Have you met … Anupreet Sandhu?

Anupreet Sandhu is a proud two-time alumna of the University of Alberta, with a bachelor of biological sciences (2015) and doctor of pharmacy (2019). She is excited to be starting as an instructor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences this fall, after many years working as a clinical pharmacist and preceptor at the Grey Nuns Hospital. 

We asked Sandhu about her work, how she views the teaching profession and what makes a good pharmacist.

What do you recall about your favourite teachers over the years?

As I begin this new journey as an instructor, I fondly reflect on my own time as a student and the instructors who helped guide my development as a pharmacist. What stands out to me the most from this time are instructors who not only taught but inspired students. Be it through their own teaching experiences, their passion in pursuit of professional endeavours or their moving stories of patient interactions, these moments from the lecture halls and lab resonated with me and encouraged me in shaping my own practice. 

What kind of work did you do at the Grey Nuns?

I was a clinical pharmacist in diverse areas including general surgery, vascular surgery, medicine and antimicrobial stewardship. During my time there, I focused on improving patient care not only in my clinical practice but also by working towards systematic improvement. I was involved in various quality improvement initiatives across the site and also led the pharmacy department’s quality committee to implement sustained positive change. I also developed a passion for teaching during my time there, precepting multiple students, and was involved in training, development of teaching materials and mentorship for my pharmacy colleagues. 

What are you most looking forward to about classroom teaching?

I have accumulated a varied repertoire of experience, skills and lessons from my time in practice. I am really excited to harness that experience to positively impact the education of students and foster their development as pharmacy professionals who in turn will provide care for patients. In the fall, I will be co-ordinating PHARM343, then in the winter I will teach PHARM323 and in the spring, CCPP Pharmacotherapy III. 

What do you think makes a good pharmacist?

I believe there are many traits that can equip one to be a good pharmacist, including excellent communication skills, organizational ability, commitment to lifelong learning and developing a knowledge base. But I believe the driving force behind what makes a good pharmacist is compassion. Whether it’s for our patients, our colleagues, our teams or learners, compassion is the underlying foundation of pharmacy practice and fundamental to everything we do.