Celebrating Women in Pharmacy
The 8th of March is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the achievements of women with a focus on accelerating equality. This year’s theme is EachforEqual - An equal world is an enabled world and collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.
To celebrate International Women’s Day we chatted with some of our very talented women at Ramsay Pharmacy and asked them to share how they have seen the world of Pharmacy change in terms of equality, their achievements and what drives their passion for the field.
Angie Miller
Retail Manager, Grafton, New South Wales
Angie has been involved in the pharmacy industry for over 13 years and has observed an increase of female pharmacists and healthcare professionals during her time. “At the start of my career, it was common to see men holding more senior positions such as owners, pharmacists and locums however I would now say there is a gender balance, which is fantastic. I think our customers are very comfortable in approaching either male or female pharmacists, the quality of service is what counts,” explains Angie.
As a busy pharmacy manager in Grafton, Angie leads a knowledgeable team and is driven by teamwork, quality care and career progression. “I feel encouraged and empowered by the professional training opportunities Ramsay offers, as well as knowing I am a valued member of a group who prioritise care and quality services for members of our town. I feel happy when assisting customers to solve a problem, encouraging my colleagues to achieve their goals or just being a positive influence.”
Outside the pharmacy, Angie’s passion is raising her four daughters. “Seeing my children succeed in sport, school and growing into wonderful young women is incredibly rewarding.” Angie said.
Mariella Castro
Pharmacist, New Farm, Queensland
Mariella has been a part of the Ramsay Pharmacy team for over two years. “I am very proud to be part of the Ramsay family, where we share the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and deliver the highest level of customer care,” Mariella said.
“There is a definite and noticeable increase in women in pharmacy. It is very refreshing and highly inspirational to see the most capable and deserving women in management and leadership roles. The last two years have highlighted this fact for me and I look forward to seeing further equality in this field.”
When reflecting on her achievements, Mariella believes her ability to adapt to complex situations helps her succeed. “I have adapted as a woman from a different culture to a new language, establishing and pursuing a career whilst being responsible for dependants at home.”
Jane Moir
Retail Pharmacy Business Manager, New South Wales
Jane joined the Ramsay Pharmacy family in October 2017. As a previous pharmacy owner, Jane has noticed a positive change, which sees more women in the profession than when she first started working in pharmacy. “When I first graduated it was quite unusual to see female owners and women in leadership roles. This has changed drastically and there is now significant representation throughout the industry.”
Jane is passionate about delivering excellent patient care and customer service. “A seemingly small act of giving time and kindness can have an enormous impact on someone else. You never know what other people are dealing with in their own lives and it costs nothing to be kind,” explains Jane. “I love being part of the Ramsay family and its commitment to caring for people.”
Belinda Balchin
Retail Manager, Bundaberg, Queensland
Belinda has been in the Pharmacy industry for over 30 years and enjoys customer interaction and being able to provide health care solutions to customers. “I feel one of my strong personal qualities is my ability to connect with people. In our profession it is essential to be able to show sympathy, understanding and the ability to relate to our customers.”
Belinda believes that there has been a change in equality in pharmacy. “When I first started in pharmacy the hierarchy was male dominated. The owner and management were all male pharmacists. In the last ten years there has been an increase in female leadership roles.” She also encourages other women to be a part of the industry, stating that “pharmacy is a fantastic occupation for women wanting a work and life balance.”