CPhA Centennial Leadership Award

The 2026 CPhA Centennial Leadership Award recipients are:

 

Grace Du, University of British Columbia

Grace Du grew up in Vancouver, BC, and is pursuing her PharmD at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her love for chemistry and fascination with the critical roles pharmacists play in our health-care system drew her to pharmacy. During her time at UBC, Grace served as the VP External for the UBC Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (PhUS) where she coordinated PhUS’ Pharmacy Appreciation Month (PAM) efforts, successfully running 13 events targeting the public to celebrate pharmacists’ scope. As part of this role, she also held a seat on Canada’s largest student union, the UBC AMS, where she participated in critical decision-making for the betterment of the greater student body and managed a working budget of over $100 million. Grace is also a passionate researcher with roots in pharmacy education (GENRx team) and pharmacist integration into interdisciplinary care teams. In this rapidly evolving health-care environment, Grace firmly believes that adaptability, collaboration and innovation are key to driving our field forward and providing the best possible patient care.

Nathaniel Fernetti, University of Alberta

With a background in microbiology, Nathaniel Fernetti is passionate about advancing the pharmacy profession in infectious disease management and improving access to health-care services for patients. As a PharmD student at the University of Alberta, he recently served as President of the Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association and has contributed to the profession as a Board Member with the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association. Through his education, his involvement with student groups and his experience with Alberta Health Services and in community pharmacy, Nathaniel has developed a strong belief that environments that foster growth are built on leadership, clear communication and respect. As the profession continues to evolve, he is driven to support greater integration of pharmacy within collaborative health-care teams to improve access to preventative, curative and ongoing patient-centered care.

Colton Kichula, University of Saskatchewan

Colton Kichula grew up in Regina, SK, and is currently pursuing his PharmD at the University of Saskatchewan. The original twinkle in his eye for pharmacy began with his first role as a front store and post office clerk in a pharmacy, where he continues to build strong relationships within his community today. Through his experiences in community pharmacy and in leadership roles, Colton has developed a strong passion for patient-centred care. He has served as both the IPSF Junior and Senior representative on the local CAPSI council, leading health awareness initiatives and contributing to national campaigns. Colton is also actively involved in community service through Special Olympics Regina, Scouts Canada and Physical Activity for Active Living (PAAL), supporting individuals with diverse needs and promoting inclusive health and wellness. Through these experiences, Colton has developed a strong interest in building long-term patient relationships and advocating for accessible, community-based care.

Kyra Dela Cruz, University of Manitoba

Kyra dela Cruz is a Winnipeg-born granddaughter of Filipino immigrants, currently enrolled in the University of Manitoba PharmD program. With a prior BSc in microbiology and experience in agricultural research, Kyra was drawn to pharmacy as a field that combines infectious disease and treatment development with a strong patient care element. Her early education reinforced the need for compassionate, driven and innovative pharmacists to help both patients and other health-care professionals navigate Canada’s intricate health-care system. Kyra has actively advocated for her peers through her involvement with the University of Manitoba Pharmacy Students’ Association, serving as Class President (2023–2024), President-Elect (2024–2025), and President (2026–2027). She now aspires to use her medication knowledge and patient-centred care skills to support and advocate for patients of marginalized groups accessing health care.

Jacqueline Cheung, University of Toronto

Jacqueline Cheung was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area. She was drawn to pharmacy for its broad opportunities to care for patients across community, hospital and industry settings, with a strong interest in systems-level impact. She completed a BSc at Western University and is currently completing her PharmD at the University of Toronto while competing internationally in badminton for Team Canada. Her work with the Translational & Health Outcomes Research Lab and Toronto Centre for Real-World Evidence reflects her commitment to improving patient outcomes through research and policy. Jacqueline has demonstrated leadership as the UofT Representative of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (2024–2026), Co-President of Pharmacy Café (2025–2026), and Team Captain and Assistant Coach of the Varsity Blues Badminton Team (2023–2026). As a student-athlete, Jacqueline believes strong communication skills and resilience will be most critical for pharmacists to contribute successfully and meaningfully to Canada’s evolving health-care system.

Rebecca Romanishen, University of Waterloo

Rebecca Romanishen grew up in Hamilton, ON, where her early experiences in community pharmacy sparked her interest in patient care and the role of pharmacists in improving health outcomes. She completed her BSc in biomedical sciences at the University of Guelph, where she developed a strong interest in medications and their impact on patient well-being. Currently pursuing her PharmD from the University of Waterloo, Rebecca is already contributing to the profession through her leadership, creativity and passion for advocacy. She serves as Webmaster for the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) and Communications Director for the University of Waterloo’s local council. In these roles, Rebecca applies a creative approach to leadership by designing engaging digital content and finding innovative ways to amplify pharmacy student voices and advocacy initiatives. Her experiences in both community and hospital pharmacy settings have shaped her understanding of patient care across the health-care system. Through her work with the Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy (CSHP), Rebecca has been involved in advocacy efforts supporting the protection of sterile compounding education for registered pharmacy technicians. At St. Joseph’s Hospital Hamilton, she has engaged directly with patients while contributing to policy development that shapes pharmacy care. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to advancing the profession and advocating for safe, accessible and high-quality patient care. As the role of the pharmacist continues to evolve, Rebecca believes that strong clinical judgment, creativity and interprofessional collaboration will be critical to success. She is committed to developing these skills while contributing to a patient-centered future for pharmacy and remains inspired by the leaders and communities shaping the profession.

Stephanie Perron, University of Ottawa

Originally from North Bay, ON, Stephanie Perron is currently pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the inaugural cohort at the University of Ottawa. Building on her Bachelor’s degree in biopharmaceutical sciences, Stephanie sees pharmacy as an ideal way to deepen her expertise and translate her passion for pharmacotherapy into meaningful contributions for patients. She has played a key role in the development and ongoing success of the University of Ottawa’s Pharmacy Student Association (AÉPharm) where, as VP of Activities and later as Co-President, she implemented several new initiatives, including a welcome week, an end-of-year formal and a pharmacy student survival guide. Stephanie is also a student ambassador and actively promotes the pharmacy profession by leading information sessions and interactive workshops for high school students. She is a strong advocate for the evolving role of pharmacists and believes that adaptability, empathy and collaboration are essential qualities for the future of the profession. 

Antoine Thibault, Laval University

Antoine Thibault was born and raised in Mont-Laurier, QC. From the moment he enrolled in the PharmD program at Université Laval, he became actively involved in the Association Générale Étudiante de pharmacie de l’Université Laval (AGEP). Demonstrating a particular interest in event logistics and sustainable development, Antoine has undertaken numerous projects benefiting pharmacy students, including organizing CAPSI’s 2026 Professional Development Week and serving as a member of the AGEP executive committee. Antoine is also a research assistant at the CHU de Québec-UL, where his areas of interest include adherence to treatment and health-care inclusivity, particularly in oncology care. For Antoine, pharmacists are crucial in making health-care accessible and explaining it to patients. He envisions nationwide recognition of comprehensive pharmacy education by government bodies, enabling his colleagues across all provinces to showcase their expertise, enthusiasm and willingness to help patients better manage their chronic conditions.

Camille Thibodeau, University of Montreal

Camille Thibodeau is a PharmD student at the University of Montreal. She grew up on Montreal’s South Shore and still lives in Longueuil, QC. Camille started working in a community pharmacy at the age of 19, and it was through this work that she discovered her passion for pharmacy and the health-care field. Camille began a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in Montreal, beginning her journey toward a PharmD in 2023. She currently serves as president of the University of Montreal Pharmacy Students’ Association, which gives her the opportunity to represent pharmacy students with Quebec authorities and to participate in a multitude of projects within the faculty. Throughout her years at university, Camille has always enjoyed getting involved in student associations, and she believes that such involvement greatly enriches one’s academic journey while developing new skills that are valuable for their careers, such as leadership, communication and management. Camille feels that working as a pharmacist in the Quebec context is very stimulating, and she believes that future health-care professionals will need to be increasingly versatile in order to provide high-quality primary care.

Andrea Young, Dalhousie University

Andrea Young is a PharmD student at Dalhousie University. Originally from Fredericton, NB, Andrea previously earned a BSc in kinesiology from the University of New Brunswick, where her interest in pharmacy was piqued while working as a pharmacy assistant. During her degree, Andrea has worked part time as a pharmacy student and lab demonstrator and currently serves as Dalhousie’s local CAPSI representative. Passionate about patient advocacy and values building strong relationships to better understand and support her patients, Andrea strives to help individuals feel heard and confident navigating the health-care system. With the expanding scope of pharmacy, she is excited to take on a more active role in patient care. Andrea believes that critical thinking, adaptability and communication are key to delivering effective, patient-centered care.

Charlotte Campbell, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Charlotte Campbell is a PharmD student at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). She is excited to be a part of the rapidly advancing pharmacy profession, and has a passion for advancing patient-centered care through research. Charlotte has contributed to multiple research projects on microvascular blood flow, and was selected as one of 10 Canadian students to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program at the University of Toronto, where she investigated therapeutic targets for neovascular eye diseases. She is also a student contributor for DrugApp, developing oncology resources for health-care professionals. Charlotte has demonstrated strong leadership, serving as President and Vice President of the Memorial University Pharmacy Society, and President and President-Elect of MUN NCODA. In addition, Charlotte is an executive member of MUN UNICEF and volunteered with the Heather Cutler Foundation, contributing to policy research aimed at improving pancreatic cancer care across Canada.