This page represents my professional identity, shaped by my role as a pharmacist, my personal and professional values, the various roles I undertake, and my goals and aspirations.
Acknowledging My Positionality in Healthcare
In my role as a healthcare provider, I recognize that my identity and lived experiences shape how I engage with patients, colleagues, and healthcare systems. Understanding my own positionality is essential to providing equitable, culturally safe care and advocating for systemic change.
I am of Irish and Scottish heritage and have lived my entire life in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was raised Catholic, but as an adult, I no longer identify with any particular faith. Growing up in a middle-class family and attending French immersion schools in St. Boniface, I benefited from many privileges that shaped my experiences and opportunities.
My understanding of systemic inequities has been an ongoing journey. In my late teens, feminist principles introduced me to broader concepts of human rights and social justice. This evolving awareness has deeply influenced my professional path, leading me to advocate for health equity. As a pharmacist, I work in a distance-care pharmacy providing care for people living in remote communities, the vast majority of whom are First Nation and Inuit. This work has further underscored the importance of cultural humility, continuous learning, and respectful collaboration.
I acknowledge that the healthcare system has caused harm to Indigenous communities and that reconciliation requires both reflection and action. My commitment to health equity is grounded in listening, learning, and using my role to challenge systemic barriers. I approach my work with the understanding that advancing reconciliation is an ongoing process — one that demands accountability, advocacy, and genuine partnership with Indigenous Peoples.
My Identity as Pharmacist
First and foremost, when I consider my professional identity, I consider who I am as a pharmacist. As a professional community, pharmacists have struggled to collectively agree on their professional identity. However, the title of medication-expert has remained true throughout decades of practice evolution, extends to the wide range of areas in which pharmacists practice and encapsulates the unique role that pharmacists play within any healthcare team (Nelson et al., 2021).
To me, being a pharmacist means recognizing my responsibility as a medication expert while also valuing the human connection I build with patients and colleagues. I strive to offer patient-centered care, ensuring that each individual’s unique needs are respected and addressed. My practice is informed by evidence-based decision-making, collaboration with other healthcare professionals, and a dedication to advocacy for my patients and my profession.
While pharmacists are often seen as dispensers of medications, I view my role as extending far beyond that. Pharmacists identify and solve drug therapy problems, promote safe and effective medication use, and empower patients to manage their health. Whether through direct patient care, leadership within my workplace, or advocacy for health system improvements, I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact.
My Values
Core Values
My core values serve as the foundation for everything I consider important, guiding my actions and decisions. They provide clarity and direction, particularly when I encounter difficult choices. What may initially seem complex often becomes clearer when I reflect on my core values, using them as a reliable compass in both my personal and professional life.
Integrity
Integrity means making decisions that align with my values, even when it’s difficult. Or as Brené Brown puts it: choosing courage over comfort (2018). Integrity means being honest, transparent, and accountable — not only in my decisions and actions but also in how I show up for others. I strive to align my words and actions with my values, creating trust and fostering meaningful relationships in both my personal and professional life.
Excellence
Excellence, to me, is not about perfection — it’s about doing my best with intention and care. It means approaching challenges with curiosity, embracing growth, and seeking continuous improvement. I am committed to pushing my own boundaries, learning from my experiences, and striving for the highest standards in everything I do. Excellence also involves empowering those around me to succeed and creating environments where people and ideas can thrive.
Professional Values
My professional values are a natural extension of my core values, shaping how I engage in my work and contribute to the healthcare system. Grounded in integrity and excellence, these values guide my approach to patient care, leadership, and collaboration. They serve as a constant reminder of my commitment to fostering equitable, patient-centered care and driving meaningful change within my profession.
Health Equity
I am committed to removing barriers to care and ensuring that every patient has access to the support and treatment they need. Equity requires recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalized and underserved communities, even when that means tailoring resources and care to meet their needs.
Community
I believe that thriving—both personally and professionally—requires strong, supportive communities. I foster collaboration and connection within healthcare teams, knowing that collective effort drives meaningful change for patients and providers alike.
Patient-Centred Care
Patients should be in the driver’s seat of their healthcare journey. I strive to provide care that is respectful of each patient’s values, preferences, and experiences, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.
Self-Improvement & Life-Long Learning
Lifelong learning is not just about acquiring new knowledge but also about continuous self-reflection and growth. I am committed to examining my own biases, expanding my understanding, and applying what I learn to improve my practice and contribute meaningfully to my profession.
Advocacy
I believe in using my voice and expertise to challenge inequities and drive systemic change. Advocacy is a key part of my professional identity, whether I’m supporting individual patients or working toward policy improvements that benefit entire communities.
Leadership
I lead with a commitment to fostering growth, empowering others, and creating environments where teams and communities can thrive. Effective leadership means listening, learning, and acting with purpose and integrity.
Goals & Aspirations
As an Individual
- Continue expanding my knowledge and perspectives through lifelong learning and self-reflection.
- Embrace opportunities for personal growth that enhance both my professional and personal resilience.
- Maintain a balanced, values-driven life that supports my well-being and that of my community.
As a Pharmacist
- Provide patient-centred care that prioritizes safety, efficacy, and equity.
- Stay current with advancements in pharmacy practice to offer evidence-based care.
- Lead by example, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and accountability within my team.
- Contribute to the growth of the pharmacy profession by building strong relationships, engaging in thoughtful dialogue, and demonstrating the value of pharmacists within the healthcare system.
As an Advocate for Reconciliation & Health Equity
- Actively engage in continuous learning about the history, cultures, and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples to provide culturally safe and respectful care.
- Advocate for equitable healthcare policies that address systemic barriers and improve access to care for Indigenous communities and other underserved populations.
- Support Indigenous-led healthcare initiatives and collaborate with Indigenous communities in ways that are respectful, meaningful, and aligned with their self-identified health priorities.
- Promote reconciliation within the healthcare system by encouraging cultural humility, fostering inclusive practices, and challenging discriminatory policies and practices.
As an Advocate for My Profession
- Advance the role of pharmacists as essential members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams with patients, other professionals and policymakers.
- Support policy changes that expand pharmacists’ scope of practice and ensure equitable compensation.
- Champion initiatives that enhance medication management services and improve health outcomes at the system level.
- Contribute to creating a more inclusive, equitable healthcare system by elevating the voices of both patients and pharmacists
References
Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/557595/dare-to-lead-by-brene-brown-phd-msw/
Nelson, N. R., Armistead, L. T., Blanchard, C. M., & Rhoney, D. H. (2021). The pharmacist’s professional identity: Preventing, identifying, and managing medication therapy problems as the medication specialist. JACCP: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY, 4(12), 1564–1571. https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1538
Jennifer Butler, B.Sc.(Pharm) 