Westman pharmacists recognized for outstanding leadership

Two Westman pharmacists have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to community service and empowering staff to deliver an exceptional level of care to patients.

Pharmacists Manitoba, a non-profit advocacy organization that represents pharmacists across the province, held its annual 2026 award ceremony at the Norwood Hotel in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon.

Among the nine award recipients this year, Jennifer Ludwig of Brandon won the Bowl of Hygeia Award and Matt Williams of Souris received the Ozturk Financial Pharmacy Business Leadership Award.

Ludwig said she was “speechless” and “shocked” when she found out she had won the award that recognizes her devotion to helping her community.

“The first thought I think that went through my brain was, ‘Oh my goodness, I definitely haven’t done enough to receive this award,’ but now it’s sunk in a little bit and I am truly humbled and honoured to have had my name put forward and (to) have received the award,” she told the Sun on Monday.

The Bowl of Hygeia Award was established in 1958 and is given to a pharmacist for their outstanding community service.

Ludwig has contributed a significant amount of time and expertise to initiatives that advance patient safety, support youth and families and strengthen economic and social development in Brandon, Pharmacists Manitoba CEO Andrea Lear said in a statement.

“Her work reflects the broader impact pharmacists can have as community leaders, extending well beyond traditional practice,” Lear said.

Ludwig graduated from the University of Manitoba’s college of pharmacy in 2005. In 2022, she became the president of Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd., which operates 17 stores across Manitoba and British Columbia.

She has volunteered on the Westman Dreams for Kids Advisory Committee that works to fulfil dreams of very ill or terminally ill children. She also volunteered on the Assiniboine College Foundation Board during a fundraising campaign for the nursing program, which provided high fidelity mannequin simulators for student learning.

Ludwig is currently the president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Manitoba Premier’s Business and Jobs Council subcommittee for U.S. trade relations.

“For those who know me, they do know I like to keep busy,” she said.

“It’s not in me to sit by and not do anything to try and make things better, not just for myself, but for all of those in our community.”

As a third-generation pharmacist, Ludwig followed in the footsteps of her uncle and two great-uncles, who all graduated from U of M. She began her career working with her uncle at Brandon’s Home Health Care Pharmacy.

“I honestly feel like pharmacy is in my blood, and I love it,” she said.

Her uncle, Joss March, a founding partner of Super Thrifty, as well as Super Thrifty pharmacists Lori Dangerfield and Kim Bright, inspired her in the profession.

“I feel like just being around those people really just showed me what it meant to be, not only a pharmacist, but that community matters, and you really should try and give back as much as possible,” Ludwig said.

“When you do give back, you end up learning so much about yourself, but so much about your community, and it’s just wonderful.”

Ludwig said being a pharmacist is “truly rewarding” and she loves how it provides opportunities for people to pursue different pharmaceutical backgrounds in areas such as retail, research or clinical pharmacy.

The Ozturk Financial Pharmacy Business Leadership Award was presented to Williams for his strong leadership as the co-owner of Pharmasave in Souris. The award was first presented in 2019, Lear said.

“He is widely recognized by patients, colleagues and health-care partners for his accessibility, clinical expertise and ability to build trust, particularly in a rural setting with limited access to other providers,” she said.

“His leadership has directly improved patient outcomes and strengthened the role of the pharmacy as a key point of care in the community.”

Williams graduated from U of M’s college of pharmacy in 2019. He began practising as a pharmacist in Ste. Rose du Lac before returning to Souris in 2020 to serve the community he grew up in.

“In a small community, you really get to know people, especially over the years, and their families, and just create a better connection with them, and hopefully that reflects or comes out in a better form of care for them as well,” Williams said Monday.

He encourages his staff to continue developing connections with patients to make people feel welcome and provide an expanded scope of practice, such as administering vaccinations and prescribing for smoking cessation and UTIs.

Williams said it felt good to be recognized and appreciated for his work.

“But even better than that was knowing that there were people that thought to nominate me in that way,” he said.

Williams encourages students interested in the profession to speak with a pharmacist to see if it’s the right fit for them.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com