OTTAWA, June 3, 2011 /CNW/ - Jody Shkrobot, Manager of Pharmacy Services and Professional Affairs with Value Drug Mart in Edmonton, Alberta, has assumed the position of President of the Canadian Pharmacists Association for 2011-2012.  Mr. Shkrobot officially assumed his duties following the conclusion of the Annual Conference of the Canadian Pharmacists Association in Montreal, Quebec.  He takes over from Ruth Ackerman, who served as the 2010-2011 President and now assumes the position of Past President.

Mr. Shkrobot's career as a pharmacist has allowed him to practice in both community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy settings in Ft. McMurray and St. Albert, Alberta.  In 2000, he joined Value Drug Mart Associates to focus on providing continuing professional development for pharmacists and to develop patient care initiatives for a group of independent community pharmacies.  Jody's current position as Manager of Pharmacy Services and Professional Affairs has allowed him to create and implement a variety of pharmacist provided clinical service programs in areas such as smoking cessation, diabetes management and injection and immunization services. Jody and his wife Lisa, who is also a pharmacist, have recently acquired and now operate their own community pharmacy practice, Salvus Rxellence Professional Dispensary in St. Albert.

"I am proud to be taking over as President for an association that has provided leadership to our profession over the past century", stated Mr. Shkrobot.  "The past year has witnessed an unprecedented level of change in pharmacy - CPhA must strengthen its position of leadership in order to guide these changes, and ensure that the interests of pharmacists are represented to the utmost," he added.

"I wish Jody the best in his new position", said Past President Ruth Ackerman.  "Having worked with Jody for several years, I know that he is hard-working, dedicated, and passionate about pharmacy.  CPhA will be well served with Jody at the helm".

In addition to Mr. Shkrobot, Paula MacNeil has been elected President-Elect, and Janet Bradshaw, Sherry Peister, and Jane Farnham-Verway have been elected as Vice-Presidents of the association.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association was founded in 1907 and is the national professional voluntary association providing leadership to pharmacists in all areas of practice.  Our members are active in community and hospital pharmacies, in long-term care facilities, home care, academia and industry.

For further information:
Jeff Morrison, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs
613-523-7877, x386 (phone); 613-523-0445 (fax)
jmorrison@pharmacists.ca (email)