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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 9 1免费版下 with a focus on pharmacology before beginning his career in dentistry.

Kirk鈥檚 mother graduated with a BSc in Pharmacy in 1976 and recently retired after 40 years of practice 鈥� in fact, his parents met at 9 1免费版下. His aunt graduated with a BSc in Pharmacy in 1992 and Kirk鈥檚 sister, Sarah Opie, graduated with the same degree in 2010. His other sister, Esther, is a Nursing graduate from 9 1免费版下.

While he is busy carving his own path, Kirk acknowledges the strong family connections to 9 1免费版下 and particularly, the College of Pharmacy. 鈥淚 really grew up in the midst of it,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 credit my whole family for where I am today. I grew up watching them make a difference in people鈥檚 lives and this is what led me to want to enter the health field. I want to make a difference, too.鈥�

Originally from North Sydney, Cape Breton, Kirk says his sister Sarah has been a particularly strong influence on him. 鈥淪arah has been a role model for me, throughout my path in Pharmacy,鈥� he says, noting that they spent time working together in a Pharmacy during his program. 鈥淪he helped me to develop my skills, and I love how she can connect with people. It鈥檚 what I aspire to in my career.鈥�

Kirk鈥檚 desire to make a difference is also what inspired him to pursue an education in Pharmacy. 鈥淚 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 wasn鈥檛 sure exactly where to specialize,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 saw what pharmacists were doing and how the profession was evolving, and I liked where it was going.听 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.鈥�

Family history aside, Kirk was attracted to 9 1免费版下鈥檚 College of Pharmacy because of its excellent reputation. 鈥淚鈥檝e always heard that 9 1免费版下 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. It鈥檚 a well-developed program where we get the best experience possible.鈥�

In addition to graduating from university, this year marks another major event for Kirk; he鈥檚 getting married in the summer. 听His fianc茅e, Lyndsay Russell, is a graduate of 9 1免费版下 Medical School and is finishing up a paediatric medical residency at the IWK.

Kirk鈥檚 future career plans include working in a community practice. 鈥淚 feel that鈥檚 where I can make the biggest difference.鈥�

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