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Alexa Harvey
Pharmacy Student
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“Coming back to Manitoba has been really special. It’s an opportunity to serve the same communities I grew up in.
Being able to use French in patient interactions can be really reassuring and helps make sensitive conversations more comfortable and safer for patients.”
Dominique, HCRRO Professional Recruiter (left) and Alexa Harvey, Pharmacy Student (right)
Rooted in community, delivered en français.
with pharmacy student Alexa Harvey
Alexa Harvey’s introduction to pharmacy was simple, working as a cashier in her hometown’s small community pharmacy in St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba. It was there, in her close-knit, bilingual community, that her interest in health care began to take shape.
“I knew I loved science and helping people,” Alexa smiled. “Pharmacy felt like the perfect balance for me, combining clinical knowledge with meaningful, patient-centred care.”
Alexa’s journey has always been grounded in her Francophone identity. She completed her K–12 education in French in St-Pierre-Jolys before continuing her studies at Université de Saint-Boniface in Winnipeg. When it came time to pursue pharmacy, she was drawn to the French-language PharmD program at the University of Ottawa where she has continued to learn in her first language while experiencing life in a new province.
Now in her second year, Alexa has returned to southern Manitoba for a hospital placement in the emergency department at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, bringing her full circle back to the region where her interest was first sparked.
“Coming back here has been really special,” she shared. “It’s an opportunity to serve the same communities I grew up in. Being able to use French in patient interactions can be really reassuring and helps make sensitive conversations more comfortable and safer for patients.”
Alexa’s current rural placement at Bethesda Hospital has opened her eyes to the diversity and intensity of care outside of urban centres. Compared to more specialized environments, rural health care exposes practitioners to a wide variety of patient needs.
“In a rural setting, you really see a bit of everything,” she said. “It’s such a valuable learning experience because you’re not limited to one type of case, you’re constantly learning and growing as a health care professional.”
Working in a hospital, particularly in the emergency department, has also brought a new level of excitement and purpose to her training.
“It’s fast-paced in a completely different way than community pharmacy,” she explained. “You’re part of the care team, making recommendations in real time and collaborating directly with physicians, nurses, and other professionals. Everyone is working toward the best possible outcome for the patient.”
Alexa adds that the collaborative nature of hospital work is one of its biggest advantages. “You’re not just dispensing medication; you’re actively involved in patient care decisions. Being able to communicate face-to-face with the health care team makes a huge difference.”
“I’m a very hands-on learner. Being on the unit, hearing discussions, seeing how decisions are made, that’s where everything clicks for me.”
Even when she’s not directly involved in a case, Alexa values simply being present as a student, absorbing knowledge, asking questions, and building confidence.
“Every day, I’m learning something new. It’s exciting to think about the kind of pharmacist I’m becoming.”
As Alexa continues her pharmacy education, she’s especially interested in opportunities that allow her to serve Francophone communities, where she knows she can make a meaningful impact.
“I would love to continue working in places where I can use my French,” she said. “There’s something really rewarding about that.”
Ready to make an impact in both official languages?
Across Manitoba, bilingual health care professionals play a vital role in creating safe, accessible, and culturally meaningful care, especially in rural communities. Deliver care that truly connects and be part of a workforce that makes a difference every day.
Connect with Manitoba’s Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office’s bilingual recruiter to explore bilingual healthcare opportunities in Manitoba.