SETU lecturer and experienced community pharmacist, Dearbhla Walsh, was recently nominated for a prestigious Irish Pharmacy Award 2025 in the category of Pharmacist of the year.
The annual awards are hosted by the Irish Pharmacy News (IPN) and this year’s celebrations were held at a ceremony in Dublin.
Dearbhla was one of eight finalists selected from over 70 national entries for the coveted award which is one of the highest accolades in the Irish Pharmacy sector. She was nominated for her role with Campile Allcare pharmacy in county Wexford. Her nomination came alongside the pharmacy’s recognition in four categories, including Independent Pharmacy of the Year, a testament to the impact of the organisation’s work and its patient-led approach to care.
A steadfast advocate for patient care and health education
With 15 years of frontline pharmacy experience, before her move into academia, Dearbhla has been a steadfast advocate for patient care and health education. During her community pharmacy career, she delivered vital services such as smoking cessation, cholesterol and blood pressure checks, vaccines, weight management clinics, and care talks on topics including menopause and elderly care.
These services are vital to the community in improving health care outcomes for patients of all ages and backgrounds. Dearbhla has also worked closely with families dealing with conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s, diabetes and dementia.
Commitment to teaching and lifelong learning
Committed to lifelong learning, Dearbhla continually upskilled throughout her sectoral career and has made signification contributions to the training of fellow pharmacy professionals through mentoring of pharmacy technician and counter staff, and now in her role as lecturer and tutor on the MPharm programme.
Reflecting on the event, Dearbhla said, “It was an incredible honour to be shortlisted for the Pharmacist of the Year award. While I didn’t win, being in the final eight among such dedicated professionals was humbling. The evening was a celebration of the incredible work happening in pharmacies across the country.”
“I look forward to continuing my journey in the pharmacy sector as I focus on guiding MPharm students through their work to become fully qualified pharmacists,” Dearbhla added.
The Irish Pharmacy Awards, hosted by IPN, celebrate excellence and innovation across 13 categories, recognising the essential contributions of pharmacists and their teams to healthcare in Ireland.
IPN is a prominent publication dedicated to Ireland’s pharmacy professionals. It serves as a vital resource for updates, insights, and professional development in the field of pharmacy. The monthly magazine provides a comprehensive blend of industry news, clinical features. product news, opinion pieces and continuing professional development.
Please note: SETU's MPharm programme is subject to accreditation. All information provided about the programme is subject to change.
