AV俱乐部

Over the last four years at AV俱乐部, Melanie Trinacty has discovered she wants all the challenges and rewards of a hospital pharmacist鈥檚 life.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until I got into the program that I realized what a strong presence pharmacists have in hospitals,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he pharmacist works on the floor with the physicians and the nurses, so you鈥檙e in there working as a team.鈥�

Working through problems as a group is an essential component of learning in the College of Pharmacy. Ms. Trinacty discussed patient cases with her peers, focusing on evidence-based medicine in class. Then she took that skill to patients鈥� bedsides, in daily rotations at the IWK with doctors and residents.

鈥淭he most important thing is: when you go out into practice, you鈥檙e not going to know everything, but you need to know how to find that information when you need it. That鈥檚 what we learn here.鈥�

The onus to develop a critical mind is on the student and she believes what you bring to the table will determine your success in the program.

Ms. Trinacty brought a lot to AV俱乐部. As president of the AV俱乐部 Student Pharmacy Society and as an executive on the Health Science Students Association, she helped create a tight knit graduating class, connected to students in all the health professions.

Last year, she won the Canadian Pharmacists鈥� Association鈥檚 Centennial Award and was named first author and third author on two academic papers with Dr. Tannis Jurgens and Dr. Anne Marie Whelan.

All this, in between four part-time jobs and running half marathons.

鈥淚 always say this: you only live once. That鈥檚 why I try to take advantage of every single opportunity that comes my way.鈥�

Soon, she鈥檒l start a coveted residency in the Ottawa General Hospital, which she competed against 70 students from across Canada to win. But will this graduate from the Annapolis Valley come back to the Maritimes after she finishes in Ottawa?

鈥淥h, definitely. I鈥檇 like to come back and run this place,鈥� she says with nearly a straight face. 鈥淒on鈥檛 tell anyone I said that, though,鈥� 鈥╯he says, laughing.