New award created to support Black and Indigenous pharmacy students

Thanks to the generosity of Rexall Pharmacy Group, the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta now has the Rexall Award in Pharmacy for Black and Indigenous second, third, or fourth year pharmacy students. The hybrid award is one of the ways that Rexall has begun efforts to move beyond awareness and advocacy to more tangible actions to support equity, diversity, and inclusion.

“We want to make an impact and a difference,” says Tracy Paulo-Brown, Director, Talent Attraction and Diversity. “We want to provide opportunities to make education more accessible where systemic racism is present. Awards and bursaries are one way we can help support people and work to dismantle that.”

Rexall’s mission is to care for Canadians' health, one person at a time, and Paulo-Brown says EDI is an integral part of that. “It provides opportunity for innovation and growth. And beyond doing great things for the organization, it does great things for our patients and the community.”

When choosing where to begin lending support, Paulo-Brown says it was an easy decision for Rexall to start with students. “Students are our future,” she says. “When you think of growth and development, you should think of the next generation.”

“As a community pharmacy, it is important we are reflective of the communities we serve. Partnering with U of A to ensure members of the BIPOC community have one less thing to worry about through this award is an initiative we are excited about and are confident will make a sustainable impact,” says Tunde Kolarinwa, Vice President of Talent Management and the HR Support for Rexall’s ASPIRE Inclusion and Diversity Network, which represents BIPOC members of Rexall and the McKesson Canada enterprise.

“This award will go a long way for the integration of Black and Indigenous students into a mainstream program, like pharmacy, and contributes towards the recognition of the diversity they bring to the field,” says first year pharmacy student and Black Pharmacy Students’ Association member, Imabong Nzurum. “The scholarship will also provide a measure of financial freedom which will increase interest in the program for younger Black and Indigenous students.”

"We're happy to have Rexall partner with us to support Black and Indigenous pharmacy students," says Dr. Neal Davies, Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. "It's important to us that our BIPOC students are celebrated and supported, so they can go on to make an impact in the communities they serve."

The Rexall Award in Pharmacy will be open for applications in the next academic year (2021-2022). Selection will be based on academic standing, indicated financial need and demonstration of Rexall’s ICARE values of Integrity, Customer-First, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

Rexall is in the process of creating similar student support programs at multiple other Canadian universities to reduce financial barriers for Black and Indigenous students in pharmacy programs across the country.