IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship
2025-2026 PharmD Scholarship Recipient

Alexa Harvey
University of Ottawa

Alexa Harvey is a proud Francophone Métis student from St-Pierre-Jolys, a small village on Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Ottawa, Alexa is committed to advancing culturally safe and community-centered care for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

Her passion for pharmacy was sparked in high school while working at her local community pharmacy, where she saw firsthand the role pharmacists play in educating and supporting patients. Since then, she has carried her values of advocacy, accessibility and cultural respect into every stage of her training and leadership.

Choosing to study in French honors her heritage and her grandmother, who was denied the right to speak her language in school. Alexa views language as a means of reclaiming identity and connection, especially in her work with Indigenous and Francophone communities.

At uOttawa, Alexa has engaged deeply with Indigenous health through her involvement with the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC). She has completed cultural safety modules, participated in talking circles and contributed to national conversations on improving pharmacy practice for underserved populations.

Currently, Alexa is working on a research project led by Dr. Jaris Swidrovich at the University of Toronto, focused on pharmacist-led HIV PrEP and PEP services. Her work includes reviewing literature, co-authoring a CIHR grant and helping develop culturally relevant surveys and implementation strategies, particularly for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

This summer, she is gaining valuable frontline experience at a hospital in Bathurst, NB, providing pharmacy services to both Francophone and Mi’kmaq patients. Alexa also completed a placement at Shoppers Drug Mart Rideau in Ottawa, where she served many unhoused and marginalized individuals—experiences that continue to shape her holistic and trauma-informed approach to care.

In addition to her studies and research, Alexa serves as the student liaison for the Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy (CSHP) and was selected as a PharmD student ambassador, traveling to Northern Ontario to promote health careers to rural youth.

Alexa aspires to become a clinical pharmacist who partners with Indigenous communities to deliver care that blends biomedical knowledge with traditional healing. She hopes to travel to remote areas, host culturally relevant health workshops and support Indigenous-led health initiatives grounded in respect, resilience and justice.

This scholarship is an important step in helping her continue this journey.

This scholarship has been generously supported by McKesson Canada.