Discovery Pharmacy helps students see full potential of pharmacy practice

As pharmacy students at Discovery Pharmacy, Sydney Schroeder (2T6) and Preston Chan (2T6) were able to see the full scope and potential for community pharmacy practice. Their experiences and responsibilities at the pharmacy helped them practice patient-centred care – a learning they will take forward to the next phase of their careers.

“Discovery Pharmacy is not a typical pharmacy. Patients book appointments, and we are able to spend a lot more time with them in their assessments and medication reviews. It’s been a great way for us to think about how the profession can evolve and how we as future pharmacists can best take care of our patients,” says Chan.

“Over the last few years, we've been able to have patient-facing conversations and get to know patients within our U of T community, and we’re able to bring that understanding and knowledge of the patient experience to industry and the health care system.”

Discovery Pharmacy, based at U of T’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, provides a range of pharmacy and health services to patients, but it is also a site of pharmacy research, education and innovation. A team of licensed pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students at different stages of their training support Discovery Pharmacy.

Schroeder and Chan both started working at Discovery Pharmacy in their first year of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. As they worked their shifts, they gained experience in supporting the day-to-day operations of the pharmacy and providing patient care, while learning from upper-year pharmacy students. As their skills and confidence grew, they took on additional shifts and responsibilities, expanding their roles within the pharmacy.

In the years that followed, they not only provided direct patient care as student pharmacists but also led outreach initiatives across the U of T community. They helped educate students and the public on topics such as vaccines and led workshops, including naloxone training.

Schroeder had worked as a pharmacy assistant part-time during her master’s degree at Western University, which taught her the value of health literacy and the importance of accessible health care providers making the most out of short patient interactions. Schroeder says that her experience at Discovery Pharmacy, with its focus on teaching and research, helped her learn how to be flexible and adapt to situations that are always changing.

“When I applied for the job, I expected a traditional kind of pharmacy role, with standardized care and a fast pace,” she says. “But I think this job has really emphasized the importance of being an adaptable, interdisciplinary collaborator. Being comfortable navigating change is an important skill to build for the real world.”

“This job has really emphasized the importance of being an adaptable, interdisciplinary collaborator. Being comfortable navigating change is an important skill to build for the real world.”

Chan started the PharmD program after studying biomedical discovery and commercialization at McMaster University, with an interest in pharmaceutical innovation, commercialization, and the science behind medicines. He enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with patients through programs like the collaboration with UHN to support diabetes patients with their medications after a hospital discharge.

“We have been intentional about involving pharmacy students at Discovery Pharmacy, not just as placement learners, but as partners and an integral part of our team. Under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, they provided professional pharmacy services while also contributing to our day-to-day operations and patient care,” says Ernie Avilla, executive director of Discovery Pharmacy.

“Over the past four years, Sydney and Preston have stepped into leadership roles, helping run student orientation working groups and leading educational activities for the U of T community. They truly show how pharmacy students can help their peers stay healthy, while also experiencing the full potential of what community pharmacy can be.”

Extracurriculars help build supportive student network

On top of their work at Discovery Pharmacy, both Schroeder and Chan took advantage of the Faculty’s many opportunities for student involvement.

“There were so many opportunities to participate that I could figure out the student experience that I wanted to have and apply learnings in different ways,” says Schroeder. “Whether it was different clubs or groups, or working at Discovery Pharmacy, there was so much opportunity to grow and learn outside of the core curriculum.”

Both were involved with several intramural sports teams, and Chan was events co-director for the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society and participated in the Pharmaceutical Industry Primer and Education (PIPE) group, including one year as president.

The activities not only helped them have fun and gain skills, but also strengthened connections between cohorts.

“Your interactions with other people and how you can learn from them are so crucial to becoming a better health care professional and a better person,” says Chan. “I really benefited from upper-year students helping me, and it’s been cool to see that now I can do this for other people, and I hope I can be a good example for other students.”

Patient care remains at forefront of career goals

With Schroeder and Chan graduating this week, they are both looking forward to the next steps in their career. Schroeder will be starting an industry residency at Sanofi, and Chan will be starting an industry residency at Amgen this fall. And they say that their experiences at Discovery Pharmacy will have a lasting impact on how they practice pharmacy, whether in industry or in community practice.

“It's really easy when you go into something where you're not seeing a patient every day to forget what the whole purpose is, but as health care providers, we want to figure out ways to help people,” says Schroeder. “Even if I’m not providing direct patient care every day, maintaining that mindset and understanding the patient experience throughout my career will be very grounding.”