FROM REFUGEE TO RECEIVING MULTIPLE ACCOLADES AS A COMMUNITY PHARMACIST
With
Sara Murdock MPS,
Lead Pharmacist,
Pharmacy 777 Pascoe Vale (Melbourne), Victoria
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | December 2025
Sara is an experienced pharmacist, community health advocate, and the Lead Pharmacist at Pharmacy 777 Pascoe Vale in Victoria. With over 20 years in the profession, Sara has played a significant role in advancing local healthcare delivery through clinical leadership, service development, and strong community partnerships.
In 2025, Sara was recognised as the VIC Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the National Winner of the Outstanding Community Pharmacist Award by Patients Australia. Recently, Sara also was awarded the 2025 International Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmacy Innovation Assembly, are acknowledgements that reflect her growing impact across pharmacy practice.
Sara is a passionate advocate for accessible healthcare, full scope pharmacy practice, and inclusive community services. She has led major health initiatives, including school-based immunisation programs, chronic disease prevention efforts, aged care outreach, and student mentoring programs. She also established the first pharmacist-led vaccination clinic at the local neighbourhood house, expanding care to vulnerable and underserved populations.
Beyond the dispensary, Sara is a key contributor to the national Pharmacy 777 Retail Services Pharmacy Owners Working Group. She collaborates on strategies for patient-centric care, retail innovation, and sustainable business models that support both pharmacists and consumers across Australia.
Her leadership also extends far beyond the pharmacy walls. Sara is an active Rotarian and Chair of Community Services for her local Rotary Club. She is a trusted speaker at Rotary events, parliamentary forums, health panels, universities, and grassroots community gatherings, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to the conversation.
As a solo mother of two and a dedicated health professional, Sara brings compassion, experience, and clarity of purpose to her work. She is especially committed to supporting the next generation of pharmacists and advocating for systems that deliver better outcomes for patients and communities alike.
Sara’s voice is one of resilience. At just 12 years old, she was smuggled from war-tom Iraq through mountains and borders, arriving in Australia as a child refugee. Her early experiences shaped her enduring belief in equitable healthcare and the power of service, Today, she continues to build a career and legacy rooted in care, contribution, and connection, proving that it’s possible to lead with strength while remaining grounded in humanity.
Source: Supplied and adapted
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Understanding extracellular vesicles in cancer therapy research
Joy Wolfram is an Associate Professor at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland in Australia. Originally from Finland, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology before transitioning to engineering with a PhD in nanotechnology completed in China. Wolfram has over a decade of experience working in hospitals in the United States before joining the University of Queensland.
Her research focuses on extracellular vesicles, which are crucial for cell communication both locally within tissues and over longer distances between organs. Her lab studies the roles of these vesicles in both health and disease, particularly in cancer. They investigate the harmful messages released by cancer cells that aid in tumour growth, specifically in breast cancer, while also exploring how to harness beneficial extracellular vesicles from healthy individuals as potential therapeutics.
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From nurse, to roles in medtech marketing, championing women’s health
Aggie Cox is a senior healthcare marketing leader and women’s health advocate with over two decades of experience spanning clinical care, medical technology, and executive marketing leadership. She currently serves as Government Affairs & Marketing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Hologic, Inc., a global medical technology company dedicated to advancing women’s health through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Enhancing occupational therapy service provision with military veterans
Almost half a million Australians have served with the Australian Defence Force. Given the high prevalence of physical and mental health conditions and complexity of civilian life adjustment after military service, high-quality occupational therapy services are critical. However, there is limited description of occupational therapy service provision to individuals funded by the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs to inform government policy.
A cross-sectional study, led by Professor Carol McKinstry, Professor of Occupational Therapy and Deputy Dean with La Trobe University’s Rural Health School at the Bendigo campus has used an online survey to collect information from occupational therapists providing services to Department of Veterans’ Affairs clients.
