Three Pharmacists Awarded Bowl of Hygeia 2014

For the first time the Bowl of Hygeia - the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Queensland Branch's highest honour - has been awarded to three people conjointly.

PSA Qld Branch President Professor Lisa Nissen, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Qld Branch President Tim Logan and PSA Qld Branch Director, Michelle Rosenthal were named as conjoint winners for their work developing immunisation as a professional role for pharmacists through the co-operative approach taken in the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP).

The Bowl of Hygeia award - named after Greek mythology's god of medicine Asclepius' daughter Hygeia, goddess of health and welfare - recognises an exceptional individual (or individuals) service to the profession. It is awarded to a member of PSA who has demonstrated a consistently high standard of professional practice in support of the principles of pharmacy service to the community. It can be awarded for excellence and innovation in practice development, services development, advocacy or education.

PSA Qld Branch Honours and Awards Sub Committee Chair Dr Andrew Petrie, who made the announcement at the PSA Qld Branch awards dinner on  7 November in Brisbane, said "Professor Lisa Nissen has been recognised for her long term service to the profession and particularly her lead role in developing immunisation as a role for pharmacists".

"Her input to rigorous design and implementation of the trial, and its Ethical Approval and importantly co-operation between professional organisations were all factors.

"Tim Logan has been recognised for his long term service to the profession and particularly his role in fostering co-operation between professional organisations in the development of immunisation as a role for pharmacists. Managing pharmacist expectations and facilitating data collection were significant factors.

"The Award recognises Michelle Rosenthal’s extensive input to effective management of PSA (Qld Branch) and particularly her major input into training and certification of practitioners in the development of immunisation as a role for pharmacists through a co-operative development model," Dr Petrie said.