LOUISE LOIK
EDITOR
Bowen’s Bud Massender, pharmacist and co-owner of Cates Pharmacy, recently won The Consumer Health Bowl of Hygeia, the top award for community pharmacists.
Massender received the award for his outstanding community service and for going above and beyond the call of duty, as recognized by his peers in The British Columbia Pharmacy Association.
Information from the organization noted that the award is given in recognition of the time and personal sacrifice devoted by pharmacists to the welfare of their respective communities.
Massender, who brought the island its first pharmacy 25 years ago, has taken the time to build relationships with many healthcare professionals, community service groups and patients on Bowen Island. He is also known for his willingness to open the pharmacy during emergency situations at any hour of the day or night.
“There is a really thin line between being in business and being part of the community. You have to be both and that’s part of the enjoyment of it,” Massender says. “Bowen is absolutely different from anywhere else in the world. People are interested in what’s going on in each other’s lives; that’s pretty infectious.”
For decades, the pharmacy has supported community endeavours, including the local Little League team, fundraising opportunities and ticket sales for choir performances.
A passionate advocate for on-island healthcare services, Massender works in close partnership with all of the island’s healthcare practitioners and centres. His dedicated support of the Orchard Recovery Centre has allowed it to thrive as western Canada’s premier addiction treatment centre.
Most recently, Massender served as president of a local healthcare committee striving to develop a full-service community medical clinic on the island.
The British Columbia Pharmacy Association is a not-for-profit, voluntary, professional association of pharmacists and pharmacies throughout B.C.
