Ma Christel Joyce Manuel from the University of Western Australia (UWA) has won the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) Wildcard for the 2021 PSA Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Award.
“I am thrilled and honoured for this amazing opportunity,” says Christel, congratulating the other students who were in the talented field of students who fiercely contested the award.
“This opportunity allows you to use your clinical and counselling skills to support patients in achieving better outcomes.”
The PSOTY Wildcard final took place online as part of the NAPSA congress, with a talented field of students showcasing their clinical knowledge and implementing their counselling skills using real life pharmacy scenarios.
The other talented finalists who were in the running for the award were Samantha King (University of Queensland, QLD) and Amirreza Zobeh (Monash University, VIC).
“It is heartening to see the future of our profession on show, demonstrating a high level of clinical knowledge and passion,” says PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, who also congratulates Christel on her achievement.
“This competition provides students with the opportunity to learn important skills, such as gaining patient insights and patient understanding, active listening and skills that support positive patient outcomes.
“I commend all participants and finalists at this year’s competition.
“The future of pharmacy looks very bright going forward,” he adds.
Describing the final decision as a difficult one to make, PSOTY Wildcard Judge and CEO of the PSA, Mr Mark Kinsela also congratulates all the finalists and thanks the other judges who included early career pharmacists Bridgette Mackley and NAPSA President Mr Ethan Kreutzer.
“The judges had a really difficult decision – all the finalists did a fantastic job.
“We commend each finalist for the way they professionally communicated with the patient, took a good patient history, excluded serious medical conditions and then arrived at an appropriate clinical recommendation,” says Mr Kinsela.
“The future of pharmacy looks very bright with these exceptional health professionals just starting out in their careers.”
As the PSOTY Wildcard winner, and supported by Viatris, Christel will travel to the PSA21 National Conference held in Sydney from 30 July – 1 August 2021, to compete for the national title of Pharmacy Student of the Year 2021.
