Exclusive Events

The inaugural Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (BPPC) conference was experienced as amplified, not micro, affirmation – Black professionals were seen and celebrated! 

The topics were Black health centred – we greeted each other warmly and enthusiastically, acknowledging that this conference will be included in the Black Canadian history books. We advocated for equity in health for the Black Canadian population.   

The February 7th – 9th,  2025 BPPC Excellence Summit had many highlights. 

By the numbers : 

• Attendees ~ 130 to 135   

• Sponsors and Exhibitors - 20 

• Posters presented - 2 posters 

• Educational sessions delivered  - 12 sessions 

• Educational grants - 10 recipients, 6 sponsored by Scotiabank and 4 sponsored by BPPC  

• Volunteers (# of people or even volunteer hours) - ~30 to 35 volunteers including board members. ~2500 to 3500 volunteer hours  

Prescribing Change 

• Multiple clinical topics referenced specific health needs and ideas for equitable practices centering the Black and BIPOC patient population: 

• Keynote Guest Speakers: Ms. Amy Lamb (President, Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada) and Dr. John E. Clark (Black History Month Recognition, Director, Taneja College Of Pharmacy, University of South Florida) 

• Spotlight on Diabetes – Dr. Cassandra McLelland (VP, Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada) 

• More Than the Blues? Update on Management of Depression – Dr. Thea Moore 

• Diagnosing and Managing Atopic Dermatitis Across All Skin Types – Dr. Marissa Joseph 

• Comprehensive Overview of Anemia – Glory Oppong 

• Relationships and Medicine -Dr. Soraya Darwood 

• Alzheimer’s and the Pharmacists Role -Dr. Angela M. Hill 

• Finance: Top 7 Ways Pharmacists Cab Save Thousands in Taxes Every Year – Ricardo Ardiles 

• Race-Based Calculations – Dr. Ruthdol Auma Chinonso 

• What's new in Women's Health -Dr. Duate Adegbite 

• Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: Insights From Black Pharmacy Leaders -Nneka Ezurike, Uchenwa Genus, Nkem Iroh, Michael Kani; Moderated by Lisa-Kaye Williams 

• Student Leadership Panel – Olivia Nwaokocha, Emmanuel Fagbola, Tyiesha Wright; Moderated by Kenneth Etokakpan 

• Students shared research posters in the supporting vendor’s hall 

Leadership & Vision 

• Friday, Feb 7th kicked us off with a Leadership Night for BPPC Board Members, Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs.  Mr. Andrew Tyrrell, of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH), shared with us the vision and growth of a non-profit association to elevate the Black community. 

 

 

BPPC Leadership Team with Board of Directors, Committee Chairs & Vice-Chairs 

Seated L to R: Guest Speaker Andrew Tyrell, Anne Marie Tyrell, Sponsors Julie Berdusco (Apotex) and Richard Williams (Sterimax) 

  

• Saturday, Feb 8th featured Black pharmacy leaders across the environments of community, hospital and industry sharing insights from their leadership journeys to empower future Black leaders 

 

Leadership Panel - Pharmacists 

L to R: Michael Kani, Uchenwa Genus, Nkem Iroh, Nneka Ezurike

 

Leadership Panel – Students 

L to R: Olivia Nwaokocha, Emmanuel Fagbola, Tyiesha Wright 

Grant recipientswith Award Presenters 

L to R: Rahima Shokoya, Tyiesha Wright, Kenneth Etokakpan, Onyekachukwu Nwakoby, Ikran Mohamed, Anica Shafiq, Elizabeth Adegbite

 

Community 

• Saturday, Feb 8th we hosted the first BPPC Annual General Meeting (AGM) was well attended.  The meeting was chaired by BPPC president, Mary (Ore) Adegboyega.  Discussion about the upcoming induction, April 1, 2025, of paid membership fees was lively.  By the AGM’s end, attendees asked for multiple BPPC events per year.  The BPPC board was responsive but shared that only increased volunteer support would allow for more events.