Introduction: President of the UWI Pharmacy Student Association, 2025-2026 | A Note from Dwayne Blake

Greetings Faculty, Staff, and Fellow Students,

My name is Dwayne J. Blake, a third-year pharmacy student at the Faculty of Medical Sciences. I am honored to introduce myself as the newly elected President of the UWI Pharmacy Student Association (UWIPSA) for the academic year 2025–2026. As a proud student in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, I am deeply grateful for the trust my peers have placed in me to serve in this capacity. I step into this role not only with enthusiasm, but with an unwavering commitment to advocacy, inclusion, academic excellence, and the overall wellbeing of our pharmacy cohort.

As PSA President, I sit on the FMS Guild Committee as part of the Representative Cohort in the capacity of Pharmacy Department Representative. Additionally, I preside over the Pharmacy Student Association (PSA) Executive Committee. In this dual role, I serve as the primary liaison between the PSA executive body and the Pharmacy Department administration. Some of my responsibilities include ensuring that the views, concerns, and challenges faced by pharmacy students are accurately communicated to the appropriate personnel and addressed in a timely and effective manner.

I work to foster a collaborative environment where students feel empowered to voice their experiences and ideas. This involves organizing feedback sessions, relaying departmental updates, advocating for academic and welfare-related matters, and collaborating on initiatives that enhance student experience. Through regular engagement with both faculty and student leadership, I strive to bridge any gaps in communication and build a supportive, transparent, and responsive academic environment.

Our association has always stood as a pillar of representation and engagement for pharmacy students. As president, my mission is to strengthen the student voice within the faculty and beyond, ensuring their concerns are heard, acknowledged, and acted upon, foster professional and personal development through workshops, networking opportunities, and wellness initiatives tailored to the needs of aspiring pharmacists, enhance pharmacy student involvement by reviving school spirit through academic, social, and outreach events that build community and celebrate our shared identity and lastly to collaborate with clubs, societies, and sister faculties to amplify interdisciplinary learning and create a more connected UWI experience.

As we embrace this academic year, let me remind us all; you are more than your grades. In pharmacy, we often find ourselves balancing countless vials of responsibility. But don't forget to also pour into your joy, your passions, and your people. Whether it’s joining a club, attending a seminar, or just catching a sunset after lab; take up space, breathe deeply, and live fully.

If you have any ideas, concerns, or simply need someone to talk to, my inbox is always open; I genuinely want to hear from you. You can reach me via email at blakejvwayne@gmail.com , or connect with me on Instagram at @blakejerwayne. The UWI Pharmacy Student Association (PSA) meets every second Thursday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., with the location to be announced shortly. We encourage all pharmacy students to attend and be part of the conversation.

For any questions, comments, or queries related to the PSA or the UWI School of Pharmacy, feel free to contact us via email at uwimonapharmacyassc@gmail.com . You can also reach out to us on Instagram @uwi_psa. We look forward to connecting with you and representing your voice!

To every pharmacy student; past, present, and future, I stand with you, I celebrate you, and I vow to walk this journey with you, shoulder to shoulder. Let us build a legacy together that’s as potent as the medicines we will one day dispense.

With determination and heart,
Dwayne Blake
President
UWI Pharmacy Student Association (UWIPSA)
2025–2026