Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) today awarded Susan Trevillian FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt, RuralHlth) the 2024 Australian Clinical Pharmacy Award for her leadership and advocacy for rural and remote clinical pharmacy services.
Presenting the award on the final day of Medicines Management 2024 (MM2024) in Adelaide, AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says Susan is a strong and effective mentor for many up-and-coming pharmacists seeking to make an impact in equitable access to health care. ‘Susan is a tireless advocate for rural pharmacists.
‘Understanding the unique skill required to work in rural and remote areas, Susan is constantly finding ways to support the growth and development of pharmacists to help them deliver optimal outcomes for their patients such as advocating for AdPha to provide a credentialling program for Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting.
‘As Chair of the AdPha Rural and Remote Leadership Committee, she has successfully campaigned for ongoing recognition of her field and in her role as Deputy Director of Pharmacy at Northeast Health Wangaratta, she is leading the development of an innovative and collaborative pharmacy internship program giving interns exposure to multiple rural health services including community pharmacy and general practice.
‘Susan also convenes a collaborative network of rural hospital pharmacy interns and their preceptors across the north of Victoria, enabling knowledge sharing via clinical case presentations, connecting peers across health service boundaries, and supporting newly registered pharmacists to guide the next cohort of interns that follow in their footsteps – her efforts to ensure early career pharmacists thrive in rural practice environments knows no bounds.’
In supporting her nomination, fellow AdPha Rural and Remote Leadership Committee member Kelly Beswick said Susan is always the first to ensure there is a Rural and Remote lens included within relevant standards of practice and advocacy efforts.‘Susan is a fierce advocate for rural and remote health, ensuring that the nuance of living and working in these locations is understood and recognised.
‘She is always looking for ways to promote the rewards of working in these challenging but rewarding locations, and to provide ongoing professional development and education for practitioners working in these areas.’
In his letter of commendation, David Ford, Director of Pharmacy at Northeast Health Wangaratta said Susan has committed herself to ensuring her experience and opinion is heard, both within and outside the region.
‘Susan is a warrior for equitable and accessible rural health services for people who reside in the country.
‘She also leads intern pharmacy programs, networking and education, which are important strategies to help ensure early career pharmacists remain practising in rural communities.