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Stevenson Memorial Hospital recognizes pharmacists during Pharmacy Appreciation Month

March 20, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Stevenson Memorial Hospital is celebrating Pharmacy Appreciation Month and recognizes the dedication and expertise of one of its pharmacists.

Leudia Barros has been in her role at the hospital for 11 years.

He has a background in hospital pharmacy and began her journey in Brazil.

“I am originally an International Graduated Pharmacist from Brazil,” Leudia explained. “In 2008, I immigrated to Canada with my husband and four children, and by the beginning of 2013, I had fulfilled all the requirements to get my license as a Canadian Pharmacist.”

Although her background in Brazil was in hospital pharmacy, finding a similar role in Canada as an International Pharmacy Graduate was a challenge.

“Being an IPG, it is very difficult to get a job opportunity in hospitals,” Leudia explained. “I initially worked as a community pharmacist until the summer of 2014 when the Pharmacy Department at Stevenson Memorial Hospital gave me the opportunity to start working here.”

Leudia’s interest in healthcare started in nursing, but she found the direct patient care aspect challenging. Pharmacy became the perfect balance for her, allowing her to contribute to patient care in a way that was still impactful but different.

“I always liked health science,” she said. “I first started nursing school, but it was very challenging for me to work directly with the patient. I then moved to pharmacy, where I would still able to work with patients, but in a more indirect manner.”

Leudia’s role at Stevenson is dynamic and always changing.

“Our day is normally not typical,” Leudia said. “Every day is full of possibilities because human beings are full of possibilities. With that being said, I start every shift the same. I look to our census and review all the new admissions, making sure all home medications are accurate and that they are the proper dose regarding renal and liver function, and so on. 

Leudia added, “Once I’ve reviewed them, I would make recommendations to the prescribers or even make adjustments myself based on the hospital policies, which have allowed pharmacists to make such adjustments. I participate in clinical rounds along side all other health care professionals.”

One of Leudia’s most meaningful experiences at Stevenson involved a patient admitted for an overdose.

“Usually, patients do not know pharmacists in a hospital setting because we are always working behind the scenes. When I was counselling a patient regarding her discharge, I noticed she really wanted a change in the course of her life. I took the opportunity to encourage her and gave her some suggestions beyond medications. So, a year later, she came back to thank all of us who made an impact on her recovery, and I was one of them.” 

Leudia exemplifies the dedication, knowledge, and compassion that make pharmacists an integral part of the healthcare system.

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