Meet the board & Committee leads

 


2022/23 Board Members

Carylnn-Bullock-Headshot-150x150.jpgPresidentCarlynn Bullock

Carlynn has been a Pharmacy Technician for 10 years having worked in retail, hospital, and long-term care pharmacies. She currently works at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. Because of her passion for her career and the profession, she wants to do all she can to advocate for Pharmacy Technicians. She is also looking for opportunities to build her leadership skills.

AM-ESESSION-2533_2_crop-150x150.jpgVice PresidentAllie Weaver

Allie got her start in pharmacy in 2008, working as a pharmacy assistant until becoming regulated in 2017. She has worked in both community and hospital pharmacies and continues to do so now. She has been involved with PTSA in a variety of volunteer capacities; from promotions committee to conference committee. The thing she enjoyed most from volunteering with PTSA was the opportunity to find unique and exciting educational opportunities for technicians. She hopes to continue that and contribute to the growth and advancement of the technician profession as a member of the board.

Diane-Feb-28-2022-2-150x150.jpgTreasurerDiane Reeder

Diane is currently a team member of the Centralized Drug Production & Distribution (CDPD) Project within Alberta Health Services (AHS). Her past work experience consisted of roles in pharmacy that included management, administration, research and front line work. Volunteer work has spanned roles in the national body, Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians (CAPT), in an international group, Pharmacy Technicians International and previously for PTSA. She is looking forward to continuing the challenge.

Nicole-150x150.pngSecretaryNicole Rees

Nicole graduated from Red Deer College as a pharmacy technician in 2006. She completed the bridging program and has been a fully regulated technician since 2013. Nicole spent several years working in a retail compounding pharmacy before moving to hospital practice. She is always looking for new opportunities and challenges to learn and grow her practice as a pharmacy technician. She hopes to be able to encourage others to do so as well as a member of the PTSA board.

LorenVoice-150x150.jpgCommunications DirectorLoren Voice

Loren Voice has 25+ years’ experience in various pharmacy settings in Alberta. Her pharmacy passions are hospital pharmacy practice, sterile compounding, and teaching. Her current role is Clinical Lab Instructor at Bow Valley College in the Pharmacy Technician program. Expanding her knowledge in hopes of contributing to a better healthcare system, Loren graduated with her Masters of Public Health degree in 2019. Her desire is to inspire others to reach their “ah ha” moments, to act with integrity and communicate with empathy and compassion.

melissa-150x150.pngAdvocacy Director NorthMelissa Olson

With over twenty years of combined education and pharmaceutical experience, Melissa is continuing her career as a technician and as the sole proprietor of one of Alberta's few technician-owned pharmacy relief services. Additionally, Melissa is continuing her professional growth by completing professional certifications in project management to excel in the many facets and leadership roles she fills in her positions. Her passion for unique, patient-specific care, focusing on good patient outcomes along with ensuring inclusivity and equality for her patients, is a driving force behind her many years in the field. She plans to have many more years aiding pharmacies, professionals, and patients across the province as a pharmacy technician.

Sharon-Van-Wert-Headshot.pngAdvocacy Director SouthSharon Van Wert

Sharon has been a pharmacy technician for many years, working in the hospital setting her whole career. The changes she has seen and experienced in the profession are what keep her motivated and growing in the profession. She has always worked to improve workplaces and helped to grow technicians in their careers. After many years as a front-line technician, Sharon is now an Operations Manager in the Calgary zone. Volunteering is something Sharon is passionate about and has many different volunteer interests. When Sharon is not working, she can be found golfing (poorly), hiking, snowshoeing, or traveling.

Devaki-Grenier-Headshot-150x150.pngEducation Director NorthDevaki Grenier

Devaki graduated from CDI College Edmonton City Centre in 2011 as a pharmacy assistant. She then took a position with Rexall LTC Pharmacy after completing her practicum with them. She then moved to Grande Prairie in 2014 to continue her pharmacy work in community with Loblaw Pharmacy. Meanwhile, she kept moving forward with her transition to become a regulated pharmacy technician by completing the bridging programs. She received her license at the end of 2017 and accepted a position with the Alberta Health Services at the Grande Prairie Cancer Centre Pharmacy. Since then, she has enjoyed her journey as a registered technician doing sterile compounding of cytotoxic and hazardous IV admixtures, training new staff members in the domain as well as students coming through the doors and making new connections. She’s also giving some of her time by volunteering with the PTSA as a member of the Education Committee since March. Devaki enjoys finding new avenues in her career and is always looking for a challenge. She cherishes all the connections she’s made so far as most of them helped her grow stronger. She continues to work and live in Grande Prairie with her other half, Alvin.

Amy-Coneybeare-Headshot-150x150.pngEducation Director SouthAmy Coneybeare

Amy began her pharmacy career in community pharmacy in 2014 as a Pharmacy Assistant after completing the program at SAIT in Calgary, AB. In 2017, Amy made the decision to go through the bridging program with Selkirk College, passed all PEBC exams, and got her Pharmacy Technician license in late 2018. Amy has a special interest in non-sterile compounding and considers her role as a Lab Supervisor to be one of her most fulfilling positions in pharmacy. She has been well connected to education and obtained her Bachelor of Arts - English degree from Mount Royal College in 2021. Currently, Amy is the Pharmacy Programs Coordinator at Robertson College and enjoys supporting new graduates into the profession. As a new board member on PTSA, she would like to serve as a representative of Pharmacy Technicians in community pharmacy. She is a strong advocate in the proper utilization of Pharmacy Technicians in the dispensary to have best outcomes for patient care.

Elizabeth-Allers-pic-150x150.jpgMembership DirectorElizabeth Allers

Elizabeth has been a pharmacy technician for 19 years. She has worked in numerous practice settings including community, closed door community, hospital in 3 zones (North zone, Central zone north and Calgary zone), as well as corporate (as a Pyxis Application Specialist for Cardinal Health Canada). Of late she has been away due to an injury as a volunteer firefighter and is trying to figure out where to go from here. Being a part of PTSA for the last couple of years on various committees has been rewarding and gave Elizabeth an opportunity to stay current in the profession. Elizabeth is married, has one child, a cat named Target Practice and 2 dogs.

CJ-Hoban-Headshot-150x150.jpgConference DirectorCJ Hoban

CJ has worked in both BC and Alberta and has experience in many types of pharmacy practice settings including community, hospice, long term care, hospital, and corrections. She has experience in front line, project, and leadership roles. CJ is dedicated to fostering a just and learning culture and is passionate about people. She is committed to continuous learning, curiosity, and contributing to a community of practice where we strive for excellence through shared knowledge, collaboration, and patient centred care. She has previously volunteered with the PTSA advocacy committee and is currently a learning review panelist with CCCEP.


Administration

AdministratorTeresa Hennessey

With many years of board experience, including two terms as President, Teresa has continued to help support pharmacy technicians and the Society in her role as PTSA Administrator. Since receiving her pharmacy technician diploma in 1998, Teresa has practiced in front-line and leadership roles in both community and hospital pharmacies and was the first registered pharmacy technician in Alberta. She is currently employed with Alberta Health Services as Senior Advisor, Equipment Strategy & Coordination. In addition to her “day job”, Teresa has extensive experience with other pharmacy organizations and was one of the first pharmacy technician observers appointed to the Alberta College of Pharmacy’s council. She has been extensively involved in the development of the practice framework for Pharmacy Technicians and is excited to continue that work with PTSA.


Communications Committee

ChairpersonLoren Voice

Website CoordinatorJoanne Fontaine

Allie Weaver

Melissa Fingas


Promotions Committee

Pooja Chokshi

Chantel Parson


Conference Planning Committee


Awards Committee

ChairpersonVacant

Linda Hoang

Neelu Duhan

Melissa Salacki

Debbie Knudsen

Pooja Chokshi


Advocacy Committee

Co-ChairpersonMelissa Olson

Co-ChairpersonSharon Van Wert

Elizabeth Schelske

Pooja Chokshi

Catharine Gimbel

Wendy Lindeman


Membership Engagement Committee

ChairpersonElizabeth Allers

Kirsty Parent

Nina Dueck

Nneoma Ehimiaghe

Diane Reeder


Education Committee

Co-ChairpersonDevaki Grenier

Co-ChairpersonAmy Coneybeare

Catharine Gimbel

Pooja Chokshi

Debbie Knudsen

Kirsten Shead

Edmonton Area - TTCE Events Tamiza Dhanani

Tamiza’s career began as a writer but she changed her focus to pharmacy and graduated from Vancouver Community College in 1997, as a pharmacy technician. She began working with Save On Foods and continued to work in this retail setting as she completed her Bachelors of Applied Journalism. She moved to Edmonton and started a teaching career in 2007. Tamiza has been a regulated technician since 2013 and has been a Pharmacy Technician Instructor with NorQuest and CDI College. She is passionate about continuing education for pharmacy technicians and their expanding role. Tamiza looks forward to the future of Pharmacy and is excited to help Pharmacy Technicians in Alberta move forward through Continuing Education.