Educational Sessions

Connecting Patients with Hormone Therapy – Women’s Health with Menopause

•  Review the history menopause hormone therapy (MHT) and examine how this has shaped the perception of menopause and treatment decisions in current practice.
•  Discuss the appropriateness of using MHT to manage vasomotor symptoms(VMS); weighing the potential benefits and harms.
•  Outline considerations to address patient concerns when individualizing systemic MHT regimens.
•  Describe the symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and explore individualized treatment options.
•  Discuss non-hormonal therapy for managing VMS; including lifestyle, prescription and herbal options.
• Utilize decision making tools for clinical practitioners in conjunction with patients to optimize patient care.

Taisa Trischuk is an academic detailer and information support pharmacist with RxFiles Academic Detailing. She graduated from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan in 2011, and completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Alberta in 2016. Before joining the RxFiles in 2018, her pharmacy experience included community practice, medical oncology pharmacy at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and primary care at the Westside Community Clinic Pharmacy.

Advancing your Practice with Students’ Help

• Describe the benefits of integrating pharmacy and pharmacy technician students into the daily workflow within the pharmacy practice.
• Develop strategies to integrate pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students into community pharmacies while maintaining high-quality patient care.
• Improve collaboration between pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and students to enhance the learning environment and improve operational efficiency.
• Outline specific tasks or projects that can be assigned to students, which are both beneficial to pharmacy operations and student’s educational outcomes.

Sue Mack-Klinger is currently the program head of the Pharmacy Technician Program and continues to work as a community pharmacist to maintain pharmacy practice. She sees the evolution of pharmacy practice being integral to the daily lives of all individuals in our communities, and works on various governance and education committees to support pharmacy professionals for this needed transition.

Chelsea Lux is a rural community pharmacist who has found a passion for precepting students early on in her career. She has hosted multiple pharmacist and pharmacy technician students while managing Rocanville pharmacy. Her dedication and continual desire to learn has made the addition of students into her practice an enriching and rewarding experience for all involved. She has seen first hand how integrating students into your workflow with intention can increase productivity and improve patient outcomes.

Jena Boyko is a Lecturer in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan where she is primarily responsible for practice skills in the undergraduate PharmD program. She continues to work casually in community pharmacy practice in Saskatoon where she also precepts students.

Work-life Harmony and Pharmacy

• Recognize the importance of work-life harmony in the pharmacy profession.
• Analyze different strategies for achieving a rewarding work-life balance.
• Create practical approaches to promote well-being in your professional and personal life.

Nick Doulias is the CEO of Activation Point Coaching & Consulting, which partners with executives, leaders, athletes, and teams to achieve their peak potential with purpose, clarity, and passion. Nick graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He is a Certified Executive Coach from Royal Roads University and holds an Advanced Coaching Certification from the Ivey Business School at Western University. He also holds certifications as a Certified Business Coach, Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming Coach and Trainer, Mental Game Coaching Professional, and Positive Intelligence Coach.

Connecting with COPD Patients – Building a Maintenance Treatment Support Network

• Describe COPD maintenance treatment support networks and the types of programs and healthcare providers that would be included in a support network for COPD patients.
• Outline the role that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play in the management of COPD and support of patients living with COPD
• Identify local resources, support systems, and program offerings to meet the specific needs of patients living with COPD.
• Facilitate a support network aimed at sustaining COPD management for patients.

Jenna Anderson is a Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator. She has worked with he University of Saskatchewan since 2015 in numerous capacities such as Experiential Learning Coordinator, Instructor for the College of Pharmacy, and Guest Lecturer for the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Medicine.

She was a full-time clinical pharmacist specializing in Diabetes Education and Smoking Cessation from 2011-2017. Currently, she continues to work for various departments at the University of Saskatchewan and offers private consulting related to pharmacy professional services.

Interpreting Labs in Community Pharmacy

• Describe the roles of pharmacists in ordering, accessing, and interpreting a patient’s laboratory results to assist with drug therapy and chronic disease management.
• Reflect on case scenarios with common laboratory values lying outside of the reference range and identify appropriate steps for the patient and the pharmacy care team.
• Summarize a stepwise approach when accessing and interpreting patient labs to optimize drug therapy and maintain a patient specific monitoring plan.
• State important considerations when accessing or ordering lab tests.
• Discuss potential future roles of pharmacy technicians in lab monitoring.

Brenda Schuster recently retired from her role with the Family Medicine Unit in Regina where she saw complex patients on appointment, taught family medicine residents, and worked along side them to assist in their daily prescribing decisions. Her career included working in hospital pharmacy and 17 great years as an academic detailer with the RxFiles Academic Detailing Service in Regina. She has undertaken leadership roles in numerous pharmacy organizations including as President of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals and Pharmaceutical Care Coordinator.

Steven Kary is the Manger of Professional Practice with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan. Following completion of his Pharmacy degree in 2017, he completed a residency in SHA – Regina and then began working as a pharmacist at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. In 2020 he took on the role of Clinical Instructor for student hospital practice experiences within SHA-Saskatoon. Laboratory monitoring has been an essential practice tool within all of these roles. Throughout his experience, Steven has maintained that any patient care plan is only as good as your ability to follow up and monitor its results.

Pediatric Dosing and Antimicrobial Stewardship

• Identify key considerations in paediatric antibiotic dosing based on age, weight, and development for stewardship interventions when antibiotics are prescribed for children.

• Assess for stewardship interventions when antibiotics are prescribed for children.

• Select appropriate monitoring parameters to assess the efficacy and safety of antibiotic therapy in paediatric patients.

•  Apply communication strategies to discuss antimicrobial stewardship
  recommendations within a team setting.

Andrea Tang received her BSP from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan in 2013. After graduation, she completed a hospital pharmacy residency with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, focusing on neonatal and paediatric populations. Shortly after, she completed her PharmD at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto.  From 2021 to 2023 Andrea was the paediatric pharmacy clinical coordinator for SHA – Saskatoon where she led, mentored, and coached residents, students and paediatric pharmacists. She is now an Assistant Professor with the University of Saskatchewan where she provides undergraduate education in infectious diseases and paediatric pharmacotherapy.

Creating Safe Spaces to Revitalize Your Community

• Define the concept of a safe space within a community pharmacy with an emphasis on its importance in improving health equity and patient well-being.
• Recognize the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as advocates for inclusivity from a patient’s perspective.
• Appraise the current environment of a community pharmacy for opportunities to create safe spaces (including physical environment, staff competencies, and cultural safety).
• Develop a personalized action plan for creating safe spaces within your pharmacy (e.g. self-learning, staff training, signage, community outreach, etc.)

Kayla Demong, who grew up in Saskatoon, has dedicated 12 years to Prairie Harm Reduction, currently serving as the Executive Director. She also trains organizations across Canada on how to support people who use substances. Kayla is a recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal.

With 17 years of experience supporting individuals in Saskatoon’s core areas, Kayla’s commitment to this field is deeply personal. Her journey began with her own battle with addition, and this December, she will celebrate 21 years of recovery. These experiences have fueled her passion for harm reduction and her mission to provide better support for substance users, including youth, adults, and families

Better Communication, Better Outcomes

• Identify common communication issues healthcare providers experience with their patients and/or other healthcare providers.
• Describe conflict resolution strategies and how they can be applied into everyday pharmacy practice.
• Evaluate current communication pathways in your practice and assess for opportunities to improve communication and strengthen patient relationships.
• Develop an action plan with your pharmacy team to improve communication with patients and other healthcare providers.

Loretta Gerlach is a dedicated professional with a passion for fostering positive change within the healthcare sector. As the sole proprietor of Gerlach Strategy and Solutions, she brings over two decades of experience in organizational behavior, human resources, and leadership development to her work. With a deep understanding of the healthcare system gained through her roles in a union, health authority, and the Ministry of Health, Loretta has spearheaded numerous successful initiatives aimed at improving organizational effectiveness and employee well-being. Her work in governance, strategic planning, and building effective work cultures has allowed her to add value to many health care teams in Saskatchewan and across Canada.

Two-Eyed Seeing – Connecting Indigenous Health with Pharmacy Care

• Understand and consider strategies for initiating respectful and effective communication and collaboration with Indigenous Nations to enhance health outcomes and integrate Indigenous priorities into your practices.
•  Embrace the role as allies by supporting patient-led care plans that integrate Indigenous cultural beliefs and practices, ensuring these aspects are respected and honoured.

Kierra FineDay (she/her) is a nêhiyaw-iskwêw (Cree Woman) from nakîwaciy askiy ᓇᑮᐊᐧᒋᕀ (Sweetgrass First Nation) located on Treaty 6 Territory (1876). Her family name comes from her relative, Kâmîyokîsikâw, and his name roughly translates to “it is a fine day/good day” in English but with far deeper meaning than the English language can convey. Kierra earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan and has been a licensed pharmacist since 2018, working in Saskatchewan’s south, central, and northern regions. Recently, Kierra shifted her focus to First Nations health policy and advocacy. She will receive her Indigenous Nation-Building Graduate Certificate this November 2024, a program jointly offered by the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) and Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS). This Fall, she will also begin the Master of Public Administration program with JSGS.

Connecting in Your Community – Building a Collaborative Practice

• Define the concept of collaborative practice between physicians and pharmacy professionals and understand its importance in delivering optimal patient care.
• Identify key strategies for fostering and maintaining collaborative relationships with prescribers in the community, whether a rural or urban setting.
• Develop actionable plans for implementing collaborative practices within their own pharmacy settings, including specific steps, measurable goals, and timelines for implementation.
• Engage in constructive dialogue with fellow participants and panelists to share insights, challenges, and innovative ideas related to building collaborative relationships between healthcare professionals.

Upon graduating from the University of Toronto in 2011, Paul Bazin returned to Saskatchewan where he has been practicing as a community pharmacist in Swift Current. Throughout his career he has held numerous positions including Board Chair of the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan, the PAS Advocacy and Professional Practice Committees, Health Canada Infoway Pharmacist Working Group member, Saskatchewan Health Peers representative, and Shoppers Drug Mart Peers Executive. Paul has been a strong advocate for expanded scope and has spoken to many groups as well as the federal and provincial governments on the value pharmacists provide to patients within the healthcare system.

Kymmberley Wright is a dedicated and experienced Registered Pharmacy Technician with over 17 years in community pharmacy. Kymm has been a role model for both staff and students, providing award-winning, compassionate care. Since becoming licensed in 2018, she has continually sought growth opportunities, becoming injection certified in 2021 and actively participating with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan. Kymm is an advocate for Pharmacy Technicians, and is always striving to elevate their role within the healthcare system.

Megann Mathew-Lang is a registered nurse with 11 years of experience, primarily in mental health. Her career has spanned various settings, including inpatient mental health units and multiple community mental health teams. She is currently employed as a psychiatry triage nurse in Swift Current. Her passion for mental health services arises from the opportunity to support individuals during their most vulnerable moments, the ability to build meaningful relationships, and the capacity to advocate for mental health.

Amanda Mozol is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with 19 years of experience. Throughout her career she has worked in diverse settings including long-term care in a provincial psychiatric facility, inpatient mental health, and intake services. Currently, she serves the communities of south-west Saskatchewan out of her office in Swift Current. IN her role as Psychiatric Triage Nurse, she works closely with her colleague Megann Mathew-Lang, and Psychiatrist Dr. Yasir Ahmed.