Education

Residents

Our 2012-13 Residents

	Nicholas E. Campbell, PharmD PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Resident Hometown: Mars, Pennsylvania Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Doctor of Pharmacy, Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy; PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, UPMC Mercy, Pittsburgh, PA Why AGH/Pittsburgh: What attracted me most to AGH was its excellent reputation in the community as an excellent institution, as well as the numerous critical care units which provide countless opportunities for me to experience various areas of critical care pharmacy to help me determine my true niche. Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh has always been home to me. Therefore, deciding to stay in my hometown was a very easy one. Gotta love the black and gold! Professional Interests/Future Goals: In the future, I strive to work as a critical care clinical specialist at a large teaching hospital where I can round in a critical care unit as part of the multidisciplinary team. Also, I would love to act as a preceptor to both pharmacy residents and PharmD students and potentially act as director of a residency program.
	Bret Chapman, PharmD PGY2 Infectious Diseases Resident Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum: South Dakota State University; Doctor of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University; PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: NorthShore University Health System’s Glenbrook Hospital, Glenview, Illinois Why AGH/Pittsburgh: During the interview process, Noreen and all of the pharmacy staff seemed incredibly intelligent and committed to the education of their pharmacy residents. Current residents at the time had nothing but praise and good things to say about the pharmacists, technicians, and excellent learning environment that exists here at Allegheny General Hospital Professional Interests/Future Goals: In my free time I enjoy playing golf, attending sporting events, and spending time with my family and friends. My future goals include obtaining a position as an Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, obtaining board certification with advanced qualifications in infectious diseases, precept pharmacy students and residents, and eventually direct a PGY-1 and PGY-2 residency program. I would also like to get involved and donate my time to state and national organizations such as PPA, ASHP and SIDP.
	Armisha Desai, PharmD PGY1 Pharmacy Resident Hometown: Battle Creek, MI Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy Why AGH/Pittsburgh: When I was reviewing PGY1 programs, I knew I wanted a place with a diversity of rotations, both in acute care and ambulatory care, as well as teaching and precepting opportunities. AGH offered all of that and more. I was impressed with the numerous clinical rotations the program offered, especially in my areas of interest, infectious disease, transplant, and critical care. But what made AGH stand out amongst the rest was the dedicated preceptors. Their enthusiasm and passion for not only clinical practice but teaching and precepting students and residents is what solidified my desire to complete a PGY1 at AGH. I look forward to my year here. Professional Interests/Future Goals: My interests are in infectious disease, transplant and critical care. I look forward to pursing a PGY-2 residency in one of these areas. In the future, I would like to work at an academic center with clinical and teaching responsibilities.
	Cassandra Dolecki, PharmD PGY1 Community Pharmacy Resident Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Doctor of Pharmacy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy Why AGH/Pittsburgh: I had the opportunity to do two rotations during pharmacy school at AGH and I loved the environment and really liked all of the pharmacists I met. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the experiences I had and I saw myself fitting in with the program and with the other pharmacy team members. Professional Interests/Future Goals: I see myself working in an outpatient clinic focusing on disease state management, teaching in a pharmacy school as an adjunct faculty member, and precepting pharmacy students.
	Kelly Gaertner, PharmD PGY1 Community Pharmacy Resident Hometown: Pittsburgh Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Doctor of Pharmacy, Duquesne University; PGY1 Pharmacy, Riverside Methodist Hospital Why AGH/Pittsburgh: I had several rotations at AGH as a student, and I was very impressed with the many opportunities available, as well as the dedication of the preceptors. I know I will get excellent, well-rounded training at AGH. Professional Interests/Future Goals: Ideally I would like to work in some type of outpatient clinic. I would love to teach/precept also.
	Amy Haver, PharmD PGY1 Pharmacy Resident Hometown: North Huntingdon, PA Education/Post-Graduate Training: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Penn State University; Doctor of Pharmacy, Duquesne University Why AGH/Pittsburgh?: I am happy to be at Allegheny General Hospital because of its well-established pharmacy residency program, the experienced pharmacy clinical specialists, and the variety of rotations that are offered, including acute and ambulatory care. I grew up around Pittsburgh and love what the city has to offer. I feel fortunate to be at this advanced teaching hospital, contributing to the healthcare of my hometown. Professional Interests/Future Goals: I aspire to be a clinical pharmacist able to advance health outcomes by interacting with both patients and other healthcare professionals. I hope to develop my interests during my PGY1 residency and look forward to working towards a specialty area.
	Daniel Lindsay, PharmD PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident Hometown: Scotrun, PA Education/ Post-Graduate Training: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 2012 Why AGH/Pittsburgh: I grew to know the quality of preceptors at AGH through my rotations there as a student. They are exceptional clinicians in their specialties and create a great environment for learning. Pittsburgh is an area on the front line of medicine and the healthcare profession, so the opportunities available here are second to none. Professional Interests/Future Goals: My professional interests are in the fields of oncology and critical care, as well as the precepting of students. My goal is to go on to a PGY2 specialty residency, and down the line possibly work at a university associated medical center as a clinical specialist and adjunct faculty to schools of pharmacy and other health sciences.
	Gerard P. Mascara, PharmD PGY2 Hematology-Oncology Pharmacy Resident Education/Post-Graduate Training: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh; PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA Why AGH/Pittsburgh: I grew up in Pittsburgh and have close ties to the area, therefore I feel lucky to have trained at Allegheny General Hospital during my PGY1 residency, and now again for my PGY2 oncology residency right here in my hometown. AGH’s pharmacy residency programs are top notch due to excellent preceptorship, varied and flexible rotation options, and cutting edge technology and healthcare provision. After having a great experience during my first year, I decided to stay here for specialized training in oncology, an area in which I have been interested since my first year of pharmacy school. I am looking forward to my rotations this year. Professional Interests/Future Goals: I plan to obtain a position as an oncology clinical specialist and earning my board certification upon finishing my PGY2 program. I am also interested in pursuing a career in academia later in my career.
	Crystal D. Mayles-Heise, PharmD PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident Hometown: Keyser, West Virginia Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Psychology and Chemistry BS Degree from Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV; Doctor of Pharmacy, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in Morgantown, WV; PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, PA Why AGH/Pittsburgh: Allegheny General Hospital’s reputation for training exceptional clinicians and leaders in our profession is quite well known, and who could want more in a specialty training program than dedicated team to foster knowledge and professional growth. But, the “seal the deal moment” was observing the diverse mix of preceptors and staff who were clearly dedicated to their patients and profession, found to be vital parts of the healthcare team, and had a genuine interest in their residents and their progression as clinicians. Professional Interests/Future Goals: I would like to manage chronic disease states in collaboration with a healthcare team looking to optimize patient-specific outcomes and maximize quality of life. I have a particular interest in preventing and managing chronic disease states of oncology patients in hopes of minimizing long-term adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents and maintain chronic disease state management as therapeutically possible while patients are actively undergoing chemo and/or radiotherapy. I have long-term ambitions of expanding the roles of ambulatory oncology pharmacy practice to possibly encompass disease state management and specializing in optimizing full medication regimens to best manage the complex drug interactions and side effects of emerging targeted therapies.
	Arpit S. Mehta, BS, PharmD PGY1/PGY2 Health System Pharmacy Administration Resident / MPH Candidate Hometown: Laurel, Maryland Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Doctor of Pharmacy, LECOM School of Pharmacy, Erie, PA Why AGH/Pittsburgh: The strong leadership team at AGH/WPAHS is what attracted me to AGH’s Administration residency program. Reasons why I joined team AGH: • The variety and quality of management training (rotation) options in year one and two along with balanced clinical focus in year one; • Opportunity to start this excellent program under the guidance of experienced leadership/management team; • Opportunity to conduct rotations at the system and corporate level; • Mentors who go above and beyond and • Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health (MPH) program from University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health Pittsburgh has a lot going on in terms of arts and culture, sports, entertainment, etc. and it is close to family and friends for me – so it is a perfect location. Professional Interests/Future Goals: Health-System Pharmacy Administration; Leadership Development; Medication Safety; Pharmacy Informatics and Technology. My future goal is to practice as a health-system pharmacy leader and an effective manager for advancing the patient care at a large academic medical center while continuing my involvement with the state and national health-system pharmacy organizations.
	Kimberly Miller, BS, PharmD PGY1/PGY2 Health System Pharmacy Administration Resident / MPH Candidate Hometown: Newville, PA Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Bachelors degree in Biology Pre-Health Professions from Shippensburg University Doctor in Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh School Of Pharmacy with an area of concentration in Business Administration Why AGH/Pittsburgh: I completed my doctor in pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and enjoyed living in Pittsburgh. AGH seemed like a good fit for me with the people and the program. The program offered all of the opportunities that I wanted and the flexibility to create experiences that focus on my interests. I’m also a huge Steelers fan. Professional Interests/Future Goals: I would like to pursue a career in pharmacy administration, either as an operations or clinical manager.
	Jennifer Niccolai, PharmD PGY1 Pharmacy Resident Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Doctor of Pharmacy, Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy Why AGH/Pittsburgh: I completed three rotations at AGH during my last year of pharmacy school and was very impressed by the learning environment. The clinical specialists truly prioritize teaching. I felt that at this institution in particular, my desire to achieve my goals would be greatly supported. Additionally, I have grown up in Pittsburgh and love the city. Professional Interests/Future Goals: I am currently very interested in oncology and hope to go on to a PGY-2 residency focused in oncology. Eventually, I would like to be a clinical specialist at a teaching institution.
	Nick Wytiaz, PharmD PGY1 Pharmacy Resident Hometown: Jefferson Hills, PA Education/ Post-Graduate Training: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh Why AGH/Pittsburgh: The residency program at AGH provided me with the opportunity to remain in Pittsburgh and within the West Penn Allegheny Health System during this time of revitalization. As a local Pittsburgh institution with a reputation as one of the nation’s top hospitals, I found AGH to be an ideal site for my PGY1 residency. I was further drawn to the program by the unparalleled learning opportunities the hospital can provide, especially in the specialty areas of cardiology and critical care. In addition, I was impressed by the pharmacy staff and preceptors who can help guide me as I pursue a career in clinical pharmacy. As an added bonus, I can even visit my mom in the Outpatient Pharmacy! Professional Interests/Future Goals: Currently, I am considering a career in acute care pharmacy and have interests in critical care and cardiology. In addition, I hope to maintain a research component in my position, possibly through work in academia.