With a passion for building long-term relationships with patients, Thazin Win Maung is ready to join the ranks of community pharmacists when she graduates from B.C.’s Entry-to-Practice PharmD program this spring.  

The fourth-year student has already gained valuable experience working in various communities as a pharmacy student, including Langley, Nanaimo, Williams Lake, and Courtenay. Born in Myanmar, Maung spent her childhood in the Lower Mainland and had an early interest in health care. Her decision to enrol in pharmacy school was in part influenced by her sister, who practices as a physician. 

“Pharmacy spoke to me when my sister told me about the program. I liked the aspect of having a connection with patients, being able to build relationships long-term,” Maung said. “I want to see where life takes me, but I would like to work in community pharmacy and I’m open to working in rural areas or even staying local in the city with my family.”

Pharmacy spoke to me when my sister told me about the program. I liked the aspect of having a connection with patients, being able to build relationships long-term.

— Thazin Win Maung

As a student, her leadership roles include serving as Vice President, Communications, for the UBC Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (PhUS), where she transformed how students engage with their community by launching a centralized monthly events calendar and strengthening communication platforms across the website, social media, and email. Her efforts improved accessibility to opportunities and increased student engagement across the program.

As Co-President of the UBC chapter of Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS), Maung introduced the chapter’s first year-end awards event, and organized its annual Manufacturers’ Night, an event that connects pharmacy students with leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. The success of this event led to the chapter being recognized across all LKS chapters internationally and receiving the Top Professional Development Event Award. She also implemented a formal feedback process to ensure member voices directly informed chapter initiatives. Her leadership contributed to the chapter earning the LKS Chrysanthemum Chapter Achievement Award.

For Maung, one of the most rewarding aspects of her pharmacy journey has been the opportunity to explore diverse experiences while building lasting connections. She encourages prospective and current pharmacy students to do the same and approach their education with open minds.

“From performing in skits night to getting involved with multiple clubs, attending conferences, participating in professional development weeks with the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI), and contributing to research projects, I would encourage students to make the most of their pharmacy experience,” she said.