Dr Joanne Brown receives inaugural Barnett Award at RPS Annual Conference

The Barnett Award was created last year by the RPS in memory of esteemed RPS Fellow Nina Barnett 

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) honoured Dr Joanne Brown with the inaugural Barnett Award at its Annual Conference today, recognising her exceptional commitment to mentorship and professional development in pharmacy.

As Clinical Education Lead at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland for over 15 years, Dr Brown has played a pivotal role in supporting pharmacy professionals at all career stages – from undergraduate students to consultant-level practitioners.

Her work spans a wide range of activities, including developing curriculum materials, organising workshops and mentoring pharmacy teams.

She has also led initiatives to improve learning systems across Northern Ireland, partnering with schools of pharmacy and contributing to international education committees.

Beyond her formal duties, Dr Brown has mentored more than 50 individuals through postgraduate training.

She actively encourages personal growth through tailored guidance, creating a supportive culture and positively impacting pharmacy education across various sectors.

Dr Brown said: “I am honoured and humbled to receive the Barnett Award.”

“Professor Barnett, Nina, was inspirational. She has given us a tremendous legacy and demonstrated, by her practice, the type of pharmacy professionals we should aspire to be.

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson expressed her pride in presenting the award, saying: "We’re thrilled to present this award to Joanne. Her dedication to advancing her peers and her role as a compassionate mentor truly embodies the spirit of the Barnett Award.”

“It celebrates those who shape the future of pharmacy by guiding and inspiring the next generation of pharmacists, and we’re proud to recognise those who, like Nina, have made a lasting impact on others in our profession.”

The Barnett Award, created last year by the RPS in memory of esteemed RPS Fellow Nina Barnett, honours individuals who have dedicated their careers to supporting, mentoring, and advancing others within the profession.