Kathy Tam, Director of Professional Programs and Education
Kathy leads OPA’s continuing professional development strategic direction and oversees the creation and launch of innovative, high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of the profession. She works with a highly effective team and subject matter experts to bring pharmacy professionals engaging, relevant, and practical education programs.
Do you have any advice or words of appreciation that you’d like to share with women in pharmacy?
I want to recognize all the women in pharmacy who are actively practicing during this exciting time in pharmacy. With the many changes that the profession has undergone (and will continue to undergo) over the last few years, women in pharmacy bring empathy, support, compassion, and excellence to patient care, which is what it all comes down to. Thanks to women in pharmacy, we can continue building connections and trust with patients while showcasing the abilities that pharmacists have to support their health.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and how do you think we can further support women in pharmacy?
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to showcase all the achievements of women and girls and to me, also a time to raise awareness of the barriers and issues that women face every day. In pharmacy, it’s fantastic to see that women make up the majority of pharmacists, but we still need to work on having more women in pharmacy leadership roles.
I still think about my earlier career days, when I was a pharmacist working with an older, male pharmacy assistant. Patients would constantly request to speak to the pharmacist and point to him. I’d say that I can help, I’m the pharmacist, and to this day, I’m still shocked at the number of people who couldn’t hide their look of surprise.
We need to continue to encourage women pharmacists, whether they’re still students or already 15 years into their careers, that the pharmacy profession has endless possibilities, and they should recognize opportunities to grow. Women can – and should – be pharmacy owners, senior leaders in large organizations, CEOs, board chairs, etc. Encourage other women, build your network, and don’t let history or naysayers prevent you from exploring your potential.