Board of Directors
2011/2012 Board of Directors
Top row (left to right): Julia Zhu, Max Beairsto, Matt Rushfeldt, Ali Damani, Byron Bergh
Bottom row (left to right): Sheldon Chow, Neil Cameron, Farouk Haji
Missing from photo: Donald Makowichuk, Patrick Rurka, Gail Rowan
RxA takes this opportunity to recognize your 2011/2012 RxA Board of Directors. This group consists of hard-working, knowledgeable and experienced volunteers who will provide RxA with its mandate for the fiscal year.
Led by President Neil Cameron, the Board of Directors is comprised of seven representatives, including six Alberta pharmacists and one student representative. Ex officio member includes the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS).
Members that wish to bring forward comments, issues or questions for discussion at future RxA board meetings, please email RxA.
Gail Rowan, Ex officio (CACDS)
Neil Cameron, President
Email
Having worked in a variety of community practice settings since 1991, Neil fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning his own pharmacy. He purchased Athabasca Value Drug Mart in 1997 and continues to practice pharmacy daily as the Pharmacy Manager. Neil has held many volunteer positions in his community with organizations such as Rotary Club and Santa’s Anonymous. Neil is RxA’s 12th President.
Julia Zhu, Past President
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Julia obtained her pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto. After working as a community pharmacist and pharmacy manager for 3 years for a retail drug chain, she went back to school and received her MBA from Schulich School of Business, York University in 2003. Julia moved from Toronto to Edmonton shortly after completing her MBA and has since held various management positions in national retail chains. Currently, Julia is heading up a division that focuses on specialty pharmacy services in alternative practice settings. Julia is one of RxA’s representatives on the joint RxA/ACP APEX Awards Committee.
Byron Bergh, President-Elect
EmailByron, a pharmacist for over 30 years, has been involved in many facets of the profession including owning and working in independent community settings, as well as serving as a member on the Alberta Economics Committee and chair of a Pharmacy Cooperative Caremart. Presently, Byron is the Pharmacy Innovation Pharmacist with Pharmasave Western. Byron is entering his second year on RxA’s Board and serves on the Bylaws Committee.
Matt Rushfeldt, Secretary-Treasurer
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Matt currently works for Switzer’s Drugs, an independent pharmacy in Edson, which has been family owned for 100 years this January. Matt has been a pharmacist since 2003, and although that seems like a long time in one’s career, he finds that he is constantly learning and growing professionally, and that’s what he loves most about being a pharmacist.
Max Beairsto, Board MemberEmail
After graduating in 1991 from the University of Alberta, Max returned to his rural roots to practice community and hospital pharmacy in small communities including St. Paul, Medicine Hat, Crossfield and Blackfalds. Currently, Max owns Bouchard Richards Strategies Group which focuses on pharmacy sales and is engaged in the management of his own retail and compoundingpharmacy. Max is a representative of RxA on the joint-Ministry Pharmacy Transition Team.
BorFarouk Haji, Board Member
EmailFarouk has worked in both urban and rural settings and within both corporate and independent pharmacies since graduating from the University of Alberta in 1995. He currently works as a pharmacist in an independent pharmacy in Calgary and works on various consultative roles within pharmacy and the investment fields.
Donald Makowichuk, Board MemberEmailDon has over thirty years of experience in the health care sector including operating a retail pharmacy, managing a local buying cooperative and providing consulting services both nationally and internationally. He has also managed medium-sized enterprises in a variety of sectors including telecommunications, computer software and product distribution. Recently, Don has returned to pharmacy operations with the creation of the Life Med Pharmacy group. This is Don’s second term on RxA’s Board.
Patrick Rurka, Board Member
EmailPatrick graduated with a pharmacy degree from the University of Alberta in 1998. He was employed as a staff pharmacist at the University of Alberta Hospital specializing in cardiology and internal medicine until 2003. After a short period as hospital pharmacy manager, Patrick left the city with his family to take over Rimbey Value Drug Mart. Patrick sits on RxA’s PD Planning Committee.
Sheldon Chow, Student Board Member
Email Born and raised in Edmonton, Sheldon is currently in his second year of pharmacy studies at the University of Alberta. Last year, he served as the first year class representative on the Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association council. In his education, Sheldon has gained experience working in a community pharmacy setting. Furthermore, he also had the opportunity to work at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital pharmacy in Edmonton. Sheldon is excited to be involved in a changing and evolving pharmacy profession devoted to patient centered care.
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