Canadian Pharmacist of the Year

Glenn Rodrigues

Dartmouth, NS

This award recognizes a pharmacist who demonstrates leadership and exemplifies the evolution of the pharmacy profession toward an expanded role in health care.

Glenn Rodrigues’ career was defined by a clear and unwavering belief: that pharmacists can—and should—play a central role in delivering accessible, high-quality primary care. Through his leadership, mentorship and relentless focus on practice transformation, he helped reshape what community pharmacy looks like in Nova Scotia, leaving a lasting impact on patients, practitioners and the broader health system. Following his unexpected passing in December 2025, Glenn’s contributions continue to resonate across the profession he so deeply influenced. 

A lifelong Nova Scotian, Glenn was born and raised in Amherst and completed both his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (with Distinction) at Dalhousie University. Even as a student, he was recognized for his leadership, positivity and commitment to the profession, receiving the Future Leadership Award upon graduation in 1999. Those qualities would come to define a career dedicated not only to practice, but to advancing what pharmacy could become. 

Early in his career, Glenn recognized that community pharmacy had untapped potential as a primary care access point. Through his work with the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS), including serving on the Board of Directors and as Chair, he played a key role in negotiating a new provincial pharmacy agreement that laid the groundwork for an expanded scope of practice. This work helped position pharmacists as essential contributors to primary care—delivering services such as medication management, minor ailment prescribing and vaccinations—and improving access to care for patients across the province. 

Glenn didn’t just advocate for change, he operationalized it. In 2013, he established his own pharmacy practice model rooted in pharmaceutical care, well ahead of widespread adoption. He built a team-based environment focused on monitoring therapeutic outcomes and delivering comprehensive services, demonstrating that pharmacists can provide high-quality care while maintaining a sustainable business model. 

One of his most significant contributions came with his leadership of Prescription to Thrive (PTT), launched in 2018. Through this program, Glenn worked directly with pharmacy teams to redesign workflows, create capacity and implement clinical services in meaningful, sustainable ways. Over six years, he helped more than 50 pharmacy teams evolve their practices—empowering pharmacists to fully embrace their role in primary care and improving access to care for thousands of Nova Scotians. As one colleague noted, “His gentle demeanor but unwavering commitment to improving community pharmacy for the betterment of pharmacy professionals and patients could not be matched.” 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Glenn’s leadership became even more critical. As pharmacies rapidly expanded their role in delivering vaccines and frontline care, he provided practical tools, coaching and encouragement to help teams adapt. Through initiatives like “5 Seconds Easier” and the “Panel of Peers,” he supported pharmacists in navigating unprecedented demands while continuing to deliver patient-centred care. 

Glenn was also deeply committed to developing people. As a long-time educator at Dalhousie University and a nationally recognized preceptor, he inspired thousands of students to see community pharmacy as a dynamic and rewarding career in primary care. His influence extended nationally through his work with the Pharmacy Examination Board of Canada, ensuring that licensure standards reflected real-world practice. The impact of his mentorship is reflected in the words of those he guided: “Glenn made me fall in love with community pharmacy… he inspired so many to do things differently.” Another shared, “On even my worst day, he always saw what I could be… his whole career was to make pharmacy a better place.” 

Glenn’s work also extended beyond provincial borders. As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, he shared Nova Scotia’s evolving model of pharmacy care nationally and internationally, reinforcing the message that pharmacists can play a transformative role in strengthening primary care systems. 

At its core, Glenn’s career embodied the belief that pharmacists can do more—that they can lead, innovate and serve as essential providers within primary care. His work stands as a powerful example of what is possible when that belief is put into action, and his legacy continues to shape the future of pharmacy in Canada.