OTTAWA, St. John’s — Dr. Debbie Kelly, a trailblazing pharmacist and nationally recognized health advocate, was recently named the 2025 Canadian Pharmacist of the Year by the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA). The award celebrates Dr. Kelly’s visionary leadership in advancing pharmacy practice and her groundbreaking contributions to HIV care and health equity in Canada.
A professor at Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy and Director of the university’s Medication Therapy Services Clinic, Dr. Kelly has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers in the health-care system—especially for rural communities, individuals living with HIV, and those without access to primary care physicians.
Her innovative research and advocacy have shown how pharmacists can serve as critical access points to health care. By spearheading pharmacist-led models for testing and treatment, Dr. Kelly has demonstrated that pharmacists, when supported with the right authority and tools, can significantly enhance patient outcomes and improve public health.
“Canada’s health-care system has many inefficiencies, and underutilizing highly qualified, trusted and accessible pharmacists is one issue that my research program is directly addressing,” says Dr. Kelly. “The more we integrate pharmacists into primary care, the more we can improve patient outcomes and optimize health resources.”
Dr. Kelly’s career began during the height of the HIV epidemic in the 1990s, where her early work in medication management helped improve treatment regimens and reduce side effects. Today, her focus continues on expanding pharmacy’s role in health care. She leads the APPROACH 2.0 study, a pharmacist-led testing initiative for HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis, currently active in three provinces. She is also co-leading a national effort to develop sustainable, pharmacy-based sexual health services.
“Dr. Kelly has demonstrated the incredible impact pharmacists can have when empowered to practice to their full education,” says Annette Robinson, CPhA Chair. “Her dedication to improving access to HIV care and her leadership in research and affecting policy change have helped shape a brighter future for pharmacy practice and patient-centred care in Canada. We are honored to recognize her as the 2025 Canadian Pharmacist of the Year.”
Beyond research, Dr. Kelly is a mentor, educator, and passionate advocate. Through her teaching and leadership, she continues to inspire the next generation of pharmacists to embrace a broader role in health care and champion equity across the system.
The Canadian Pharmacist of the Year Award, presented annually by CPhA, recognizes a pharmacist who exemplifies innovation, leadership, and excellence in advancing the profession and improving patient care.
Visit www.pharmacists.ca to learn more about Dr. Debbie Kelly and the 2025 Canadian Pharmacist of the Year Award.
