Pharmacists

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Dr. Stephanie Gysel is the founder of Apothecare, a pharmacy practice built on the principle that patient care should be personal, proactive, and thorough. Her academic training is rooted at the University of Alberta, where she earned her pharmacy degree in 2009 and her PharmD in 2020.

With a clinical background spanning community pharmacy, cardiology, diabetes, HIV care, travel medicine, and chronic disease prevention, Stephanie has spent her career at the intersection of medication management and whole-person health. That experience shaped a clear perspective: patients navigating complex conditions deserve more than a prescription, they deserve support, clarity, and time.

Apothecare was built to provide exactly that. Stephanie works directly with patients to review medications, contextualize test results and specialist guidance, and ensure treatment decisions are well understood. Her focus is on making patients feel confident and informed, not overwhelmed.

At a national level, Stephanie contributes to the evolution of pharmacy practice in Canada through guideline development, published research on preventive care and pharmacy practice, and speaking engagements on expanding pharmacist-led care. She is also actively engaged in developing and evaluating new models of care, with particular interest in cardiovascular health, diabetes, hypertension, and prevention.

Her model is one of collaboration — working alongside physicians, specialists, and other providers to ensure patients receive integrated, cohesive care. She views pharmacists as an underutilized but highly accessible entry point into the health care system, one that, when properly resourced, delivers measurable benefit to patients and the system alike.

Christine Hong is a pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator who believes that feeling confident in your health starts with feeling heard and understood.

A graduate of the University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy (2013), Christine has built a particular depth of expertise in diabetes care. She has a gift for making complex information feel manageable, taking the time to walk patients through their medications, explain what their blood sugar readings mean, and explore treatment options in a way that fits their real life. Her patients don't just leave with answers; they leave feeling more capable of managing their health day to day.

Christine is fluent in conversational Cantonese, allowing her to support Cantonese-speaking patients with the ease and comfort that comes from being cared for in your own language.

Those who know Christine will tell you she brings something that's hard to teach: genuine warmth, quiet kindness, and a laugh that has a way of putting people immediately at ease. She creates an environment where patients feel welcome rather than rushed, and that quality of presence is as much a part of her care as her clinical knowledge.

Outside of the pharmacy, Christine feeds her curiosity through travel, always eager to discover new places and experiences.

At Apothecare, Christine is cherished for both her expertise and the joy she brings to every patient interaction; a combination that makes a real difference in the lives of those she cares for.

Dr. Talia Santarossa is a clinical pharmacist passionate about thoughtful, patient-centred care and helping people feel more supported in managing their health.

She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, completed with distinction at the University of Alberta in 2025, and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Pharmacology.

Talia has a particular interest in chronic disease management, cardiovascular risk reduction, and prevention, with a focus on supporting patients with endocrine and metabolic conditions including diabetes, PCOS, and obesity. She takes time to understand each patient's full story, identify medication-related concerns, and collaborate with the broader care team to make treatment plans safer, clearer, and more practical.

At Apothecare, Talia brings curiosity, warmth, and a strong clinical foundation to everything she does. She looks forward to building lasting relationships with patients and supporting them through meaningful, ongoing pharmacy care.

Melodie is a registered pharmacy technician with more than 30 years of experience in pharmacy. She is a true pharmacy guru, with deep knowledge of community pharmacy practice, prescription workflows, insurance coverage, and the many behind-the-scenes details that help a pharmacy run well.

At Apothecare, Melodie practices to the full scope of a pharmacy technician. In addition to her dispensary responsibilities, she supports patient care by taking and recording vital signs, gathering medical histories, helping coordinate insurance coverage, and making sure our pharmacists have accurate and timely information.

Melodie’s experience, attention to detail, and practical problem-solving are invaluable to our team. She understands that excellent pharmacy care depends not only on the medication itself, but also on making sure every step is completed carefully, clearly, and with the patient in mind.

At Apothecare, Melodie helps ensure patients are well supported and that our pharmacists have the information they need to provide thoughtful, high-quality care.

Lana is a pharmacy technician with many years of experience in community pharmacy practice. She has worked alongside Stephanie for many years and is one of those people who seems to know all things pharmacy.

At Apothecare, Lana works remotely to support patients and help keep care organized behind the scenes. She helps coordinate insurance coverage, supports prescription processes, assists with patient communication, and makes sure important details do not get missed.

Lana has a special talent for bringing order to chaos. She understands how complex pharmacy care can be, from medication access to insurance approvals to the many moving pieces involved in supporting patients well. Her work helps our pharmacists stay focused on providing thoughtful, timely care.

Known for her bubbly personality, positivity, and practical problem-solving, Lana brings warmth and energy to everything she does. She is an important part of the Apothecare team and plays a key role in making sure patients feel supported from start to finish.

Shania is a pharmacy assistant who is extremely personable, approachable, and has a natural way of making patients feel welcome and comfortable.

At Apothecare, Shania supports both patients and the pharmacy team in many important ways. She assists with prescription workflow, patient communication, and day-to-day pharmacy operations. She also supports patient care by taking and recording vital signs, helping ensure our pharmacists have accurate information for each appointment.

Shania is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi, allowing her to support patients who feel more comfortable communicating in those languages.

Known for her warmth, kindness, and positive energy, Shania is an important part of the Apothecare team. She helps create the friendly, welcoming environment our patients value.