Lakes Esplanade Guardian Pharmacy was recognised as the Guardian Pharmacy of the year for Victoria and Tasmania at the 2018 Pharmacy Assistant Annual Conference on Saturday, September 8.

The award is designed to recognise pharmacies, which demonstrate their commitment to brand standards, customer service standards and professional services and campaigns. Furthermore, developing a positive team culture and consistently delivering an exceptional customer service experience.

Lakes Esplanade Guardian Pharmacy retail manager, Gabi Wright, who was a finalist in the retail manager of the year category and has worked at the pharmacy for three years, said it was a good recognition of the hard work everyone at the pharmacy puts in.

“We are very thrilled to receive the award. It is a great acknowledgement of what everyone does here,” Gabi said.

“We have been runners-up a couple of times in the last few years so it was good to get that win and be recognised as the best Guardian pharmacy in all of Victoria and Tasmania.

“The award is voted on compliance, customer reviews and is a really good indicator of how well our team clicks and works together.

“We are definitely here for the community as we work hard to find the best outcome for our customers.

“The win puts us in line for the national awards where we will represent Victoria and Tasmania.

“It definitely came as a shock. It’s nice to get recognition. We were the finalists in two other categories as well. I was a finalist, while Simone Fuller was a finalist in the pharmacy assistant of the year category.

“She has only been at the pharmacy for 12 months, but is very customer focused and always works towards getting the best outcome.

“The team here are very willing to learn and do training, which a lot of the time is in their own time. They travel to train and get better at their roles.

“To have this success shows we are doing the right things at the pharmacy. It’s awesome.”

The National Retail Conference will be held on the Gold Coast in March 2019.

Brian Tomlin, Sigma’s general manager Amcal and Guardian, congratulated Lakes Esplanade Guardian Pharmacy on its win.

“Our pharmacies play a pivotal role in providing complete healthcare solutions to improve customer and patient health outcomes in our communities. We are very pleased to be able to recognise the store’s achievements and celebrate the win,” he said.

PICTURED: Fady Beshay, Sam Jackson, Silvia Botrus, Gabi Wright, Deb Scionti and Clancy Donnelly are just some of the award-winning Lakes Esplanade Guardian Pharmacy team, which was recognised as the Guardian Pharmacy of the year for Victoria and Tasmania at the 2018 Pharmacy Assistants Annual Conference on Saturday, September 8.