CPhA Centennial Leadership Award

The 2025 CPhA Centennial Leadership Award recipients are:

 

Carissa Chan, University of British Columbia

Carissa S.Y. Chan grew up in Richmond, BC. She has contributed to the pharmacy community through her leadership, research and community service initiatives. As a pharmacy assistant at Vancouver General Hospital and Shoppers Drug Mart, she applies her clinical knowledge and skills to provide individualized patient care. Carissa is also a researcher, contributing to neurology education, health-care innovations and advancements in health-care policy and practice with the UBC Digital Emergency Medicine Lab, UBC BRAIN Team, Reproductive Population Health Data Research Team and the Collaboration for Outcome Research and Evaluation. She supported the inaugural launch of the hospital-at-home program at Vancouver Coastal Health and is assessing B.C. pharmacies' access to Mifegymiso, aiming to identify geographic disparities and contribute to professional education initiatives for pharmacists. Carissa’s leadership extends to her decade-long volunteerism with St. John Ambulance, where she holds a divisional administrative role, mentors youth and teaches first aid. Additionally, she was involved with the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program as a youth and civilian officer, where she taught the first aid curriculum. Through her involvement in multidisciplinary research and community service, Carissa actively advocates for the expanding role of pharmacists in improving health outcomes and demonstrates a steadfast commitment to the profession.

Gauhar Ali, University of Alberta

Gauhar Ali is currently pursuing his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Alberta. He previously completed an MSc in Oncology and a BSc in Immunology & Infection, which laid the foundation for his passion for patient-centered care. His interest in pharmacy grew from a desire to bridge scientific knowledge with compassionate, frontline care—particularly for marginalized communities. Gauhar has worked in both hospital and community pharmacy settings and gained valuable regulatory experience at the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) and the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). As President of the Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association (APSA) and a Board Member with the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA), he has advocated for student voices and rural health equity. He envisions pharmacists playing expanded roles in public health, chronic disease management and policy. To thrive in a changing system, Gauhar believes pharmacists must embrace adaptability, leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Hannah Bouvier, University of Saskatchewan

Hannah Bouvier is from Bonnyville, AB. She earned an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Saskatchewan, before enrolling in the PharmD program. Hannah has been actively involved in CAPSI as both a Senior and Junior representative, and she currently works as an intern in a community pharmacy. Hannah has always been passionate about health care. She developed an interest in pharmacy when she had the opportunity to shadow at her local pharmacy, and she was inspired by the significant impact the pharmacist had on the community. It was evident that the pharmacist made a difference on both an individual level with patients and through broader community involvement. Hannah is particularly excited about the expansion of prescriptive authority in Saskatchewan, as it will greatly improve the level of care available to patients in rural areas. She believes that her welcoming and open personality has helped her build strong relationships with patients, in turn enhancing the quality of care she can provide.

Sunjin Han, University of Manitoba

Sunjin Han was born in South Korea and raised in Winnipeg, MB. Growing up with a desire to help others, she knew the health-care field was right for her. Fascinated by the unique role of a pharmacist in health care, Sunjin began her pharmacy journey at the University of Manitoba. With lived experience as a racialized immigrant, Sunjin recognizes the impact of intersectionality and is a passionate advocate for equitable health care through a plethora of roles in student council and her personal life. She is committed to continuous education, finding every opportunity to expand her knowledge. She believes that pharmacists are fully equipped to provide holistic care that goes beyond medications for Canada’s diverse population. As the state of health care is everchanging, adaptability, compassion and collaboration are key qualities to being an excellent pharmacist. Sunjin is optimistic that with continuous advocacy, pharmacists will be able increase the level of exceptional care they can provide with an expanded scope of practice.

Lydia Wadie, University of Toronto

Lydia Wadie was born in Egypt, grew up in the United Arab Emirates and moved to Canada at the age of 12. This diverse upbringing allowed her to appreciate different cultures, their influence on human interactions and customs, and how this in turn affects health care. Her mother’s role as a hospital pharmacist throughout these years gave Lydia a particularly keen insight into the importance of advocating for and developing systems and policies appropriate for each unique patient population. Now a 3rd Year PharmD student at the University of Toronto, Lydia has actively participated as PDW 2024 Co-Chair, CAPSI Sr Representative and UofT IPHSA Co-Chair, and OPSIS Committee Member. She has also undertaken various research projects including a CDA rapid review, a conjunctivitis minor ailment uptake review and AI use in drug shortage prioritization. She firmly believes in the power of research and policy development in improving our health-care systems and bettering patient experience and she hopes to continue working in these areas upon graduation.

Brynne Suchomel, University of Waterloo

Brynne Suchomel grew up in Owen Sound, ON. She began working in pharmacy at age 16, witnessing firsthand the meaningful relationships pharmacists build with patients and the positive impact these interactions have on care outcomes. Inspired by this experience, Brynne chose to pursue a career in pharmacy. After completing 2 years of a BSc at the University of Waterloo, she enrolled in the UW PharmD program, where she is currently in her 3rd year. She continues to be inspired by the profession’s expanding scope and the evolving opportunities pharmacists have to support their communities. Brynne believes that leadership and communication are essential skills in pharmacy practice, which allow pharmacists to both collaborate with colleagues and empower patients. Through her role as Vice President of the Society of Pharmacy Students (SOPhS), Brynne has further developed these skills while being able to contribute to student life. She looks forward to continuing her pharmacy journey and giving back to the communities that shaped her.

Maëlie Gélinas, Laval University

Maëlie Gélinas is a PharmD student at Université Laval. A dedicated student and athlete, Maëlie’s academic career, combined with her student involvement and her sporting commitments as captain of the Rouge et Or badminton team, have taught her the importance of kindness and perseverance in creating inclusive and collaborative environments where respect and personal growth are a top priority. Maëlie was particularly drawn to pharmacy because of the increasingly critical role pharmacists have played recently on the frontlines of patient care. She is excited about the expanding role of pharmacists and the ways that the increased authority and responsibility will allow her to better support her patients. Maëlie feels that the rapid evolution of the health-care system requires pharmacists with strong leadership, management and communication skills to face future challenges, and she wants to be a positive part of this change. She believes that in the years to come, pharmacists will become central players in health-care management, particularly in prevention, education and patient support. She looks forward to pharmacists having the ability to act not only as advisors, but also as proactive and autonomous professionals to help improve patient care.

Alice Côté, University of Montreal

Alice Côté is a PharmD student at Université de Montréal in the 2022-26 cohort and currently serves as the President of the University of Montreal Pharmacy Students Association. In this role, Alice has developed essential skills in project management, leadership and decision-making; skills that will certainly contribute to her development as a committed pharmacist ready to meet the challenges of the profession. Alice lives and works in a community pharmacy in Mont-Tremblant, QC, which is the perfect place to combine her career with her love of the outdoors and sports. During her studies, Alice organized a weekly running club for the students and professors of her faculty. Alice is grateful for the opportunity to work in a small town like Mont-Tremblant, where the term community pharmacist is truly meaningful. The rural setting has provided her with the ability to develop close relationships with patients that's different from the city, and she values the real sense of community she has found in that environment.

Luke Ferguson, Dalhousie University

Originally from Quispamsis, NB, Luke Ferguson is a 3rd year student entering his final year of the PharmD program at Dalhousie University, and the outbound President for the Dalhousie Student Pharmacy Society (DSPS). Pharmacy is an ever-evolving practice, and Luke strongly believes that pharmacists will continue to be integrated with other health-care professionals both in hospital and in community. He believes that the ability to be inquisitive and skeptical about a patient’s medications is a critical skill required for future pharmacy practice. Pharmacists hold a unique perspective, bringing together the views of both the patient and the rest of the health-care team. Remaining inquisitive is vital in optimizing medication therapies that fulfill the requirements for the health-care team while simultaneously suiting the needs of the patient.

Wooje Choi, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Wooje Choi was born in South Korea and raised in Saint John, NB. He completed his prerequisite courses at the University of New Brunswick before pursuing a PharmD at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). During his degree, Wooje worked at the Saint John Regional Hospital as a pharmacy intern, where he developed a strong interest in nephrology and hospital practice. He also participated in research on Canadian hospital pharmacy leadership, examining the leadership qualities valued by current health-system leaders and exploring their perspectives on existing leadership training. Wooje has been actively involved with the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI), serving as MUN’s Local Representative (2022–23) and more recently, the National President (2024–25). These roles gave him the opportunity to collaborate with national and international pharmacy organizations, lead national initiatives and build partnerships that enhanced student engagement and professional development. He looks forward to advancing his career in clinical pharmacy while continuing to explore leadership and research opportunities within the profession.