Kirk Opie, College of Pharmacy
When Kirk Opie crosses the stage to receive his Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) on May 28, he will be continuing a longstanding family tradition. His grandfather began his career in pharmacy as a certified dispenser in the 1940s before going on to medical school. His father did a Masters of Science at ±«Óătv with a focus on pharmacology before beginning his career in dentistry.
Kirkâs mother graduated with a BSc in Pharmacy in 1976 and recently retired after 40 years of practice â in fact, his parents met at ±«Óătv. His aunt graduated with a BSc in Pharmacy in 1992 and Kirkâs sister, Sarah Opie, graduated with the same degree in 2010. His other sister, Esther, is a Nursing graduate from ±«Óătv.
While he is busy carving his own path, Kirk acknowledges the strong family connections to ±«Óătv and particularly, the College of Pharmacy. âI really grew up in the midst of it,â he says. âI credit my whole family for where I am today. I grew up watching them make a difference in peopleâs lives and this is what led me to want to enter the health field. I want to make a difference, too.â
Originally from North Sydney, Cape Breton, Kirk says his sister Sarah has been a particularly strong influence on him. âSarah has been a role model for me, throughout my path in Pharmacy,â he says, noting that they spent time working together in a Pharmacy during his program. âShe helped me to develop my skills, and I love how she can connect with people. Itâs what I aspire to in my career.â
Kirkâs desire to make a difference is also what inspired him to pursue an education in Pharmacy. âI always knew I wanted to be in a field where I can interact with people and make a difference. I was drawn to the health professions, but I wasnât sure exactly where to specialize,â he says. âI saw what pharmacists were doing and how the profession was evolving, and I liked where it was going.Ìę I wanted to do something where I was involved with patient care, could develop my skills and knowledge, and help people. Pharmacy was a good fit.â
Family history aside, Kirk was attracted to ±«Óătvâs College of Pharmacy because of its excellent reputation. âIâve always heard that ±«Óătv is one of the top pharmacy schools in Canada. The pharmacy profession is changing; there are so many changes to drugs and medication. At Dal, there is a lot of self-learning, and a focus on critical thinking and critical appraisal. The program really prepares you for practice. Itâs a well-developed program where we get the best experience possible.â
In addition to graduating from university, this year marks another major event for Kirk; heâs getting married in the summer. ÌęHis fiancĂ©e, Lyndsay Russell, is a graduate of ±«Óătv Medical School and is finishing up a paediatric medical residency at the IWK.
Kirkâs future career plans include working in a community practice. âI feel thatâs where I can make the biggest difference.â
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