Board of Directors
The RxA Board of Directors consists of hard-working, knowledgeable and experienced volunteers who will provide RxA with its mandate for the fiscal year.
The Results Are in for RxA’s Board of Directors Election
Congratulations to Sean Hanson and Fayaz Rajabali, who have been elected for the two open positions on RxA’s 2024-2025 Board of Directors. Board members serve a three-year term, starting at the 2024 Annual General Meeting.
Thank you to all the candidates for putting their names forward and RxA members for participating with your vote.
2023/2024 Board of Directors
Led by President Randy Howden, the Board of Directors is comprised of ten representatives, including nine Alberta pharmacists and one student representative.
Members that wish to bring forward comments, issues or questions for discussion at future RxA board meetings, please email board@rxa.ca
Top Row (left to right)
Aileen Jang, Board Member
Darren Erickson, Board Member
Bob Sprague, Board Member
Bruce Winston, Board Member
Perna Sharma, Student Board Member
Bottom Row (left to right)
Cassandra Woit, Secretary-Treasurer
Brittany Zelmer, President-Elect
Randy Howden, President
Mark Percy, Past President
Jill Mason, Board Member
Randy Howden, President
Randy graduated from the University of Alberta in 2005. He owns and practices at the Calgary Crowfoot and Sunridge Medicine Shoppe pharmacies. As a pharmacist, Randy loves the interaction with patients and the amazing scope of practice that allows pharmacists to do so many different things. His interests and specializations are focused on Diabetes Education, Compounding, Weight Management, Mental Health, Travel Medicine, and Chronic Pain.
Mark Percy, Past President
Mark graduated from the University of Alberta in 2009 and went on to complete his hospital residency in 2010 with Alberta Health Services (Calgary). While working at the Foothills Medical Centre his practice focus was internal medicine, quality improvement research, and multidisciplinary education. In 2014 Mark became the managing partner of an independent pharmacy in Calgary with outreach clinical work involving inner-city health, addictions, and complex chronic diseases (Endocrine, Respirology, and Rheumatology). It is his passion to find novel ways to integrate pharmacists into underserved populations to achieve shared outcomes
Brittany Zelmer, President-Elect
After graduating from the University of Alberta in 2005, Brittany continued developing her skill set by obtaining her injection certification, APA and Certificate in Travel Health. She worked as a relief pharmacist, staff pharmacist, manager and is now a District Manager for Sobeys, Safeway and FreshCo Pharmacies. Although she is no longer on the frontlines, Brittany continues to advocate for the profession through Sobeys National Pharmacy Advocacy Council and in RxA’s leadership cohort. She encourages and supports her teams to provide patient-centered care by using their full scope of practice.
Cassandra Woit, Secretary-Treasurer
Cassandra graduated from the University of Alberta in 2016 and went on to complete her MSc in Pharmacy Practice in 2019. Her research focused on prescribing competence and confidence in pharmacy and medicine. She has practiced in supportive living facilities and independent pharmacies, where she collaborated with physicians, nursing staff and patients to quickly expand her practice and knowledge to provide comprehensive pharmacy services. In 2022 a new opportunity presented itself and she joined the team at Nolan Drugs as the Pharmacist Team Lead. She has been with this team for just over a year now and has been able to focus on the community’s needs while advocating for the profession.
Darren Erickson, Board Member
Darren graduated from the University of Alberta in 1982 and has spent most of his career in East Central Alberta. He currently owns a pharmacy in Tofield where he practices with injection and APA authorizations. He is familiar with the changes going on in the pharmacy profession and realizes that we must guide change, adapt our practices to these changes and be prepared for future change. It is likely you have chatted with Darren at one of RxA’s Professional Development Conferences held in the Spring and Fall.
Aileen Jang, Board Member
Aileen graduated from the University of Alberta in 1983. She is co-owner of 2 independent pharmacies in the Edmonton area since 1985. Aileen has been involved in the mentorship program with the Faculty of Pharmacy, preceptor for first-year students and Pharm D rotations. Previously a TA in dispensing labs as well as a Lab Facilitator. She is authorized to administer injections, APA, and recently completed a Medical Marijuana Certificate Program. Aileen is also involved with the Pharmacy Alumni Association and the organizer for Independent Night for students. Also involved in the Leadership Cohort. What do you wish other people knew about RxA? The history of RxA and the amazing things that have been accomplished! So many pharmacists don’t remember what it took to get to this point where Alberta is the envy of all provinces and countries. In my spare time I love to cook and have friends and family over to enjoy the fruits of my labor. In life it’s important to love what you do and the people you do it with. Life goes by so quickly, it is important to have a great work / life balance.
Jill Mason, Board Member
Is a graduate of the University of Alberta. She began her career in community pharmacy and supportive living facilities and obtained her injection certification and APA. She became a Director with Sandstone Pharmacies and now holds the position of Area Manager Clinical Services with Neighbourly Pharmacy. Jill believes in the importance of supporting the growth of pharmacists and pharmacy students as they advance in their careers. She has facilitated injection certification courses, reviewed CE materials as a Subject Matter Expert, and precepts fourth year pharmacy students. Through growing the clinical skills of pharmacists and encouraging them to practice to full scope she works to improve patient care.
Bob Sprague, Board Member
Bob is the owner/CEO of Sprague Drug Inc.; he built a multi-business company with locations in Edmonton and Calgary, reaching over one million annual customer transactions. After selling his company in 2011, he became Director of the Pharmaceutical and Supplemental Health Benefits branch of Alberta Health, accountable for 18 different government healthcare programs. For the past five years, he has been a Director with Alberta Health Services overseeing provincial and inter-provincial clinical service agreements in over 15 healthcare sectors. Bob has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, an MBA from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in education (specializing in Adult Learning) from the University of Calgary. He is currently pursuing the national Certified Healthcare Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Bruce Winston, Board Member
Bruce Winston is an entrepreneur and pharmacist, having graduated from the University of Alberta.
Bruce co-founded Apex Pharmacies which he grew to 20 pharmacies under the Sandstone Pharmacies brand. Following the sale of Sandstone to Neighbourly Pharmacy, Bruce has taken on a role with Neighbourly as Head of Alberta Pharmacy Strategy and Professional Affairs. While he no longer directly owns a pharmacy, Bruce retains a deep personal commitment to the practice of pharmacy.
Bruce is committed to working diligently to advocate for the profession and to ensure it remains financially sustainable for a new generation of pharmacists. He hopes that through his activities with the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association, and by working with pharmacy students at the UofA, he will assist pharmacists in launching their careers and in feeling fulfilled with their professional practices throughout their careers.
Prerna Sharma, Student Board Member
Prerna, currently in her third year of pharmacy at the University of Alberta, serves as the President of the Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association and represents the student voice on the RxA board. Upon graduation, her hope is to transition from a student to a pharmacist while obtaining her APA certification, where she can advocate for the profession and work on the frontlines. Prerna’s goal is to deliver optimal patient care through a patient-centered approach, focusing on improving health literacy among vulnerable populations.