Celebrating Pharmacy Appreciation Month at Nova Scotia Health

Pharmacy Appreciation Month is a time to recognize the incredible professionals who work behind the scenes but also keep patients safe and healthy across Nova Scotia. From antimicrobial stewardship to medication reconciliation and sterile compounding, pharmacy teams at Nova Scotia Health bring expertise, compassion and innovation to every corner of care.

This month, we’re highlighting pharmacy professionals from across the province and sharing their stories, inspiration and reflections on their work.

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Maureen has been working in hospital pharmacy since graduating from Dalhousie University in 2013. Inspired by her mother, a pharmacist who served Nova Scotia Health for nearly 40 years, Maureen saw first-hand the impact pharmacists have on patient care. Today, as a mom of three, she’s especially motivated to combat antimicrobial resistance for future generations.

Her days are anything but routine. She  positive blood cultures, monitors restricted antimicrobials, supports colleagues with infectious disease consultations, and contributes to quality improvement initiatives.

Many are surprised to learn she doesn’t work in a dispensary. Much of her role is virtual, collaborating across the province to ensure patients receive the most appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

For Maureen, the most rewarding part is simple: “Seeing patients improve and knowing I played a part. Pharmacy professionals are lifelong learners and trusted medication experts.” Her advice for new pharmacists is, “Explore different practice settings; the profession offers more variety than many realize.”

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With more than 20 years of healthcare experience, including work as a hospital pharmacist and researcher in Brazil, Marilisa brings global expertise to her role in Nova Scotia.

She specializes in collecting the most accurate medication histories possible when patients enter the hospital. This work requires detailed investigation, collaboration with families and community pharmacies and careful review of records.

“Even small details about medications can make a big difference,” she explains.

Marilisa finds deep fulfillment in speaking directly with patients and ensuring their medication information is clear and complete. Teamwork is central to her work, collaborating closely with pharmacists, nurses and physicians to enhance patient safety.

She encourages anyone considering pharmacy to pursue it wholeheartedly. “It’s a career grounded in science, compassion and lifelong learning.

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Caitlin has worked in pharmacy since 2008 across community, long-term care and hospital settings. Currently serving in a short-term assignment as automation support lead, she balances technical troubleshooting with daily pharmacy operations.

Her work includes supporting automated dispensing cabinets, managing system workflows, assisting with order entry and solving technology challenges that keep medications moving safely through the hospital.

People are often surprised at how technology-driven hospital pharmacy can be. “There’s a whole behind-the-scenes world of systems and automation,” she shares.

For Caitlin, teamwork is practical and constant. Everyone steps in where needed to keep care running smoothly. She notes Nova Scotia Health offers opportunities to grow, lead projects and explore evolving roles within pharmacy.

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With over 10 years in pharmacy, Davina thrives in the fast-paced, mentally stimulating hospital environment. On any given day, she may be sterile compounding, preparing critical medications in a highly controlled environment.

Many don’t realize the complexity of her role. Beyond “counting pills,” technicians compound chemotherapy, perform final technical checks, assist in the operating rooms by ensuring the anesthesiologists and OR staff have all the necessary medications stocked and support medication histories in the surgical preadmissions’ clinic, as well as the emergency departments.

Davina finds meaning in knowing her behind-the-scenes work directly contributes to patient recovery. She values Nova Scotia Health’s inclusive culture, growth opportunities and strong team communication. Her advice is, “Job shadow in multiple settings to fully appreciate the breadth of pharmacy practice.”

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Jason joined Nova Scotia Health in 2013 and now serves communities throughout Northern Zone. With a military background, he was drawn to pharmacy for its flexibility and meaningful impact. After an early hospital rotation, he knew hospital practice was where he belonged.

He spends his days reviewing antimicrobial reports, supporting prescribers with recommendations on dose and duration, contributing to stewardship projects and collaborating with clinicians across disciplines.

He notes a common misconception: antimicrobial stewardship pharmacists are sometimes seen as “antibiotic cops.” Instead, he views his role as empowering clinicians to make the best decisions for their patients.

For Jason, working at Nova Scotia Health means serving the community he calls home. Pharmacy professionals, he emphasizes, “Are capable of far more than many realize, including prescribing for certain conditions and leading specialized initiatives.”

Across Nova Scotia Health, pharmacy professionals are essential to safe, effective patient care. Whether at the bedside, in a sterile room, analyzing data, or collaborating virtually across zones, they are dedicated, highly skilled and deeply committed to improving health outcomes.

This Pharmacy Appreciation Month, we thank them for their expertise, teamwork and unwavering dedication to the people and communities of Nova Scotia.

Interested in advancing your career in pharmacy? Learn more and apply today!