It is in September 2018 when FIP witnessed a new president, Dominique Jordan. Throughout his busy schedule he graced us with an interview Conducted by FIPEd manager Nilhan Uzman.
Can you please describe the steps you have taken in your career that have led you to becoming the president of this global organization?
Dominique Jordan: It’s quite easy. I graduated in 1988 and immediately bought a pharmacy. I worked in pharmacy for three years and then began to look for what I could do for the profession and the best way was to get involved in the official organization. Three years later in 1991 I joined the Local Pharmacists Organization and two years later I became president. I was President for six years. During this time I have been involved in negotiation on the national level for negotiation with insurances. They ask me to be part of the committee on a national level. In 1995, I began my work in the ExCo of the National Organization.
In 2003 I became president of PharmaSuisse a national organization, I have been president until 2014. At this time specific period I developed in me curiosity and wanted to see what happened in other countries. I got involved in FIP in 1993 and became a member of the board of the CPS or the sections and after that they asked me to be president and I became president in 2006, I believe.
After that I was involved in BPP and became chair of the BPP. Last year I was candidate for the FIP presidency and won. So that’s how I was honored to be elected and now I am president of the FIP.
What was your secret to achieve this feat
Dominique Jordan: Being curios to learn and trust people bestowed upon me were the sole secret
When you were a young pharmacist, did you have the opportunity to work in any other pharmacy associations? If so what kind of opportunities have you participated in?
Dominique Jordan: I have been involved for 30 years negotiating with insurances and this was my first step in leadership. Deciding to get involved was an interesting step because at the beginning you are very shy and you have no clue. I think I was confident to learn, with time you become more confident and you dare to say things and you built a couple competencies, and this is very important you have to believe in your competence.
This could give a challenge for young pharmacists that they have to start earlier.
Dominique Jordan: Of course and they have to trust that they are able to do that. Because the older generation needs to have some younger people to challenge, to ask questions and to show them that the future is very important and we have a responsibility as the older generation to give young generation a healthy profession.
How do you envision the role of young pharmacists in FIP as key decision makers in healthcare
Dominique Jordan: They have to dare to participate in discussion because we know exactly that it takes about 10 years to have to implement changes. And if you are not participating from the beginning, you will be left behind.
Today, the analogy of bus.
Dominique Jordan: Yes exactly, if the bus is leaving, you have no chance to run up after the bus and to have a place in the bus. So that, from the beginning: discussed with the people, try to develop a strategy, try to bring good ideas for the future and find people listening to your wishes or to your needs.
When do you believe they can see a millennial generation in the bureau or boards or ExCos? Or… when and how?
Dominique Jordan: FIP, It is quite difficult because it’s an election process and as you might know, you have to be candidate and then the council is electing people. But we are thinking about other issue to involve younger generation in the work of the Bureau. For example observer statutes or inviting members or something like that. The problem is with a young pharmacist group is that they are changing every year the function and we need a bit more stability because, when we have a project, it’s rare to have a project implemented in within one year, so maybe three young pharmacists group has to think about how they could change a little bit the term, periods… the terms of a function within young pharmacists group and to be more present during a longer period in FIP and so I think it will be very important to have this continuity with Young pharmacists Group. But don’t forget, Young Pharmacist Group is the future of the pharmacy and it’s a very important group within FIP, because we are working for the future. As a president I develop some strategy, I try with my team to implement the strategy. But if the Young Pharmacists Group are not present we will miss something. I’m sure about that. So.. It’s a very important group and it’s the reason why the collaboration with Young Pharmacists Group is very important for me.
Yeah. I think, when I was reading one report, the second personal comment, it says that like the next 10 years, will be designed by the pharmacists of today. So if you feel that you know, no pressure, but the level of responsibility.
Dominique Jordan: Yeah, and they have to work. In ten years, I will be retired. So It’s a reason why it’s important that we have the opinion and thoughts of the Young Pharmacists group in our strategy.
What is your last favorite message as we come to the end
Dominique Jordan: Long live pharmacy, long live Young Pharmacists Group.
