Growing up , Nikola Cubelic ( PharmD ’23 ), Viktoria Cubelic , a current Waterloo Pharmacy student Anteja Cubelic , a current Faculty of Science undergraduate and C onditional A dmission to P harmacy (CAP ) student , were all’exposed to pharmacy from a young age.
" I n’a way, pharmacy was a part of our childhood , it all started with. Watching her career as a pharmacist sparked interest in all’of us ," k toria says.
"I have early memories of visiting the hospital pharmacy where work ing. P harmacy always been a part of our family ," k adds.
er h earing their mom speak highly of the profession , the idea of pharmacy as a career was always the back of their minds.
"I am very proud of my children and their achievements ," says Susan Cubelic , director of pharmacy at Niagara Health. "Although they have chosen the same education path, it wonderful to watch their different career paths evolve. That is what is so great about the pharmacy profession - there are many diverse career opportunities to explore. "
Three siblings, three pharmacy paths
Nikola was the first in his family complete his Doctor of Pharmacy degree Waterloo."I came across the CAP program while I was in high school ," Nikola says. "The idea of transitioning smoothly from the Faculty of Science undergraduate program to Waterloo Pharmacy was very appealing to me. "
During his time at the School , Nikola attests to the relationships he’s built with like - minded people and the lifelong friends he made.
" Pharmacy school can be difficult, learning together and growing together creates a special bond , " he says.
Nikola also participated in the S tudent E xchange P rogram , travelling to Croatia to discover pharmacy in a different country and to connect with own Croatian roots.
Now an alum, Nikola is completing a pharmac eutical industry residency at Roche a m’edical s trategy r esident.
" Waterloo alumni are the best pharmacists in Canada. Throughout program we learn how to develop our professional practice , build confidence to communicate effectively for the benefit of the patien t’and gain the hands-on experience to be an effective pharmacist , " Nikola says.
Currently at his residency he supports the m’edical a ffairs department, which focuses on scientific exchange between the company and health - care professionals.
"I enjoy direct patient care , but I was drawn to explore more non-traditional pharmacy work, where there is positive impact for patients on a national and global scale ," says.
k toria , hearing about Nikola ’s experience s co-op opportunities w deciding factor s’in purs u a pharmacy degree at Waterloo. Following in her brother’s footsteps she also held status and is now in her third year of the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
" The PharmD program itself is challenging. Ju ggling coursework , extracurriculars, your personal and social lives can be stressful at times ," i k toria says. " I’m grate for the support from my friends , family and School. B eing s’urrounded by a group of peers working towards similar goals makes the journey a little less daunting. "
Outside the classroom, Viktoria loves being involved in student life. "The feeling of school community is not just based on learning together, but on numerous opportunities for leadership and social interactions," says.
She has helped found the University of Waterloo Croatian Club ( CroWat ) and serves as their inaugural c’ommunications d’irector. She is also the Society of Pharmacy Students Society ( SOPhS ) a thletics d’irector , University of Waterloo Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists ( CSHP ) l’iaiso and a Waterloo Pharmacy s tudent a mbassador.
The co-op program has helped k toria confirm that her passion lies in hospital pharmacy.
"I’m excited to graduate from the program at Waterloo intend s pursue a career in hospital pharmacy ," k toria says. " Supporting patients, being part of evol ving pharmacy practice, and making a positive impact on people’s lives as a trusted member of their health - care is what I most look forward to in the future."
Anteja has always been interested in a career in health care hearing her siblings’ experiences sealed the deal choose Waterloo.
"I am excited to follow in my brother and sister’s footsteps , but to also forge my own path and explore the many opportunities a career in pharmacy has to offer ," Ante j’a says.
She is entering second year of undergraduate studies with status , taking prerequisite science courses for the Doctor of Pharmacy program including organic chemistry, biochem istry and mi crobiology. the beginning of this year, she was paired with a current Waterloo Pharmacy student to answer any questions she had and networked with the older students hear about their experiences.
" For a nyone interested pursuing the CAP pathway, there is no need to be nervous as I was," Anteja says. " You’ll meet f ellow CAP students and will build a support network together through Waterloo Pharmacy. It’s a one- of-a-kind experience. "
Interested in finding your pathway at Waterloo Pharmacy? Future Students website for information on the CAP program , PharmD and more.
