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Dr Beata Bajorek

Dr Beata Bajorek is currently appointed as the Sanofi-aventis Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy for the Northern Sydney Central Coast Health Service and University of Sydney. She lectures in the Faculties of Pharmacy and Nursing at the University of Sydney and is a Research Associate with the Departments of Clinical Pharmacology, Aged Care & Rehabilitation, and Pharmacy at the Royal North Shore Hospital. Her appointment at Royal North Shore Hospital has been pivotal to the establishment of The Northern Therapeutics Unit (a collaboration between the Departments of Pharmacy (Clinical Services), Clinical Pharmacology, and Academic Pharmacy).

Her primary research interests focus on medication safety, particularly within cardiovascular disease and in at-risk populations through pharmacist-led multidisciplinary interventions. She has been involved in several studies regarding anticoagulation, particularly aiming to optimise the use of antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients for stroke prevention, and is interested in developing strategies to bridge the interface between hospital and community care, with respect to monitoring of pharmacotherapy and prevention of adverse outcomes.

Previously, Dr Bajorek was the Alexander Schmidt Research Fellow at the Clinical Practice Advancement Centre, University HealthSystem Consortium, Chicago, USA. In that role she was involved in outcomes-based research, exploring the clinical, social and economic impact of pharmaceutical interventions, focusing on new drugs and new drug-technologies.

Dr Bajorek has also worked as both a hospital and community pharmacist in Sydney, and has served as the Education Coordinator for the NSW State Branch of the SHPA as well as author of the 'Clinical Pharmacy' series of articles in the professional gazette, Retail Pharmacy. Regarding other professional education activities, she has been an expert speaker for the National Prescribing Services (NPS) "Leading Edge" seminar series, and has recently been involved in the training of Nurse Practitioners, Optometrists, and Medical Radiographers.

University Chairs

University Chair appointments recognise and reward members of University staff who are internationally acknowledged scholars of exceptional distinction or to attract such scholars to the University.

The Chair in Pharmacy Practice

The Pharmacy Practice Foundation was originally established to raise funds to support the creation of a Chair in Pharmacy Practice.

This Chair has enabled the practice of pharmacy to develop professionally in order to meet the growing needs and demands of the community. These greater expectations on pharmacists have emerged as a result of rapid growth in pharmaceutical knowledge, technology and production.

Since the establishment of this Foundation Chair of Pharmacy Practice, the Pharmacy Practice Foundation has continued to raise funds for further Chairs and other important academic positions within pharmacy practice at the University of Sydney.

Pfizer Chair in Clinical Pharmacy

The Pfizer Chair in Clinical Pharmacy was established in 1999. This Chair, the first in Clinical Pharmacy in Australia, is based at St Vincent’s Hospital. It was created to enhance the practice of pharmacy in the hospital environment by implementing new approaches to clinical pharmacy. This includes developing physician/pharmacists interactions within the hospital setting, as well as links with general practitioners and pharmacists in the community. The Chair is also responsible for developing a strong research program in pharmacy and clinical practice at the hospital.

Johnson and Johnson/Pharmacy Practice Foundation/Faculty of Pharmacy Chair in Pharmacy Management

The Johnson and Johnson/Pharmacy Practice Foundation/Faculty of Pharmacy Chair in Pharmacy Management is the first and only Chair of Pharmacy Management in Australia. This position was created in 2006 to provide leadership in the development and teaching of all aspects of pharmacy business management and to develop and grow opportunities for practice management research in industry, hospitals and community pharmacies. This position includes an advisory role within the profession, the industry and to government.

Sanofi-aventis Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy

While not one of the Chair appointments, this is an important role in the area of Pharmacy Practice. Based at Royal North Shore Hospital, this position was established in 2005. The position was created to develop clinical teaching and research programs at the hospital, and develop and implement quality and safety programs relating to the use of medications. This role involves the development of strong links with community pharmacists and general practitioners.

Current Chair incumbents

Professor S I (Charlie) Benrimoj

Professor S I (Charlie) Benrimoj was appointed Foundation Chair of Pharmacy Practice in 1991 and remains the incumbent of this position.

Professor Jo-anne Brien

Professor Jo-anne Brien was appointed to the Pfizer Chair in Clinical Pharmacy in 1999 and continues to hold this position.

Professor Lesley White

Professor Lesley White was appointed to the Johnson and Johnson/Pharmacy Practice Foundation Chair in Pharmacy Management in 2007.

Current Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy

Dr Beata Bajorek was appointed as the Sanofi-Aventis Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy in 2005.

The University of Sydney - Faculty of Pharmacy