Two Mayo pharmacists have been shortlisted for major national awards after being nominated for their work by their peers and colleagues. Tom Treacy and Sarah Collins were revealed as shortlisted candidates for the 2015 Helix Health Pharmacist Awards at a special reception in Dublin.
Now in their 10th year, the Helix Health Pharmacist Awards aim to celebrate pharmacy and raise awareness of the outstanding work being undertaken by pharmacists across the country, while raising funds for the Pharmacy Benevolent Fund. Tom Treacy from Treacy's Pharmacy in Westport has been named as one of three shortlisted candidates for the coveted Lundbeck Excellence in Community Practice Award , which will be awarded to a pharmacist whose exceptional professional efforts have enabled community pharmacy services to be delivered in a manner more beneficial to the public.
Meanwhile, Sarah Collins from Molloy Pharmacy in Ballina, has been shortlisted for the Irish Pharmacy Union’s Young Pharmacist of the Year Award, which is awarded to just one pharmacist under the age of 30 each year, who has demonstrated excellence in the profession. Tom and Sarah have been invited to attend the gala awards ceremony on November 21, 2015 where the winners in each category, as well as Ireland’s overall Pharmacist of the Year, will be announced.
Speaking at the shortlist announcement, pharmacist and chair of the Helix Health Pharmacist Awards Committee, Fintan Moore said, “We were delighted to receive a very high number of entries to this year’s awards and were very impressed by the calibre of people nominated this year. It is fair to say the judges had a very difficult time in creating their shortlist, which is testament to the outstanding work being undertaken by pharmacists across the country in the community and in hospitals as well as in industry and research.
“The awards remain a key fundraiser for the Pharmacy Benevolent Fund and through this event we look forward to continuing to help support pharmacists in difficulty.” Jennifer Hughes, director of marketing at Helix Health, added: “At Helix Health, we are continually impressed by pharmacists who invest so much both professionally and personally and it is a genuine pleasure for us to help honour their successes through these awards. I'm told that the standard of entries this year has been exceptional and to be a finalist is a real achievement to be proud of. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every one of the finalists on their inspiring work not only in the community but in hospitals, universities and regulatory bodies across the country."
