Board member spotlight: Derek Desrosiers

February 2015 – One year in and Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy (CFP) board member Derek Desrosiers says he already feels like he’s had an opportunity to make a real impact in contributing to community-based pharmacy research and innovation in the profession.

In addition to valuing CFP’s ongoing commitment toward funding unique pharmacy projects, Desrosiers says knowing the Foundation is behind developing the upcoming Pharmacy Management in Canada textbook is another key draw to being involved. “I’ve authored one of the chapters in the book and this textbook is something that’s long overdue in the profession,” he says. “I think it will be really well received.”

A registered pharmacist, Desrosiers is currently the Director of Pharmacy Practice Support at the BC Pharmacy Association, and owner of his own consulting firm. Having participated on numerous committees and boards of directors of both provincial and national pharmacy organizations over the years, he says he joined CFP in 2014 as a way to give back to the profession and because there were already some “great people” involved.

“Over the past year, I’ve helped to promote the Foundation through my contacts and organizational affiliations, especially in the west,” he says. The focus forward will be to continue to develop a greater awareness of the Foundation’s work, especially among pharmacy students. “The idea is to get at this next generation so the awareness is already there when they start their careers.”