Suchdev Kalsi
Pharmacy Manager at the Ottawa-Baseline Walmart
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your role?
My name is Suchdev Kaur Kalsi. I am the Pharmacy Manager at the Ottawa-Baseline Walmart. I’m a strong advocate for my patients’ health, and I love my work as a pharmacist. I have a passion for the work I do providing care services to the community.
What inspired you to become a pharmacist?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to make a meaningful difference in peoples’ lives and knew I would become a healthcare provider. I believe every individual is unique, and good health is the foundation that allows everything else to fall into place. Pharmacy combines my interest in science with my passion for helping people achieve the best health outcome possible.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Every day is different. It’s amazing how many people a pharmacist can help in a single day, and I genuinely value the trust patients place in our pharmacy team. I love when patients stop by the pharmacy just to say hi or introduce me to their family members. Being a pharmacist is incredibly rewarding, especially when I see how grateful patients are for the care and service they received.
Can you share a moment when you really felt the impact you had on a patient?
I had a patient looking for something to treat her heartburn. During a consultation for heartburn, I noticed symptoms that required further medical attention. I provided counselling, provided additional medications, ensured the patient understood when to seek immediate care, and encouraged her to follow-up with emergency services. A short time later, she returned with her husband to let me know after she left the pharmacy, she had to use the additional medication in the middle of the night. She was having a heart attack and was taken to hospital by ambulance. At the emergency department, she was told that the additional medication saved her life. It reinforced how important pharmacists are in identifying red flags and supporting patients in accessing appropriate care.
How do you think pharmacists are becoming even more essential to Ontario’s healthcare system?
If you take into account the expanded scope of practice and the fact that not every person in Ontario has a family doctor, pharmacists play a vital role in Ontario’s healthcare system and individual health journeys. Pharmacists are well positioned to assess and support patients and, within their authorized scope, prescribe for certain minor ailments and provide clinical services.
As a manager of a pharmacy team, how do you see expanded scope elevate the role of pharmacy technicians?
As the scope of practice expands, pharmacy technicians play an increasingly critical role. Skilled pharmacy technicians in the dispensary allow pharmacists to focus more of their time on delivering pharmaceutical clinical, patient-centred care.
Why is being an OPA member important to you?
I’ve been a proud OPA member for many years. Being part of OPA has given me the opportunity to build strong professional connections and meet some wonderful people along the way. The network of healthcare providers is fantastic, and I regularly take advantage of the accredited continuing education opportunities. I’ve benefited greatly from the wide range of courses, practice guides, and other learning tools offered. This level of support gives me confidence that I have access to everything I need through my membership.
How does professional advocacy help support pharmacists like you on the front lines?
OPA is a strong, supportive voice that advocates for pharmacists. OPA is committed to elevating our practice and provides a solid foundation for the continued growth and expansion of our profession.
What excites you most about the future of pharmacy?
With the expansion of our scope of practice, I’m most excited to see that our pharmacy profession continues to move beyond dispensing and into a more clinical role. It’s fantastic to be able to assess and prescribe for more minor ailments, expand our injection vaccination services and potentially order lab tests. We’re already doing so much more than we were just a few years ago.
I’m excited to see that list continue to grow over the years. As pharmacists, we’re very knowledgeable and well trained to make significant and measurable differences in patients’ health outcomes while easing pressure on the larger healthcare system. It’s rewarding to see our communities recognize how much pharmacists and their teams have to offer.
What advice would you give to new or future pharmacists entering the profession?
My advice to pharmacists entering the profession is to wear your lab coat with pride and never underestimate the difference you can make in people’s lives. Always strive for excellence. Being a pharmacist is about so much more than signing and dispensing prescriptions. You’re a skilled, trusted, and valued member of the healthcare team.
There are meaningful opportunities to continue expanding pharmacist-led care in a way that improves access and supports the broader healthcare system. Find a workplace where your ideas are valued, where you have the tools you need to do your job and where you can shine. Feeling supported at work is essential and it can make all the difference!
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].