Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin
Beryl Nashar Young Researcher Award - 2024
Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin’s journey from a young pharmacy assistant to a groundbreaking researcher has been anything but ordinary. A dedicated pharmacist and academic, Sarah's career showcases her determination to enhance healthcare in Australia.
Sarah’s career pathway began at just 14 years old, when she took on her first job as a Pharmacy Assistant.
“I started working in a pharmacy as my very first job. I started out as a pharmacy assistant working after school. And since then, I haven't left."
This early experience sparked a passion that would shape Sarah’s future, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, followed by a Master of Pharmacy at the University of Newcastle.
After graduation, Sarah’s career in pharmacy quickly advanced. She managed multiple pharmacies, worked closely with local GP surgeries, and became an Accredited Medicines Review Pharmacist. Yet, she sought more — further opportunities to create meaningful change. This desire for impact led her to academia, where she began teaching pharmacy students and embarking on a research journey that would soon define her career.
Despite initially seeing herself solely as a health practitioner, Sarah’s foray into research opened her eyes to the powerful role it could play in transforming the pharmacy profession.
“I never had research on my radar at all. But when I started to explore various avenues of pharmacy, I didn't really understand how research could play a critical role in creating that change. Now, in hindsight, once I've started to do a lot of work in this area, I realise how much research can influence what we do.”
2024 Alumni Excellence Award Recipient | Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin 1:37
Sarah’s PhD, which she completed during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, laid the groundwork for her future endeavours. This experience equipped her with the tools to lead significant pharmacy trials that are now making waves across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
As Chief Investigator and Project Lead, Sarah is spearheading groundbreaking trials that are redefining the role of pharmacists in healthcare. Funded by the New South Wales Government and NSW Health, these trials mark a pivotal moment in pharmacy practice, allowing pharmacists to prescribe treatments for conditions such as urinary tract infections, oral contraceptives, and dermatological issues like psoriasis and eczema for the first time.
“We’ve seen now over 20,000 people treated through community pharmacy as part of this work, which I think is really exciting. The impact is that patients are able to seek treatment through their local pharmacist, for conditions they don’t necessarily have to wait to see a GP for.”
These trials aim to improve access to healthcare, especially in regional and rural areas where access to general practice services may be limited.
“I think being able to optimise the role of the pharmacist in this area and offer services through pharmacy that traditionally they weren't able to offer is a real step forward in the right direction.”
Sarah’s work is not just about expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists; it’s about fostering collaboration between different health professions to improve patient outcomes. This collaborative approach is central to the trials she leads, where she works closely with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and other key stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of their efforts.
“Pharmacists should be not only working to the top of their scope, but working in collaboration with other health professionals, and particularly in primary care, making sure that we are operating in a collaborative sense to improve the health of communities.”
Reflecting on her journey, Sarah describes it as “chaotic,” but also as “an incredible journey.” She attributes much of her success to the foundation laid by her education at the University of Newcastle, which provided her with the practical skills and opportunities needed to excel in her career.
Sarah’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. As she continues to lead innovative trials and push the boundaries of what pharmacists can do, she remains guided by the belief that the profession has much more to offer. For Sarah, the future of pharmacy is bright, and her groundbreaking work is paving the way for a new era of healthcare in Australia.
“Pharmacy is really at the heart of the community, and I think we have such an important role, particularly in ensuring medicine safety and ensuring that individuals are using their medicines in a safe and quality way.”
Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin
Community Pharmacist and Senior Lecturer Chief Investigator & Project Lead, NSW/ACT Government Pharmacy Trials
Master of Pharmacy 2013, Bachelor of Biomedical Science 2011
Pharmacy is really at the heart of the community, and I think we have such an important role, particularly in ensuring medicine safety and ensuring that individuals are using their medicines in a safe and quality way.
Alumni Excellence Awards
Beryl Nashar Young Researcher Award
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