2025 W.L. Boddy Pharmacy Team Award: Save On Foods Pharmacy #6619

From left to right: Fanni Pupaza, Qifan Zou, Carmen Rigakis, Manju Nagra, Larry Jang, Gary Wang, Rajat Chahar and Ryan Yoon.

This award is presented to a healthcare team (pharmacy staff team or multidisciplinary team that includes one or more pharmacists) in Alberta who, by virtue of their collaboration skills and use of the pharmacist’s full scope of practice, positively impact the health of individuals in their community. 

This year’s recipient, The Save On Foods Pharmacy #6619 team at Magrath in Edmonton, is a shining example of collaboration, compassion, and patient-centred care. Led by Larry Jang, the team consists of pharmacists Manju Nagra, Gary Wang, Rajat Chahar, and honourable mention to former team member Ariah Wong as well as Pharmacy Assistant Carmen Rigakis, and student pharmacists, Qifan Zou, Ryan Yoon, Adoma Gyamfi, Fanni Pupazat. This team exemplifies the power of leveraging the full scope of pharmacy practice to improve the health and well-being of individuals in their community. What sets them apart is their dynamic internal culture of camaraderie and support. Not only are they skilled professionals, but they are also friends who respect each other and enjoy spending time together. This collaborative spirit enables them to provide seamless, patient-centred care, fostering a work environment that prioritizes mutual respect and ensures that every patient feels seen as an individual with unique needs.

Beyond the typical duties of a pharmacy, the team recognizes that the “little things” make the most significant impact. They go above and beyond in building relationships with patients, seeing them as human beings, not just prescriptions. Their patient care is defined by actions that demonstrate sincerity, humanity, and compassion. They actively listen to patients, even during busy periods, ensuring they have space to express their concerns. They build meaningful connections by remembering patients’ names, visiting them in the hospital, and attending funerals to offer support. The team also provides essential services, such as prescription deliveries for patients with mobility issues and managing complex medication situations, such as drug shortages. They work proactively with insurance companies and government bodies to ensure patients receive the benefits they are entitled to. Additionally, they assist new community members in finding physicians, a vital service given the ongoing shortage of family doctors. Through these efforts, they ensure that every patient feels supported, cared for, and valued, always striving to provide continuity of care and advocate for their patients’ well-being. Twice now the team has received the Save-On-Foods WOW Award for Customer Service, an internal award that recognizes service excellence.

This commitment to personalized care has earned the team deep patient loyalty. One patient shared, “When I moved here three years ago, Larry and his team went above and beyond to make me feel welcome. They’ve always provided exceptional service, even when overwhelmed, and took the time to check on me when I was ill. They’re not just my pharmacists but close friends who go the extra mile for everyone.”

The team is highly regarded for its clinical practice. It creates thorough care plans, maintains exemplary documentation, and frequently collaborates with other healthcare professionals, including family doctors. Known for offering sound advice on medication options and interactions, the team often prescribes when its expertise is needed. New pharmacists regularly visit this location to learn about best practices for clinical work and proper documentation.

Dr. Holly Kamitakahara, a family physician at Magrath Medical Clinic, attests to the exceptional communication and teamwork demonstrated by the pharmacy team: “They have delivered much-needed full-scope care to patients, from medication refills and chronic disease management to appropriate prescribing. Their communication is always prompt, collegial, and with the patient’s best interest at the forefront. Patients know and trust them, and that’s why they are so loyal to the team. The stability of this long-standing team speaks volumes about a supportive work environment, and I feel fortunate to call them colleagues.”

The Save On Foods Pharmacy #6619 team is more than just a group of professionals—they are a cohesive, compassionate unit that embodies the true spirit of healthcare collaboration. Their dedication to their patients, seamless teamwork, and genuine care for those they serve make them deserving of the 2025 W.L. Boddy Pharmacy Team Award. Their outstanding efforts show that small, seemingly simple acts of kindness can profoundly impact the health and lives of those in their care.