The Pharmacy Student Leadership Award
I believe I was awarded the Pharmacy Student Leadership Award because I have consistently tried to look beyond my own progression and focus on how I can support and uplift others within the pharmacy community. Throughout my degree, I have taken on leadership roles that centre on communication, education, and student advocacy, whether through representing students, running interactive workshops, mentoring peers, or contributing to initiatives that improve learning experiences, such as Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) preparation. I am proactive in creating spaces where students feel supported, confident, and motivated to engage with pharmacy beyond the curriculum. Rather than waiting for opportunities, I actively seek ways to add value, bring people together, and translate ideas into action. I think the award reflects not just what I have done, but the mindset I bring to leadership.
Receiving the award is incredibly meaningful to me because it represents recognition for the time, energy, and intention I have put into serving the student community alongside my studies. Pharmacy can be demanding, and this award reassures me that investing in leadership, communication, and collaboration alongside academic work is both valid and valuable. It feels like an acknowledgement that leadership in pharmacy is not limited to titles, but is about showing up, supporting others, and striving to make systems work better for students and patients alike. Personally, it has given me a great sense of pride and motivation, reinforcing my belief that pharmacy needs engaged, reflective leaders at every level. It encourages me to continue contributing with confidence and purpose.
The awards’ impact on me and my future
The award has strengthened my confidence in pursuing leadership, education, and advocacy roles within pharmacy in the long term. It has encouraged me to be more intentional about seeking opportunities where I can influence positive change, particularly around student support, communication skills, and patient-centred practice.
Professionally, the award acts as a reminder that leadership is something I should continue developing alongside clinical competence, not something to postpone. It has also expanded my sense of responsibility, motivating me to represent pharmacy students well and to use my platform thoughtfully. Ultimately, the award has reinforced my aspiration to contribute to pharmacy not only as a clinician but also as someone involved in shaping learning environments, supporting future pharmacists, and helping the profession continue to evolve.
My interest in pharmacy
The aspect of pharmacy that interests me most is the intersection between clinical knowledge and communication. Pharmacy is uniquely positioned at the point where science meets real people, and the impact of how we communicate can be just as significant as the medicines themselves. I am particularly drawn to patient education, counselling, and the role pharmacists play in empowering individuals to understand and manage their health. Alongside this, I am interested in how pharmacy education and training can be improved to better prepare students for real-world practice, especially in areas such as consultations, confidence, and decision-making. This combination of patient-facing impact and system-level improvement is what motivates me to get involved beyond the lecture theatre.
My three tips for those beginning their pharmacy course
Firstly, say yes to opportunities early, even if you feel underqualified. Growth in pharmacy often comes from experiences outside the lecture theatre, and confidence develops through action, not waiting until you feel ‘ready’.
Secondly, prioritise communication skills alongside academic knowledge. How you explain, listen, and empathise will define your effectiveness as a future pharmacist just as much as what you know.
Finally, build relationships and seek mentors. Pharmacy is a collaborative profession, and learning from peers, older students, and professionals can open doors you may not even be aware of yet. Enjoy the journey, be curious, and remember that your degree is not just about passing exams, but about shaping the kind of pharmacist you want to become.
By Oscar Ndulor, pharmacy student and winner of the Pharmacy Student Leadership Award at the Scottish Healthcare Awards
Each year, the PDA sponsors the Student Leadership category of the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish Healthcare Awards
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