Abigail Lee, a Cree member of the Cold Lake First Nations, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Health Science Grant with the Urban Spirit Foundation, sponsored in part by Pfizer

Abigail is a third-year student in the University of British Columbia's entry-to-practice Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Driven by a desire to give back to her rural and Indigenous communities, Abigail has found her calling in pharmacy. "I really wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare field to help others," she explains. "I decided on pharmacy because I enjoyed the science behind it, and the aspect of helping people, so it seemed like a good mixture of both." Her passion for the field was further solidified by a summer job at her local pharmacy, where she worked alongside a pharmacist she had known her entire life.

The fellowship will allow Abigail to reduce the financial burden of completing her degree, enabling her to focus on her studies and prepare for a career serving underserved communities.

Pfizer's support for this fellowship aligns with one of the company's goals of advancing health equity in Canada. "Advancing health equity stems deeply from Pfizer's purpose and values," says Patrick Kim Chiaw, Lead for Pfizer Canada’s Advance Health Outcomes Workstream. "We recognize that systemic barriers have led to longstanding disparities in health outcomes, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities. This Indigenous healthcare fellowship is an important step in addressing those inequities."

By investing in the education and professional development of Indigenous students like Abigail, Pfizer aims to help build a healthcare workforce that better reflects the communities it serves. Increased representation of Indigenous voices and perspectives in the healthcare system will lead to improved access to more culturally-appropriate care for Indigenous populations.

This fellowship is part of Pfizer's broader commitment to partnering with communities, governments, and civil society to dismantle the root causes of health inequities. "Through programs like this, we're investing in community-led solutions that empower underserved populations and create a more inclusive, equitable healthcare landscape for all," says Patrick.