Retirement celebration to be held for ‘inspiring’ decorated local pharmacist

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A pharmacist who championed the community in his profession in the Peace region will be honoured with a retirement celebration later this month.

Mike Ortynsky, who was honoured by the BC Pharmacy Association in May for a lifetime achievement award after four decades of service, will be celebrated with a public event on July 27th.

Tania Bell, a registered nurse and organizer of the event, has known Ortynsky for the past three decades, after completing her studies in Dawson Creek and Prince George.

She says Ortynsky’s mentorship “had an impact” on her career and he got her looking “beyond her expectations” for the work she now currently does at Fort St. John Pharmacy and Wellness Centre.

“I was just looking towards more traditional registered nurse positions,” said Bell. “He was persistent in talking to me about doing whatever I thought that I could do.”

Initially working with the Fort St. John Association for Community Living, Bell said she was “looking for a change” and joined the team at the pharmacy at 9703 101st Avenue in 1999.

Her current job is a nurse specializing in wound, ostomy and continence (NSWOC) and as an advanced foot care nurse. 

Bell adds Ortynsky’s belief in personal empowerment led Bell “toward roles [where] she could make a broader impact.”

Bell says Ortynsky’s passion was “contagious” and she describes him as a man that was “always looking to improve.”

The group Ortynsky helped establish, Health Team Holding Corporation, grew from a single purchase of a pharmacy in Tumbler Ridge and now includes pharmacies in several towns in B.C., including the Fort St. John Pharmacy and Wellness Centre.

Having dealt with medical obstacles since 2022, including a stroke, Ortynsky currently lives in Vancouver with his family.

He will be travelling to Fort St. John later in July, and after a private lunch with friends, a public retirement event will be at Festival Plaza, where town residents can come by to thank him from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 27th.

“He just always inspired me or pushed me to pursue other opportunities,” said Bell. “[Mike] just gave me the environment to be able to do that.”