Nine community pharmacists, two students receive awards for excellence

May 8, 2025 Media Releases

VICTORIA — On May 2, 2025, nine community pharmacists and two pharmacy students were awarded at the BC Pharmacy Association's annual awards gala, held at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort.

These pharmacists represent the best qualities of the profession, and are selected based on their impact to patient care, their communities, their innovation, and their dedication to helping peers grow. 

This year's award winners are from all over British Columbia, including Prince Rupert, Williams Lake, Fort St. John, Kelowna, Vernon, Victoria, Nanaimo and Vancouver.

2025 Pharmacy Excellence Award winners

Prince Rupert: Pharmacist Aaron Sha, associate owner of Shoppers Drug Mart #2256, is the recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia Award for community service. Read more about Aaron.

Williams Lake: Pharmacist Maricor Del Rosario, pharmacy manager at Save-On-Foods #987, is the recipient of the Collaborative Care Award for how she works with other health providers in her community. Read more about Maricor.

Fort St. John: Pharmacist Mike Ortynsky, owner of a group of four pharmacies including Fort St. John Pharmacy & Wellness Centre, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his achievements over more than four decades of practice. Read more about Mike

Kelowna: Pharmacist Steven Hopp, owner of two pharmacies including Rutland Medical Pharmacy, is the recipient of the Murray Dykeman Mentorship Award for how he helps raise the next generation of pharmacists. Read more about Steven.

Vernon: Pharmacist Brad Adams, pharmacy manager at Save-On-Foods Pharmacy #988, is one of the recipients of the New Practitioner Award, for excellence in his first five years of practicing pharmacy. Read more about Brad.

Victoria: Pharmacist Linda Gutenberg, pharmacy operations lead at Heart Pharmacy Group, is the recipient of the Pharmacy Leadership Award for her role in leading organizations and health-care advocacy efforts through her career. Read more about Linda.

Nanaimo: Pharmacist Taylor Reitmeier, pharmacy manager at Central Drugs Colvile, is the recipient of the Ben Gant Innovative Practice Award, for his work to increase access to women's health in his community. Read more about Taylor.

Vancouver (four recipients):

Pharmacist Safouh El Rayes, owner of Point Grey Pharmacy, is the recipient of the Excellence in Patient Care Award for five decades of going above and beyond in his care for patients and his community. Read more about Safouh.

Pharmacist Aydan Con, clinical services pharmacist at London Drugs #10, is the second recipient of the New Practitioner Award, for his work in leading clinical services at his pharmacy. Read more about Aydan

Third-year pharmacy students Carissa Chan and David Wang are the recipients of the Apotex Inc. Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences for their contributions while studying at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Read more about Carissa and David.

For interview requests, please contact:

Michael Mui
Manager, Communications
BC Pharmacy Association
michael.mui@bcpharmacy.ca