The Pharmacist Healthcare Leadership Forum 2024 prepares pharmacists for leadership roles
21 Mar 2024
Organizers, presenters and attendees at the Pharmacist Healthcare Leadership Forum 2024. (Picture courtesy of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society.)The first-ever Pharmacist Healthcare Leadership Forum, organized by the Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy Chapter of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society and supported by MIMS as the media partner, was a resounding success. Held on 2nd March 2024 at the Sunway Medical Convention Centre, the forum aimed to equip pharmacists with essential leadership skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities to excel in their profession and contribute effectively to the healthcare sector.
Event Highlights
Welcoming Remark and Opening Speech: The Pharmacist Healthcare Leadership Forum commenced with a heartwarming welcome from Mr. Ong Aik Liang, the Organizing Chairman, setting the stage for an inspiring day ahead. His opening remarks emphasized the importance of recognizing and nurturing the leadership potential within the pharmacist community.
Prof. Amrahi Bin Buang, the esteemed Guest of Honour, took the stage with an inspiring address and lauded the organizing committee for spearheading this inaugural event.
Keynote Address: The keynote address on leadership journeys in pharmacy by Brigadier General Professor (Honorary) Dato’ Dr. A Halim Hj Basari was particularly inspiring as he walked the audience through various styles of leadership. Prof Halim’s main takeaway was his advice for pharmacists to acquire ‘TAK KESAH’: a mnemonic representing talent, knowledge, experiences, skills, attitudes, and habits. He also emphasized that understanding one’s strengths and knowing one’s weaknesses is key to a versatile or flexible leader.
Plenary Sessions
The morning session of the forum was packed with enriching plenary sessions, each delving into crucial aspects of leadership in pharmacy.
Medication Management Expertise and Patient-Centered Care - Prof. Dr. Mohd Bin Makmor Bakry, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at UKM, enlightened the audience on the importance of medication management expertise in delivering patient-centered care.
Building a Competent Team - Mr. Dennis Ting, Business Development and Strategy Manager at SJMC, shared valuable leadership strategies for building and empowering competent teams within healthcare organizations.
Effective Communication in the Workplace - Ms. Fontaine Fong, CEO of Financial Rx, highlighted the significance of clear and concise communication for fostering a positive work environment.
Managing Inter-Generational Differences in the Workplace - Mr. Lai Han Ping, CEO of Organic Fields, addressed the challenges of managing inter-generational differences in the workplace.
Pharmacists as Drivers of Positive Change - Ms. Khor Xin Yun, CEO of NKF, highlighted the role of pharmacists as drivers of positive change in the healthcare industry, advocating for proactive involvement in patient care and advocacy.
Mastering Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Ms. Sherry Woo, Senior Director, Allied Health Services at Sunway Medical Centre, discussed leadership approaches for mastering interdisciplinary collaboration in the modern healthcare environment.
Leading Innovation in Healthcare - Mr. Tse-Ming Pang, Managing Director of EP Plus, shared insights into effective leadership in driving innovation within the healthcare industry, inspiring attendees to embrace innovation and drive positive change in their organizations.
Challenges and Opportunities in Pharmacy Practice - Mr. Then Ru Luen, Corporate Business Strategy Manager of Alpro Pharmacy, offered valuable insights into navigating challenges and embracing opportunities in contemporary pharmacy practice.
Looking Ahead