Alisha Bains

residency pod assignment: nanaimo regional General hospital

Hello Everyone! My name is Alisha, and I am so honoured to be joining Island Health as a pharmacy resident this year!

I was born and raised in Nanaimo, where I completed my undergraduate studies prior to the Entry-to-Practice PharmD Program at UBC. In addition to being a student, I greatly valued my time spent as a Research Assistant to support multiple educational projects focusing on Indigenous health and working as an assistant in a pharmacy that specializes in mental health and addictions.

After graduating in 2022, I have been working as a community pharmacist and now cannot wait to switch gears to learn about hospital pharmacy and the clinical role.

In my free time, I enjoy managing my photography business, rock-climbing, camping, backpacking, ocean dips during any season, and marvelling over all things outdoors.

Mackenzie Balzan

residency pod assignment: nanaimo regional General hospital

i everyone! I am SO excited to be joining Island Health as a PGY1 resident for the 2023-2024 year. I was born and raised in small-town Powell River and became interested in pharmacy through job shadowing experiences in my high school years. I completed my pharmacy prerequisite courses at UBC Vancouver and was subsequently accepted into UBC’s PharmD program in 2018.

Since graduation in the spring of 2022, I relocated to northern BC and have been working in Fort St John and Dawson Creek as a community pharmacist. After a winter full of snow and -40°C days, I am thrilled to be moving back down to the coast!

Over the course of my education, I was introduced to hospital pharmacy, and fell in love with this area of practice during my practicum at Campbell River General Hospital. I am so thankful for this opportunity to further hone my clinical skills, explore my interest in primary care, and develop interprofessional connections during the residency year.

Outside of work, you can find me (stressfully) wedding planning, hiking, baking,

binging shows, online shopping, or quilting. I can’t wait for the upcoming year and all the learning experiences it will bring!

Ethan Wong

residency pod assignment: Victoria General hospital

Hi everyone! I’m excited for the opportunity to join the Island Health Residency Program this year.

I was raised in Vancouver and completed the Entry-to-Practice PharmD program at UBC in 2021. I’ve known I wanted to complete a residency since my first introduction into clinical pharmacy in first year. I’ve been working at Vancouver General Hospital after graduation as a distribution and BPMH pharmacist, and I’m excited to build upon the knowledge I’ve developed there.

In my free time you can either find me playing some form of sport, or at a local restaurant eating to my hearts content. I’m looking forward to exploring Victoria and the rest of the island throughout this residency year.

Manpreet Dulku

residency pod assignment: Royal Jubilee hospital, Victoria

I am ecstatic to be a member of the Island Health Pharmacy team. Being someone that was born and raised on the island, I could not think of a more perfect place to be completing my residency.

I studied Microbiology at UVIC and then moved to Vancouver in 2018 to complete my PharmD at the University of British Columbia. During pharmacy school, I was a summer student at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Since graduating in 2022, I have been working in community pharmacy where I was able to build relationships with many of our patients.

I look forward to an exciting year and career with Island Health.

Tazkia Hassan

residency pod assignment: Victoria General hospital

Hi! I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of the Island Health family as a Pharmacy Resident this year! Originally from Montreal, I completed a degree in chemistry at McGill. I, then, moved to BC and graduated from UBC’s Entry-to-Practice PharmD program in 2019 and found myself in beautiful Victoria.

I worked in community practice for 2.5 years before taking on the positions as staff and Home IV pharmacist at Victoria General Hospital. My positive experience in Home IV really fueled my passion for clinical and collaborative practice and led me to residency.

In my free time, I enjoy working with two pharmacy friends on our podcast Pharmacy ‘n Coffee, with which we hope to educate and empower the public on taking control of their health. My hobbies include traveling, singing and checking out new coffee shops. I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge and serving the Victoria community!

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Karmen Larsen

residency pod assignment: Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

Hello, my name is Karmen and I am excited to be a pharmacy resident with Island Health! I was born and raised on beautiful Vancouver Island and graduated from UBC Pharmacy in 2012.

I spent just over 9 years in community pharmacy before recently transitioning to Nanaimo General Hospital as a staff pharmacist.

I am thrilled to evolve and expand my pharmacy skills and knowledge. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, yoga, craft beer, being at the beach, and planning my next travel adventure.

Kevin Lin

residency pod assignment: Victoria General hospital

Hello, my name is Kevin and I am excited to be joining the island health pharmacy residency program!

I was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia alongside a large family of five sisters and one brother. I graduated from the Entry-to-Practice PharmD program at the University of British Columbia in 2022. Following graduation, I began working at Vancouver General Hospital as a hospital pharmacist in the dispensary, emergency department, and the pre-admission clinic. My positive experiences have not only shown me the diverse practice settings that a clinical pharmacist can fulfill but have reinforced my desire to work in a hospital setting.

In my spare time, you can find me hiking, playing tennis and beach volleyball, enjoying a craft beer, or spending quality time with my cat. In the year ahead, I look forward to advancing my pharmacy career as a clinical pharmacist, getting to know my fellow residents and pharmacy team members, and exploring all the beautiful things Vancouver Island has to offer!

Jaylen Mayall

POD Assignment: Campbell River/Comox Hospitals North Island

I can’t wait to start my residency with the Island Health Pharmacy team! I have worked as a clinical pharmacist for the past two years in North Battleford, Saskatchewan at the Battlefords Union Hospital, and at the Saskatchewan Hospital.

I have also had the opportunity to work for Continuing Professional Development for Pharmacy Professionals (CPDPP) to create and review courses for pharmacy professionals. Before working as a pharmacist, I completed my Bachelor of Science in physiology and pharmacology, and then completed my PharmD at the University of Saskatchewan.

In my free time, I enjoy exercising, being outdoors, and golfing (as long as I’m not keeping score). I am looking forward to growing both personally and professionally over the course of the program