The PDA BAME Network would like to thank everyone who took part in the elections and congratulate the newly elected committee!
President, Lola Dabiri
Locum pharmacist and Welfare & Scotland Lead, United Kingdom Black Pharmacist Association (UKBPA)
Lola commenced practice as a pharmacist in the UK in the year 2000. Lola has since obtained her qualification as an independent pharmacist prescriber and helped support other pharmacists in their IP training as a Designated Pharmacist Practitioner. (DPP). Lola also has an MBA and is a member of the British Lifestyle Medicine Society. She currently works as a locum pharmacist across the hospital and community sectors.
Lola said, “Firstly, I am proud to be associated with the PDA as I have closely observed its efforts to not only defend but also advocate for and empower pharmacists. Secondly, I am deeply passionate about promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the pharmacy profession, especially for the BAME community. Being from a BAME background, I understand the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the workplace and I have experienced a fair share of these. These challenges, such as limitations to career progression, unequal access to opportunities, and facing unconscious bias, not only affect individuals but in my opinion, also impact the entire society. I am committed to helping alleviate these. I think advocating for necessary actions and changes to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for BAME pharmacists to be their best selves and continue to contribute brilliantly to society at large is a worthy cause.”
Vice President, Ewura-Adjoa Yamoah
PDA Student Rep and pharmacy student at The University of Nottingham
Ewura-Adjoa’s involvement with the PDA began as a PDA Student Rep where she worked closely with the PDA Student Organising Assistant to address concerns from her peers regarding the changes to the MPharm degree. Ewura-Adjoa provided feedback to the PDA and helped to maintain strong relationships with her university’s Pharmacy Society. This allowed her to contribute to events such as this year’s Freshers’ Fair, further spreading awareness of the PDA’s work. Ewura-Adjoa’s participation in conferences and events has further demonstrated her commitment to the PDA.
Ewura-Adjoa said, “As a BAME individual, I recognise that racial discrimination is a pressing issue for many members. My passion for education and awareness drives me to challenge negative stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment. As a student, I can bring valuable insights from the ongoing MPharm reforms and my placement experiences. Additionally, my work in community pharmacy during Summer 2024 has allowed me to relate to many network members’ experiences.
As Vice President, I aim to focus on listening to members and implementing their ideas, working collaboratively with the President and Honorary Secretary to ensure the network runs smoothly, and addresses the needs of the network’s members.”
Honorary Secretary, Okereke Oluomachi Yvonne
Clinical pharmacist
Since joining the PDA in July 2023, Yvonne has enthusiastically participated in various initiatives, including serving as a PDA Trainee Rep and engaging in the PDA’s EDI Networks. Yvonne has a valuable insight into the unique challenges faced by Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic pharmacists and has been able to advocate for their interests and promoting inclusion within the profession. As a co-opted member of the PDA NAWP Network committee, Yvonne has taken on leadership roles in organising events and also contributed to PDA BAME Network events.
Yvonne said, “I am honoured to be elected for the position of Honorary Secretary for the PDA BAME Network. As an active member of the PDA and a committed advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, I believe my experiences have prepared me to effectively lead and advance the vital work of the BAME Network.
I am passionate about creating a pharmacy profession that embraces diversity and inclusion at every level and I believe that with my experience, dedication, and vision, that I can help the PDA BAME Network to achieve its goals.”
The committee will be supported by the network’s Immediate Past President, Elsy Gomez Campos along with co-opted members, Nav Bhogal and Nahim Khan.
This is the third set of elections since the PDA BAME Network was launched in April 2020. The PDA would like to thank the previous committee for all of their work of raising the profile of BAME pharmacists. This work has included the launch of various factsheets and speaking out about racial discrimination in the workplace and beyond.
The PDA is a proudly anti-racist organisation, and the activity of the BAME Network will continue to grow with the support of the new committee.
Get involved
- Follow the PDA BAME Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAbame
- For more information about the PDA BAME Network, click here.
- If you would like to get involved with the network and its activities, please email: [email protected]
- Join the BAME Network
Not yet a PDA member?
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Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
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