Professor Nick Shaw awarded 2013 Bowl of Hygeia Award

Nov 20  2013

Reference:

http://www.psa.org.au/media-releases/professor-nick-shaw-awarded-2013-bowl-of-hygeia-award

Leading Queensland pharmacy figure Professor Nick Shaw has been awarded this year’s prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award which recognises an exceptional individual service to the pharmacy profession.

The award was announced at the annual dinner of the Queensland Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia by Branch President Professor Lisa Nissen.

Professor Shaw was presented the award in recognition of his leadership in drawing the Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE) to successful completion, retaining its original concept of strong links to the profession, and utilising those links to achieve a contemporary curriculum and a connected, engaged student cohort.

Professor Nissen said Professor Shaw was recognised for his contribution to education leadership, his advocacy for the profession as Head of School at the University of Queensland, and also for his work as a member of a number of key professional committees.

“The Bowl of Hygeia Award is presented to a member of PSA who has demonstrated a consistently high standard of professional practice in support of the principles of pharmacy service to the community,” Professor Nissen said.
.
“Nick Shaw is known to most people in his many leadership roles as someone who goes about his work with commitment, dedication and grace; underneath which lies a strong and enduring passion for the profession.”

Professor Nissen said Professor Shaw had taken the PACE vision to reality as one of his first accomplishments on taking over as Head of School at UQ some 10 years ago.

“Nick coordinated the design of the research and teaching spaces, ensuring the relevant staff and key players were involved in the process to ensure that the outcomes were optimum for the School,” Professor Nissen said.

“Following on from this great work, Nick felt that the profession needed graduates that have a greater sense of belonging and connectedness to the profession.

“He believed that it was essential to establish an identity and feel part of our strong community and to entrench this early in the program he introduced a ’coating ceremony’ of which he invited PSA to become a partner.”

Professor Shaw has a very high representative profile outside of the School of Pharmacy and his roles include having been Chair of the Committee of Heads of Pharmacy Schools in Australia and NZ and also leading the group which in 2009 incorporated the Council of Pharmacy Schools, of which he is Chair. In addition he has held positions Australian Pharmacy Liaison Forum and Councillor of the Australian Pharmacy Council as well as being a member of its Accreditation Committee.

Professor Nissen said Professor Shaw had been genuinely surprised and touched at receiving the award.

“He paid homage to others before him, including Professor Sue Tett and key PSA people including Warren Blee, Peter Mayne and Jay Hooper as well as key people at the Pharmacy Guild including Kos Sclavos for helping to bring the initial PACE vision to reality for the profession in Queensland,” Professor Nissen said. “He is a most worthy, though humble, recipient.”