Pharmacist believes health workers must work together

A native of Quebec, Nicole Chamard comes from a family of eight children. She left the capital in 1977 to settle in Montreal. Mrs. Chamard completed her university degree in Pharmacy at the University of Montreal. She recently completed an MBA in health administration services.

As a young graduate, Nicole Chamard practiced her profession in the south shore and worked as a replacement worker in several pharmacies, enabling her to become familiar with different types of establishments. Working in Verdun since 1988, some readers probably knew her when she practiced in the Clinique médicale de l’Ouest on Verdun Street. Her warm welcome and her quality as an attentive listener inspire confidence on the part of patients who worry about their health problems.

In collaboration with Dr Geneviève Deschênes of Verdun’s CLSC, Nicole Chamard established a pharmacy of reference for in-home palliative care patients; this partnership ensures follow-up on patients’ medications. Nicole Chamard believes that health care personnel must work in concert, creating a formidable synergy with a multi-disciplinary team, thanks to services that are complimentary.

After 11 years of working in this clinic, Nicole Chamard in 2004 purchased the Pharmaprix clinic in 38 Place du Commerce in L’Île-des-Sœurs. She also serves people in the island who go to the Clinique médicale du Village. In 2005, Nicole Chamard created a new pharmacy concept which she called Équilibre Santé (health balance). This concept consists of bringing together, under one roof, a pharmaceutical counter for ensuring follow-up on patients and a consultation service to answer questions. A social component is added by providing a bistro and a grocery store for basic necessities. This concept was implemented at the Résidence Ambiance and targets retirees who live in the residence. The Unipharm pharmacy in L'Île-des-Soeurs was purchased in September 2008.

The complimentary services offered to patients mean that solutions to problems are done on-site, which aims to reduce congestion in hospital emergency units.

Nicole Chamard foresees a trend of reviving average-sized pharmacies and health establishments measuring 5000 to 8000 square feet where people are not treated as a number. The Pharmaprix of Place du Commerce in L'Île-des-Sœurs has about 8,000 square feet. “I want to offer my patients as many options as possible,” said the pharmacist.

The key to success, Nicole Chamard believes, is to be surrounded by competent people; “I owe my success to all members of my team. I have confidence in them and communications are clear”, she said. “One must recognise the contributions of collaborators” she added.

Verdun is changing a lot, and is evolving quite well, according to Nicole Chamard who is known for her commitment to the Verdun community. One of her commitments was her participation in the campaign of Dr Roger Cadieux, J'ai le coeur à Verdun (my heart belongs to Verdun).