Eric Kirk Memorial Award 2025 Winner Announced

PSWA are pleased to announce the winner of the Eric Kirk Memorial Award for 2025 is clinical oncology pharmacist Naomi van Hagen.

Naomi has made significant contributions to the development of professional practice in pharmacy in WA through her work as a clinical oncology pharmacist, rural community pharmacy owner and founder of HOPE Cancer Care. Naomi has been a pioneer in oncology pharmacy, significantly advancing the role of pharmacists in cancer care through innovation, clinical leadership and patient advocacy.

Naomi played a key role in developing the clinical pharmacist role in the chemotherapy day suite at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. She established pharmacist-led support for patients, improving medication safety, side effect management and patient education. Naomi’s work ensured pharmacists are integral in medication dose verification prior to compounding and developed a pathway for pharmacist led patient reviews, providing essential first line support for patients who are not routinely reviewed by their oncologist prior to treatment. She also led the establishment of a pharmacist clinical trials position, further enhancing pharmacist involvement in oncology research and patient care, contributing to the evolution of oncology pharmacy services in hospital settings.

Naomi currently works as a consultant pharmacist in a private oncology practice. She has developed a specialist pharmacist role in setting up treatment pathways, including clinical trials, for prescribing and review by a medical oncologist, demonstrating the value of pharmacists in specialist multidisciplinary teams. The role includes liaison between the oncologist, patient, inpatient unit, GP and community pharmacy enhancing cancer treatment and continuity of care for patients.

Recognising gaps in patient support, Naomi identified a need for better access to products to help manage and prevent chemotherapy-related side effects. This led her to co-found HOPE Cancer Care, an initiative aimed at providing access to essential products to improve the quality of life of Australians undergoing cancer treatment.

Naomi’s passion for oncology pharmacy, innovation in patient care, and leadership in both hospital and community pharmacy settings highlights her dedication to advancing the profession.

Through her leadership, research and patient centred innovations, Naomi has redefined the role of pharmacists in oncology, demonstrating their critical contribution to both clinical practice and patient wellbeing in Western Australia.

Naomi has made an outstanding contribution to professional pharmacy practice in Western Australia and is a very deserving recipient of the Eric Kirk Memorial Award.