in recognition of inspiring alumni achievements in the areas of clinical or community practice, research, or education and mentorship.
Learn more about the UBC Pharm Sci Alumni Agent of Change
Image: (Header) Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. Ivan Yastrebov, UBC Pharm Sci. (Body) John Shaske. Ingeborg Suzanne Hardman.