Preceptor of the Year (2023-2024)

Adrian Chow has been a community pharmacist since receiving his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSP) from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition in 2012. Over those years, he has sharpened not only his clinical competence, but also his preceptorship proficiency.

At the Northgate Medicine Shoppe in Regina, he is known as an expert in compounding and clinical interventions, described by his nominator, Stefanie Kiriazopoulos, as “a walking encyclopedia of formulations, lab techniques, and cost estimates”. Stefanie also says that his devotion to the community he serves is palpable: “Observing these patient interactions, I came to understand the important service and community space that Adrian and the other staff have created at their pharmacy.”

Stefanie completed an 8-week Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience at the Medicine Shoppe in 2023 where she became more adept at evaluating compounded medications as reasonable therapeutic alternatives. She felt supported to push the limits of her knowledge and skills, saying that Adrian “inquired regularly about my clinical experiences and constantly sought out new learning opportunities that aligned with my interests”.

There are obvious similarities in what Adrian reports to be his favourite aspects of being a pharmacist and a preceptor. He says, “working at a compounding pharmacy, I tailor to the needs of the patient”. He echoes that innate inclination to take a person-centred approach in his precepting philosophy too: “As a learning experience for myself, I try to tailor the experience to what’s best for them and their learning.”. 

As Adrian recalls that he has precepted over a dozen students at the Medicine Shoppe, he reminisces about how it often feels “bittersweet”: “You wish them good luck as they leave, but it’s so rewarding to see them grow”. His investment of time, energy, and genuine care into the placement experience is recognized by Stefanie and others: “I’m not the first student to reach this conclusion about Adrian as a preceptor…What I’m sure we can agree upon, is that he truly deserves to be recognized for his talent and efforts as a preceptor.”

The EL Office is proud to celebrate Adrian Chow and other pharmacists and staff at the Northgate Medicine Shoppe for their dedication to creating such impactful experiential learning opportunities.