Your Pharmacy Career Podcast

Dr Ramesh Walpola is a Pharmacist, Certified Health Manager (CHM) and the Pharmacy Academic Lead & Program Authority at the School of Health Sciences . His main area of research expertise and interest is in patient and medication safety, particularly examining the social determinants of safe practices. Ramesh completed his PhD at The University of Sydney in 2016, which focused on the developme...

A discussion about Australian Pharmacy Student Research is featured in this episode, in which the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Australian Pharmacy Students' Journal, Elissar Mansour , and the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Dr Fei Sim , share their research journey and encourage more pharmacy students to participate. Australian Pharmacy Students' Journal is the only peer-r...

Nichole Lanham is a University of Queensland graduate with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours). Her passion for Pharmacy in general is evident in her work, however she has a particular interest in the clinical areas of skin, asthma, and generic / biosimilar medications. Nichole is a Pharmacist Policy Advisor with The Pharmacy Guild of Australia National Secretariat and works within the Practice, Poli...

Natasha Jovanoska is a passionate pharmacist and pharmacy owner working in the ACT and in rural NSW.  She is always willing to give anything a go and does so with a smile. Natasha has been known as one half of the ‘singing pharmacist’, undertaken postgraduate study in wound care and dermatology, become a Heart Foundation Health Professional Ambassador , an AHPRA Oral Examiner , PSA ACT Early Caree...

Hayley Smilie is on the PDL NSW / ACT local advisory committee and is a Professional Officer for PDL. With over 20 years’ experience as a registered pharmacist, Hayley has worked as a manager in a community pharmacy, as a hospital pharmacist, pharmacist preceptor for student placements and national coordinator for a highly regarded intern training program. Hayley has written continuing education,...

Chantelle Turner is a pharmacist, emotional intelligence practitioner, leadership coach and the founder of TURN Pharmacy Leadership , a leadership coaching business created by a pharmacist for pharmacists and people within our industry. Through her business, Chantelle fulfils her purpose of empowering pharmacists and key personnel to become game-changers in their lives, workplaces, and communities...

Miruna Vivekanandarajah is a Self-Employed Pharmacist (Locum) who completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy, with a Major in International Pharmacy at The University of Sydney . Miruna commenced pharmacy career training in the pharmaceutical industry in regulatory affairs and in community pharmacy. Currently focussed in expanding clinical, professional and personal skills through working in different pharm...

Dr Fei Sim is the first female National President to lead PSA since its Federation in 1977. Dr Sim is a Senior Lecturer and the Coordinator of International Engagement in the Curtin Medical School at Curtin University , Western Australia (WA). In 2020 she was also made a Fellow of the Society before being appointed as a Director on the PSA National Board in 2021. Dr Sim has over 14 years of clinic...

Nick Panayiaris is a practising pharmacist with over 30 years’ experience and is an owner of a community pharmacy in South Australia. Nick is the SA Branch President and the Senior National Vice President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and has been a National Councillor for 10 years. He was the Chair of the Guild’s Member Services and Innovation Committee and is a current member of the Health...

Ayomide Ogundipe is an early career pharmacist with experience in community pharmacy, policy and advocacy, teaching and research. Ayomide has successfully coordinated and introduced a number of innovative programs and services to her practice, including the Your Health Expo for the Pharmacy 777 Group , demonstrating her capability in project coordination. Notably, her passion, organisation skills...

Samantha (Sam) King is a current Intern Pharmacist with Queensland Health, Metro South ; and, a graduate of Bachelor of Pharmacy, with First Class Honours, from the University of Queensland class of 2021. Passionate about equity in quality use of medicines; cultural safety; advancement in pharmacists’ professional scope of practice; and, student engagement in clinical research - she has been fortu...

Lisa Nguyen is a Pharmacist, and founder and CEO of Astrid , Australia’s first female-led dispensary with the vision to reinvent the traditional pharmacy model and put the plant-power back to patients. Astrid is a boutique specialty pharmacy, pioneering in cannabinoid medicine , plant-based therapies and nutraceuticals , located at the heart of South Yarra in Melbourne. You can find Lisa Nguyen on...

Chris Owen is a third-generation regional community pharmacist with a keen interest in rural health and pharmacy education. He has practical experience and degree qualifications in rural pharmacy as well as offering specialist services in Sexual Health; particularly HIV prevention and treatment. Chris is the Queensland Branch President & National Vice-President Finance of the Pharmacy Guild of...

Jess Burrey grew up in regional NSW and has practiced Pharmacy in rural and regional areas since gaining registration in 2006. Cutting her teeth working as a Managing Pharmacist in Mount Isa as soon as she gained full registration, Jess has been practicing in Emerald QLD for the past 12.5 years and became a pharmacy owner in 2016. Across her group of pharmacies, Jess and her team deliver a wide ra...

Verity Boustead is the current National President of the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA) , and former Research Chair. Verity is working as an Intern Pharmacist at Alfred Health in Melbourne, and in her final year of a Master of Pharmacy at Monash University after graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (First Class Honours). Through her role as the NAPSA President, V...

Lucinda Marks currently part owns and manages two Capital Chemist pharmacies in Canberra. Her pharmacy career began 14 years ago. Since then she has experienced the full spectrum of positions in pharmacy, assistant, dispense technician, intern pharmacist, pharmacist, pharmacist in charge and now managing partner. In 2019 Lucinda received the MIMS/Guild Australian Intern Pharmacist of the Year and...

Jeyda Shiaxiates works at Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) in Pharmacy Operations for Priceline Pharmacy . She has been a community Pharmacist for seven years, and in a brand support role for five years.  She is a mum of two young children (5 years old and 11 months old) and works full time. Her current role involves developing and supporting the Priceline Pharmacists in their career and...

Kay Dunkley is passionate about the health and well-being of health professionals.  After forging a career based in hospital pharmacy prior to having children, Kay has over the years also been involved in roles providing services which support pharmacists and other health professionals.  These roles have included working for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia ( Victorian Branch ), the Victori...

David Paulmert is an early career Pharmacist on Thursday Island. David was awarded 2018 Guild Intern of the Year while working in Port Douglas and continued to work there for four years. David then moved to Thursday Island at the beginning of 2021, and now often commutes to work via helicopter, spending the day in remote health centres on the islands in the Torres Strait. David is an alumnus of th...

Trent Twomey was elected as National President of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia in March 2021. Trent has been involved with the Guild for over 10 years and was part of the successful negotiating team for the Sixth and Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreements. He is Secretary of the World Pharmacy Council , immediate Past Chairman and Director of Advance Cairns , a Professor at James Cook University...

Michael Minter is an experienced Paramedic and Pharmacist with a demonstrated history of working in the health care industry. Michael has been recognised as the 2020 Pharmacist of the Year for TerryWhite Chemmart. Skilled in Emergency Medicine, Management and Leadership, Michael has a strong professional focus on health education with a graduate certificate in Diabetes Education. Michael's sp...

Rheanna Norris is a dedicated and passionate pharmacy student who aspires to work as a clinical hospital pharmacist. As President of the Queensland Pharmacy Students’ Association (QPSA) for 2021 and outgoing National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) treasurer 20/21, Rheanna has been provided with an invaluable opportunity to be involved in the expanding pharmacy industry.  Rheanna...

Gerald Quigley is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations across Australia. He is a regular weekly guest on Australia Overnight, heard across the Nine Radio network and syndicated stations each Thursday morning. This group includes 4CA, 4BC, 2UE, 5aa, 3AW and regional networks. He speaks on 6PR Perth on Saturday...

Megan Tremlett has more than 25 years’ experience working as a pharmacist across public and private hospital (across 3 states of Australia as well as overseas), community pharmacy, consultancy, project management and research. Megan is currently based in Queensland working for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia as a Senior Pharmacist in the Program Delivery Team, managing a number of palliati...

Sam Turner has a passion for community pharmacy in Australia and it's changing potential. With over 10 years of experience Sam has experienced pharmacy as a Manager, Locum, Pharmacist & student whilst obtaining exceptional growth results during his leadership ventures. More recently Sam has traveled and locumed around Australia. Sam is now the Operations Manager for Scrypt Ventures, a pha...