Sydney Gavel’s journey back to pharmacy

During Pharmacy Appreciation Month we are celebrating the pharmacy professionals whose work keeps hospitals running smoothly behind the scenes. From preparing medications to supporting clinical teams, pharmacy staff play a critical role in patient care every day.

For Sydney Gavel, a pharmacy practice assistant at Dartmouth General Hospital, the pharmacy has become more than just a workplace; it’s a place where determination, teamwork and adaptability come together.

Sydney first joined the pharmacy team at the end of 2020 as a casual employee. She worked in the hospital’s previous pharmacy space. She was also part of the team that helped set up the new pharmacy when it opened over the winter of 2021-2022.

But shortly after the new clinic opened, in May of 2022, Sydney’s life suddenly changed when she experienced a stroke.

Her recovery was long and challenging and returning to work was not something that happened overnight. With support from her healthcare team and her colleagues, Sydney gradually worked her way back, taking a slow and steady approach. Today, she is back at work and contributing to the team at about 80 per cent capacity.

Working in a busy hospital pharmacy while using a wheelchair has required some adjustments. “There were definitely challenges at first,” Sydney says. “A lot of it had to do with space and figuring out how to move around with the wheelchair.”

With help from her colleagues, the team found creative ways to adapt tasks and workflows. For example, medications are sometimes placed on her lap and secured so she can safely move them around the pharmacy. A standing desk was also set up so she can comfortably complete computer-based tasks throughout her day. “It took a little time, but I learned how to use my body differently,” she says.

Certain duties that involve heavy lifting or working in tight spaces are handled by other team members, while Sydney focuses on the many responsibilities she can perform independently.

As a unit-based pharmacy practice assistant, Sydney’s day starts with checking medication fridges and making sure everything is accounted for. She helps review medication orders for patients, loads medications into automated dispensing machines and fills prescriptions that can’t be processed through the machines. She also assists with overrides entered by nurses to ensure everything matches the medication orders.

It's a role that requires attention to detail and quick-thinking. “You need math, common sense and the ability to adapt,” Sydney says. “Things can change at the drop of a hat. We can get really busy really fast.”

Sydney says the support she received from her co-workers and managers made a huge difference during her recovery and return to work. “They have been so understanding,” she says. “When I had my stroke, some of my co-workers even went to my house to feed my cat.” Moments like that reinforced just how strong the sense of community is within the pharmacy team.

Sydney also believes that workplace accessibility benefits far more people than just those with disabilities. “Accessibility isn’t only for people with disabilities, it’s for everyone. Things like standing desks, elevators and ramps were created to make spaces more accessible, but they end up helping everyone,” she explains.

For anyone with a disability who is considering a career in pharmacy or healthcare, Sydney has a simple message: “Just do it. When there’s a will, there’s a way. Returning to work wasn’t easy but it is doable.”

For Sydney, being part of the pharmacy team and helping patients, even behind the scenes, makes the effort worthwhile.

Photo of Sydney Gavel.