Dr. Sean Spina, Manager , Clinical Programs and New Director of Residency Program

After many years as Residency Program Director David Forbes has decided to step down from this role since becoming Director of Pharmacy.

I would like to announce that Dr. Sean Spina will be assuming this responsibility.   The Residency Director & Coordinator are responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of our residency program. 

Sean joined Island Health in 2008 when he became the Clinical Coordinator at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. He became Manager of Clinical Programs for the Pharmacy Department in 2022.

Sean has been very active with the residency program for many years, serving on the Residency Advisory Committee and acting as primary preceptor for many residency projects.

Olivia Burton

residency pod assignment: Victoria General Hospital

Hello everyone, my name is Olivia Burton and I am very excited to continue my learning journey with Island Health as a PGY1 resident.

I was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and completed my pharmacy prerequisites at the University of Victoria. For the past few summers, I worked for Island Health as a pharmacy student in sterile products at RJH and completed my inpatient rotations at CVH and CDH. Completing my residency with Island Health means so much to me as I greatly value the mentorship I have gained through my experiences on the island.

In addition to my pharmacy education, I completed a research project, volunteered on a committee, and conducted a community outreach project that aimed to increase Indigenous representation in pharmacy. I plan to continue advocacy for Indigenous health throughout my pharmacy career.

Apart from my love for pharmacy, I enjoy outdoor activities such as trail running, surfing,skiing, backpacking, and fishing. I look forward to learning with you all over the coming year!

alison cheung

residency pod assignment: Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

My name is Alison and I am pleased to be joining the Island Health residency program this year. I was born and raised in Nanaimo B.C. but moved to Alberta to pursue a post-secondary education and PharmD.

I am highly passionate about this profession and was heavily involved with pharmacy-related activities throughout my four years of pharmacy school. Over the past three summers, I had the fortunate opportunity to work as an Island Health Pharmacy Summer Student where I gained exposure to hospital practice and wonderful clinical pharmacists and pharmacy leaders who inspired me and made me excited for my career.

In my spare time, I LOVE rock climbing, spending time with friends, reading and playing piano. A fun fact about me is I have a black belt in karate, and I am under 5 feet tall.

marie dai

residency pod assignment: Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

Hello everyone! I am thrilled to be joining the island residency cohort for this year.

I was born in Beijing, China, but moved to Shawnigan Lake soon after, where I have spent most of my time since toddlerhood. Prior to attending the UBC PharmD program, I completed my undergraduate degree at McGill University in Montreal, majoring in biochemistry and minoring in French Language and Literature. I have worked in a variety of healthcare settings throughout school, including community pharmacies, BC Cancer Surrey, as well as a precision prescribing software company based in Vancouver.

In my spare time, I like to foster pets from local animal shelters, thrift for vintage clothing, and do manicures/draw nail art for my friends. I have also dabbled in running, completing my first ever half-marathon in Victoria in 2022. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work at Island Health, where we will be caring for members of my home community and surrounding areas.

ingrid frank

residency pod assignment: Victoria General Hospital

Hi, I’m Ingrid, a UBC 2024 PharmD graduate originally from Victoria. I also hold a BSc from UVic. The island holds a special place in my heart, and I am beyond excited to be joining the Island Health PGY1 residency program and have the opportunity to give back to my community.

Throughout pharmacy school, I worked as a pharmacy assistant at BC Cancer in Vancouver. I have been involved in various student leadership positions and initiatives including as the Co-Founder and President of the UBC Pharmily Mentorship Program and President of Phi Lambda Sigma. This past summer, I worked in the Island Health Pharmacy summer student program.

Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy capturing moments that tell stories through photography and videography, traveling/exploring the world, and discovering local cafés and restaurants!

Tyler Hanson

residency pod assignment: Victoria General Hospital

Hello everyone! I was a summer student at RJH in 2010, graduated from the UBC Faculty of Pharmacy in 2011, and have been working steadily with Island Health for the past 3 years at WCGH/CVH/CRG in various roles as a L1 pharmacist. I’m looking forward to rejoining IH as a resident this coming year and working with you all in your specialties.

My background includes mostly everything I think by this point, from novel purine synthesis work in lab, to setting up and managing community pharmacies, to initiating inpatient spirometry clinic pharmacist involvement at WCGH, to data science projects on hospital readmission rates, to floor pharmacisting and precepting.

Prior to working with Island Health I have a lengthy 10 year tenure as an ex-“comm”-vict. I am currently working on completing a computer science degree through the University of London, UK. My clinical interests lie in emergency medicine and critical care, transplant, ID, and of course, data and optimization. When I am not busy being a nerd, you can find me enjoying music, food, travel, cycling, squash, the odd cold beverage/warm beach, and a good night’s sleep. I very much am looking forward to furthering my clinical skillset here at home and being exposed to new patient care scenarios, knowledge, and mentorship.

dorothy Lau

residency pod assignment: Royal Jubilee Hospital

Hi everyone, I am honoured and excited to be a pharmacy resident with Island Health!

My love with the island began during my 2nd year rotation at Royal Jubilee Hospital. After graduating from UBC Pharmacy in 2019, I started working as a community pharmacist in Vancouver. When the pandemic hit, I was thankful for the chance to move back to the island, where I worked at Victoria’s COVID vaccine clinic and Comox Valley Hospital before becoming a staff pharmacist at RJH. Through these diverse experiences, I am continuously inspired by the warmth, support and dedication of everyone at Island Health. I am very grateful for the opportunity to further develop my pharmacy career here. I look forward to strengthening my clinical skills and knowledge while taking on new challenges in residency.

In my free time, I may be found reading, swimming, listening to music and enjoying all the beautiful nature that Vancouver Island offers.

Madailein Schuckel

residency pod assignment: Royal Jubilee Hospital

Hello all!

I am elated to be joining the pharmacy team as a resident. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with both the experienced team members and my fellow residents.

Although, I am brand new to working as a pharmacist, graduating from UBC with my PharmD this May 2024, I am no stranger to Island Health. I started as a volunteer in high school, leading to my job as a patient porter at both RJH and VGH. I then transitioned to working at The Summit as a receptionist and workload coordinator. In recent years, I have been working as a Summer Student on various projects for the pharmacy department.

Born in Victoria and a local since the age of four, I consider myself fortunate to return to the island, a place that holds such specialness for me. Outside of work, you can catch me at the gym, singing, reading, hiking, swimming (preferably in warm weather), dancing and searching for warm vacation spots!

Looking forward to this exciting new chapter and contributing to the success of the pharmacy team!

david tse

POD Assignment: to be determined

Hello everyone! My name is David, and I am excited to be returning to Vancouver Island and Island Health after a phenomenal summer student experience in 2022, but now as a pharmacy resident!

Although the aforementioned experience was short and sweet, I just simply fell in love with Vancouver Island and its people. I particularly appreciated the mix of familiar city life and adjacency to the great outdoors. Previously I was raised in Metro Vancouver, completing the Entry-to-Practice PharmD degree at UBC in 2024.

Through my involvement with CSHP, participation in various mentorship programs and shadowing opportunities, and exposure to clinical practice, it was clear that clinical pharmacy was where my passion lies. Therefore, I am thrilled to be pursuing this career path via a pharmacy residency, especially one with Island Health!

In my spare time outside of work or academics, I can be sometimes found ‘out and about’ strolling around town, playing recreational tennis, plucking away on my acoustic guitar, or tinkering with old electronics.

I look forward to meeting fellow pharmacy residents and Island Health staff, refining my clinical pharmacy knowledge, and expanding my horizons on Vancouver Island