Session recording

Patient Diversity in Canadian Pharmacy Practice (November 23, 2024)

Through this session, we hope to increase understanding of the diverse patient populations in Canada, explore culturally competent care practices, and discuss the role of pharmacists in addressing health disparities. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to effectively serve diverse communities, ultimately enriching their professional practice and improving patient outcomes.

Moderator:

Featured Speakers:

Speaker bios

Amy Lamb

Amy is a dedicated advocate for pharmacy practice, Indigenous health, women's health, and leadership development. As a Métis woman and member of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, she focuses on holistic, person-centered health care and trauma-informed solutions, particularly for vulnerable communities. With 10 years of experience as a front-line pharmacist in community and compounding pharmacies, she has held roles such as Pharmacy Manager and Clinical Consultant.

Amy has worked extensively with remote Indigenous communities, providing pharmacist prescribing and collaborating with health providers. She has developed policies on diversity, inclusion, and wellness, and is well-versed in the systemic challenges faced by Indigenous populations in pharmacy.

Her contributions to the field have earned her multiple awards, including the University of Saskatchewan’s “One to Watch” Award and the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy’s “Leadership Award.” Amy has also served in various leadership roles, including as Chair of the YWCA and Co-Chair of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as CEO of IPPC.

Chinelo Uddoh

Chinelo Uddoh is a Registered Pharmacist in Ontario, holding a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biology and a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Health Informatics and has earned several micro-certifications in Information Technology. With extensive experience in both community pharmacy and health technology as a product manager, Chinelo brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and digital innovation to her practice. She is the owner of Opal Wellness Pharmacy, a compounding community pharmacy in Ottawa, dedicated to providing integrative health services with a focus on personalized, holistic care.

Kris Noakes

ALS has greatly impacted Kris Noakes and her family across generations, and they continue to live with the disease and hope for a future without ALS.

Kris is a citizen of the Anishinabek Nation, a member of Nipissing First Nation and a community advocate at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Her diverse experience includes leading a non-governmental organization building Indigenous services in the Greater Toronto Area. Kris has also supported community initiatives through public appointments on the City of Mississauga and City of Brampton’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committees and the Museums of Mississauga Advisory Committee. Kris has served as a member of the Region of Peel’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy Community Advisory Board (CAB), the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Advisory Circle for the Peel District School Board (PDSB), the Toronto Area Education Leads for the Indigenous Education Office of Ministry of Education, and as a Director for the Art Gallery of Mississauga.

Kris currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and is an appointed member of the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee for the GTA. She is also a member of ALS Canada’s Revolution Ride Committee and a member of 100 Women Who Care.

Alex Tang

Alex Tang is a lecturer at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, where he is also lead for Non-Direct Patient Care (NDPC) in the Office of Experiential Education. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree in 2014 from the University of British Columbia, and later obtained his Certificate in Travel Health in 2016. In 2024, he obtained his Master of Education degree from the University of Ottawa.

As a liaison between NDPC pharmacy practice stakeholders and the Faculty, Tang is responsible for building and sustaining capacity for the NDPC practicum opportunities for the Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Prior to joining the Faculty in 2018, he practiced in the outpatient setting as a pharmacy manager on the Sunshine Coast and in the Lower Mainland, where he served as a practice educator for undergraduate student practicums and as a mentor to secondary school students. His current academic endeavours include creating practicum opportunities for students in non-traditional practice settings, and co-leading the PrideRx initiative, which aims to create one of Canada’s first SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression)-inclusive pharmacy curriculum.