“Initially, I became a pharmacist to provide patient care in a community pharmacy practice but as my career evolved I recognized that there was a multitude of opportunities available to pharmacists to have a positive impact on patient care. Throughout my career, I accepted many of those opportunities to promote the profession and the Association with the goal of achieving optimal patient outcomes and value for the healthcare system.”
Tina has been a recognized leader in the pharmacy community for many years. She is a strong advocate for the profession of pharmacy, the Association and the patients of Ontario.
Tina served eight years on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA), chairing several committees and in 2009 led the Board as Chair. During her time with OPA, she played an important role in advocating for an expanded scope of practice for pharmacists. She also was a strong proponent of ensuring good governance. Understanding the importance of engaging pharmacy students, she was instrumental in creating an official Student Board Director position. Mentoring students and young pharmacists has been a commitment for Tina throughout her career; one she finds most rewarding.
Since receiving her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto in 1980, Tina gained extensive experience in community pharmacy practice and operations having held a variety of positions in independent, chain and corporate environments. Prior to her recent retirement, she was the Manager of Community Practice at the Ontario College of Pharmacists where she led a team committed to advancing the practice of pharmacy in Ontario. Throughout her 11 years with the College, Tina shared her practice expertise and demonstrated her passion and dedication for the profession, in line with the College’s mission to achieve positive patient outcomes through the delivery of quality pharmacy services. Recognizing the value of technicians, she worked tirelessly to promote their integration into pharmacy practices. She was the driving force behind a transformational shift in the College’s approach to oversight of pharmacy operations and professional practice that continues to underpin their existing focus on continuous quality improvement.
Tina has served on numerous local, provincial and national professional committees and health advisory groups to inform and advise on matters such as governance, eHealth, medication safety and various practice issues. In particular she has been involved in various initiatives to address and manage the use of opioids. She was a member of the Ontario Ministry of Health’s multidisciplinary Narcotic Advisory Panel and the Narcotics Monitoring Working Group. When the Canadian Guidelines for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain were published in 2010, Tina worked with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to disseminate and educate on the guidelines. Practice tools were developed and workshops were facilitated throughout the province to promote inter-professional cooperation and collaboration between physicians and pharmacists to maximize patient safety. In her role at the College, specifically through the College’s Opioid Strategy, she remained focused on the profession’s responsibility to support the appropriate use and access to narcotic and other controlled drugs.
Locally, Tina has served as director on the London and District Pharmacist Association, executive member of the London and Thames Valley Chapter, Osteoporosis Canada and Chair of the Education and Patient Support Committee for the Chapter.
Tina is currently enjoying retirement, spending more time with her family and friends. She is loving her new role as “Nonna” to her beautiful baby granddaughter.