2024 Nominees

The 2024 Nominees for the John Coppock Pharmacist Wellbeing Award

In the lead-up to the opening of our 2025 award nominations, be inspired by our past nominees and their contributions to pharmacist wellbeing! Read through each nomination below to to learn more about the nominees for the 2024 John Coppock Pharmacist Wellbeing Award; it is wonderful to see a range of nominations from different areas of pharmacy, including within community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, peak bodies, and tertiary education.

Winning Nomination: The Dignity Project led by Marika Castrisios and supported by the Dignity Project Team, Royal Hobart Hospital

Michelle Lynch and Alicia Simpson, the Senior Management Team at Ramsay

Ramsay Pharmacy Group, with 63 community pharmacies and 50 hospital dispensaries, is supported by a dedicated head office team. Michelle Lynch, the CEO of Ramsay Pharmacy, and Alicia Simpson, Team Lead — Chief Pharmacy and Psychology Information Officer, were co-nominated as representatives of the senior leadership at Ramsay Pharmacy Group. “Their leadership fosters an environment of care and kindness, setting a tone that resonates throughout the entire organisation” reads the nomination. The leadership team has invested in ongoing leadership training for all managers, emphasising the importance of self-care and team support. Under the leadership of Michelle, Ramsay Group has introduced the “Better Care” awards, which recognise employees who demonstrate exceptional care for both customers and colleagues. Following the merger with Ramsay Psychology, the support network has expanded, offering mindfulness sessions and other resources led by professional psychologists.

“The culture at Ramsay, shaped by Michelle and Alicia’s leadership, is one where kindness, honesty and safety are prioritised.”

Barwon Health University Hospital Geelong Pharmacy Department, Workplace Wellness Committee 

In response to a variety of workforce challenges Barwon Health’s Pharmacy Department launched a comprehensive wellness initiative aimed at fostering a healthier, more inclusive, and supportive environment to enhance the wellbeing of pharmacy professionals through innovative strategies, broad engagement, and with an emphasis on sustainability. 
In 2023, the Wellness Committee expanded to include offsite location representatives, increasing participation from technicians, pharmacists and leadership. Diversified representation ensures the committee’s initiatives reflect the departments evolving needs. Monthly meetings, structured with clear agendas, maintain open invitations for all staff to participate, fostering inclusivity and continuous engagement. Staff feedback, through formal surveys and informal conversations, has shaped and refined wellness activities. 
Sustainability is a core focus. The recently expanded food panty provides convenience and generates profits reinvested into the wellness program, supporting monthly activities and contributing to the department’s annual Christmas party. This self-sustaining model ensures wellness activities remain a lasting part of the department’s culture. 
Innovation is another cornerstone. In addition to ongoing Values Nominations presented at bimonthly staff meetings, the introduction of a ‘Good Vibes’ wall, where staff recognise and thank colleagues through colourful prompts, has created a vibrant atmosphere encouraging peer recognition and strengthening team bonds. Additionally, providing a herbal tea station, ‘pharmacy library’, baking paper for allergen-free use of the sandwich toaster, and emergency feminine hygiene products demonstrate the department’s thoughtful approach to staff wellbeing and everyday needs. 
The department has prioritised managing workplace stress, a significant challenge across the profession. A key initiative was a workshop titled “Managing Stress Together in the Workplace – How to Thrive, Not Just Survive”. This workshop provided practical stress management strategies, fostering a resilient and supportive work culture. Wellness activities promoting relaxation, team building and fun were also introduced.  Successful events like pie/cake drives, trivia nights, Pilates class, team entry in fun runs, and cupcake morning teas have led to increased job satisfaction and a stronger sense of community. 
To maintain momentum and ensure broad participation, each department team is assigned a month to host a wellness activity, recently including Wordle, Connect-Four and seed growing competitions, ‘Pharmacy Olympics’, mindfulness exercises and a childhood birthday cake bake-off. The impact has been profound, with staff consistently expressing appreciation for the department’s commitment to their wellbeing. 
These initiatives have both addressed immediate challenges and contributed to a long-term cultural shift towards prioritising staff health and happiness. Looking ahead, we will continue evolving our wellness program, building on past successes and ongoing staff feedback. Their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity will remain central, ensuring Barwon Health’s Pharmacy Department continues to lead in promoting team wellbeing. 

Chantelle Turner, Turn Pharmacy Leadership

Her work with pharmacy teams supports the development of emotional intelligence and leadership skills which enhances workplace culture, decreases burnout and improves mental health. She also provides one-on-one coaching and mentoring. 
Throughout 2024, Chantelle has organised “Connect Pharmacy.QM meetings” — a wonderful opportunity for Townsville pharmacists to connect over a morning cuppa and discuss all things pharmacy. Creating connection within our profession is an important way of preventing isolation and improving wellbeing. 

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (SA/NT Branch) team 

The PSA SA/NT Branch have been tasked to deliver Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to 1000 pharmacists and pharmacy workers across South Australia. Since April 2023, we have trained 339 people, with a further 118 enrolled in courses. All courses have been delivered by accredited pharmacist MHFA trainers and have been either online or face-to-face training. Start times of courses have varied to offer courses in non-traditional time slots including morning, within school hours, afternoon and evening. The training is supported by the South Australian Government and is available to all pharmacy workers – we have welcomed pharmacy assistants, interns, dispense technicians, owners and managers to the training. 
More than 92% of participants report the MHFA training has had a positive impact on their professional practice in providing initial support to a person experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis Participants are surveyed at the end of the training and encouraged to complete a follow up survey. Some comments in these surveys include:

• “One of my work colleagues was having a hard time, I asked if they were ok and if they wanted to talk. they agreed and I listened to what they had to say- usually I would want to fix people’s issues but just listening to them really helped them out” 

• “I ask more questions now about how they are going? And how they are feeling” 

• “The training program made a huge difference in my workplace we understand more about mental health especially with people who come in the pharmacy.” 

• “The workshop was incredibly valuable in enhancing my understanding or mental health issues and equipping me with practical skills to offer support when needed.” 

• “The facilitator was fantastic, she made the course very engaging and enjoyable. I think having the right facilitator is key.” 

Pharmacists have referred patients for follow up, and are more confident in knowing where and when to refer people. Some of the sessions have been for particular pharmacy groups with staff learning together. These participants and their employer find it helpful for the workplace to learn together with everyone becoming more aware of mental health concerns in the pharmacy. 

Liza Seubert, The University of Western Australia Master of Pharmacy Program

Implementation within a Pharmacy Working Environment 
UWA’s Master of Pharmacy program, led by Liza Seubert, has embedded a comprehensive and sustainable approach to enhancing the wellbeing of pharmacy students and staff. The “Courage, Connection, and Resilience” (CCR) curriculum, central to the program, integrates workshops, ongoing reflective practices, and feedback loops to support psychosocial wellbeing of its participants. At orientation, students anonymously share their fears about starting the course, hopes for a positive experience, and boundaries needed for this to happen. When these are shared with the group, students quickly realise they are not alone. The impact is profound — students visibly become more relaxed and open to engaging with content. By fostering connection through normalising discussions about emotional challenges, a strong sense of community and empathy among peers is cultivated. 
Sustainable Outcomes Embedded in Current and Future Wellbeing Strategies 
CCR is designed as an evolving, sustainable strategy embedded in the fabric of the Master of Pharmacy program. By continually revisiting key concepts like vulnerability, resilience, and self-compassion, students develop skills to support these values. Students create personalised self-care plans, based on polyvagal theory, that equip them with tools to monitor and manage their wellbeing throughout their studies and into their careers. CCR’s iterative improvement process and inclusion in future planning ensure wellbeing remains central to the program. 
Engagement and Consultation with Relevant Team Members 
Development of the CCR curriculum involved extensive consultation with staff and students. All staff, primarily pharmacists, complete the “Dare to Lead” course ensuring a unified approach to a psychologically safe environment. Regular student feedback through focus groups, surveys, and discussions informs program adjustments. This collaborative process enhances the initiatives’ relevance and effectiveness, empowering all stakeholders to own the wellbeing strategy.  
Innovation in Approach 
This innovative approach to tackling mental and emotional wellbeing in the pharmacy profession adapts principles from Brené Brown’s “Dare to Lead” to the specific needs of pharmacy students. CCR’s focus on normalising vulnerability and fostering self-compassion and resilience offers a novel strategy in professional education, moving beyond the traditional emphasis on technical competence to highlight emotional intelligence. By prioritising these softer skills, the program better prepares future pharmacists for the complex interpersonal dynamics of healthcare.  
Impact and Outcomes  
The CCR curriculum has had a profound impact, as shown by positive feedback from students and staff. Students report feeling more connected, supported, and better equipped to manage stress and anxiety in their studies and professional placements. One student noted, “I realised my role was not just to serve customers quickly, but to understand their needs and engage with them as individuals.” These outcomes highlight the program’s success in fostering empathy, connection, and resilience, shaping pharmacists who are not only technically skilled but also emotionally intelligent and reflective.  
Conclusion  
Through the innovative “Courage, Connection, and Resilience” curriculum, a robust framework for enhancing the wellbeing of pharmacy students has been implemented. By embedding these practices into the core of the educational experience and ensuring sustainability, engagement, innovation, and demonstrable impact, Liza Seubert and her team are setting a new standard for wellbeing in the pharmacy profession. 

Sarah Gillespie, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia 

Sarah Gillespie FPS has been the face of over 2,500 consultant pharmacists for over 10 years. Sarah was asked to join the Australian Association of Consultant pharmacists (AACP) to help organise the ConPharm conferences, and to support accredited pharmacists. She had an evolving role for 15 years until the AACP closed in December 2022 and then embraced a change to her current position as PSA’s Pharmacist Accreditation Manager. She provided stability to the consultant pharmacists who were reassured by the presence of Sarah in this role. Sarah has supported adult learners and her counselling of these pharmacist is consistent and encouraging. Many of these pharmacists are trying to establish a new role which can cause difficult emotions at times. Sarah has encouraged new directions in practice with outstanding success. 
With the uncertainty of funding and the new requirement for re-credentialing, Sarah has counselled hundreds of pharmacists trying to maintain their careers. Her patience, calmness and ability to relate to pharmacists is outstanding. In addition, she has numerous follow up contacts with distressed pharmacists to provide support. She is always calm and supportive. When funding was available, Sarah arranged mentors for many pharmacists. Many have been overseas pharmacists where English is not their primary language and have required additional support.

I know that the respect for Sarah and her emphasis on wellbeing and emotional health for so many pharmacists is universally acknowledged throughout Australia. 

Shaylee Mills, early career pharmacist employed at Pharmacy Help Karratha

In April 2024, Shaylee completed the Living Works ASIST training, which is a two day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognise when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. 
Shaylee is also passionate about promoting working as a health professional in rural and remote areas and promoting healthy mental health habits for students and interns and has built a social media presence creating content for pharmacy students, pharmacists and interns. Shaylee regularly posts about supporting students on placement, as she knows from experience how overwhelming the experience can be. Her posts help to encourage students and interns to relate to her message and know they aren’t alone and include reminding pharmacists, students, and interns to take small breaks when needed, drink some water, step out of the store, disconnect from work when at home/days off and practicing self-care.

Adam Forrest, Christies Guild Terry White Chemmart 

Adam in himself is the strategy for improving the community pharmacy staff’s mental health wellbeing. He informally monitors the wellbeing of his colleagues in the very busy pharmacy, and takes the opportunity to have a deeper conversation with anyone who seems to be having difficulties at work or in their personal life. Adam has advocated for events that improve the staff culture and helped implement feedback methods that allow more staff concerns to be heard and addressed, such as bringing in a neutral external person, to avoid staff feeling intimidated when expressing interpersonal concerns to management. Additionally, as a pharmacist manager, he himself meets regularly with other staff members to allow for their concerns to be expressed and heard, which leads to measures being put in place that improve the workplace environment. Adam supports the pharmacy’s RUOK? day fundraiser, and helps to ensure all staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be proactive in responding to mental health crises. He champions the mental health first aid course delivered by PSA to all staff members to complete. 
Adam has helped several pharmacist and pharmacy-assistant colleagues by being a sounding board and supporter. He listens without judgement and guides colleagues to access resources like counselling, self-directed CBT like MoodGym, or even just seeing their GP to address their mental health for the first time. He has even accompanied fellow staff members to the emergency department, the after-hours mental health walk-in clinic and to call mental health phones lines such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline. In addition, Adam follows up with colleagues consistently over time. He takes great pleasure in seeing someone experiencing less anxiety as they take proactive steps to manage their mental health. Those Adam has helped directly have then been well-equipped when they have come into contact with patients and other colleagues dealing with these situations (i.e. those who had seen evidence of self-harm on another, those who have listened to suicide ideation or even interrupted a suicide attempt). Adam’s approach has a ripple effect, benefiting all his fellow staff members, and extending to the wider community. 

Jenny Kirschner, Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-Isolation (PALS)

Jenny Kirschner first introduced PALS at the 2022 PSA Shark Tank and over the past two years has developed resources, connected with industry professionals, campaigned for awareness and most recently launched PSA learning modules highlighting the significant role pharmacists (and all pharmacy staff) have in this social epidemic. The uptake and feedback from pharmacists regarding the learning modules is testament to the valuable research, dedication and passion that Jenny has shown in this area. 

Maria Cooper, pharmacist and PhD student, University of South Australia 

Maria hopes to strengthen the bonds that pharmacists have with each other, and build a sense of camaraderie among the profession, allowing for the development of safe spaces outside of the workplace where pharmacists can discuss their unique industry-related challenges.
She is passionate in the belief that a health professional can only provide the best care when they themselves are looked after in all facets of their wellbeing. Maria’s dedication to improving mental health support for pharmacists, combined with her innovating approach and project exemplifies a commitment to advancing the wellbeing of the pharmacy profession. 

Royal Melbourne Hospital, Wellbeing Committee 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the need for appropriate strategies to support staff wellbeing became apparent. To address wellbeing concerns, a novel department-specific Wellbeing Committee was formed to promote and support a balanced and healthy work life culture within the pharmacy department. Committee membership is comprised of staff members across the pharmacy department and campuses to ensure local Wellbeing Champions are readily accessible. Additionally, members’ backgrounds and roles are diverse including clinical, operational, quality pharmacists and technicians, and varying degrees of experience. 
The following has been achieved: 

• Regular wellbeing-promotion communication to the department. During the peak of the pandemic this was a weekly Wellbeing Wednesday post on the department Workplace page. More recently a monthly wellbeing newsletter is distributed 

• Commencement of group activities including walking, yoga, taking breaks together and meditation. 

• Competitions including workplace uplifts between teams to improve working environments. 

• Application of department funds for wellbeing such as board games, picnic rugs for lunch breaks together and emergency kits for staff having a bad day. 

• Welcome morning tea for new staff members and section of orientation handbook on opportunities to support wellbeing. 

• Implementation RMH Pharmacy Wellbeing ‘Pawject Officer’. Since February 2023, the department has fortnightly visits a from a dog owned by a pharmacy staff member. The ‘Pawject Officer’ can be patted, walked, attend a meeting or just sit with staff team members. 

Feedback and data is collected through various platforms: 

• Joy In Work Survey 

• What matters to you conversations 

• Department peer supporters 

To encourage the wider pharmacy community to consider implementing similar initiatives results have been shared and published. 

Molly Bell, AMCAL Pharmacy Wilsontin 

Molly is a tireless advocate for mental health, diversity and inclusion both within her pharmacy as well as the general community. She is a co-founder of “It’s Cool to Talk Grief“.  Molly was an ambassador for Lifeline Darling Downs in the Push for Better Pushup challenge. She completed her pushups in both community sessions and while at work in the pharmacy raising awareness and funds for Lifeline mental health services. She shared her journey over this time on social media and it was a daily topic of conversation touching base with her team about taking care of their own mental health. To further conversations about mental health both within her pharmacy team and their patients Molly has instigated Fridays as conversation starter shirt day. The entire team wears these brightly coloured shirts every Friday and there is a focus on their wellbeing as a team as well as individuals. This also spills over to conversations with their patients where their caring has definitely not gone unnoticed.

Molly is also a founding member of our region’s pharmacist WhatsAPP group which we started early on in the pandemic as a means of managing stock shortages and referring patients directly to pharmacies which have stock. This group is still in use multiple times a day aiding our patients in the region. As a pharmacists only group this has also developed into a safe place where pharmacists can discuss changes to legislation and ethical dilemmas in a confidential environment. Molly is among a number of experienced pharmacists offering mentorship for newer pharmacists in our region. This group has helped pharmacists (especially those who work solo in their practice) to feel a sense of community as a profession. Discussions are maintained in a professional manner and patient privacy is observed. Molly is a regular contributor to conversations about managing & preventing burnout, handling difficult customers, upcoming changes to legislation and the profession as well as for those reaching out for assistance in ethical dilemmas. 

Monash Health Pharmacy Wellbeing Workforce Wellbeing Initiative 

The Pharmacy Workforce Wellbeing Initiative (PWWI) focusses on improving workforce wellbeing for a large multi-site hospital pharmacy department. The initiative began in 2022 with implementation of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Framework for Improving Joy in Work. In 2024, the PWWI team implemented a Sustainable Workforce Wellbeing Strategy as a “business as usual” activity. The 2024 Strategy consists of: 

1. Alignment with Organisational Priorities 
The Monash Health Workforce Strategy is summarised as “creating a culture and environment where our people thrive and deliver excellent health care”. In 2023 a new pharmacy leadership role, Workforce and Wellbeing lead was established aligning with the organisational Workforce Strategy, the role leads initiatives to foster a culture of growth and engagement where wellbeing is prioritised. This work had previously only been possible by putting other work on hold, limiting sustainability. 

2. What Matters to You 
What Matters to You (WMTY) conversations come from the IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work. While workplace surveys have been conducted for many years, the IHI framework provides a timely source of candid feedback, specific to the Pharmacy Program. It then applies improvement science to address challenges. The first Pharmacy WMTY conversations were conducted by the PWWI team in 2022 and saw 73% of staff participate. “What Matters to You” has become part of the lexicon of the Pharmacy Department, speaking to the success of this initiative. It is common for discussions of the Leadership Team, huddles or committees to commence with “we heard in What Matters to You…” 

3. Reflective Practice Program 
Work-related stress is a significant concern for pharmacy teams. Reflective practice is an opportunity to further self-awareness in a non-judgemental environment. The program was developed and run in collaboration with the psychology team and is based on the professional supervision model used in psychology practice. Preliminary results from the pilot (n=12) are promising. 90% of participants have rated the program as “somewhat” or “extremely” useful. All measures of work-related wellbeing have improved and scores of relationship quality are high. 

4. Empowering Local Wellbeing Champions
The PWWI team convene the Pharmacy Wellbeing Committee, with membership from all sites. Members are tasked with local implementation of committee initiatives. A significant change of focus was implemented in 2024 as part of the Sustainable Wellbeing Strategy. Activities now centre on the themes from the results of the organisation-wide wellbeing survey (People Matters) and a core calendar of events:  

• Monthly “Non-scrub Days” where all staff are encouraged to dress in a colour reflecting a day of cultural significance 

• Annual Pharmacy Wellbeing Week 

In summary, the PWWI team have successfully placed workplace wellbeing as a core activity of the Pharmacy Department through development of a sustainable strategy to contribute positively to workforce wellbeing. 

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Published July 2025

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