BARRHEAD - Barrhead resident Caitlyn Clarke has been named the recipient of the Alberta Pharmacists Association (RxA) Bowl of Hygieia Award.
The award is part of the association's annual APEX (Alberta Pharmacy Excellence) Awards and will be presented in Edmonton in late April.
The Bowl of Hygieia is the most widely recognized international symbol for the profession of pharmacy and dates back centuries. The award has been distributed by pharmaceutical organizations across North America, including the Alberta Pharmacy Association, since the 1960s to recognize pharmacists who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the welfare of their communities.
Clarke holds a doctorate in Post-Professional Doctor of Pharmacy and has worked as a clinical pharmacist at multiple pharmacies, including Rita's Apothecary in Barrhead and the LifeMed Pharmacy in Whitecourt, where she currently works. She was named the association's Bowl of Hygieia 2023 recipient in late February.
"Dr Clarke has demonstrated her unwavering commitment and stunning achievements in community service throughout her life," the RxA stated.
As a teenager in high school, Clarke received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. The former Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip created the award in 1963 to help young people discover their untapped talents for the betterment of their community. Upon graduating high school, Clarke volunteered at The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts at their World Centre in Switzerland. Clarke would remain active with the Girl Guides movement, participating in the Alberta Girls Parliament.
The RxA noted that in Barrhead, Clarke was an active member of the Blue Heron Support Services Association (BHSSA), a not-for-profit organization that helps individuals with developmental, physical, sensory and brain injuries. And while she is no longer a member, she still is a consultant for the organization who is often called upon to train staff.
In addition, for the last seven years, Clarke has been a volunteer member of the Alberta Health Expert Committee on Drug Evaluation and Therapeutics. The committee's purpose is to advise the health ministry and the minister of health regarding medical treatments included on the Alberta Drug Benefit List, which defines the prescription drugs and products covered by the government’s supplemental health benefit programs.
However, Clarke believes the RxA gave her the Bowl of Hygieia Award, is because of her efforts as a friend and advocate of the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (2SLGBTQ+) community.
Specifically, Clarke spearheaded the drive for Barrhead's first-ever pride rainbow crosswalk in the spring of 2022. At about the same time, she also attempted, with the help of Barrhead's United Church, to launch an all-inclusive after-school youth program where 2SLGBTQ+ youths could feel safe.
"It is quite humbling," she said, adding she learned about her nomination in the fall and her subsequent win at continuing education session sponsored by RxA in early March. "I was more than a bit shocked by both because my mom (Rita Lyster) won the award in 2009. At the time, she was doing a million and a half things in the community. And to be considered to be at the same level, it truly is an honour."
Regrettably, the youth group never got off the ground.
Clarke said they've been doing a lot of research into different ways to structure the group and have been talking with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, including with Barrhead Composite High School's gay-straight alliance club, along with other organizations such as Outloud Foundation in St. Albert.
"The community is not quite ready for such a group yet, so it has been put on hold as youth do not feel safe enough to attend," she said. "But I will continue work with the pride crosswalk to show the queer community that they have advocates that are working to create safe places for them where they can feel free to be themselves."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
