Member Profiles

Former CSCP Treasurer and Canadian Consultant Pharmacy Pioneer
(Bio provided by Rochelle Feldberg.)

Phil graduated 7th in his pharmacy class at the University of Toronto in 1969. While he was in school he worked part time at Bergson Drugs. This is where he met Albert Appelbaum, a pharmacist and someone who became Phil"s mentor. After graduating from pharmacy, he worked at Economy Prescriptions, which was a "professional" pharmacy mostly dispensing prescriptions in a professional setting. While there Phil was approached by Albert Appelbaum to join him at Medico Pharmacy. Medico Pharmacy was in a medical building and had very little front shop, focusing on filling prescriptions. Albert was starting to service nursing homes and introduced Phil to this new type of dispensing. Shortly after, Phil was approached by Albert to purchase the pharmacy. Albert went on to other venues and Phil began focusing on nursing homes. Phil truly enjoyed practicing this form of pharmacy. He worked hard putting in long hours to build up the business, loving every minute of it. It wasn't too long after this that Phil heard about the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and became a member. Phil was like a sponge, soaking up all the information and techniques for servicing nursing homes and retirement homes. At that time there were about 500 members in ASCP. Phil was able to have lengthy talks with the other pharmacists and even flew to their cities of operation to see how their businesses were being run. Everyone was willing to let Phil in on the operating of their pharmacies and services because Phil was Canadian and therefore not considered to be competition. The rest as they say is history as Phil created a dynasty in Nursing Home care. Phil was highly respected by the industry and his peers.

Family was one of the most important parts of his life. He was a terrific and proud dad and enjoyed spending quality time with his three children, Jeffrey, Robyn, and Adam whether it was playing games, attending sporting events, or helping with school work Time together was precious and Phil always made time to be with his wife and children. Phil loved people and they responded to his kindness, generosity.

Phil also loved sports cars, hockey, baseball, basketball and gadgets. If a new "toy" was available, (e.g. cell phone, camera new type of T.V., radio, etc.) Phil had to check it out. Phil loved taking pictures and we have hundreds of albums documenting important milestones, and vacations. Phil belonged to B'nai Brith, sat on boards in various capacities. He donated generously to many different organizations all over the world. When someone approached Phil for money it was difficult for him to refuse.

Prostate cancer took the life of this wonderful, loving and generous husband, father, son, son-in-law brother, uncle, and friend. Phil was 59 when he succumbed to the ravages of cancer, but, as with everything else in his life, he was a valiant warrior who never gave up hope and never let on to others how much pain he endured. Over 2000 people attended Phil"s funeral. I believe this alone defines who Philip Feldberg was.

He is sorely missed by all of us , but leaves a wonderful legacy to his children and grandchildren.

Luis Viana R.Ph., M.Ed., CGP winner of the 2009 Novopharm Award of Excellence

The Novopharm Award of Excellence in Senior Care Pharmacy is an award conferred annually to a senior care pharmacist who consistently uses their skills in improve the care and quality of life of the senior population and demonstrates leadership in advancing pharmaceutical care to this population.

Luis Viana is a consultant pharmacist with Medical Pharmacies in London, Ontario. He clearly demonstrates a passion for his profession and care for his patients. In addition to providing valuable services to long-term care facilities, Luis is a teacher to many. Luis is currently on faculty at the University of Waterloo and has been instrumental in ensuring that an enhanced geriatric curriculum is offered to all students. Luis has also served as a teaching associate for the University of Toronto, mentoring 4th year pharmacy students in their Structured Practical Experience Program. He has also developed and delivered the 30 hour community college accredited “Medications in the Elderly” course in cooperation with Conestoga College to practicing nurses. In addition to this, Luis instructs his peers at the CGP Preparation course offered annually by the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association.

Luis graduated from the University of Toronto with his Pharmacy degree in 1987, obtained his Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) designation in 1999 and a Master of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2005.

Watch for Luis’ latest publication! He has authored an article titled “The Management of Advanced Parkinson’s Disease” which appeared in the November 2009 issue of Pharmacy Practice.

The Novopharm Award of Excellence in Senior Care Pharmacy was presented to Luis by David Windross of Teva-Novopharm at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Society of Consultant Pharmacists in Anaheim, California. Luis was presented with an engraved plaque and a $1000 cash prize.

Kristine L. Petrasko, BScPharm, CRE

Kristine graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba in 2000 and has experience in both community and hospital pharmacy. Although not working directly in LTC, Kristine has still had a considerable impact on many older individuals. Acting as a consultant pharmacist she has been able to provide additional educational programs and services for health care professionals, and the public, above and beyond the traditional dispensing role. She has combined these efforts on many occasions with The Parkinson’s Society of Manitoba, The Lung Association of Manitoba, and Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors.

Some highlights of Kristine’s career include:

• Worked with a multidisciplinary team via “MHC for Lungs” – a rehabilitation program at Misericordia Health Centre in Winnipeg, MB. Here she helped to provide education and consultations during each 5-week program session for patients suffering from more severe forms of COPD.
• Acted as coordinator and educator for an Asthma Education Program at the Portage District General Hospital for over two years, providing one-on-one consultations for patients with breathing difficulties. During this time, she also led a 6-week school based program with the assistance of another colleague and the Children’s Asthma Education Centre just this past fall.
• Developed and presented various educational seminars to Senior’s groups, including the “Let’s Talk” presentation on medication safety and awareness. This topic was also presented to the Manitoba Pharmacists in 2007 as a continuing education session.
• Completed the Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Traineeship through the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) in April 2007. Kristine enjoys helping patients in the community setting and volunteering as a medication resource specialist with the Parkinson’s Society of Manitoba. “These programs are extremely worthwhile and very specialized….I would highly recommend these to anyone that has a specific interest area that they are keen on pursuing further. It really helped me to advance myself in the area of PD pharmacotherapy in order to help my patients understand the management of their condition better. It has been very rewarding.” Kristine currently serves as a mentor for other pharmacists interested in taking the training program.
• Received 2007 Pharmacy Practice Commitment to Care Award (Health Promotion).
• Recipient of the 2008 Wyeth Apothecary Award for professional achievement through advanced learning. This award recognizes her many efforts in utilizing the additional training she has obtained outside of Pharmacy School.

Kristine currently works in community pharmacy at Stonewall Pharmacy in Stonewall MB, and is a Pharmacy Practice Instructor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba. Kristine is certified in both Asthma and COPD education making her a Certified Respiratory Educator.

Geoffery M Pataran, BScHons, BScPharm, RPh, CGP

Geoffery graduated from the University of Toronto with a BSc in Pharmacy in 1998. He worked as a staff pharmacist in both the community and hospital settings until he joined the Classic Care Pharmacy team in 2000. He participated in the successful conversion of 40 LTC facilities and retirement homes and implementation of 2 additional facilities to Classic Care pharmacy services.

Some of Geoffery's other achievements in senior care pharmacy include:

• Designing a warfarin protocol with tracking tool and procedures to help promote safe anticoagulation therapy.
• Participated in the development of a palliative care protocol to promote appropriate resident specific medication initiation for comfort care.
• Participated in the disaster/recovery team, contributed in facilitating the timely dispensing of resident's medications in a retirement home that was burnt down in a fire.
• Developed and presented educations sessions to regional groups on numerous elderly related topics.
• Development of internal MRR tracking tool and Policies and Procedures to be used in LTC homes served by Classic Care.

Geoffery also served as a mentor for other consultant pharmacists. His dedication to the care of the senior population, commitment to the staff and management team was recognized by one of the LTC facilities he serves, and awarded him with a customer service award.

“I am privileged to provide consultant pharmacist services to long term care facilities in Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Ontario servicing approximately 700 residents. I attend all admission and annual care conferences, professional advisory meetings, and provide quarterly inservices and medication room inspections. I am available to residents, family members and staff to answer medication related questions. I have an incredibly supportive employer who believes this is an important service and this is therefore the entire focus of my practice. She supports my attendance at ASCP conferences and also provided the opportunity for me to study for and write the CGP exam.

Spending time in long-term care enforced the need to take care of myself and I recently took up running. I was inspired by the many people in my community who were running marathons for Team Diabetes while raising money for the Canadian Diabetes Association. I am fortunate to train with one of the national Team Diabetes trainers and was able to complete the Rome Marathon with 68 other Canadians in March 2007. I have started fund-raising again and this October I will run my second Team Diabetes marathon in Dublin Ireland.”

Team Diabetes member completes Rome Marathon

We want to have a better understanding of who the people who make up the CSCP are. This is you!

• Who are you?
• Where do you work?
• What are your interests?
• What are the important issues in geriatrics and long-term care?

We'll be approaching you at CSCP/ASCP and elder-care events. So look for one of the CSCP executives at the next event!