The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba is governed by a 12-member Council made up of pharmacy professionals and public representatives appointed by the Minister responsible for Health.
Council sets policy, strategic direction, and governs CPhM in the public interest.
Introducing CPhM’s Council Members
Ryan Buffie, Chair
Pharmacist
Term: 2024-2025
Ryan graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2001, and has spent his entire career working in community pharmacies. He is the co-owner of Assiniboine Pharmacy and Assiniboine Pharmacy South in Winnipeg. Ryan was elected to CPhM Council in 2020 and is currently serving his third term. Ryan loves to travel, and to talk about travelling – this has led him to obtain a Certificate in Travel Health from the International Society of Travel Medicine in 2015. Using this knowledge, he opened the first pharmacist-led travel clinic and Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre in Winnipeg. Along with travel health, Ryan practices in other specialty areas, such as fertility and palliative care. In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, golfing, playing guitar and riding his motorcycle.
Kathy Hunter, Vice Chair
Pharmacist
Term: 2024-2027
Kathy graduated in 1995 from the University of Manitoba. She has held a variety of positions during her pharmacy career, including being a staff pharmacist, a pharmacy manager, and a pharmacy district manager. She has also worked as an assistant registrar and served on several committees for the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba. She is currently a pharmacy manager with Co-op Pharmacy.
Donna Forbes
Public Representative
Donna Forbes is a retired Registered General and Psychiatric Nurse with post-graduate education in Health Care Administration. She retired after 34 years of service in hospital, community public health, and psychiatry across Manitoba and Alberta, working in northern, rural, and urban settings.
Her career spanned front-line and administrative roles at provincial, national, and international levels. Internationally, she consulted with the St. Lucia Caribbean government on health system management and organization. Nationally, she represented Manitoba on the National Public Health Working Group, Advisory Committee on Population Health, and the Canadian Council on Organ Donation and Transplantation. Provincially, she served on the taskforce that established the structure, legislation, governance, and funding of Regional Health Authority Board of Directors in Manitoba and directed the first provincially legislated Community Health Assessment process.
Her last position before retiring in 2008 was Associate Deputy Minister of Health, recognized with the Premier’s Service Excellence Award. Since retirement, Donna has been appointed by the Minister of Health as a Public Representative at the College of Pharmacy, where she works closely with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on the Executive and Council to protect the public.
Alanna Doell
Pharmacist
Term: 2024-2025
Alanna graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2016 and completed the Pharmacy Practice Residency program at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in 2017. She has worked in a variety of hospital clinical practice settings throughout her career in Winnipeg. Most recently, she worked at Seven Oaks General Hospital where she was the Clinical Resource Pharmacist and obtained her Extended Practice Pharmacist license. During her time in hospital practice, she was involved in many activities including preceptorship, medication safety, policy development and clinical initiatives. In 2024, Alanna transitioned to working at the University of Manitoba as an instructor for the College of Pharmacy. She currently teaches in the Clinical Therapeutics and Applied Pharmacy Practice streams. Alanna strives for progressive pharmacy practice that is centered around the well-being of the patient.
Donald Himbeault
Public Representative
Donald Himbeault holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Manitoba. Now a Retired Professional Engineer, Donald has worked as a research scientist for the Department of National Defense and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, and most recently as an R&D consultant for two large accounting firms.
He served for five years on the board of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, including one term as President, and for six years as a public representative on the board of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. Appointed as a Public Representative to the board of the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba in 2018, Donald also currently serves on the board of Nature Manitoba.
In his spare time, Donald enjoys outdoor activities and volunteers with organizations such as Engineers of Tomorrow, the Manitoba Museum, and Winnipeg Search and Rescue.
Amanda Jenkyns
Public Representative
Born and raised in Stonewall, Manitoba, Amanda Jenkyns cultivated a strong foundation in community and values early on. She honed her skills at Red River College and embarked on a dynamic 25-year career in restaurant management and hospitality, mastering the art of customer service and operational excellence. Her dedication to education and industry development led her to serve on the board of MITT, where she collaborated on initiatives that bridged education and industry needs.
Recently, Amanda has broadened her horizons, taking on the role of Account Sales Manager for Western Canada at Tillsonburg Customs Foods. This strategic move underscores her leadership and business acumen, leveraging her extensive network and expertise to drive growth in new markets.
Beyond her professional achievements, Amanda finds fulfillment in her role as a mother to a vibrant 16-year-old daughter and a playful 3-year-old Lab. Her passions extend to outdoor pursuits, whether fishing at the family cabin or immersing herself in a good book beneath the open sky.
Amanda embodies a commitment to excellence in both her professional and personal life, making her an invaluable asset to the Council. Her blend of industry knowledge, community spirit, and personal interests enriches every endeavor she undertakes.
Chantal MacDonald
Pharmacy Technician
Term: 2024-2027
Chantal’s diverse career in pharmacy practice began after completing the Pharmacy Technician program at Robertson College in Winnipeg in 2011. She started at Loblaw Pharmacy as an assistant after her practicum, where she gained foundational knowledge in pharmacy operations. In 2016, Chantal transitioned to a role at the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) as an administrative assistant. During this time, she contributed to the listing process of Pharmacy Technicians in Manitoba, gaining valuable insights into regulatory processes and compliance.
In 2017, Chantal completed her PEBC exams and became a Listed Pharmacy Technician in Manitoba. The following year, she took on a role in Drug Studies at St. Boniface Hospital, which deepened her understanding of pharmaceuticals and their clinical applications. Her career progressed as she secured a full-time Pharmacy Technician position at St. Boniface Hospital, where she gained experience in both sterile and non-sterile pharmacy departments.
In 2022, Chantal transitioned to her current role as a Dispensary Supervisor at Loblaw Pharmacy. In this role, she supports the Pharmacy Manager in overseeing day-to-day operations and managing support staff, showcasing her leadership abilities and expertise in pharmacy management.
Chantal has demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to improving pharmacy practice. Her dedication to advocating for Pharmacy Technicians and enhancing their roles within the pharmacy reflects her passion for advancing the profession and ensuring better outcomes for patients in Manitoba.
Brendon Mitchell (he/him)
Pharmacist
Term: 2024-2026
Brendon has been a pharmacist since 2007, working primarily in hospital & collaborative health system settings. Most of his time providing direct patient care has been in pediatrics, including establishing new pharmacist roles within existing ambulatory care teams in pediatric nephrology and renal transplantation clinics. More recently, Brendon has overseen the delivery of pharmacy services in hospital and collaborative health care settings, and has over 10 years of experience in formal pharmacy leadership roles.
Brendon’s professional interests include patient safety, pharmacist scope of practice, the ways in which pharmacy roles enhance the value of health service delivery, and leadership theory and practice
Teryl Moore
Pharmacist
Term: 2024-2026
Teryl Moore graduated from the University of Manitoba Pharmacy program in 1997 and is now serving her second term on the CPhM Council. Her pharmacy career began with a summer research position at the Canadian Pharmacists Association in Ottawa, followed by a 12-month Industrial Residency with Apotex in Toronto. Teryl remained with Apotex for another 2.5 years, developing educational programs and practice tools in Professional Affairs.
After Apotex, Teryl worked as a locum pharmacist in Ontario, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories. She later settled in Parry Sound, Ontario, working first for a chain, then an independent pharmacy, and providing occasional locum services. In 2010, she joined the Parry Sound Family Health Team, continuing remotely after moving back to Manitoba.
Teryl also joined Northwest Company in late 2010 as a Telepharmacist, initially providing anticoagulation monitoring and later expanding her role to include remote hospital pharmacy services. In 2016, she co-founded Quarry Ridge Pharmacy and Medical Clinic in Stonewall.
Teryl has two active children and a husband who owns a construction business. They also manage several rental properties. Teryl is treasurer for the Quarry Choristers Dinner Theatre group and a board member for the Rockwood Festival of the Arts. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, camping, curling, skiing, and photography.
Lavern Vercaigne
Ex Officio Member
Dr. Lavern Vercaigne is the current Acting Dean in the College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. He has been the Associate Dean (Academic) since 2010 and a faculty member since 1995.
He has taught extensively in the College, practiced and conducted research in the area of chronic kidney disease, and has provided significant service to the College, University, external organizations and the pharmacy profession.
Elizabeth Reimer
Public Representative
Elizabeth Reimer was appointed to CPhM Council by the Manitoba Minister of Health in 2021. She holds a business diploma and is certified in mediation. She comes from a strong business background, has worked in government, non-profit and in the private sector and has sat on various of boards and committees. She brings to the role a diverse skillset including financial management, communication, and risk management.