From study to practice: empowering the next generation of pharmacy leaders

As a young Pharmacist in the late 90s, I was lucky enough to be mentored by leaders in community pharmacy who helped me bridge the gap between clinical, ethical, and business practice.

By joining a pharmacy network founded on the principle of mentoring and nurturing young Pharmacists into ownership I was able to become a proprietor and help people through my own community pharmacy at a time when I couldn’t have dreamt of doing it myself.

Through mentoring, you build relationships with people that can last forever. I’ve been a partner at Blooms The Chemist for 20 years, and I still bounce ideas or thoughts off senior members who mentored me.

Being a preceptor for an intern Pharmacist is a great way to invest in the growth and development of talented pharmacy graduates. It can help to empower aspiring pharmacy leaders to achieve their career goals, and importantly, builds a mutually beneficial relationship for business owners and aspiring leaders for years to come.

Given the current shortages and growing need for skilled healthcare professionals, there has never been a more important time to grow and develop the next generation of talented Pharmacists to build sustainable and fulfilling careers.

One of the ways we continue the Blooms The Chemist legacy of mentoring and partnership is through our ‘Future of Pharmacy Intern Program’, which helps pharmacy graduates learn more about running a pharmacy business, building their personal brand and operating with purpose while learning from individual pharmacy owners.

The program also provides each intern with a cumulative financial incentive of $30,000 over three years paid by Blooms The Chemist Support Office to help aspiring leaders achieve their goals of ownership.

Through mentorship, interns in the Blooms The Chemist network can talk through the business challenges of running a community pharmacy, which is often the aspect that surprises many young Pharmacists. Dealing with the financial realities of business ownership, such as wages, rent, and bills, can be intimidating at first but can be navigated with the right support.

For those of us fortunate enough to mentor others, this can also be an opportunity to learn as much as you teach.

Clinical knowledge and education are always developing and evolving, and a graduate Pharmacist will provide a fresh perspective and insights that can help you refine your own practice. This exchange of ideas and knowledge can stimulate your own learning and growth. Mentoring can also be a powerful way to reflect on your own experiences, leading to a rediscovery of your values and reaffirming your passion for pharmacy.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a community Pharmacist is the strong relationships we build along the way. As Pharmacists, we collaborate among ourselves, with other healthcare professionals, and our community members. We have a real effect on people’s lives; we see families, communities, and individuals grow and develop. Mentoring provides yet an opportunity to give back to our communities and make a meaningful contribution.

Dimitri Pandoulis has been a registered Pharmacist since 1998 and part of the Blooms The Chemist network since 2003. Dimitri became an owner at Blooms The Chemist in 2005 at Bathurst, NSW and remained there until 2011. Since then, Dimitri has been an owner at Belmont, NSW and currently consults to several pharmacies across the country. Dimitri is passionate about helping young Pharmacists with their pharmacy ownership dreams in an environment where they may not be able to do so on their own. When he finds spare time Dimitri enjoys playing and coaching soccer at his local soccer club.

Learn More
To find out more about becoming part of the Blooms The Chemist network, visit joinbloomsthechemist.com.au/contact-us.