Pharmacy Check-in: Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen, PharmD Candidate (she/her)
University of Waterloo, Rx2026
Markham, ON
Kelly is a third year Doctor of Pharmacy candidate at the University of Waterloo. She recently completed her 3A term and is actively pursuing opportunities that expand her knowledge and impact within the pharmacy profession. Kelly has a diverse range of experiences in both hospital and community pharmacy settings. At Markham Stouffville Hospital, she played a vital role in documenting Best Possible Medication Histories and identifying drug therapy problems to optimize patient safety and care. Her last co-op placement was at Wholehealth Pharmacy Partners, where she created national-level educational resources, including webinars and infographics on respiratory diseases and vaccination guidelines. These tools supported pharmacists across Canada provide up-to-date and evidence-based care. Currently, Kelly is completing her third and final co-op placement at the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) in the Public and Professional Affairs department. In this role, she contributes to initiatives that advance the pharmacy profession and support pharmacists’ evolving roles in health care. Kelly is passionate about improving patient care through pharmacy practice, education and advocacy. As she continues her studies, she looks forward to building a career that combines strong clinical skills with opportunities to positively impact the healthcare system. When Kelly isn't working or studying, she enjoys snowboarding in the winter, drawing in her free time and unwinding with her favorite TV shows.
Q&A with Kelly
Why did you choose pharmacy?
I first fell in love with pharmacy after working at a community pharmacy where I saw firsthand how pharmacists play a vital role in helping patients manage their health. We are the most accessible health-care provider in Canada, and our role goes beyond just medication management. With expanding scope of practice, we can now assess and prescribe for minor ailments, which significantly reduces the burden on the health-care system and improves patient care and satisfaction. The year I began pharmacy school was the same year the scope of practice expanded for pharmacists in Ontario. I vividly remember one of my professors saying it was an exciting and pivotal time to enter the profession as patients need pharmacists now more than ever, and we would have the opportunity to witness and contribute to the growing impact of pharmacists in health care. In addition, the profession offers a wide range of opportunities, including work in community pharmacies, hospital settings, industry, government and more. For me, the combination of enhancing patient care, flexibility in career paths and an evolving scope of practice is what made pharmacy the perfect fit for me.
How do you see the role of the pharmacist evolving as the health-care system changes?
As the health-care system changes, I see the role of the pharmacist shifting significantly towards a more clinically focused role. Pharmacists are increasingly being recognized not just as dispensers of medication, but as accessible, highly trained health-care professionals who play a vital role in patient care. I hope to see pharmacists around the world managing more minor ailments, making therapeutic substitutions, prescribing and administering a broader range of vaccines and more! By expanding their scope of practice in these areas, pharmacists can help alleviate the pressure on physicians and emergency departments, improve access to care and ensure timely treatment for patients. We have the knowledge and skills to take on more clinical responsibilities and I look forward to seeing us practise to our full potential.
What are you most looking forward to as you think about your future career in pharmacy?
As I think about my future career in pharmacy, I’m most looking forward to making a meaningful impact on patient care while also advocating for the profession. I’m excited to use the knowledge I have gained to provide holistic patient-centred care and work collaboratively within health-care teams. At the same time, I’m passionate about raising awareness of the vital role pharmacists play in improving health outcomes. I want to be a voice for the profession by helping others understand the full scope of what pharmacists can contribute to health care. I'm excited to serve individual patients as well as contribute to the advancement of pharmacy as a whole.
Are there any specific clinical areas or advocacy issues that you’re planning to focus on when you start your career?
I’m very passionate about mental health and I’m currently part of the Mental Health in Pharmacy club at the University of Waterloo, where we focus on advocating for the role of pharmacists in supporting mental health care. I believe pharmacists are in a unique position to make a greater impact on mental health care, especially for patients in vulnerable populations who may face barriers to accessing mental health services.
It's also vital to ensure the well-being of pharmacists themselves. Many are working long hours with little to no breaks, leading to high levels of burnout. I aim to be part of the conversation and provide solutions to improving working conditions and mental health support within the profession. Additionally, I’m passionate about expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists so we can better meet the evolving needs of our communities. Although, it’s key to balance the growth of responsibilities with support systems to prevent burnout so that pharmacists don’t compromise their well-being.
What are you excited about working on during your work term at CPhA?
During my work term at CPhA, I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that support pharmacists and advance the profession. I look forward to developing continuing professional development initiatives that help pharmacists stay current and enhance their clinical and professional skills. I'm also eager to conduct environmental scans related to scope of practice, reimbursement and policy issues, as this will allow me to better understand the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice across Canada. I hope to create practice development tools and support advocacy activities that help pharmacists deliver high-quality care and engage more effectively within the health-care system.