meet pennsylvania's 2016-2017 residents!

1 Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Meet Pennsylvania’s 2016-2017 Residents!

Kalyn Marie Acker, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Health-

System Pharmacy Administration

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After completion of my residency, I hope

to obtain a pharmacy manager position in a large health-system. My long

term career goal is to become a director of pharmacy where I can influence

and implement practices and policies to improve patient care.

Project/ Research Question: As an MPH candidate, I would like to

complete a residency project encompassing aspects of both pharmacy and

public health.

Jessica Anderson, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian/Shadyside, PGY2,

Ambulatory Care

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I hope to have a shared clinical and

academic position offering opportunities to work with students both in and

out of the classroom. I enjoy all aspects of primary care, but particularly am

interested in working in an outpatient clinic with a focus on diabetes, heart

failure or COPD.

Project/ Research Question: I will be assessing the impact of specific

pharmacist interventions in an outpatient heart failure clinic.

Sarah Marie Anderson, PharmD, Duquesne University, PGY1,

Community Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself in an academia position,

as well as, practicing in an ambulatory setting. I would like to increase

access to healthcare nationally and internationally by creating a pharmacy-

focused initiative.

Project/ Research Question: I would like to focus on patient outcomes and

how pharmacists influence the improvement of patients’ health.

Mina Antonius, PharmD, Highmark, PGY1, Managed Care

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision using managed care as a way to

positively impact health care specifically through medication therapy

management programs.

Project/ Research Question: Improve refill adherence in patients through

medication therapy management. Investigate whether a person calling a

patient for a refill improves adherence vs an automated voice machine

calling a patient for a refill.


Gina Ayers, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY1, Pharmacy Residency

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: Ultimately, I hope to practice as a clinical

pharmacist in either the inpatient or ambulatory care setting with a focus on

geriatric care. I would also like to serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students

on their IPPE and APPE rotations, as well as continue to be involved in

research.

Project/ Research Question: The overall research goal is to determine if

use of Xarelto starter packs given upon discharge from the emergency

department (ED) improves ED throughput for patients presenting with a deep

venous thrombosis. The project will compare outcomes for patients treated

with the starter pack versus those treated with alternative anticoagulation.

Aiman Bandali, PharmD, Hahnemann University Hospital, PGY1,

Pharmacy Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself as an oncology/

transplant pharmacist in a university/ research based institution.

Project/ Research Question: I intend to conduct a research project on

infectious disease in transplant patients.

Sheava K. Blackman, PharmD, UPMC Shadyside, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After successfully completing my PGY-1

residency I plan on pursuing a PGY-2 in Ambulatory Care. My ultimate goal

is to work collaboratively with other health care providers in a primary care

outpatient setting to provide optimal patient care and education.

Project/ Research Question: Assessing if pharmacists providing spacers

and inhaler technique assessment/education improve patient understanding

and outcomes.

Anna Bondar, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY2, Ambulatory Care

with an emphasis in Family Medicine

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5 to 10 years I hope to be a clinical

outpatient pharmacist integrated within a medical practice. I hope to teach

pharmacy and medical residents and students. I hope to play an integral role

in the education of clinicians as well as continue my research in underserved

populations.

Project/ Research Question: I hope to study the effects of pharmacist-

conducted hospital follow-up appointments in the home visit setting. I will

compare the effects of a pharmacist home visit vs usual care (in-office follow

up or no follow-up at all).

Megan Bookser, PharmD, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, PGY1,

Pharmacy Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My goal as a pharmacist is to provide

education and build lasting relationships as a healthcare provider. I plan to

seek board certification and obtain a clinical position in an ambulatory care

setting. Additionally, I hope to precept and mentor pharmacy students and

continue to expand the practice of pharmacy.

Project/ Research Question: I intend to research the impact of an enhanced

pharmacy presence in our Pregnancy Recovery Center. My research will

focus specifically on the education and medication management of pregnant


and postpartum women suffering from substance abuse.

Gregory Bresin, PharmD, CVS Caremark, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I intend to practice in clinical account

management or clinical program development for a health plan or pharmacy

benefit manager as well as have a teaching role in academia.

Project/ Research Question: I plan to complete a research project that

investigates the effectiveness of a clinical program on client outcomes.

Daniel Brust, PharmD, Erie VA Medical Center, PGY1, Pharmacy Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5-10 years, I envision myself working as

a clinical pharmacist in an outpatient clinic helping to manage chronic,

ambulatory disease states. I would like to incorporate more clinical practice

aspects into community pharmacy to improve patient care at the community

level of access.

Project/ Research Question: My research project will include

assessing the anticholinergic burden in the elderly and determining how

to reduce this burden appropriately to achieve better outcomes.

Carley Buchanan, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Infectious

Disease Pharmacy Resident

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5-10 years I would like to be working in

a large, teaching hospital as an infectious disease clinical specialist. I

envision myself precepting pharmacy students and residents, in addition to

directly participating in patient care on a daily basis.

Project/ Research Question: Does implementation of rapid diagnostic real-

time Staphylococcus aureus PCR for MSSA bacteremia improve time to

optimal antibiotic administration?

Kelcymarie Bye, PharmD, Lebanon VA Medical Center, PGY1, Pharmacy

Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself working in an ambulatory

care clinic and obtaining my BCPS and CDE certifications. I would also like

to work with improving medication safety by reviewing adverse event

reports.

Project/ Research Question: My project has not been decided yet, but will

likely be related to the role of the pharmacist in the outpatient setting.


Megan Carr, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY1, Pharmacy Residency

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I intend to pursue a career in both

ambulatory geriatric care and academia, in a setting where I will be able to

interact with pharmacy learners on a regular basis as well as participate in

patient care and clinical research in the outpatient setting.

Project/ Research Question: My research aims to identify the prevalence of

the utilization of mental status exams when prescribing anti-dementia agents

in older adults. This will be determined through the use of a CDC National

Survey Database.

Sophia Chhay, PharmD, Erie VA Medical Center, PGY1, Pharmacy

Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My interests lie principally in ambulatory

care and education. Upon completion of residency, I hope to remain within

the VA or to join an outpatient ambulatory care clinic. In the long term, I

would like to hold a position in academia or to work for a national pharmacy

organization.

Project/Research Question: My residency project will be centered on the

Erie VA Medical Center Anticoagulation Clinic’s direct oral anticoagulant

consultations.

Catherine Chun, PharmD, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, PGY2,

Cardiology

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After the completion of my residency, I

hope to find a position where I can integrate myself as a clinical pharmacist,

specializing in cardiology.

Project/ Research Question: Plans for my research project have not yet

been finalized.

Brooklyn Cobb, PharmD, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at USciences

in conjuction with Cooper University Hospital, PGY2, Pharmacotherapy

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself practicing as a clinical

pharmacy specialist in internal medicine while holding teaching

responsibilities at a local pharmacy school, educating the future pharmacists

of the generation.

Project/ Research Question: Developing innovative strategies to improve

patient care and medication-related HCAHPS scores through pharmacists to

patient interactions.

Katlyn Combs, PharmD, Lancaster General Health, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My goal is to grow into a confident and

competent clinical pharmacist and to work in a setting that will allow me to

have meaningful interactions with patients and practitioners as part of a

multidisciplinary team. As a part of that team, I hope to improve medication

regimens and ultimately improve the health and well-being of my patients.

Within the next five years, I also hope to become a pharmacy preceptor for

future pharmacists.

Project/ Research Question: Impact of a Pharmacist Driven Perioperative

Anticoagulation Management Protocol


Ardis Copenhaver, MS, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY1, Pharmacy

Residency

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I look forward to pursuing a career in

clinical education, while serving a family medicine inpatient or outpatient

practice. In addition, I want to continue to promote the profession through

professional organizations (e.g. American Association of Colleges of

Pharmacy, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and Society for Teachers

of Family Medicine), state level, and local community involvement to ensure

the growth and progression of pharmacy practice.

Project/ Research Question: The goal of my research is to determine the

versatility of a PGY2 pharmacy residency. A survey of PGY2-trained

pharmacists will determine whether these clinicians obtained a position

within their trained-specialty during the first year post-graduation and

whether they continue to practice in their specialty. In addition, the survey

will assess the reasons for not practicing as a clinical pharmacist or in their

trained-specialty.

Chelsea Jayne Cunningham Evry, PharmD, Lancaster General Health –

Penn Medicine, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself in an ambulatory care

setting. Ideally, I would be conducting chronic disease state management

for patients with diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, for example.

Project/ Research Question: This is not yet finalized but I would like to do

my research project on something related to the outpatient setting.

For example, outpatient diabetes management, anticoagulation, access to

care or transitions of care.

Julia Marie Veronica Dawson, PharmD, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

of UPMC, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I intend to be working in a children’s

hospital as a clinical pharmacist. I plan to specialized in an area of pediatric

pharmacy (to be decided during my PGY1) and pursue the board certification

for clinical pediatrics.

Project/ Research Question: My research project will look at pediatric

patients receiving nephrotoxic agents and better methods for preventing

acute kidney injury.

Angela DiPaola, PharmD, ACME Sav-on Pharmacy, PGY1, Community

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I aspire to serve my community by

delivering patient care services in a community pharmacy. Pharmacists’ role

in the community has expanded greatly in recent years. I envision that these

roles will expand even further, achieving provider status and providing care

that focuses on improving patients’ overall health and wellbeing.

Project/ Research Question: Through my research, I hope to shed light on

how pharmacists can best communicate the risk of addiction, dependence,

and tolerance to reduce harm caused by opioid prescriptions.


Anupama Divakaruni, PharmD, Geisinger Medical Center, PGY1,

Pharmacy Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In the next 5 years, I hope to complete my

PGY1, pursue a PGY2 residency program in oncology, and start my practice

as a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist. In the next 10 years, I would like

to establish an academic affiliation with a school of pharmacy, and also

assume administrative roles such as a clinical coordinator.

Project/ Research Question: I will be investigating the management of

Herceptin-induced cardiotoxicity. Ta-Seti M. Donald, PharmD, Pennsylvania Hospital, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: As a pharmacist, I would like to be an

integral part of the health care team to ensure proper medication therapy. I

want to advocate for patients in underserved communities because of my

passion for direct patient care and urban health. I eventually want to teach a

course in diversity and health literacy.

Project/ Research Question: My role as resident this year will include

evaluating pharmacist directed care in the Hepatitis C clinic. I believe that

this is an area that pharmacists can have a huge impact in patient care and

compliance.

Shane Donnelly, PharmD, Delta Care Rx/ Duquesne University, PGY2

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I visualize a career as a palliative care

clinical pharmacist specialist with a focus on direct patient care, advocacy,

and pharmacoeconomics. I also would like to serve as an adjunctive faculty

member at a school of pharmacy and mentor future pharmacists.

Project/ Research Question: I intend on researching the pharmacogenomic

makeup of hospice patients and its relationship with drug metabolism for

muopioid agonist analgesics. The goal is to provide a foundation for further

research to assist in providing individualized pain management

regimens for patients with terminal illness.

Vincent Ekenga, PharmD, Duquesne University, PGY2, Ambulatory Care

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5 to 10 years, I envision myself as a

clinical faculty member and residency director in a practice focused on

community health. I hope to build models of coordinated and holistic care

between community health centers and pharmacies.

Project/ Research Question: My intended research will focus on the

provision of preventative care to patients within a pharmacist-run ambulatory

clinic.


Emily Fargo, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY1, Pharmacy Residency

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After completion of my residency training

specializing in ambulatory care, I hope to work as part of an interdisciplinary

team in a physician family practice in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. My goal

is to provide direct patient care through medication management services and

patient education.

Project/ Research Question: My research project is a retrospective chart

review analyzing the effectiveness of utilizing an electronic physician order

set for septic patients in the emergency department. Outcomes to be

measured include time to initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics, length of

stay, readmission rates, and adherence to the national Surviving Sepsis

Campaign bundles.

Maria Felton, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY2, Geriatric

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After completion of my PGY-2 Geriatric

Residency at UPMC St. Margaret, I envision myself providing direct patient

care to older adults in a geriatric-focused outpatient clinic or skilled/assisted

living facility, incorporating palliative care into my practice. I ultimately

hope to combine my passion for teaching and patient care in an academic

setting.

Project/ Research Question: My research is a continuation of last year’s

retrospective chart review of nine inpatient palliative care units among

UPMC facilities to compare haloperidol versus non-haloperidol for a primary

outcome of length of stay in patients who are 65 years or older in the

palliative care setting. Using the results of the previous study, I plan to

develop a treatment algorithm for delirium in the inpatient, palliative care

population and gather results from the implemented algorithm.

Corinn Floyd, PharmD, Duquesne University/ Giant Eagle Pharmacy,

PGY1, Community Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself as a clinical pharmacist

sanctioned in the ambulatory/community practice setting. My first step

toward success in this goal is to complete this PGY1 Residency. Through

hard work, dedication, and networking, I hope to obtain a clinical position

upon completion of my residency program.

Project/ Research Question: I am highly interested in cardiology. I hope to

implement 10-year-ASCVD risk scores into my practice/research question. I

plan to make an impact on patient care with the use of guideline-based

scores, and addition of statins to reduce cardiac events.

Janetta Geronian, PharmD, Highmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield, PGY1,

Managed Care Pharmacy

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5 years, I envision myself working full-

time at a health plan as a managed care pharmacist by focusing on the

development of utilization management strategies and leading Pharmacy and

Therapeutics meetings. I want to pursue my love for teaching by being a

preceptor for rotation students and future residents. In 10-15 years, I will

continue working at a health plan by focusing on project-based work and/or

managing pharmacists entering this unique area of pharmacy.

Project/ Research Question: I am primarily interested in developing

policies that provide cost savings and monitor the use of high risk

medications. By completing a retrospective claims review, I intend to

analyze claims data to determine the utilization trend of naloxone products,


by including the claims by line of business, members by number of claims,

members by prescription type, etc. Highmark has recently implemented a

naloxone edit, so I will look into the spend before and after its

implementation. Nicholas Giruzzi, PharmD, Lawrenceville Family Health Center/ UPMC

St. Margaret, PGY2

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself working as a clinical

pharmacist working in an outpatient family medicine clinic,

potentially working with a medical residency program assisting with

precepting both medical and pharmacy residents.

Project/ Research Question: Research project without our outpatient family

medicine clinic, topics potentially include Asthma, Naloxone or

other topic dealing with chronic disease state management.

Aubrey Goertel, PharmD, Lehigh Valley Health Network- Cedar Crest,

PGY1, Hospital

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: The vision that I have for myself is to be

practicing as a clinical specialist either in oncology or infectious disease at a

tertiary care institution. I also aim to be board certified and precepting

pharmacy students and residents.

Project/ Research Question: To evaluate patients admitted to LVHN with a

urinary tract infection that were treated with cephalexin and assess

effectiveness by observing follow-up admission to LVHN or a doctor’s

office visit within 30 days.

Breana Goscicki, PharmD, Lehigh Valley Health Network, PGY1,

Pharmacy Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My primary interest is in oncology and I

look forward to exploring this specialty in both the pediatric and adult

populations during PGY-1. In the future I hope to be working as a clinical

staff pharmacist and to become board certified in oncology, with potential to

transition into a clinical specialist position.

Project/ Research Question: I will be retrospectively looking at time to

first administration of antibiotics in adult oncology patients that have

presented to the emergency department with febrile neutropenia.

Alana Grabigel, PharmD, UPMC Shadyside, PGY1, Pharmacy Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: It is my hope as a pharmacy resident to gain

the skills and knowledge necessary to provide optimal, individualized care to

my patients. In my future, I envision myself providing direct patient care as

well as serving as a preceptor and mentor to students.

Project/ Research Question: A quality improvement pilot that assesses the

cost-effectiveness of the use of the long-acting lipoglycopeptide, oritavancin,

as a hospital-avoidance tool.


Matthew Hadginske, PharmD, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical

Center, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In the next 5 to 10 years, I envision myself

practicing as a clinical pharmacist in either a hospital or ambulatory care

setting. Throughout pharmacy school, I have developed a variety of interests

in the profession, including infectious disease, emergency medicine, internal

medicine, as well as anticoagulation. My goal is to ultimately find a career

that affords me the opportunity to integrate as many these interests as

possible.

Project/ Research Question: During this year of residency, I will be

investigating the effectiveness of current vancomycin dosing protocols in

obese versus non-obese patients.

Gregory Hood, PharmD, Moses Taylor Hospital, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My goal after completing residency training

is to obtain a position as a clinical pharmacist in an inpatient setting.

Project/ Research Question: Although my research topic is not finalized, I

am considering a research project that focuses on discharge education.

Teresina C. Imbrogno, PharmD, Duquesne University/St. Barnabas Long-

Term Care, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: Optimizing medication reconciling and

medication therapy management in order to improve drug

medication regimens and outcomes in elderly persons. Advocating safe

living environments and safe medication use among the elderly

population through patient and family education. Mentoring pharmacy

students through experiential education programs.

Project/ Research Question: Utilize and improve long term care procedures

in order to impact geriatric care in the long term care facility.

Anastasia Ipatova, PharmD, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy with

Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy, PGY1, Community

Pharmacy Practice with a focus in Specialty Pharmacy

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5 to 10 years I envision myself

practicing pharmacy in the managed care field with a clinical program

development team, utilizing my clinical experience to evolve and create

effective clinical initiatives for our patient populations.

Project/ Research Question: While not finalized, my research project will

involve the specialty pharmacy population and measure outcomes in either a

specific disease state group or specific, new to market medication.


Nellie Jafari, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Health-System

Pharmacy Administration

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My goal is to one day be a

transformational leader in pharmacy and use population-based approaches to

improve public health.

Project/ Research Question: My project will focus on the reduction of I.V.

room medication errors with the use of a Technology-Assisted Workflow

(TAW) Program. A secondary focus will be on the implementation of an

Epic-TAW bidirectional interface.

Haley Kavelak, PharmD, University of the Sciences, PGY2

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I hope to be a practicing Clinical Specialist

in critical care before working towards my MBA and eventually becoming a

Clinical Coordinator. I hope to continue to be involved in community and

national pharmacy organizations. I would also like to precept students and

teach pharmacy classes.

Project/ Research Question: I intend to look at the use of parenteral

nutrition and the potential cost savings when used for appropriate

indications.

Jeffrey Kinney, PharmD, UPMC Health Plan, PGY1, Managed Care

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5-10 years I hope to have a supervisory

position as a managed care pharmacist with a formulary management focus.

Project/ Research Question: Retrospective Evaluation of a Morphine

Equivalent Dose Appropriate Pain Management Program

Chelsea Konopka, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Critical

Care

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5-10 years, I see myself working as a

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in either an ICU or Emergency Department

setting at an academic medical center. I also intend to be involved in the

education of student pharmacists through teaching and precepting.

Project/ Research Question: I will be assessing the adequacy of our

institution’s use of aspects of delirium bundles in order to decrease the

incidence of ICU delirium and optimize pharmacotherapy related to the

prevention and treatment of delirium. Nathan Lamberton, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret - Bloomfield-Garfield

Family Health Center, PGY2

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My vision for my future practice includes

being heavily integrated into an outpatient family medicine practice with

opportunities to precept students, participate in discharge transitions of care

follow-up and engage in small group discussions.

Project/ Research Question: We are very early in the process still, but our

plans currently center around developing and utilizing the new Chronic Care

Management (CCM) billing platform across our three outpatient,

family health centers.


Victoria LaMonaca, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2,

Oncology Pharmacy

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My career goal is to become a board-

certified oncology clinical specialist in the outpatient setting, interacting with

patients while providing direct patient care and improving patient outcomes.

I feel that pharmacists have a significant role in setting to contribute to the

care of cancer patients.

Project/ Research Question: I will be comparing outcomes for gemcitabine

and nab-paclitaxel versus FORFIRINOX chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant

setting in pancreatic cancer. The primary objective is to evaluate tolerance of

chemotherapy specifically percent of dose reductions, days of dose delays,

and admissions for toxicities.

Bradley E. Lauver, PharmD, Geisinger Medical Center, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After residency, I plan to become a

Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and pursue a

career as a critical care pharmacist and obtain credentials as a Board

Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP).

Project/ Research Question: My planned research topic involves

determining if critical care patients are receiving proper protein

requirements from their parenteral and enteral nutrition.

Rosanna Li, PharmD, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, PGY2,

Infectious Diseases

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I hope to practice as a board certified

infectious diseases pharmacist in the ambulatory care setting or on an

inpatient consult service. Additionally, I would like to be actively involved

on the institution’s antimicrobial stewardship subcommittee and explore

opportunities in student/staff education and national organizations to

promote the judicious use of antimicrobials.

Project/ Research Question: My research plans have not been finalized yet

but I would like to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antimicrobial use at

our institution to identify areas for improvement.

Tristan Maiers, PharmD, Geisinger Medical Center, PGY2, Oncology

Pharmacy

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: Once becoming a Board Certified

Oncology Pharmacist, the goal is to be a clinical oncology pharmacists at a

teaching hospital where I can participate in both residency and administrative

activities.

Project/ Research Question: I will be utilizing the Quality Oncology

Practice Initiative (QOPI) to assess metrics for oral chemotherapy

management as defined by the America Society of Clinical Oncology

(ASCO). The goal is to compare the health system’s results against national

standards while providing ideas and tools to improve deficient measures.


Joel Musser, PharmD, Lancaster General Health – Penn Medicine, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After successful completion of my PGY1, I

would like to pursue a PGY2 in either critical care or ambulatory care. I plan

to become a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist and practice at an

institution where I can serve as a preceptor to students.

Project/ Research Question: I intend on performing a prospective review

on the use of Kcentra versus a retrospective review of Profilnine to evaluate

the effect on INR,VTE rates and mortality during emergent warfarin

reversal.

Mandana Naderi, PharmD, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center,

PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself working as an infectious

disease pharmacist, either within an acute care setting or within an infectious

disease clinic. I hope to combine my passions for patient care and

public/global health by participating in public health initiatives as an ID

clinical specialist.

Project/ Research Question: I will be developing an antimicrobial

stewardship guideline for the emergency department and analyzing its impact

on patient care outcomes.

Diana Pak, PharmD, Moses Taylor Hospital, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision becoming a clinical pharmacist.

Project/ Research Question: Although not finalized, I am considering a

topic in stroke medication use evaluation and process improvement.

Lauren Para, Geisinger Medical Center, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: My current interests include internal

medicine, infectious disease, and global health. I envision myself as an

internal medicine pharmacist, and I hope to continue participating in medical

mission work.

Project/ Research Question: Using anti-Xa levels to verify dosing for

enoxaparin bridging in ESRD patients.

Morgan R. Peterman, PharmD, Lebanon VA Medical Center, PGY2,

Ambulatory Care Pharmacy

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: Upon completion of residency, I would like

to continue practicing in an ambulatory care clinic focusing on chronic

disease state management in the following areas: diabetes, lipids,

hypertension, COPD, and pain management. In addition to practicing in

clinic, I would also like to continue to precept PharmD students on pharmacy

practice rotations.

Project/ Research Question: My residency project will consist of diabetes

education class expansion to serve patients at our community-based

outpatient clinics (CBOCs) by utilizing video technology (V-Tel) from the

facility’s main campus.


Chelsea Reed, PharmD, Lebanon VA Medical Center, PGY1, Pharmacy

Practice

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: Post-residency, I would like to become a

clinical pharmacist in an ambulatory care clinic. I am particularly interested

in the management of diabetes and heart failure. I would like to become an

integrated part of the health care team and assist patients in understanding

their medication therapies.

Project/ Research Question: My project will be focused on developing and

implementing a pharmacist-run transitions of care service. I will focus on

assisting in the coordination of care back to outpatient services after veterans

are discharged from our hospital or a non-VA medical center.

Brittany Rosenfeld, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2,

Ambulatory Care Pharmacy

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself practicing within an

interdisciplinary team in an internal medicine clinic enhancing patient’s

overall health through evidence-based medication management and lifestyle

modification of chronic disease. I hope to become a board certified

ambulatory care pharmacist and continue to have direct patient interactions

and long-term follow-up in my practice.

Project/ Research Question: My research will focus on assessing the

impact of a multidisciplinary diabetes care team on patient’s glycemic

control.

Sandra Rumyantsev, PharmD, MCPHS, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I would like to have completed a PGY2 and

work as a clinical pharmacist.

Project/Research Question: I do not have a topic picked yet but perhaps

something involving internal medicine.

Katelyn Simmons, PharmD, Duquesne University and Preferred Primary

Care Physicians, PGY2

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5 to 10 years I envision myself as a

clinical pharmacist embedded in an ambulatory setting, such as primary care

offices or an internal medicine department. I am passionate about advocating

for our profession and educating student pharmacists, so I will be a preceptor

and active in pharmacy organizations.

Project/ Research Question: While I do not yet have my research question

finalized, I plan to investigate the impact of pharmacist-led intervention(s) on

blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension,

and that are on a high number of medications.

Ami Shah, PharmD, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, PGY2, Critical

Care

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: Following completion of my PGY2, I hope

to become BCCCP certified and pursue a position as an ICU clinical

specialist in an academic medical center involved with patient care, teaching,

leadership, and research activities. Ultimately, I am looking to utilize my

knowledge and leadership abilities to assist patients and advance the

profession of pharmacy.

Project/ Research Question: I hope to conduct a study with retrospective

and prospective arms analyzing safe and effective medication use in

critically ill patients.


Megha Shah, PharmD, Hahnemann University Hospital, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I want to practice in an in-patient setting

specializing in internal medicine.

Project/ Research Question: Nephrotoxicity associated with combination of

vancomycin and piperacillin and tazobactam

Sydney P. Springer, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY2, Geriatrics

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I envision myself becoming a Geriatric

Clinical Faculty member, marrying my interests in clinical pharmacy and

academia. Ideally, I would have the opportunity to both precept students in

small ground settings, and give didactic lectures.

Project/ Research Question: Previously PGY1 research was on the impact

of a geriatric service on hospitalized geriatric patients with hip fractures.This

year I will be working on completing a meta-analysis, and I am actively

refining my research question.

Kyle Strnad, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian, PGY2, Critical Care

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: While maintaining an active and supportive

role as an interdisciplinary healthcare professional within an ICU or an

emergency department, I aim to also teach and precept emerging student

pharmacists and maintain an active presence within national pharmacy

organizations to continually extend the pharmacy frontier.

Project/ Research Question: I am pursuing a project that will analyze the

correlation between nurse and patient assessments of pain, agitation, and

delirium in ICUs. With these results, and in combination with recently

published guidelines, I am hoping to enhance patient care in a population

associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Nissa Tasnim, PharmD, Reading Hospital and Medical Center, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In the future, I plan to practice in a hospital

as a clinical pharmacist in the future. Currently, I haven't decided on my

preferred area of practice, but I am interested in cardiology,ambulatory care

and transitions of care.

Project/ Research Question: I haven’t finalized my research project yet.


Khushbu P. Thaker, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside, PGY2

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I hope to practice in a clinical pharmacy

setting committed to life-long learning, advancing health care, and training

young professionals as a faculty member at a school of pharmacy. My

current clinical areas of interest are diabetes, smoking cessation, and

women's health.

Project/ Research Question: My research project focuses on

implementation of a pharmacist-driven smoking cessation service at

discharge from hospital through initiation of nicotine replacement therapy

and post-discharge follow-up. Adherence to NRT and quit rates will be

assessed during the study.

Christine Trusky, PharmD, Lebanon VAMC, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: After successfully completing residency,

my ultimate goal is to become a board certified clinical pharmacist. I want to

practice as a member of an interdisciplinary care team, where I am able to

provide patients with care that is evidence based and patient-centered. I also

would like the opportunity to provide education to both pharmacy and other

medical professionals.

Project/ Research Question: My research project this year will involve

reviewing the current perioperative anticoagulation management practices

throughout the medical center. The goal will be development of a pharmacist

consult service to provide clinicians with standardized bridging

recommendations.

Neil J. Turco, PharmD, UPMC St. Margaret, PGY1, Pharmacy Residency

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I want to practice in a community hospital

or in an ambulatory care setting, focusing in family medicine. I want to

ensure that patients are receiving the safest and most effective medications,

and that patients experience safe transitions of care.

Project/ Research Question: My research will be a cost-benefit analysis of

using dalbavancin versus conventional therapy for the treatment of skin and

skin structure infections (SSSI) in the outpatient setting. Outcomes will

include retreatment of the SSSI and the total cost of care to discover the

more cost-effective option.

Jessah Villamor, PharmD, St. Luke’s University Health Network, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5 to 10 years, I hope to have achieved

my goal of developing expertise as a clinical pharmacist. I envision myself

working as a valuable contributor to patient care and an advocate for the

advancement of pharmacy practice.

Project/ Research Question: I plan to complete a research project that

evaluates adherence to a chemotherapy dose-rounding policy as well as the

significance of any potential cost savings.


Shari N. Williams, PharmD, St. Luke’s University Health Network, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: I plan to become a clinical specialist in a

teaching hospital affiliated with a school of pharmacy. Ultimately, I envision

myself in a career that allows me to advance the field of pharmacy through

direct patient care. Also, upon completing residency, I plan to obtain my

Masters of Public Health.

Cheryl Wisseh, PharmD, Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy/

Center for Pharmacy Care, PGY1

My Pharmacy Practice Vision: In 5-10 years I would like to have

completed a PGY2 Residency or Fellowship and a Masters of Public Health.

My long term career goals include starting up an NGO that supports primary

care clinics in West Africa, a position within a medical affairs department of

a pharmaceutical company and to be an adjunct professor for a school of

pharmacy.

Project/ Research Question: My research project will be based on health

literacy in the underserved populations in Pittsburgh, PA

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