Guild acknowledges significant contribution
15 October 2015
Guild acknowledges significant contribution made to the pharmacy sector by Elizabeth Plant and Dale Griffiths
The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) recognises and acknowledges the significant contribution that both Elizabeth Plant and Dale Griffiths have made to the New Zealand pharmacy sector throughout their careers.
Guild Chief Executive, Lee Hohaia says “In September it was with regret that we learnt that Elizabeth and Dale would be stepping down from their roles with the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ). For the past ten years the Guild has worked collaboratively with Elizabeth and Dale, and their expertise and vision for the sector will be missed.
“Both have been recognised as having been a driving force at the PSNZ, steering the organisation throughout its changing role, to becoming the strong advocate for the advancement of the pharmacy profession it is today. Elizabeth and Dale have played a key role is establishing services such as CPAMS, they have lead the development of the National Pharmacists Framework, as well as the New Zealand Medicines Strategy, all of which have helped reinforce the extremely valuable role pharmacists play in New Zealand health care.
“Elizabeth and Dale have both had extremely impressive careers to date, with a number of significant accomplishments under their belts as well as having received elite awards for their contributions.
“Elizabeth was the President of the PSNZ from 2008 until 2013, was awarded a Fellowship of the PSNZ in 2009, received Ministerial appointment to the National Health IT Board in 2010 until present, currently holds the position of Director, Medication Management, at Taranaki DHB, and was awarded Best Hospital Pharmacist and Best Medication Safety Presentation at the International Pyxis User Group in Barcelona in 2006, and these are just a handful of her career highlights!
“Dale worked as a community pharmacist for a number of years following his registration in 1980, following his interest in diabetes treatment he represented local pharmacists on the Waitemata DHB Lead Diabetes Team for 18 months, he has since held a number of positions in pharmacy organisations including the PSNZ Auckland Branch President in 2003 and 2004, he was elected as Chair of the New Zealand College of Pharmacists Executive Council in 2010 until the college’s merger into PSNZ, Dale was then elected Vice-President of PSNZ and in 2013 was elected as President. Dale has also been awarded a Fellowship of the PSNZ and has held governance roles at the School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland. Again, this is only a snapshot of the highlights of Dale’s career.
“On behalf of the Guild I sincerely thank both Elizabeth and Dale for their longstanding commitment, dedication, and outstanding contribution to the pharmacy profession in New Zealand. It is people like you that have helped achieve the highly respected and sought after standard of professional pharmacy services that we enjoy and represent in New Zealand. We wish you both all the best in your future endeavours.”
ENDS