24/09/2025
It’s World Pharmacists Day today! A day where we come together to thank and celebrate the wonderful work that pharmacists are doing every day. To help celebrate, we would like to introduce you to Amira, who is our Team Leader for the Self Medication Program (SMP).
As one of our three senior pharmacists, Amira leads a team of four who coordinate the planning, packaging, dispatching, data monitoring and everything else that goes into making the self-medication program a success.
The program seeks to give autonomy back to patients, allowing them to manage select medication as they would in the community, empowering them to manage their health independently.
The program has been a resounding success, and has been an incredible source of satisfaction for Amira:
“We now have over 1,600 patients on the program. It’s a constant balancing act to keep pace with deadlines, as patients are always joining and leaving the program due to releases. I’m so proud of how SMP helps nursing staff with medication management and supports patient independence that prepares them for life back in the community.”
Amira’s career journey is as inspiring as the work she leads. After working overseas as a pharmacist, she moved to Australia and had to start again – requalifying, adjusting to a new culture, and carving out her place in a new healthcare system.
“That first year was tough – re-registering as a pharmacist here while settling into a new environment. My first role was a temporary position at Calvary Health Care Kogarah, but joining Justice Health gave me the stability of a permanent role and the opportunity to continue to purse hospital pharmacy where I am part of a multidisciplinary team.”
Thirteen years later, Amira continues to credit the pharmacy team as one of the biggest reasons she has stayed.
“I’m so blessed with this team. They’re a collaborative, resilient, values-driven team, with a high sense of duty that never hesitate to help. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of them.”
For Amira, one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is supporting the nurses with their daily duties.
“When I dispatch medication, I feel like I’m giving them a bit of relief and some time back away from packing pills. The collaboration around SMP strengthens my rapport with staff across the state, I feel like I know them even if we have never met face to face.”
When Amira’s not at work helping to empower patients, you’ll find her coaching junior netball, teaching Sunday School at her local church, and volunteering in community programs.
With a busy schedule at work and away from it, what is around the corner for Amira?
“With the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) on the horizon, I’m eager to play a bigger role in digital health transformation, training, and change management. Getting technology to work seamlessly for staff while improving outcomes for patients.”
