Submissions now open for the APC Dr Erica Sainsbury awards 2026

In its fourth-year running, the APC Dr Erica Sainsbury Awards have returned to recognise leaders in pharmacy education and practice who have demonstrated a commitment to investing in the pharmacists of the future.

The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) is delighted to invite applications for 2026. Submissions are now open until Monday 31 August 2026.

APC named the awards after the Dr Erica Sainbury, who dedicated more than 30 years to pharmacy education at the University of Sydney. She passed away in December 2021, leaving a lasting mark on the profession. APC created two award categories that would best embody Dr Sainsbury's legacy of both a passionate academic and collaborator.

The awards include:

• APC Dr Erica Sainsbury Early Career Pharmacy Educator Award, which recognises and rewards an individual who demonstrates innovation and passion in teaching and places students first and foremost.
   
• APC Dr Erica Sainsbury Pharmacist Supervisor Award, which recognises and rewards pharmacists who display the attributes and skills considered invaluable in the training of pharmacy interns and learners during the period of work integrated learning (WIL), supervised practice, or training that leads to general registration. This award is open by nomination only.

'These individuals reflect the spirit of Dr Sainsbury’s legacy - innovative in their teaching, committed to their interns and learners, and unwavering in their focus on supporting competent, capable, and confident pharmacists,' expressed APC Chair, Professor Sarah Roberts-Thomson AM.

'Their contribution enhances the quality and integrity of pharmacist training across Australia.'

The 2025 awards were presented to:

• Dr Joon Soo Park: Early Career Pharmacy Educator Award
• Ms Sophie Jahnecke: Regional Health Service Pharmacist Supervisor Award
• Mr Ramy Sourial: Community Pharmacist Supervisor Award
• Ms Hala Musa: Hospital Pharmacist Supervisor Award

The presentation of the awards is made at the APC’s annual Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom AO Distinguished Lecture series, held in Canberra in November each year. This year's event will be on Tuesday 24 November at the National Museum of Australia at 4pm.

Dr Erica Sainsbury Awards submissions close Monday 31 August 2026.

Learn more about nominating and applying for these awards.