June Vickers
'Combating health disparities experienced by minority groups has become something that I am passionate about and intend to carry into my practice as a pharmacist,' says 2022 College of Nursing graduate
June Vickers (Provided photo)
Convocation Q&A: June Vickers
Congratulations to all of our Dal Health Class of 2022! To celebrate Spring Convocation 2022, we chatted with students from across Dal Health.
- Name: June Vickers
- Pronouns: she/her
- Degree: Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy)
- Where you’re from: Upper Blackville, New Brunswick
How significant is it for you to receive this degree?
This degree is what allowed me to enter a profession and community that I love. The ability to practice a profession that makes you feel fulfilled is quite significant to me!
What were the highlights of your degree?
I highly value the relationships that I made with faculty, staff, my peers, and the community’s pharmacy teams. The relationships that I forged with these individuals definitely serves as the highlight of my degree.
What brought you to Dal and to your program specifically?
While completing my undergraduate degree in NB, I started working part-time as a pharmacy assistant. After observing the impact that community pharmacists have on their patients, I wanted to be part of the profession. The pharmacists that I worked were all part of the Dal Pharmacy alumni and inspired me to pursue this degree. I am grateful for the impact that these pharmacist had on me and their guidance throughout the way.
What will you miss about your time in Pharmacy?
I will miss the daily interactions with my peers and the facuty at Dal Pharmacy. They were always there to support me throughout my degree, and I am highly grateful.
What topics/research did you become passionate about during your education?
Our faculty was fortunate to receive funding for research regarding equity and inclusion practices in pharmacy education, which I took part of. Combating health disparities experienced by minority groups has become something that I am passionate about and intend to carry into my practice as a pharmacist.
What was your biggest learning experience?
My biggest learning experience was accepting that sometimes there is more than one right answer and that I will never know everything. I am a lot more confident when admitting that I do not know an answer, and allowing myself to consult the literature or peers when needed.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your studies/work?
Serving as a pharmacy student in the front lines of our communities was extremely challenging during this pandemic. Although our priorities were completing our education, our obligations to fulfill the needs of our patients and support our pharmacy colleagues left us stretched thin. I believe that all students in the faculty of health should be very proud of the resilience we have shown, and continue to show, throughout this pandemic.
What’s next for you?
I will be working full-time as a staff pharmacist in a community pharmacy in Fredericton, NB. I look forward to starting my career as a pharmacist!