THE Pharmacists' Support Service (PSS) and Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) have announced the first winner of the John Coppock Pharmacist Wellbeing Award.
Tasmanian pharmacist Marika Castrisios received the honour for her work on The Dignity Project, established at the Royal Hobart Hospital Pharmacy Dept.
The project was created after Castrisios (pictured) experienced a traumatic miscarriage, highlighting a lack of resources for staff dealing with sensitive personal health issues at work.
The initiative provides cabinets in male and female toilets, stocked with sanitary products for situations like pregnancy loss, menstruation, and incontinence.
The program also includes educational resources and guidelines to support staff.
It aims to reduce embarrassment, normalise such events, and improve workplace comfort.
PSS President Curtis Ruhnau praised the project for its alignment with the service's mission to help people through difficult times.
He noted the overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff, and the project's expansion into other departments within the Tasmanian Health Service.
Gary West, PDL Professional Officer and member of the judging panel, commended all 15 nominees for their efforts to improve the wellbeing of pharmacy staff, adding, "The Dignity Project best represented the ethos of the award".
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