2 June 2020

Winning touch for pharmacy intern of the year

| Michael Weaver
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Lucinda Kenny from Capital Chemist Calwell.

Lucinda Kenny from Capital Chemist Calwell has been named as intern of the year. Photo: Supplied.

You could say Capital Chemist Calwell has a winning touch, with one of its staff members, Lucinda Kenny, being named as the best intern in Australia.

Lucinda, better known as Lucy to her colleagues and friends, also has a passion for skin and dermatology and says ailments with the skin are one of the most common reasons patients come into a pharmacy.

Lucy was named intern of the year by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, with the national award supporting the next generation of pharmacists and owners to build a foundation for their careers. She also received a travel and educational scholarship, worth $4500, from Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS) Australia, which supplies medical information to Australian healthcare professionals.

The award follows neighbouring Capital Chemist Chisholm being named Australia’s best pharmacy in April.

Issues with the skin can be debilitating for patients, physically and mentally,” Lucy tells Region Media. “Patients I’ve treated in the past have shown a deep appreciation for providing a solution and it revealed how much it can improve their quality of life.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and when something isn’t right with it you have one of the most common reasons why a patient presents to the pharmacy. Pharmacists are easily accessible by the community and a comprehensive history-taking will often reveal a skin condition’s underlying cause.

“I have a profound interest in dermatology and intend to upskill so I can provide innovative and comprehensive care within a pharmacy setting.”

Lucy says she was honoured to receive the award and represent many newly registered interns and the pharmacy profession.

“It’s humbling to be recognised in our profession during such arduous times, where pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and interns are working tirelessly during the coronavirus pandemic,” she says. “Their adaptability and unfaltering contribution is sustaining the health of our communities.

“My heart goes out to all the pharmacists and other health professionals in Australia working so hard on the coronavirus pandemic frontline.”

Lucy says being part of the COVID-19 pandemic frontline, and the subsequent flu vaccinations, had also made her more resilient.

“There have been many ongoing challenges, starting with the unprecedented bushfires, and just as they began to ease, COVID-19 quickly progressed into a global pandemic,” she says.

“It has been an emotional challenge addressing high levels of anxiety, stress and uncertainty, not only within the community but with friends, family and other colleagues. The days were long but went in the blink of an eye.”

The intern award is all the more remarkable because Lucy only finished her internship last year. However, she worked in a community pharmacy on Canberra’s northside for 11 years before moving to Calwell.

She also has aspirations to open her own pharmacy.

“I’ve worked in a pharmacy since I was 14 and have always dreamed of ownership with the liberty of implementing new ideas,” she says. “I would love to provide specialised services such as dermatology consultations within my pharmacy. Wherever I take my career, it’s to positively impact the lives of others.”

The CEO and executive director of MIMS Australia and New Zealand, Robert Best, says the organisation is looking forward to seeing how Lucy continues to learn and grow her pharmacy career.

“Being able to reward excellence in young people is extremely exciting for the entire team at MIMS,” he said. “These interns are the future of pharmacy.”

Likewise, Lucy says she is looking forward to a bright future in the industry.

“The intern of the year award will support me to give back to our profession,” she explains. “Through Capital Chemist, I have truly learnt the meaning behind innovation and dedicated service to the community. I wish to align those values within my own pharmacy in the, hopefully, near future.

“Pharmacists play an integral part in the health of many patients and their families. We are in a privileged position where we are trusted to impart our knowledge to enable better health outcomes. Seeing the faces light up of those who you have helped is truly a wonderful feeling.”

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