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Heidi Wicks

Faculty, staff, students, and key partners from the health-care community met over two days of strategic planning retreats in July of 2014, to develop the school’s strategic directions and goals over the next three to five years.

The three strategic directions are rooted in ������Ƶ’s three frameworks of teaching and learning, research, and public engagement.

“This is a crucial time for our school and for the pharmacy profession,” said Dr. Carlo Marra, dean.

“Recently, government announced that pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador are now able to administer the flu vaccination, which is just one example of a pharmacist’s expanded scope of practice. In other parts of the country, pharmacists are prescribing for minor ailments, providing injections beyond the influenza vaccine, supporting adherence to medications, prescribing medications for minor ailments, ordering or reviewing laboratory tests for medication monitoring, and so much more. It’s only a matter of time before pharmacists in this province will be expected to offer these services.”

The plan addresses expanded scope of practice, and identifies the development of a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program as the first strategic direction. The school hopes to admit its first class to the new program in the Fall 2017 semester.

From a research perspective, within five years, the school strives to be recognized for research in health outcomes, drug discovery and delivery, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

“In the broader context, the need to improve access and sustainability to create a more economically efficient health care system has been identified on a provincial level,” Dr. Marra added. “Our faculty is already conducting both practice-based and lab-based research that explores whether or not the measures we are taking as health care professionals are improving our population’s health. We hope to expand upon this throughout the next five years.”

Dr. Stephanie Young, chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, added that in regards to public engagement, the school already maintains strong professional relationships with a number of pharmacy and health care organizations.

“Whether it’s through clinical research, working with practicing pharmacists as part of our Structured Practice Experience (SPE) Program, or on a professional level with other pharmacy organizations, we plan to enhance relationships with our current stakeholders as well as develop new partnerships.”

A SWOT analysis of all three areas of teaching and learning, research, and public engagement was completed.

“Our entire faculty, staff and key community stakeholders were very enthusiastic about discussing what works and what needs improvement in our school. The committee will meet bi-annually to evaluate and possibly re-evaluate how the plan is working – we know it there is much work to be done, but we’re eager to continue in improving our school to benefit students, educators, community partners, and our population’s health”

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