Two Worlds, One Mission: LAU School of Pharmacy Celebrates World Patient Safety Day and World Pharmacists Day

This year’s focus carried a special significance as all activities were tailored to highlight the essential role of pharmacists in safeguarding patient safety, particularly in pediatric care.

The event featured a poster advocacy session led by professional year 2 (P2) student pharmacists as part of their co-curricular commitment to public health and safety. Working in teams, students developed creative and evidence-based posters promoting safe medication use among pediatric patients, targeting diverse audiences including children, parents, school teachers, policymakers, advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, and the wider community. Their work went beyond display: students actively engaged attendees through videos, brochures, booklets, games, and interactive quizzes, demonstrating commendable professionalism, dedication, and creativity.

Simultaneously, P3 and P4 students contributed to the event through educational games (spinning wheel, pretend syringes…) inspired by the theme, emphasizing the pharmacist’s role in dispensing accuracy, medication validation, and prevention of errors throughout the medication-use process.

The event was further enriched by distinguished speakers:

• Dr. Therese Saad, Associate Pharmacy Director for Business Unit, Pediatric and Neonatal Pharmacy Specialist, Department of Pharmacy at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, who delivered an insightful presentation titled “Safe from the Start: Empowering Pharmacists for Safer Medication in Pediatric and Newborn Care.”

• Dr. Elsy Ramia, Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Coordinator at the LAU School of Pharmacy who conveyed key messages from the WHO Patient Safety Day campaign: “Safe care for every newborn and every child”.

• Dr. Lamis Karaoui, Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the LAU School of Pharmacy, who successfully coordinated the event, and highlighted FIP’s 2025 WPD campaign “Think Health, Think Pharmacist”.

Recognizing Excellence

One week following the event, a prize distribution ceremony was held at the School in the presence of Dean Naser Zaki Alsharif, along with faculty and staff. The competition, organized for P2 student pharmacists, recognized the winning poster titled “Be a Medication Safety Star,” for its outstanding clarity, impact, and creativity in promoting pediatric medication safety.

A special thank you to Almaz Pharmacy for generously sponsoring the winning poster award.

The LAU School of Pharmacy is proud of its energetic students and dedicated faculty and staff, whose collaborative spirit and advocacy for patient safety made this year’s initiative a resounding success. Together, we continue to bridge education and community impact - two worlds united by one mission: safer healthcare for all.