Long-standing Preceptor Heather Hadden receives prestigious U of T Arbor Award

Heather Hadden (8T4), is the 2021 Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy recipient of the University of Toronto Arbor Award, the highest honour granted by the University that recognizes tremendous impact of many of its loyal volunteers. These volunteers embody the best attributes of the U of T motto, "Velut arbor ævo" – "May it grow as a tree through the ages." Their work contributes to the strong foundation from which the university’s mission is able to bloom.

According to Debbie Kwan, Assistant Professor Teaching Stream and Preceptor Education and Engagement Coordinator, Hadden's immense commitment and positive outlook “excel her desire to create the best possible learning experience for our students". Kwan also applauds her willingness to contribute to experiential education by sharing her teaching tips at our preceptor sessions and as a member of our Preceptor Development Advisory Group.

The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy met with Heather to talk about how she became interested in pharmacy, the best part about being a preceptor, giving back to her community, and what the Arbor Award means to her.

How did you become interested in pharmacy as a career?

When Heather was young, she always wanted to be a veterinarian but unfortunately, she was allergic to animals! Her interest in pharmacy peaked when she read about the profession in a career magazine in school. Hadden shared that she knew right away that Pharmacy was the career for her. She started to work as a student at Centenary Hospital in Scarborough, where her passion for the profession grew. In 1984, she graduated from the U of T Faculty of Pharmacy, which she described as some of the best years of her life, making lifelong friends and colleagues.

Heather started a hospital residency following graduation at Women’s College Hospital. During her residency, she jumped right in to teaching and returned to the Faculty to teach Pharmacy 465. She quickly realized that teaching was another passion! Her distinguished career has allowed her to experience many exciting aspects of the pharmacy field. She has contributed to the Credit Valley Hospital, a Biologics company, and later to a Family Heath Team, and is currently with CarePoint Health. In each role she always found a way to incorporate teaching and giving back to students, spearheading motions with management to encourage the benefits of experiential learning. Hadden’s commitment is evident with over 35 years of detected contributions as a preceptor.

What’s the best part about your job?

Heather is enthusiastic about health and that is clear through her Pharmacy career as well as her love of teaching, which she shares with our students but also her community as a fitness instructor. She has truly always loved to inspire people. She shared, "It’s not just teaching, its inspiring to help people to light the fire in them to learn something new in their life". Every career step she took she has incorporated teaching, though it has been one of the hardest parts of some of her positions it has also been the most rewarding. Many of Hadden’s past students still reach out to her to share their new endeavors and ask for her support through references. Hadden was also recognized in 2019 by our students as a Preceptor of the Year, she shared then, "I’m learning all the time. We teach and learn from each other". This message was clear while speaking with her again about her Arbor Award honour.

How did COVID impact your teaching experience as a Preceptor?

When public health measures were brought in the University had to pivot its experiential learning programs. Hadden threw her hand up to help create safe roles for students to continue their rotations during the unpredictable times. She took multiple students at a time and put a lot of care into creating a shift in her teaching style to ensure that the students were receiving the best possible learning environment. She shared that she increased virtual meetings, had students attend virtual patients counseling sessions, provided students with ‘real world’ timelines to provide information to other health professionals such as Doctors on staff. All of these tactics provided students with in-depth learning opportunities. Heather said when the pandemic hit and educational institutions were pivoting, she was onboard "to find a way to educate the students and to make sure it worked".

Why do you continue to be a Preceptor?

Hadden shared that she truly believes in "following your heart and doing what you love". She believes this comes through in her teaching to her students. She feels blessed to have pharmacy as her profession and is happy to share and teach the next generation of pharmacist. Her excitement and enthusiasm comes across as soon as you meet her and her openness truly exudes a positive learning environment.

What does the Arbor Award mean to you?

As a committed supporter for more than 35 years to the Faculty of Pharmacy, Hadden is humbled and very honoured to be recognized. She shared, "I follow my heart when teaching and with my patients, and I believe people feel that".