Pharmacy Daily | NT’s Hutson joins PATY Hall of Fame

NORTHERN Territory-based pharmacy assistant (PA), Ashleigh Hutson (pictured), was named as the 2021 Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic PA of the Year, last night.

Hutson, from Bardens Amcal Pharmacy in Darwin, became the second successive Territorian to claim the title after yesterday's national workshop - which was conducted online due to COVID-19 restrictions - following Benjamin King's win in 2020.

Congratulating Hutson, Guild National President, Trent Twomey, said that she "should be very proud of this achievement".

"Ashleigh was chosen amongst a very competitive field of candidates, and there were many talented applicants this year for PATY from across Australia," he said.

"This year's award is also significant as it is being awarded against the backdrop of COVID-19, which has seen outstanding efforts within pharmacy across Australia - to win this award within this context is even more extraordinary."

As the PATY winner, Hutson has secured a $5,000 cash prize, alongside a customised training package, and registration, flights and accommodation to attend both the 2022 Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference and next year's PA National Conference.

Hutson described winning the title as a significant milestone in her career.

"This is amazing. I can't tell you how proud I am to have won this," she said.

"It's been amazing meeting all of you [state finalists]."

"I am so passionate about this career, it's just an honour to be awarded this title."

Meanwhile, Queensland-based PA, Donna Williamson, from Redland Bay Discount Drug Store was named as the 2021 National Glucojel Super Star Award winner during last night's online presentation.

The Super Star title recognises outstanding customer service amongst the top PATY state finalists.

After two COVID-19-induced cancellations of the PA National Conference in 2020 and 2021, the Guild has announced that next year's event will take place in-person on 28 and 29 Oct 2022, in Brisbane.

Guild Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, has previously said the organisation was looking forward to hosting a "bigger and better" event in 2022.