Grandmother's influence guided Tess James to pharmacy work
When Tess James searches for signposts that led her to pharmacy, she immediately thinks of her grandmother’s influence.
“My nana was always making remedies in the practice of rongoā, Māori medicine. It’d be like, ‘What’s nana brought this time?’ She’d turn up at our house with things that you can buy in pharmacies now, like chamomile cream to help with bruising.”
In Sixth Form, Tess worked part time at a community pharmacy in Waitara, Taranaki, where she grew up. “Waitara is predominantly a Māori community. I noticed many of the customers who came in were on medication for diabetes and asthma.”
This got Tess thinking about how she could help, and she decided on a career in pharmacy.
It takes dedication to get to where you want to go
Though Tess enjoyed chemistry and biology at school, her struggle with physics became her Achilles’ heel at Otago University. She was registered to do a year of health sciences – the pre-requisite for a Bachelor of Pharmacy. “The rest of my marks in my first year were good, but they wouldn’t let me in because I hadn’t passed physics. So I resat physics. Me and physics were still not friends, but I passed!”
Tess’ motivation to get through university came from realising that her options were limited without a degree. “I could see how my parents struggled without qualifications – that was the driving force.
“I was the only person who went down to Otago from Waitara High, and though Dunedin was an awesome lifestyle, I actively had to work at making friends and meeting people.”
A little support made the path smoother
Life was made easier after Tess applied for and got a range of scholarships open to Māori pharmacy students. “People just don’t apply. My loan is probably about a quarter of the size of my classmates'!”
- Tess James in hospital talking with a patient about his medications
Support from the Otago University Māori Centre also helped Tess through her early days at university. Tess found the centre’s mentoring programme particularly good. “It’s nice to have this when you’re far from home.” She reciprocated in her second year by mentoring three new Māori health science students.
Tess also credits the Māori Pharmacists’ Association for their support. “They have an awesome support network. We got invited to conferences and met other Māori pharmacists at Auckland University.”
A win-win situation
Tess continues on the pathway towards a successful career. She’s bonded to the Taranaki Base Hospital, where she’s completing her internship. “They pay my fees for this year on the condition that I stay for another year. And I’m getting paid for both years, so it’s a win-win situation.”
