MEET PENNSYLVANIA’S 2018 – 2019 RESIDENTS! · 2018-09-20 · MEET PENNSYLVANIA’S 2018 – 2019 RESIDENTS! Lauren Ball, PharmD, UPMC Pinnacle, PGY1 Graduate of: University of

MEET PENNSYLVANIA’S 2018 – 2019 RESIDENTS!

Dana Achenbach, PharmD, Lebanon VA Medical Center, PGY1

Graduate of: Wilkes University—2018

Project/Research Question: Planning to complete a project to help improve the

quality of care provided to the Veterans of central Pennsylvania.

Vince Anthony, PharmD, Reading Hospital, PGY1, Infectious Disease

Graduate of: Temple University—2018

Project/Research Question: Considering a project in Infectious Disease regard-

ing treatment optimization for VRE bacteremia.

Joel Arceo, PharmD, Springfield Pharmacy, PGY1

Graduate of: Chapman University—2018

Project/Research Question: I intend to implement ways to improve both effi-

ciency and productivity, and all the while increase revenue. Also, I plan to ex-

pand new services that will promote greater patient outcomes and patient satisfac-

tion.


Lauren Ball, PharmD, UPMC Pinnacle, PGY1

Graduate of: University of South Carolina—2018

Project/Research Question: While my research project has not been decided yet,

it may be on a topic related to critical care.

Christine Barrett, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1, Acute Care

Graduate of: Duquesne University—2018

Project/Research Question: Assessing efficacy of an as-needed filgrastim regi-

men, in comparison to PEG-filgrastim prophylaxis, to prevent neutropenia in pa-

tients with malignancies.

Nayanika Basu, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1

Graduate of: University of Pittsburgh—2018

Project/Research Question: My research will focus on describing the use of

second line VTE treatment options in oncology patients who have failed LMWH

therapy.


Jonathan Burns, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY2,

Infectious Diseases

Graduate of: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy—2017

Project/Research Question: To be determined.

Brittany Carney, PharmD, Mainline Pharmacy, PGY1


Project/Research Question: I am excited to learn more about independent phar-

macy ownership and continue to expand the point of care services for patients of-

fered at Mainline Pharmacy.

Danielle Cenin, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY1

Graduate of: Ohio Northern University—2018

Project/Research Question: Incidence of invasive fungal infections in Acute

Lymphocytic Leukemia.


Katharine Chambers, PharmD, West Penn Hospital and Forbes Regional Hos-

pital, PGY1


Project/Research Question: AML patients have an increased risk for developing

infection with VRE. West Penn Hospital follows a febrile neutropenia algorithm

to guide providers to assess the need for vancomycin after 48 hours of initiation.

We will be assessing risk factors associated with the colonization of VRE in AML

patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Taylor Chapman, PharmD, Giant Eagle, PGY1

Graduate of: West Virginia University—2018

Project/Research Question: I will be assessing the Giant Eagle reminder system

for Hepatitis B vaccine series to see if it increases the completion rate of the full

series. I will then compare that data to a pharmacy that does not utilize a reminder

system. Lastly, I will survey Giant Eagle patients, regarding the reminder system,

to get feedback about the system.

Christian Cho, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Infectious Dis-

eases


Project/Research Question: I plan to further investigate the use of oral antibiot-

ics for the treatment of gram-negative bloodstream infections. Each treatment

arm will consist of one of three highly bioavailable oral antibiotics (ciprofloxacin,

levofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) for clinical cure and safety

outcomes. Optimal durations of antibiotic therapy will also be investigated.


Claudia Cho, PharmD, Abington Hospital, PGY1


Project/ Research Question: During my PGY-1 year, I hope to perform a re-

search with a focus on pharmacists in a critical care setting.

Zareena Chughtai, PharmD, Forbes and West Penn Hospitals, PGY1


Project/ Research Question: My project will look retrospectively at patients

who have had an interruption in their anticoagulation therapy for an elective pro-

cedure and look at the incidence of bleeding/thromboembolism in patients being

bridged with enoxaparin compared to the no bridge group with an indication of A

-fib, DVT, PE, and CVA history.

Hal Clark, PharmD, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, PGY1

Graduate of: University of New Mexico—2018

Project/ Research Question: Evaluating various endpoints (TTR, bleeding/

thrombosis rates, etc.) after transitioning IV heparin nomograms from aPTT-

based to anti-Xa-based protocols.


Sean Clark, PharmD, Center for Pharmacy Care, PGY2, Ambulatory Care


Project/ Research Question: Evaluating various endpoints (TTR, bleeding/

thrombosis rates, etc.) after transitioning IV heparin nomograms from aPTT-based

to anti-Xa-based protocols.

Colton Collier, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Critical Care


Project/ Research Question: I plan to assess the effect that either desmopressin

or 4 factor prothrombin complex concentrate has on thromboelastography param-

eters in critically ill patients.

Monica Coulson, PharmD, UPMC Pinnacle, PGY1

Graduate of: Jefferson College Pharmacy—2018

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

will likely be done on a topic in infectious diseases.


Taylor Dean, PharmD, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC,

PGY2, Psychiatry

Graduate of: University of Texas at Austin—2017

Project/ Research Question: The objective of this study is to assess PRN admin-

istration patterns, appropriateness, and safety through retrospective study of pa-

tients ≥65 years old with an ICD-10 diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder

and administered at least one PRN for acute agitation.

Alexis DeLeo, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Oncology


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

progression free survival and overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung

cancer who progress through second line immunotherapy onto a third line regi-

men.

Keri Diehl, PharmD, Geisinger Medical Center, PGY1


Project/ Research Question: My research project will be studying the prescrib-

ing patterns of opioids in post-operative obstetric patients.


Mia DiGiammarino, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1, Acute Care

Focus


Project/ Research Question: I have not decided on my research project yet, how-

ever, it will be a critical care related topic.

Alesha Falzone, PharmD, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, PGY1,

Clinical Pharmacy Practice


Project/ Research Question: Assessment of Appropriate Use of IV Hydration in

Patients Receiving Contrast.

John Fawzy, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, PGY1, Health System

Pharmacy Management

Graduate of: Long Island University—2018

Project/ Research Question: I have not decided on my research project yet,

however, it will be a critical care related topic.


Erlynn Frankson, PharmD, Duquesne University/St. Barnabas Health System,

PGY1, Pharmacy Practice

Graduate of: University of Colorado—2018

Project/ Research Question: We are interested in comparing antibiotic treatment

and monitoring standards of care to the actual treatment and monitoring of pa-

tients in a skilled nursing facility. This may help us reinforce or modify current

antibiotic usage practices for our geriatric patients.

Stacy Fredrick, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian, PGY1, Acute Inpatient Care

Graduate of: University at Buffalo—2018

Project/ Research Question: Outcomes of using apixaban for anticoagulation in

renal transplant patients.

Jenna Gray, PharmD, Abington-Jefferson Health, PGY1


Project/ Research Question: I hope to research the efficiency and accuracy of

Abington’s technician based medication reconciliation program.


Nicole Handlow, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Ambulatory

Care

Graduate of: University of Colorado—2018

Project/ Research Question: What is the impact of multidisciplinary primary

care teams on glycemic control in patients with diabetes?

Phuong (Pauline) Hoang, PharmD, ACME Sav-On Pharmacy, PGY1, Acute

Inpatient Care


Project/ Research Question: My research project will focus on patients’ choice

of community pharmacy and patients’ preference in pharmacy services. The re-

search aims to help pharmacists understand how to recruit customers to the phar-

macy, how to maintain customers’ loyalty and how to improve pharmacy services

per customers’ preference.

Alexa Hospodar, PharmD, CVS Caremark, PGY1


Project/ Research Question: I hope to research the efficiency and accuracy of

Abington’s technician based medication reconciliation program.


Linh Yen Huynh, PharmD, ACME Sav-On Pharmacy, PGY1, Community

Pharmacy

Graduate of: Temple University —2018

Project/ Research Question: What are the prescriber-perceived barriers to medi-

cation administration of long-acting antipsychotics by pharmacists in community

pharmacies in Pennsylvania?

Linsey Jachim, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Ambulatory Care


Project/ Research Question: My research project is designed to evaluate Entres-

to (sacubitril/valsartan) initiation in outpatient heart failure patients. The purpose

of this project is to identify real-world clinical experience of prescribing angioten-

sin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) therapy in terms of appropriate patient

selection, tolerability, and adjustment of concomitant HF medications.

Taylor Jones, PharmD, Temple University School of Pharmacy, PGY2, Internal

Medicine


Project/ Research Question: Previous studies have suggested a relationship be-

tween benzodiazepine use and an increased risk for hospitalization due to pneu-

monia. This study is aimed to explore an association between non-

benzodiazepine hypnotics, specifically zolpidem tartrate, and an increased risk of

hospitalization due to pneumonia.


Didi Kim, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, PGY1

Graduate of: University of Maryland —2018

Project/ Research Question: Drug usage evaluation of dose adjustment of re-

nally adjusted medications when indicated.

Nathan Kubus, PharmD, Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PGY1, Ambulatory

Care


Project/ Research Question: Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Pharmacist

Intervention Post-Discharge for Smoking Cessation.

Kaitlin Landolf, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian, PGY1, Acute Care Focus

Graduate of: University at Buffalo—2018

Project/ Research Question: I will be investigating the use of continuous infu-

sion hydromorphone versus fentanyl-based sedation in patients receiving extra-

corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This research is particularly helpful

in a time of narcotic related drug shortages.


Scarlet Lau, PharmD, West Penn Hospital and Forbes Hospital, PGY1, Acute

Care

Graduate of: Cedarville University —2018

Project/ Research Question: To determine rates of bleed and thromboembolic

events with use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in obese patients (>120 kg).

Based on these agents’ fixed dosing without need for monitoring, there are cur-

rently no randomized controlled trials assessing safety and efficacy of DOACs in

large obese patient populations. This gap will be met through the purposes of this

study.

Jessica Laub, PharmD, Hahnemann University Hospital, PGY1

Graduate of: Jefferson College of Pharmacy—2018

Project/ Research Question: I plan to evaluate appropriateness of use and preva-

lence of QTc prolongation in adult intensive care unit patients receiving antipsy-

chotics.

Gina Lee, PharmD, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, PGY1

Graduate of: Northeastern University—2018

Project/ Research Question: The goal of my residency project is to improve na-

loxone prescribing to patients prior to discharge from the inpatient setting.


Kerry Lenzi, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY1


Project/Research Question: Infectious Diseases – topic specifics TBD.

Karen Lin, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1, Health System Phar-

macy Administration

Graduate of: St. Johns Fisher College—2018

Project/Research Question: My project will ideally be focused on reducing re-

admission rates by targeting high risk population for medication-related readmis-

sions through patient medication discharge counseling and education.

Dennis Marjoncu, PharmD, Geisinger Medical Center, PGY2, Oncology


Project/Research Question: My research project will seek to determine appro-

priate hold-times for oral VEGF inhibitors and certain TKI with VEGFi proper-

ties around certain procedures.


Alex Matika, PharmD, Abington-Jefferson Hospital, PGY2, Infectious Diseases


Project/Research Question: One potential research project I may conduct this

year is a retrospective analysis of all antimicrobial agents used to treat car-

bapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae at Abington-Jefferson Health, focusing on

morbidity/mortality outcomes. Another potential project would be looking at the

impact of a new beta-lactam allergy policy and determining its impact on utiliza-

tion of costly alternative agents to beta-lactams such as vancomycin and aztre-

onam.

Hannah Mazur, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Critical Care


Project/Research Question: Titration of antiplatelet agents in patients with left

ventricular assist devices by using thromboelsatography platelet mapping to de-

crease risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events.

Michael McCall, PharmD, AllianceRx Walgreens Prime/Duquesne University,

PGY1, Community with a focus in Specialty Pharmacy

Graduate of: St. Johns Fisher College—2018

Project/Research Question: My research question is not yet finalized, however,

I intend to do a project surrounding adherence or clinical outcomes in specialty

pharmacy.


Mary McIntyre, PharmD, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy/Cooper University

Hospital, PGY2, Critical Care


Project/Research Question: One potential research project I may conduct this

year is a retrospective analysis of all antimicrobial agents used to treat car-

bapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae at Abington-Jefferson Health, focusing on

morbidity/mortality outcomes. Another potential project would be looking at the

impact of a new beta-lactam allergy policy and determining its impact on utiliza-

tion of costly alternative agents to beta-lactams such as vancomycin and aztre-

onam.

Lloyd McKee, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY1,

Critical Care


Project/Research Question: In patients with presumed intracranial hypertension,

what is the safety and efficacy of hypertonic saline 5% boluses compared to 3%

continuous infusion?

Katherine Mersinger, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania,

PGY1, Community with a focus in Specialty Pharmacy

Graduate of: University of Maryland—2018

Project/Research Question: Infectious Diseases topic - TBD.


Benton Miller, PharmD, Waynesboro/Chambersburg Hospitals (Summit

Health), PGY1, Inpatient Hospital


Project/Research Question: I aim to examine how much a small change to an

electronic order set can affect drug utilization for a health system. More specifi-

cally, I will investigate the extent to which a small order set alteration decreases

fluoroquinolone usage in our health system.

Nicole Modany, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1, Critical Care


Project/Research Question: I am interested in focusing my research on pharma-

cist involvement with transitions of care and discharge education. I believe that

more pharmacist involvement in these areas will lead to better patient compliance

and less re-admission.

Elissa Muller, PharmD, SunRay Drugs, PGY1


Project/Research Question: I will be completing a business plan to acquire/start

an independent pharmacy while completing quality improvement projects for

SunRay Drugs.


Melissa Murphy, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY2,

Ambulatory Care


Project/Research Question: Do specific medications and doses impact ejection

fraction or right ventricular (RV) function in patients with left-ventricular assist

devices (LVADs)?

This is a retrospective cohort that will evaluate if ACE-inhibitors, ARBs, and/or

beta-blockers lead to improvement in ejection fraction or preservation of RV func-

tion in LVAD patients.

Jerika Nguyen, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY2,

Critical Care

Graduate of: University of Michigan—2017

Project/Research Question: I am interested in focusing my research on pharma-

cist involvement with transitions of care and discharge education. I believe that

more pharmacist involvement in these areas will lead to better patient compliance

and less re-admission.

Sydney Nguyen, PharmD, Penn State Health St. Joseph, PGY1, Internal Medi-

cine


Project/Research Question: I intend to conduct my research project in determin-

ing a multidisciplinary approach to decrease the use of hydromorphone in the

emergency department.


Maxwell Norris, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY1

Graduate of: University of Michigan—2018

Project/Research Question: Occurrence of AKI in liver transplant patients man-

aged on triple therapy.

Adesumbo Odunlami, PharmD, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, PGY1


Project/Research Question: Clinical Effectiveness of PCSK-9 Inhibitors in Vet-

eran Population.

Song Oh, PharmD, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy/Cooper University Hospi-

tal, PGY2, Critical Care


Project/Research Question: Critical care pharmacotherapy.


Courtney Olesky, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1, Acute Care Fo-

cus


Project/Research Question: I am working on identifying my research topic in

critical care pharmacy practice.

Jessica Olsen, PharmD, Hahnemann University Hospital, PGY1


Project/Research Question: I will be performing a DUE on lidocaine patches to

assess the utilization and cost associated with off-label prescribing in the hospital.

Robbie Ortiz, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1, Acute Care


Project/Research Question: I plan to do my project in critical care. I am still

deciding between two projects. One is “Standard dose vs High dose VTE Prophy-

laxis in Obese Trauma Patients” and the other is “Achievement of Euglycemia in

Patients with Stress Induced Hyperglycemia.”


Nishta Patel, PharmD, CVS Caremark, PGY1, Managed Care

Graduate of: University of California, San Francisco—2018

Project/Research Question: For my residency research project, I would like to

focus on analyzing the impact of performance-based risk-sharing agreements on

costs and utilization and using those findings to educate clients on the benefits of

implementing these types of agreements.

Marisa Perrella, PharmD, Abington Hospital– Jefferson Health, PGY1


Project/Research Question: I would like to conduct research focusing on bed-

side pharmacokinetics to deliver patient-specific doses of antimicrobial therapy. I

intend to determine the impact on patient outcomes and length of stay.

Theo Pham, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, PGY2, Ambulatory Care

Graduate of: University of Washington—2017

Project/Research Question: Theo plans to investigate social and behavioral de-

terminants of health that contribute to uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, and

asthma among medically underserved patients in the outpatient setting. The re-

sults of their research will be used to consider changes in clinic workflow and

services to improve patient care.


Haylie Phillips, PharmD, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, PGY1


Project/Research Question: Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Pharmacist in-

tervention post discharge for COPD Management.

Keri Jo Putulowski, PharmD, Forbes and West Penn Hospital, PGY1

Graduate of: Belmont University—2018

Project/Research Question: Assessment of readmission rates among patients

discharged on long-acting injectable antipsychotics vs. oral antipsychotics.

Jose Roman, PharmD, Forbes and West Penn Hospital, PGY1

Graduate of: Belmont University—2018

Project/Research Question: Analyzing the practices of an outpatient infectious

diseases clinic in regards to optimization of HAART therapy, opportunistic infec-

tion prophylaxis, and immunizations, and identify areas for improvement.


Philip Scavo, PharmD, Geisinger Wyoming Valley, PGY1, General Clinical

Pharmacy Practice


Project/Research Question: Evaluation of Carafate suspension in post-operative car-

diac ablation patients on warfarin and its effects on INR.

Marilyn Schoenle, PharmD, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, PGY1

Graduate of: Butler University—2018

Project/Research Question: Drug usage evaluation of dose adjustment of renally

adjusted medications according to hospital protocol: I plan to assess the current

rate of renal dose adjustment without routine pharmacist review.

Natasha Singh, PharmD, Duquesne University/Hometown Pharmacy, PGY1,

Advanced Community

Graduate of: Long Island University—2018

Project/Research Question: My research project will encompass clinical out-

comes or adherence rates in a community pharmacy setting.


Rachel Smith, PharmD, Reading Hospital, PGY1, Pharmacy Practice

Graduate of: University of Maryland—2016

Project/Research Question: Develop process for preparing patient-specific oral

doses for pediatric and NICU patients to be dispensed from pharmacy. Evaluate

impact of process to pharmacy operations, and required resources for implementa-

tion.

Khalid Srour, PharmD, MS, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, PGY1, Pharmacy

Practice

Graduate of: Jefferson College of Pharmacy —2018

Project/Research Question: I am involved in a system wide project focusing on

CHF readmissions using a multidisciplinary team including pharmacists to reduce

readmissions, by focusing on outpatient follow-up. Readmission rates will be

measured with surrogate of ED visits for medication issues.

Kara Stiely, PharmD, Reading Hospital, PGY1, Acute Care


Project/Research Question: Implementing new practice guidelines for kcentra

use at our hospital site.


Connie Suen, PharmD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PGY2, On-

cology

Graduate of: University of Florida—2017

Project/Research Question: Evaluation of the Incidence of Invasive Fungal In-

fections in Patients with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at the Hospital of the Uni-

versity of Pennsylvania.

Swana Thomas, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY1, Ambulatory

Care

Graduate of: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy —2018

Project/Research Question: The focus of my research project will be centered

on ambulatory care.

Jesica Truong, PharmD, Lehigh Valley Health Network, PGY1


Project/Research Question: Characterization of antibiotic use for otitis media in

physician practices.


Adrian Tsui, PharmD, Allegheny General Hospital, PGY2, Oncology

Graduate of: University of New England—2016

Project/Research Question: I am researching a project about the use of glucocor-

ticoids for immunotherapy adverse effects.

Holly Unger, PharmD, Geisinger Medical Center, PGY1, Hospital/Health Sys-

tem

Graduate of: University of Pittsburgh —2018

Project/Research Question: Medication Usage Evaluation of Naloxone and

Flumazenil as Reversal Agents at Geisinger Acute Care Hospitals. The purpose of

this MUE is to examine the prescribing patterns and indications for use of nalox-

one and flumazenil in hospitalized adult patients at Geisinger acute care hospitals.

Quintin Wright, PharmD, Center for Pharmacy Care, PGY1, Community

Graduate of: University of California, San Francisco—2018

Project/Research Question: A prospective study on naloxone utilization in pre-

venting opioid-related deaths in Allegheny County.


Melanie Yabs, PharmD, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic of UPMC, PGY1

Graduate of: University of Texas at Austin—2018

Project/Research Question: I intend to evaluate the medication profiles of pa-

tients experiencing their first episode of psychosis by looking at the prescribing

habits of our psychiatrists and areas where a pharmacist could have intervened to

improve therapy and outcomes for the patients.

Christine Zdaniewski, PharmD, UPMC Hamot Medical Center, PGY1, ASHP

Accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency


Project/Research Question: It is my plan to assess the appropriate use of antibi-

otics in the neonatal intensive care unit at UPMC Hamot Medical Center during

the rule-out period for suspected, early-onset sepsis in newborns.

Documents

MEET PENNSYLVANIA’S 2018 – 2019 RESIDENTS! · 2018-09-20 · MEET PENNSYLVANIA’S 2018 – 2019 RESIDENTS! Lauren Ball, PharmD, UPMC Pinnacle, PGY1 Graduate of: University of