Early career pharmacist recognised for improving accessibility of pharmaceutical services
Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer Emily Griffin was recognised with the Early Career Pharmacist of the Year Award at the recent Victorian Annual Excellence Awards, presented by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
The award recognises Emily’s deep-rooted passion for health care and innovative approaches to making pharmaceutical services more accessible. One of her most notable achievements includes co-building and developing the Australian-first Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Statewide Pharmacy Service in Victoria, leading to the successful implementation of the service in 2019. She has also co-authored VAD guidelines and a Pharmacist Credentialing Program for training pharmacists across the country.
Emily is currently practising as a Senior Pharmacist in the Complex Care Service at St Vincent’s Hospital, Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer for Victoria within Monash Rural Health, a Teaching Associate within the Master of Clinical Pharmacy at Monash University, and as a credentialed consultant pharmacist.
Emily has contributed significantly to the pharmacy profession through professional services, innovation, community programs, health promotion, professional development, and pharmacist and patient advocacy. Underlying all this, in her acceptance speech Emily highlighted her personalised approach to patient care.
“Every patient I see I treat as though they are my family member, and it is an honour to be able to serve patients in whichever the setting may be, particularly, in their home.”
Emily also acknowledged the support of her manager Dr Pamela Harvey, Director of Rural Nursing and Allied Health Partnerships at Monash Rural Health and how important a positive workplace culture is.
“It is something I am passionate about because people in our industry need a positive workplace to ensure that care is at the forefront of all that we do.”
In her role as Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer for Victoria, Emily is giving back to her roots in rural Australia, supporting and promoting the rural pharmacist workforce.
“Rural pharmacy practice and the care of humans in rural Australia is just as important as metropolitan pharmacy practice and the care of humans in metro Australia – the opportunities, the care, and the resources should not differ so enormously. I’m hoping to be able to influence some change here.”
Find out more about the Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer Program supporting pharmacists and pharmacy students practising in rural and remote areas.