Student Highlights
Inside Pharmacist of the Year

Starting work in a local pharmacy, Chloe Woodward realised this was the industry she wanted to pursue as a long-term career.

“I was 14 years old when I started working at my local pharmacy. I wasn’t aware at the time that pharmacy is what I wanted to study until a few years later when I started to understand community pharmacy more and grow an appreciation for the passion and knowledge of our pharmacists,” she said.

With multiple study locations to choose from, Chloe weighed her options along with her friends and family’s advice and made the decision to study in Newcastle after high school.

“The University of Newcastle assisted me and provided fantastic support in this process of deciding when to commence study. This made the decision to go directly into university after high school comfortable and exciting,” she said.

Reflecting on some of the highlights from her degree, Chloe found that the experience and skills she gained from the program have built her confidence, her industry knowledge and her networking skills.

“The content was tailored to be practical and realistic to what we would experience in the industry,”

“The relationships and connections I’ve built with these pharmacists, taught me a lot about networking. This skill has repeatedly benefitted me throughout my career.” she said.

During her studies, Chloe was recognised as the People’s Choice National Pharmacy Student of the Year. Speaking of her goals for the competition, Chloe aimed to expand her counselling and communication skills as a pharmacy student.

“It was the knowledge, passion and support from the pharmacy staff that molded me, along with my fellow students, into the health professionals we are today. This recognition makes me feel proud to represent the University of Newcastle and the sustained effort that I, as well as students and pharmacy department staff, have put in over the course of my degree,” she said.

As part of the Bachelor of Pharmacy, students complete more than 420 hours of placement to ensure they go into the workforce backed with a working knowledge of the industry and counselling practice.

Chloe found her placements and course structure were critical to her development as a pharmacist.

“The placements, practical learning sessions in laboratories, discussion-based tutorials, and oral examinations have truly prepared me for the reality of working in the pharmaceutical industry,” she said.

Reflecting on her experience as a Pharmacy student within the University, Chloe notes her preparation and attendance at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) conference in 2022 was a great achievement to represent her experience in pharmacy.

“I received tailored feedback on my counselling skills from the pharmacy academics. To this day, the feedback that they provided me has helped me significantly in my counselling as a pharmacist.”

“The opportunity to attend the PSA conference was incredible. I was able to meet some of the most inspiring professionals in our industry, gain confidence in networking, as well as learn about the exciting future of my industry and career,” she said.

Chloe hopes to have her own pharmacy one day and is working towards being an innovative pharmacist taking on direction from her peers.

“I hope to expand my contribution to the profession by implementing various industry initiatives and innovations, as well as possibly owning my own pharmacy one day,” she said.

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Chloe Woodward

Chloe Woodward knew the path she wanted to take in her career. Since starting her Pharmacy program, she has connected and collaborated with those in the industry to be recognised as Pharmacy Student of the Year.

The placements, practical learning sessions in laboratories, discussion-based tutorials, and oral examinations have truly prepared me for the reality of working in the pharmaceutical industry.