Student Highlights
From strength to strength, becoming Pharmacy Student of the Year

Taking a non-traditional route to ending up in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree, Jamie-Lee graduated from a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018, before completing a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Charles Sturt University in 2020.

Discovering a passion for holistic, patient-centered care, Jamie-Lee changed the course of her career and started a Bachelor of Pharmacy, two weeks after becoming an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Exercise Sport Scientist.

“I didn’t think that my university career would lead me to have two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree, however, each step along the way has flowed into the next. Now at the end of my Pharmacy program, I know that I have developed into an accomplished healthcare provider who can make a valuable contribution to my community,” she said.

Drawn to the structure and delivery of the program, Jamie-Lee felt it provided her with a comprehensive approach to all aspects of pharmacy practice.

“As a smaller cohort, we have had the opportunity to receive individualised feedback on our performance in the degree and have been able to prove ourselves as competent, proficient and valuable Pharmacists in our community,” she said.

Learning from experts in the industry, Jamie-Lee feels she is getting the highest quality education within a supportive environment.

“Students in the University of Newcastle Pharmacy program are provided with the opportunity to learn from industry experts and develop invaluable professional connections through integrated learning,” she said.

A dedicated and driven student, Jamie-Lee was awarded a New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship, which allows students to undertake a study tour in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The New Colombo Plan (NCP) gave us the opportunity to visit medical centres, hospitals, sexual health clinics, universities and pharmacy schools in Yogyakarta where we learnt about the Indonesian health care system and Indonesian pharmacy practice,” she said.

“I was able to connect with pharmacy students studying in Indonesia and gain insight into how pharmacy practice differs between our two countries.”

In addition to the NCP experience, Jamie-Lee volunteered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia in 2022 and became the NSW Pharmacy Student of the Year for 2023.

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) program built her proficiency as a pharmacist within a variety of settings and gave her the confidence to succeed in the industry.

“We are prepared to step into a role in community, hospital, rural health care or research. We are afforded the opportunity to gain practical experience in many areas of the pharmacy industry, placing us in a position where we can make an informed choice on our chosen career pathway when we graduate,” she said.

Feeling inspired by her study, Jamie-Lee completed professional practice assessments to be considered for the NSW Pharmacy Student of the Year award for 2023. This valuable experience resulted in her winning this prestigious title.

“Being awarded NSW Pharmacy Student of the Year 2023 has been a true honour, studying pharmacy at the University of Newcastle has been an incredible experience, where I have found my place and developed a true passion for healthcare. The award reflects my passion for helping people and allowed me to prove myself as a future pharmacist,” she said.

“The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) program has enabled me to create a professional profile for myself within the pharmacy industry and I will be stepping into the community as a confident and passionate pharmacist and multi-disciplinary health care provider.”

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Jamie-Lee Carew

After working as a qualified Exercise Physiologist, Jamie-Lee realised she wanted more from her career. Starting again with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), she has been recognised for her accomplishments receiving NSW Pharmacy Student of the Year and continues to dream big.

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) program has enabled me to create a professional profile for myself within the pharmacy industry and I will be stepping into the community as a confident and passionate pharmacist and multi-disciplinary health care provider.