Michelle Hoosen

My name is Michelle Hoosen and I a Pharmacist, aspiring to branch into pharmaceutical industry. I am a 26-year-old, South African female, currently residing in Johannesburg, with a drive for pharmacy and pharmaceutical science. I obtained a Master of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, specializing in advanced drug delivery.

This opportunity has cemented my science-based, critical thinking mindset. I learnt how to defend novel scientific concepts, answer promptly to challenging feedback from experts within the field and present my research on a large scale. The pressure of completing a Master's Degree in 2 years (during COVID) inspired my hard work, excellent organizational skills, diligence, time management and remarkable work ethic.

I work well under pressure, I meet deadlines, I take orders well from superiors, but I can also navigate my own tasks and work independently. The dissertation write-up portion of my project taught me professional writing skills and how to be meticulous. My experience as a Deputy Responsible Pharmacist at the biggest pharmacy chain in South Africa, instilled a flexible approach in practicing medicine management across a diverse range of therapeutic indications within the confines of the business models.

Here I developed my empathy, professionalism and communication skills, which drastically broadened my approach to the pharmaceutical industry. Being able to manage the influx of customers, maintaining staff expectations and resolving conflict and complaints is also a key strength of mine. Throughout my career, I showcased a strong ability to meet client and team expectations.

My experience in academic as well as retail pharmacy has moulded me into an adaptable pharmacist, with a comprehensive skill set, ready to take on any task with charisma and confidence, which mirrors the responsibilities of a Production, QA, QC or RA pharmacist.

1-Deputy responsible pharmacist at Clicks

• Community Service Pharmacist and assistant manager
• Independently performed all the duties and responsibilities pertaining to a pharmacist
• Managing pharmacy-related operations and staff
• Maintaining the pharmacy in an inspection-ready state
• Customer complaint resolution
• Ensuring pharmacy compliance to the POPI Act, Pharmacy Act, Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, as well as relevant regulations
• Increase profit margins whilst providing superior pharmaceutical care

skills acquired:

• Performing under extreme pressure and managing customer expectations
• Management skills
• Business orientation
• Attention to detail

2. Pharmacist Intern

• MParm candidate
• Conducting novel pharmaceutical research in the development, characterization, and in vitro/in vivo testing of nano-scaffolds for neural regeneration
• Researching and development
• Publishing and presenting research in international journals and national conferences
• Scientific engagement
• Meeting project objectives timeously
• Bpharm III course developer and coordinator
• Design and conduct pharmaceutics practical lessons
• Lecturing and setting of exams

skills acquired:

• Research skills
• Broadened therapeutic area expertise in nano-therapeutics and drug-delivery systems
• Scientific and analytical thinking
• Ability to learn and master concepts on-the-spot
• Scientific writing and presentational skills
• Project management and organization
• Critical thinking
• Public speaking
• Meeting university and SAPC educational criteria
• Leadership

1: Master of Pharmacy (with distinction)

-The University of the Witwatersrand

-Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform

-2020-2022

2: Bachelor of Pharmacy (74%)

-The University of the Witwatersrand