There were three positions to fill for this election, and the network is happy to announce that they have a brand new President, Vice-President and Honorary Secretary.
Congratulations to the newly elected committee!
Introducing the newly elected PDA Ability Network Officers
Jyoti Buxani
President of the PDA Ability Network
Jyoti commenced practice as a pharmacist in 2006. She has worked in various sectors, including community, regulation and in more recent years, learning and development, supporting apprentices, postgraduates and now undergraduates. Following on from working with the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Fitness to Practice, Jyoti was given a unique perspective on the way registrants were supported with addressing processes. This was where she found she had a unique way of addressing issues in a novel manner. At the age of 34, she was diagnosed as dyslexic and identifies as being neurodivergent. She works as a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the University of Wolverhampton primarily, but also involves herself with raising awareness at conferences and on various platforms.
Jyoti said, “Being associated with the PDA has enabled me to speak openly as a pharmacist, as I have observed its progression in ‘being a voice’ for and empowering pharmacists who may require support, to not only defend but advocate for the profession. I am deeply passionate about promoting education and understanding about registrants who are being diagnosed or have been diagnosed with a disability, impacting their ability to work within the pharmacy profession.
The PDA ability network raises awareness of the challenges but also the unique attributes that these individuals can bring to their team and working environment. Being diagnosed as a dyslexic in adulthood, being neurodiverse and of BAME background, I understand the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the workplace.
As a lecturer and advocate for disability inclusion, it is essential to recognise that challenges such as limited career progression, unequal access to opportunities and unconscious bias do not only affect individuals but these barriers also restrict the advancement of our society. A failure to create equitable environments, can result in us losing out on the richness of diverse perspectives and the full potential of unique individuals.”
Rosie Barnes
Vice President of the PDA Ability Network
Rosie is a fourth year pharmacy student and a PDA student Rep. In June 2025, she wrote an article about communication differences in pharmacy education which featured in the PDA student newsletter.
Rosie said, “I am very proud to be able to represent the Ability Network as Vice President. Throughout my time on the MPharm course, I have observed the disadvantages that are present within pharmacy for disabled and neurodivergent pharmacists, trainees, and students. I am passionate about advocating for fairer and more inclusive working and learning environments, and I hope that together we can continue the great work that the Ability Network does for disabled pharmacists.”
Hazel Gueldner
Honorary Secretary of the PDA Ability Network
Hazel has worked in hospital pharmacy in Scotland for over 30 years, having qualified in 1990. She is currently a Trustee for FND Dimensions, a charity which supports individuals diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder.
Hazel said, “I am delighted to accept the position of Honorary Secretary of the PDA Ability Network. Having been a member of the PDA since the early days back in the 1990s, I only recently joined the Ability Network as I now live with the long-term disability Functional Neurological Disorder. I look forward to working with all members and allies of this network, using my skills to advocate for all pharmacists living with a disability to identify, highlight the barriers we face and support them to be able to practice pharmacy to their full potential.”
This is the first set of officers elected to run the PDA Ability Network and will serve for a term of 2 years. The PDA wishes them the best of luck in their roles.
Get involved
- Follow the PDA Ability Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAability
- For more information about the PDA Ability Network, click here.
- If you would like to get involved with the network and its activities, please email: [email protected]
- Join the PDA Ability Network here.
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.