On September 25, the College of Pharmacy celebrated the World Pharmacists Day 2023 following the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) theme “Pharmacy Strengthening Health Systems”.
College of Pharmacy kicked off the celebrations with a message from Dean Prof. Sherief Khalifa. The occasion was further enriched by the enlightening words from our keynote speaker, Dr. Christina Madison who is the founder of the consulting firm: The Public Health Pharmacist (PLLC). She was featured in over 250+ on-air television appearances and received the Bowl of Hygeia award in 2022 from the state of Nevada.
Dr. Madison emphasized the pivotal role of pharmacists in the real world, urging GMU College of Pharmacy students to discover their unique strengths. She also focused on how pharmacy contributes to fortifying healthcare systems globally.
The attendees also engaged with several experienced pharmacy practitioners through pre-recorded videos. The videos featured: Dr. Reem Al Nakeeb (Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions, Ontario, Canada), Dr. Jean Joury (Pharmacist, Pharmaceutics Industry), Dr. Ahmed ElShafei (Head of Scientific office and training department, Elezaby Pharmacy, Cairo, Egypt), Dr. Zahraa Hassan (Researcher in Pharmacoeconomics unit, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), Cairo, Egypt), Dr. Wael Labib (Lead Pharmacist, Automation and Informatics services, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. UAE), Dr. Sherif Hammad (Brand Manager, Oncology and HCV, Gulf Countries, AbbVie), Dr. Mohamed Hisham Basheer (Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy Services, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE), Dr. Mohamed Hashish (PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, Clinical Pharmacist at University Hospitals and Walgreens Pharmacy, Cleveland OH, USA), Dr. Zakieh Abulkhair (Pharmacy Operations Manager, Al Thiqa Pharmacy, UAE) and Dr. Hisham Farouk (Medical Director Respiratory and Immunology, International Region at AstraZeneca), Dr. Dixon Thomas (Associate Dean – Clinical, College of Pharmacy, GMU), Dr. Shabaz Mohiuddin Gulam (Lecturer and Preceptor, GMU), Dr. Ahmed El Ouweini (Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist, TUH and Clinical Preceptor, GMU), Dr. Selma Benwahmane Castell (Clinical Preceptor, GMU) and finally, Dr. Zoya Ali, a CoP alumnus working as a Healthcare Consultant at Pharma Business Partners.
The videos represented a celebration of the pharmacy profession with its different sectors showcasing pharmacists from different countries around the world.
Moreover, GMU Pharmacy Students Association (GPSA) arranged a fun, interactive game of Jeoparty, which included six criteria of trivia questions including pharmacology, cardiology, law & ethics and many more.
Finally, the celebration was concluded with a cake cutting ceremony with GMU faculty, student and alumni.
Muwanga Victor Mubezi, final year Pharm.D. (APPE student) commented: “The presentations delivered on World Pharmacists Day offered profound insights. It was a privilege to attend Dr. Christina Madison’s lecture, where she shared her extensive experience as a clinical pharmacist and introduced the intriguing concept of the ‘Zone of Genius’. This was a new concept for me, one that I am eager to incorporate into my professional endeavors.”
Dean Sherief Khalifa commented: “For us at GMU, today’s celebration is very special. It focuses on our pharmacy students who will soon graduate and join the workforce of pharmacists around the world. The celebration serves to nurture the “advocate” in each one of them. Soon they will graduate and demonstrate this advocacy for their patients and for their profession in the neighborhoods where they live, practice and serve. I am confident that they will lead the change and take the profession to another frontier!”