Behind every successful patient recovery is a dedicated healthcare team, and Michael Smith, who joined as a Pharmacist in August 2023, brings decades of experience and a passionate commitment to healthcare that has already made a significant impact.

“Everyone has a talent—mine is helping people through pharmacy,” says Smith, whose journey in healthcare began with aspirations of becoming a doctor. Though he initially missed the deadline for medical school, this seeming setback led him down a path that would ultimately define his life’s purpose.

After early years spent at Chelsea Road Private School and then Harrison College, Smith began his professional journey as a medical sales representative at Geddes Grant. This experience sparked his interest in pharmacology, leading him to pursue an Associate degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis on pharmacy from Barbados Community College. He later earned a B.A. in Natural Sciences with a minor in accounting and business from the University of the West Indies, combining his passion for healthcare with valuable business acumen.

Smith’s extensive experience includes six years at Joe’s Pharmacy in Oistins, followed by a tenure at Lewis Drug Mart. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish and operate his own community pharmacy from 2002 to 2019. While working at a private community pharmacy, he learned of an opportunity at Bayview Hospital Pharmacy and joined the team in August 2023.

“The hospital setting is far more integral,” Smith explains, describing what sets Bayview Pharmacy apart. “We’re dealing with injectables, working with patients in the ward, ICU, and operating theatre. The direct collaboration with doctors and nurses to determine the best modes of treatment adds a dynamic dimension to patient care.”

What truly distinguishes Smith’s approach is his emphasis on building trust and understanding each patient’s unique needs. “It’s not just about dispensing medication,” he says. “It’s about educating people on their general health and ensuring they understand the importance of following prescribed treatments correctly.”

He particularly emphasises the temporary nature of many medication regimens: “Just because you are prescribed medication doesn’t mean you must stay on meds ad infinitum. It’s not a life sentence. People take their meds and recover.”

At Bayview Hospital Pharmacy, Smith has found a perfect alignment with his healthcare philosophy. “The care, love, empathy, and bedside manner you receive here is second to none,” he notes. The experience has been eye-opening, offering him a comprehensive view of healthcare delivery with all professionals working together under one roof.

Having loved the profession since age 18, Smith continues to balance his personal and professional life while maintaining his commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical care. His guiding principle remains clear: “The legacy you leave is how you use the talent God has given you. Make sure you’re making the world a better place.”

At Bayview Hospital Pharmacy everyone, whether they are hospital patients, outpatients, or walk-ins—experiences the same commitment to excellence and genuine compassion that defines its service.