Gunnedah intern Laura Norman has been announced as the PSA MIMS Australia NSW Intern of the Year for 2014.
The prestigious award celebrates the achievements of exceptional interns in developing skills for their professional career. These prospective pharmacists are recognised as striving to raise standards and to provide a future model for the practice of pharmacy.
Presenting the award NSW PSA Branch President Dr Stephen Carter said Ms Norman had completed her intern year at Karen Carter Chemist, Gunnedah, where she displayed a genuine commitment to excellence in pharmacy practice and clinical knowledge above and beyond the average intern.
“This means that Laura has the capacity to educate and interact confidently with customers, pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals,” he said.
“Being a rural intern, Laura demonstrates outstanding involvement in the health and wellbeing of her community. She has improved the health outcomes of many patients through various training and educational roles, campaigns and studies and has volunteered in local community events in the name of pharmacy.”
Ms Norman, a graduate from the University of New England, has completed the Mental Health First Aid Course, is trained in sleep apnoea equipment and is keen to complete her stage two in medication reviews.
Dinah Graham from MIMS Australia said Ms Norman was also trained in sleep apnoea equipment and used this knowledge to educate patients and staff in aged care facilities.
“Through Laura’s efforts in a COPD screening campaign, 50 patients were recruited in a four-week period with 10 resulting in doctor referrals,” Ms Graham said.
“A similar educational project was run for insulin devices. Laura has been involved in the recruitment of customers in studies such as ‘Patients attitudes and Preferences towards Insomnia Treatments’ run by the University of Sydney as well as services such as Health Literacy Australia Campaign in which 60 individuals were recruited.
“In addition, Laura received a certificate of recognition for her assistance with the Agriculture Field Day ‘Agquip’ Health Check tent and gave a talk to local students at the Gunnedah High School about becoming a pharmacist.”
MIMS is the sponsor of this award and contributes the major prize of $2,000 to each State winner to be used to advance their pharmacy career. At PSA15, the MIMS PSA Intern of the Year Award, who will be chosen from the State finalists, will be announced. The award will go to the State winner deemed to have created the most significant innovation during the year.
MIMS is the leading supplier of trusted, quality, independent medicine information to Australian healthcare professionals, known for its high level of editorial integrity and independence. MIMS Australia has been publishing medicines information since for 50 years and have a keen interest in the development of the profession of pharmacy.
Media contact:
Steven Drew
Branch Director - NSW
0487 922 179
March 26, 2015
