Arthur Catapano
Manager, Pharmacy Outreach
What is your role at OPA, and what does it entail?
I am the Manager, Pharmacy Outreach at the Ontario Pharmacists Association. My role focuses on identifying opportunities to engage and support our members across all stages of their careers and practice settings. A key part of my work is ensuring the diverse needs of pharmacy professionals are reflected in the programs, resources, and services we provide.
This includes designing and delivering member benefit programs, organizing OPA events, and connecting directly with pharmacy professionals to better understand their perspectives and help enhance the overall member experience.
What is your educational/career background, and what drew you to OPA?
I completed my PharmD at University of Waterloo during the COVID pandemic. After pharmacy school, I worked as a community pharmacist as well as a medical editor at a healthcare marketing company.
I was first drawn to OPA because of our mission to support pharmacy professionals and advance the profession. Early in my pharmacy career, the important role of pharmacists and pharmacy teams within the healthcare system became very high-profile public conversations. I saw first-hand how OPA’s efforts as an organization could lead to meaningful, positive changes for patients and pharmacy professionals, and I wanted to be a part of that work.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I really enjoy connecting with our members and building relationships with them, as well as hearing their experiences and stories to better understand how we can support them as an organization.
In your view, what might the future of pharmacy look like?
I believe that technology advancements and policy changes are going to continue to fuel a shift to service-based care in pharmacies. I can envision pharmacies continuing to evolve into community health hubs, with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians playing a greater role in interdisciplinary health teams.
When you’re not at work, how do you like to spend your time?
Usually hanging out with my wife, family, and friends! If I’m not playing board games or sports with them, you can usually find me with my eyes glued to a book while sipping coffee or tea.
What is your favourite place in the world?
My favourite place in the world is anywhere with a beach and hot weather. The place I’m most eager to visit would be Italy.
What’s a recent book, movie, or show you’ve enjoyed?
It’s hard to choose one book, but I’d give the nod to Jade City by Fonda Lee. For movies, I recently saw Obsession in theatres, went in with pretty high expectations, and still left unsettled and with goosebumps. If you’re into horror films, it’s a must-watch.
We are always thrilled to hear about our member stories, if you’d like to be featured or want to feature a colleague, please contact [email protected].