Ashleigh Hutson from Bardens Amcal Pharmacy, in the Northern Territory, has been recognised as Australia's outstanding pharmacy assistant of 2021 after being named the Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year (PATY).
The award recognises outstanding pharmacy assistants' skills, knowledge, leadership and customer service across 12 months.
Ashleigh was chosen from hundreds of pharmacy assistants and eight State winners following a national judging.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s National President, Trent Twomey, congratulated Ashleigh.
"Ashleigh should be very proud of this achievement," Mr Twomey said.
"Ashleigh was chosen from amongst a very completive field of candidates, and there were many talented applicants this year for PATY from across Australia.
"This year's award is also significant as it is being awarded against the backdrop of COVID-19, which has seen outstanding efforts within pharmacy across Australia — to win this award within this context is even more extraordinary.
"Ashleigh receives over $10,000 worth of prizes, including a trophy, a cash prize of $5,000, a customised training package, and return flights, accommodation, and registration to the COVID Safe Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP) and the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference in 2022."
Ashleigh said she was very proud to have won the award and that it represented a significant milestone in their career.
"This is amazing. I can't tell you how proud I am to have won this," she said.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity. I am so passionate about this career. It’s just an honour to be awarded this title.”
Dan Shalhoub and Artie Kalogeropoulos, PATY judges and representatives from the award’s major sponsor, AFT Pharmaceuticals, also congratulated Ashleigh on winning the national title.
“Maxigesic would like to congratulate Ashleigh on winning PATY21,” they said.
“Maxigesic recognises the vital role of pharmacy assistants within community pharmacy across Australia and this is why we are proud to be the major sponsor of this prestigious award. This year the quality of candidates was exceptional, showing a level of innovation and customer service that sets the benchmark across the country.”
In addition, Donna Williamson from Redland Bay Discount Drug Store in Queensland was named the winner of the National Glucojel Super Star Award.
The National Glucojel Super Star Award recognises outstanding customer service amongst the top PATY State Finalists.
Further information about PATY as well as details about this years' state winners can be found here.
