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Guorgui one of Canada's Top 25 Immigrants for 2015 by Bob Mitchell Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Thursday, July 23, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com For Oakville's Sherif Guorgui being recognized as one of Canada's Top 25 Immigrants for 2015 was a humbling experience, but one he hopes will encourage others to strive for success as well. "It was certainly a very humbling surprise to be recognized," said Guorgui, an internationally-trained pharmacist, entrepreneur, and vice-president of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. "But I believe the ultimate value of such recognition is to showcase the contribution of immigrants to the Canadian society, and more importantly, to inspire and motivate others to seek and realize their full potential." The Top 25 Canadian Immigrants award program (http://canadianimmigrant.ca/ canadas-top-25-immigrants/2015-rbc-top25-canadian-immigrant-award-winners) announced is run by Canadian Immigrant Magazine and sponsored by RBC. Guorgui won the `People's Choice' award. Initially, more than 650 nominees were on the list. They were then narrowed down to 75 finalists. More than 45,000 online votes were cast to select the top 25 candidates. The award recognizes inspirational immigrants, who have come to Canada, achieved success and made a positive Sherif Guorgui | submitted photo difference living here. Among this year's winners were celebrity chefs/restaurateurs, Vikram Vij and Susur Lee. Guorgui moved to Canada from Egypt with his family in search of a better future and equal opportunities. Driven to succeed, this thirdgeneration pharmacist stopped at nothing to ensure his success in his new country. "For any immigrant, getting established as a professional in a new country is a challenging and lengthy process that requires commitment and hard work," he said. "Awards like these are a testament that there are opportunities and recognition at the end of road for effective integration into Canadian society." Married with two children, Guorgui graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Cairo and has been practising as a licenced pharmacist in Ontario for more than 15 years. Upon his arrival in Canada, Guorgui participated in the Leaders for Change program, offered by the Maytree Foundation to help build the capacity of immigrants as potential leaders. He also became involved in the University of Toronto's International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG) program, designed to integrate internationally trained pharmacists into the pharmacy profession in Canada. Once able to practise his profession here, Guorgui started out as an entrepreneur, owning and operating his own independent pharmacy, before becoming a franchise owner with Shoppers Drug Mart. His skills, talent and impact were immediately noticed and he moved into senior corporate leadership roles at Shoppers Drug Mart and then to Rexall/PharmaPlus before joining the Ontario Pharmacists Association as its vice-president of pharmacy, where he oversees pharmacy business support services, practice resources, continuing education and professional development. Guorgui has also shown his dedication to the pharmacy profession by actively serving on the Council of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, the regulatory body of pharmacy practice in Ontario. He served a term as president of the college -- the first IPG program graduate to achieve this honour. He is also currently an advisory board member for the Humber College pharmacy technician program, as well as a mentor for the career centre informational interview program at the University of Toronto, in addition to serving on other various taskforces and working groups." "Once you've achieved success, it is important, and also fulfilling, to give back to your community, to be involved in public service, and to invest your personal time to inspire, mentor and help others succeed," he said. Save time and money with your FREE programmable thermostat. Saving energy has never been easier. Join peaksaver PLUS® and receive a FREE programmable thermostat that will allow you to change the temperature in your home anytime, from anywhere. Now that's comfort. Call to sign-up: 1-844-599-1177 Click to learn more: Oakvillehydro.com Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. Funded by the Independent Electricity System Operator and offered by Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. OMOfficial Mark adopted and used by the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under licence. peaksaver PLUS® is a registered trade-mark of the Toronto Hydro Corporation. Used under sublicence. Must have central air conditioning in good working order to participate. Limited time offer.