COLLEGE OF PHARMACISTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA - Key Persons
Alex is a UBC graduate with 17 years of pharmacy experience, and is currently the pharmacist-owner of a pharmacy in Richmond. From September 2013 to October 2019, he was a Board Director with the BCPhA and served as President in 2017/18. He holds himself and other pharmacists to a high level of integrity and professional standard. He also strives for common sense solutions in order to continue to practice pharmacy safely and efficiently. He believes that pharmacists can provide better patient care and outcomes by utilizing all aspects of a pharmacist's scope of practice and by advancing pharmacy practice. In his spare time he enjoys travelling with his wife and two children.
Anca Cvaci's diverse experiences have allowed her to appreciate and understand the roles pharmacy plays in healthcare, as well as how pharmacy practice interlinks with other healthcare professions and contributes to patient care. Her career in pharmacy started as a Pharmacy Assistant. After completing the Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services Pharmacy Residency program, she worked at St. Paul's Hospital as a Clinical Pharmacist. In 2014, she completed a Master in Business Administration, and then worked in the Vancouver Coastal Health - Coastal Corporate Office. Her next role allowed her to lead the implementation of automated dispensing cabinets in all acute care areas at Providence Health Care. After completing the project, she worked at the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre as a Clinical Supervisor where she led pharmacy practice in an outpatient care environment. Her current role as Distribution Coordinator at Lions Gate Hospital involves leading the pharmacy team through the implementation of a new Clinical Information System. Also, over the last seven years she served on the BC Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists council in various capacities. Her passion for pharmacy practice and dedication to making a difference fuel her drive to contribute to improving patient care.
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair
- Vice - Chair - District 3 - Vancouver Island / Coastal
Andrea has over 18 years of pharmacy experience and has come to understand patients' experience within the healthcare system through a variety of experiences in research, hospital, and outpatient care. She currently manages an independent pharmacy in Victoria BC, acts as clinical lead on a number of new initiatives in her community, and actively practices as a diabetes educator.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Government Appointee
As of January 2019, Anne is the VP, Strategy & Quality Improvement for Child Development for the Lower Mainland. Previously, she was the Policy & Research Manager of the Surrey Board of Trade. Anne's career spans over 25 years working with a range of organizations for the benefit of community service, including as a former city councilor, focusing primarily on policy, research, and organization development.
In 2018, she had the privilege and honour of being appointed to the BC Poverty Reduction Forum by the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction through the BC Chamber of Commerce Nomination to be the representative for business. The Forum's work will inform the BC Government's new Poverty Reduction Strategy anticipated spring 2019.
Anne's educational background includes an MA (UBC 2006), a BA (SFU 2001), Advanced Project Management Certificate from Langara College (2015), and numerous certificates including evaluation methodology and leadership.
Job Titles:
- Director of Practice Reviews & Quality Assurance
- Staff Resource
Ashifa Keshavji is the Director of Practice Reviews & Quality Assurance. She has worked in community pharmacy for many years and began working at the College on the OnCall Line and conducting inspections. She has been a Director for the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy since 2005.
Job Titles:
- Director of Policy
- Director of Policy & Legislation
- Staff Resource
Camelia Toghiani-Rizi is the Director of Policy and Legislation. Before joining the College, Camelia worked in various roles for the Government of Nunavut's Department of Health, including Manager and Acting Director roles in the areas of policy and planning. She also had the privilege to have five years learning, living, working and travelling throughout Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland. Camelia is experienced in developing and driving policy and legislative initiatives and has an extensive knowledge of Canada's federal, provincial, territorial health landscape.
Canada Day (in lieu of Saturday, July 1, 2023) - Monday, July 3, 2023 - Closed
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
- Director of Communications & Engagement
Colin Wong is the Director of Communications & Engagement. He brings over 20 years of experience in communications, public affairs, media relations advertising and business development. As a senior communications leader in a wide cross section of private sector industries and government agencies, he has a proven track record in project management and the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic plans.
Daryl Beckett is the General Counsel. He is a practising member of the Law Society of BC and has worked in the field of health profession regulation for 20 years. Most recently he served for seven years as Legal Counsel in the Executive Office of the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and several of its predecessor colleges. Daryl was previously the Director of Professional Regulation in the BC Ministry of Health for more than 10 years, with responsibility for development and administration of the Health Professions Act and for oversight of all self-governing health profession regulators in BC. He has also previously served as the Director of Legislation in the BC Ministry of Health.
Job Titles:
- Audit and Finance Committee
- Director of Registration & Licensure
- Staff Resource
Doreen Leong is the Director of Registration & Licensure. She brings over 20 years of pharmacy experience from hospital, community and administrative practice. She has worked in every department within the College and has expertise in the area of assessment, certification and the development of standards, competencies and policy.
(Public access to our office is available Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, but closed between 12:00pm and 1:00pm.
Eric is an energetic and hardworking BC local with 7+ years of experience in pharmacy practice. After studying acting in the Bachelor of Fine Arts undergrad program at Simon Fraser University he enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program at Vancouver Community College, graduating from that program in 2014 with a practicum at Royal Columbian Hospital pharmacy. He went on to work towards regulation at the Pharmacy Drug Distribution Center in Langley, becoming regulated later that same year. He then gained some specialized experience from BC Children's & Women's Hospital pharmacy before finding his home at Vancouver General Hospital where he currently works, and where he also serves on the Pharmacy JOHS Committee to improve workplace safety. He currently enjoys a varied technician role that also includes coverage at GF Strong Rehab Center and at UBC Hospital pharmacies, requiring travel to all three of these sites.
He brings this varied experience as well as his proven problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills to the board with him, which have previously been tested in various professional initiatives advocating for pharmacy personnel across British Columbia and as a frequent speaker at pharmacy technician continuing education events in the Lower Mainland. As a proud member of the LGBTQ2 community, Eric is excited to use his passions for equality and representation as well as his unique experience to bring as much perspective to the board as possible, and looks forward to the chance to further serve the people of British Columbia.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Registrar
- Governance Committee
Heather Biggar is the Deputy Registrar. Prior to joining the College Heather has been in leadership positions for the past 15 years with the last 12 years as Deputy Registrar, and a period as Acting Registrar, for the College of Dental Hygienists of BC (CDHBC). Heather has led the Registration, Complaints and Investigations, and the Quality Assurance Departments at CDHBC.
Heather has a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Masters of Science in Oral Pathology and a Certification in Change Management from the UBC Sauder School of Business. She has extensive experience in leading numerous stakeholder engagement initiatives with varied objectives and has developed influential relationships with stakeholders both provincially and nationally.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Government Appointee
- Managing Partner for Singh Thind & Associates
Justin Singh Thind is currently a managing partner for Singh Thind & Associates. Previously, he was an associate lawyer for Singh Abrahams and SAJ Lawyer. Prior to that venture, he was a special assistant to the Speaker of the Senate of Canada. Active in his community, Mr. Thind is a director for the Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation. He holds his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honors) from the University of Regina and his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Government Appointee
Katie Skelton is Anishinaabe, Ojibwe from Henvey Inlet First Nation and an adopted member of the Tak'aya Wolf Clan, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) family. Growing up as an Urban First Nation in the Greater Toronto Area, Katie now considers herself a guest on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples - sḵwx̱wú7mesh úxwumixw (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations.
Katie proudly serves First Nations people through her role in Partnership Development and Projects at the First Nations Health Authority. As part of the CEO's office, Katie directly supports the CEO in the implementation of a health governance partnership between BC First Nations, the province of BC, and the government of Canada. This health governance partnership, led to the formation of the FNHA, an institution created by First Nations people for First Nations people. Working to change 'the system' from sickness to wellness, the FNHA champions a holistic and traditional perspective of health and wellness.
Katie brings her energy as a young mother of two, who is consistently encouraged by the vibrancy of the culture that surrounds her, as motivation to champion change for the next seven generations.
Micheal Ortynsky has practiced pharmacy for over 38 years, with the majority of his career spent in northern communities. Since 1989, he has managed an independent pharmacy in Fort St John. He won the Ben Gant Award for Innovation in 2004 for the novel ownership model he promoted whereby pharmacy assistants, technicians, nurses, and pharmacists are all shareholders in the business. The group expanded to include pharmacies in Tumbler Ridge, Keremeos, and West Kelowna. He promotes a collaborative environment with nurses providing wound, ostomy, and footcare on site at the Fort St John pharmacy as well as a travel medicine clinic with a local physician. Mike is an advocate for pharmacists being engaged in the larger community.
Mikolaj graduated from a pharmacy program in 2008, and in 2013 he obtained his PhD in Pharmacy with a subspecialty in Medicinal Chemistry. From the beginning of his professional career, he worked primarily in a hospital setting - first in Poland in a large teaching hospital, later at a Cancer Centre and most recetnly at UHNBC hospital in Prince George. He occasionally works in the community setting, as he enjoys the change of pace and focus that a community pharmacy offers. He enjoys being a member of a multidisciplinary team that provides patient-centered care and would like to expand the responsibilities for pharmacists in order to provide better care for patients. In addition to being on the College Board, he is also a member of the Registration Committee. ln the spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, as well as swimming and outdoor activities - running, biking, hiking. He is very happy and proud that he can call Northern BC his home.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman - District 4 - Kootenay / Okanagan
Steven graduated from UBC in 2002. He has worked primarily in rural settings as a staff pharmacist and relief pharmacist, has provided pharmacy services to long term care facilities, and has 13 years of experience owning and managing both small clinic pharmacies and larger format stores. He is passionate about rural health services and the positive impact pharmacy practice can have on the health and wellness of our communities. Steven previously served 2 terms on the board of a local hospice society, has a strong interests in travel medicine as well as mental health awareness. He strives to progress towards a safer, more effective future of pharmacy practice in British Columbia that responds to the evolving needs of our population through right touch legislation that will support optimal, evidence-informed care. Steven believes very strongly that as a pharmacist, ethics and integrity must always be at the forefront of our practice, this includes awareness of the legacy of discrimination towards Black, Indigenous and People of Color, and the importance of practicing anti-racism as part of safely providing pharmacy care.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Registrar
- Member of the Alumni UBC
Suzanne Solven is the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer and brings over 25 years of leadership experience across a broad range of organizations within BC's health system. Before joining the College as its Registrar and CEO, Suzanne has held various positions such as the Associate Vice President of Audit, Investigations and Quality Assurance at Pacific Blue Cross, where she led both the Fraud Investigation Branch and the Internal Audit Branch; as well as both Executive Director and Senior Pharmacist of the BC PharmaCare program. Suzanne also served as the College's Deputy Registrar for over 9 years.
Suzanne is a current member of the Alumni UBC Advisory Council and UBC Therapeutics Initiative Oversight committee, past member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Prescription Review Panel, past Co-Chair of the National Pharmaceuticals Strategy, and past chair of the Advisory Committee on Pharmaceuticals, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health.
Terri Anne Gibson is a 2012 alumni of the University of Victoria (Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Applied Ethics) and a 2017 alumni of the University of Saskatchewan (Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy). She has been practicing as a community pharmacist for four years, beginning her career in the Province of Alberta where she was able to advocate and care for her patients to the fullest scope of pharmacist practice with her Additional Prescribing Authorization Certification. She is currently a pharmacy manager with Shoppers Drug Mart. In addition to her role as a community pharmacist, she dedicates her time to a number of leadership and volunteer positions within the community. Most notably, she serves as the Regional Coordinator for the Vancouver Chapter of The Shoebox Project for Women. Terri is passionate about giving back to her community, especially vulnerable populations, both through volunteerism and in her role as a healthcare provider; it is with this conviction that she serves on the Board of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. At present, Terri makes her home in the beautiful community of Maple Ridge with her husband and three year-old son.
Job Titles:
- Nurse
- Vice - Chair
- Government Appointee
Tracey Hagkull is a Nurse Clinician and Health Educator, having recently returned to Canada after working as a Health Educator and Substance Awareness Co-ordinator at the American School of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Before that, she was a Nurse Clinician in Cardiac Sciences at BC Children's Hospital. Active in her community, Ms. Hagkull volunteers with the Advanced Coronary Treatment Foundation, and is a past volunteer with the Make A Wish Foundation (UAE) and the Teen Transplant Support Group (BC Transplant Society). Ms. Hagkull holds her Nursing Diploma from Vancouver General Hospital, her Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria (UVic), and Master of Nursing with Athabasca University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chartered Professional Accountant With a Canadian Risk Management
- CRM / Chief Operating Officer
Zachery Solomon is the Chief Operating officer. Before joining the College, Zachery was the Director of Grants Administration at the Ministry of Government Relations in Regina, SK. Prior to that, he held the positions of Director of Finance and Property Management for 10 years with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and the Executive Director of Finance and Infrastructure, Executive Director, Health Services and the Director of Finance for the Keewatin Yatthé Regional Health Authority in Buffalo Narrows, SK.
Zachery is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Canadian Risk Management designation. He also has a Master Certificate in systems design and project leadership from Cornell University, NY. He has over 20 years experience in leadership management and operations in various organizations including the health sector.