Pharmacy & Drug Information Residency Programs

Pharmacy residency training was established in 1996 with all residency programs consisting of a minimum of 2080 hours of training and experience under the preceptorship of full-time, Grady-employed clinical pharmacists. All members of the clinical staff have one or two years of residency training from an accredited program. Residents participate in a 24-hour, in-house, on-call program unique to only a few programs nationally. In this capacity, they are responsible for addressing drug information questions, responding to pharmacokinetic consults, anticoagulation consults, and participating as a member of the Code Blue Response and Stroke Response teams. All residencies conform to the standards of the ASHP Residency Learning System Model with regard to goals and objectives and evaluations. Residents are required to have Georgia licensure early in the residency year. Please see https://gbp.georgia.gov/ for license requirements.

The PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency training year is mid-June through June 30 of the following year. The Specialty Residencies will begin on July 1 and go through June 30. Information specific to each residency can be selected from the menu at the top of the page.

Residency Program Information Sessions

Interested in PGY1 or PGY2 Pharmacy Residency programs at Grady? Join us on November 10 or December 8 to learn about our exceptional programs and meet our residents and RPDs.

November 10th, 4 – 5 p.m. EST
December 8th, 4 – 5 p.m. EST

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4EAFA72CA0FF2-grady

Join us via ZOOM here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86974577932?pwd=SUZWUVVCN2NqYkQwS3NHR3Bod1ptUT09

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Grady Memorial Hospital residency programs include ASHP-accredited residencies in:

Current Residents

Grady’s Pharmacy Residency Program prides itself in developing highly qualified independent practitioners able to provide patient-centered care in various environments. Pharmacists completing this program will be capable of conducting their practice with a high level of maturity and leadership, and be able to perform practice-related projects

Anna Beth Bowles, PharmD, (R242)

Anna Beth Bowles, PharmD is a PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Anna Beth was closely involved with the Student Oncological Advocates in Pharmacy, eventually serving as the Public Relations Chair for the 2021-2022 academic year. She also enjoyed mentoring pharmacy students through the Rho Chi Society’s Mentoring Program. Her current interests include oncology and infectious diseases. This year, her research project will evaluate the impact of emergency department pharmacists on delays in second-dose antibiotics for critically ill septic shock patients. In her free time, Anna Beth loves visiting her family, winding down with neighborhood walks, and searching for new, yummy restaurants to try in Atlanta!

Joe Corbino, PharmD, MSc (R243)

Joe Corbino, PharmD, MSc is a PGY-1 Pharmacy resident. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities College of Pharmacy and MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Joe was the local chair for the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), pharmacy representative for the Global Health Student Advisory Board (GHSAB), and representative for the STI Research Interest Group. This year, his research project will evaluate the use of potassium binders (Lokelma vs. Kayexalate) in patients treated for acute hyperkalemia. His interests include infectious diseases, global health, and hematology/oncology. In his free time, Joe enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants/breweries.

Niaima Geresu, PharmD (R244)

Niaima Geresu,PharmD is a PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer College of Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA, and a B.S. in Human Biology from Indiana University. Niaima volunteered with local organizations such as AID Atlanta, Positive Impact, and Tapestri and she was also an active member of SNPhA, Kappa Epsilon, and GSHP. Her interests include critical care and ambulatory care. Her PGY-1 research project focuses on evaluating pharmacy on-call activities in critically ill patients.  In her free time, Niaima enjoys working out, hiking, trying new restaurants, and watching basketball.

Reed Henderson, PharmD (R245)

Reed Henderson, PharmD is a PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. Reed was an active member of APhA-ASP and had multiple leadership positions in Phi Delta Chi, a professional pharmacy fraternity. His professional areas of interest include critical care, internal medicine, and ambulatory care, but he looks forward to new interests developing as a resident at Grady. His current research focuses on evaluating the impact of clinical pharmacists on patient outcomes in ambulatory care clinics. In his free time, Reed enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring new bars/restaurants in Atlanta, and playing disc golf whenever he gets the chance.

Amber Patt, PharmD, (R246)

Amber Patt, PharmD is a PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Amber was the president of the Pharmacy Student Alliance, as well as an active member of the MCW School of Pharmacy professional networking and mentorship program. Amber worked as an intern at Froedtert Hospital and Walgreens Specialty pharmacy which gave her exposure to many different disease states and patient populations during her time in pharmacy school. Her professional interests include toxicology, emergency medicine, and academia and her current research evaluates the utilization and safety of automatic dispensing machines in operating rooms. In her free time, Amber enjoys exploring new restaurants and finding the perfect wine pairing for any meal, going to comedy shows, trail running, and cheering on the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers.

Nicholas DeFilippo, PharmD, (R236)

Nicholas DeFilippo, PharmD is the PGY-2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Resident from Hamilton, New Jersey. He received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) where he was an American Sign Language instructional assistant during the latter part of his undergraduate degree. Nick completed his PGY-1 pharmacy residency at Yale New Haven Hospital (New Haven, CT) where his project was optimizing the inpatient clotting factor product workflow. His professional interests include resuscitation science, clotting factor products, antimicrobial stewardship, diabetes, and addiction medicine. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, exploring new places, learning to program, and spending time with friends. This year, he is investigating the hemostatic efficacy of low- versus high-dose 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) on factor Xa inhibitor-related intracranial hemorrhage.

Rachele Hollis, PharmD (R237)

Rachele Hollis, PharmD is the PGY-2 Internal Medicine Pharmacy Resident. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Her interests include sickle cell pain management, post-stroke care, transitions-of-care, and heart failure. Her PGY-1 research evaluated the mean change in HgbA1C in pharmacy-managed disease state models compared to physician-managed. This year her research is evaluating the inpatient initiation of SGLT-2 inhibitors on heart failure readmission. In her free time, Rachele enjoys painting, trying new restaurants, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.

Kerri Jones, PharmD (R238)

Kerri Jones, PharmD is the PGY-2 Neurology Pharmacy Resident. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Belmont University College of Pharmacy and completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, TN. Her PGY-1 research evaluated lorazepam dosing in seizure and status epilepticus patients in the emergency department. This year her research is evaluating the impact of antithrombotic choice in COVID-19 related embolic stroke of undetermined source. In her free time, Kerri enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, and hiking with her Goldendoodle, Remington.

Emily Lee, PharmD (R239)

Emily Lee, PharmD is the PGY-2 Hematology and Oncology Pharmacy Resident. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Purdue University in 2021. She completed her PGY-1 residency at Grady Health System. Her PGY-1 research project evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on direct oral anticoagulant persistence. Her interests include hematology/oncology, health equity, and oncologic emergencies.  Her PGY-2 research project is evaluating the impact of parenteral hydromorphone versus morphine on length of stay in patients with sickle cell disease. In her free time, she loves practicing hot yoga, trying new foods/restaurants, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the Beltline!

Connor Lockridge, PharmD (R247)

Connor Lockridge, PharmD is the PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident. Connor was born in Pensacola, Florida, and grew up in Loganville, Georgia. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Piedmont College in 2015 and then received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from Mercer University College of Pharmacy. He completed a PGY-1 pharmacy residency at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, GA. His PGY-1 research project evaluated the impact of rapid diagnostic testing on vancomycin utilization for contaminated blood cultures. This year his research project will evaluate the persistence of biologics in the treatment of psoriasis. His ultimate goal is to practice as a board-certified clinical pharmacy specialist in an ambulatory care setting while also helping drive the profession forward by precepting and mentoring future pharmacists. Outside of residency, Connor enjoys playing and watching soccer, exercising, traveling, and all things food (especially tacos and margaritas).

Tyler Martin, PharmD, (R240)

Tyler Martin, PharmD is the PGY-2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Resident. Originally from Orlando, FL, he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a mathematics minor at the University of Central Florida, followed by his Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Florida, Gainesville campus. Tyler completed his PGY-1 residency at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. His interests include antimicrobial stewardship, treatment of resistant gram-negative rods, and HIV. His PGY-1 research project investigated treatment options for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections and evaluated differences in outcomes between patients with CRAB and carbapenem-susceptible isolates. This year, he is investigating differences in time to optimal therapy and time to de-escalation of anti-MRSA and anti-pseudomonal agents in culture-positive bloodstream infections identified via standard microbiological methods compared to those identified with the PCR-based e-Plex blood culture identification panels (BCID). In his free time, Tyler enjoys playing video games, board games, hiking, and going to the gym.

Sam Pournezhad, PharmD (R241)

Sam Pournezhad, PharmD is the PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Resident. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Touro University California and B.S. of Genetics from U.C Davis. He completed her PGY-1 residency at Grady Health System. His interests include critical care, trauma/surgery, and emergency medicine. Sam, along with two other pharmacists (Dr. Blair, and Dr. Aali), were able to establish one of the 2022 listed biggest pharmacy social media platforms on Instagram and YouTube to educate the Farsi-speaking community on public health matters. His PGY-1 research project evaluated the continuation of amiodarone in critically ill patients with atrial fibrillation. This year, he is helping with the initiation of Grady Post ICU clinic. His PGY-2 research project is on invasive fungal infections in severe burn injuries. In his free time, Sam enjoys hiking, participating in community service, playing soccer, cheering for Golden State Warriors, and Face timing or talking to his wife (Kathy), who is in California.

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Previous Residents

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2021-2022

Pharmacy Residents 2021-22

Jay Adams, PharmD, (R230)

Spencer Graczyk, PharmD, (R231)

Rachele Hollis, PharmD, (R232)

Emily Lee, PharmD, (R233)

Sam Pournezhad, PharmD, (R234)

Ah Lim Yoo, PharmD, (R235)

Elaina Etter, PharmD, (R224)

Bryan Keen, PharmD, (R225)

Annalise Labatut, PharmD, (R226)

Lindsey Lindsey, PharmD, (R227)

Chelsea Wamsley, PharmD, (R228)

Hiba Yacout, PharmD, (R229)

2020-2021

Grady Pharmacy Residents 2020-2021

Annalise Labatut, PharmD , (R220)

Lindsey Lindsey, PharmD, (R221)

Elaina Etter, PharmD, (R218)

Amanda Hammond, PharmD, MPH, (R219)

Hiba Yacout, PharmD, (R222)

Shannon Lawson, PharmD, (R214)

Haley Ellis, PharmD, MBA, (R213)

Casey Boyer, PharmD, (R212)

Millad Sobhanian, PharmD, (R216)

Shelbie Foster, PharmD, (R223)

Joseph Torrisi, PharmD, (R217)

Hannah Leschorn, PharmD, MBA (R215)

2019-2020

Kara Asselborn-Fifer, PharmD, (R200)

Emily Drwiega, PharmD, (R201)

Alexandria (Andie) Hall PharmD, (R202)

Jessica Ringler, PharmD, (R203)

Stella Ye, PharmD, (R204)

Patrick Filkins, PharmD, (R205)

Shelbie Foster, PharmD, (R206)

Hannah Leschorn, PharmD, MBA (R207)

Kristen Robinson, PharmD, (R208)

Joseph Torrisi, PharmD, (R209)

Connor Walsh, PharmD, (R210)

Alexandria May, PharmD, (R211)

2018-2019

Julianna Cebollero, PharmD, (R188)

Sarah Fisher, PharmD, (R189)

Allison Hester, PharmD, (R199)

Meshell Maxam, PharmD, (R190)

Brittny Medenwald, PharmD, (R191)

Jimmy L. Pruitt III, PharmD, (R192)

Tu-Trinh Tran, PharmD, (R193)

Jared Cavanaugh, PharmD, (R194)

Emily Drwiega, PharmD, (R195)

Alexandria (Andie) Hall, PharmD, (R196)

Alexandria May, PharmD, (R197)

Melissa Sandler, PharmD (R198)

2017-2018

2017-2018-Residents

 

Julianna Cebollero
Sarah Fisher
Allison Hester
Elizabeth Silver
Ashley Weiss
Sonali Patel
Adrienne Stevens
Constance Terrell
Ansley Tidwell
Tina Wang
Kelsey Woods
Felicia Wong

2016-2017

2016-2017-Residents

 

Julianne Jones
Nicholas Barker
Amy Brotherton
Emily Cook
Hannah Dills
Tyler Redelico
Amanda Cass
Gregory Cook
Sonali Patel
Ansley Tidwell
Kelsey Woods

2015-2016

2015-2016-Residents

 

Kyle Bertram
Ah Hyun Jun
Sperry Kotsianas
Jessica Michal
Amanda Naujelis
Kayla Randle
Molly Trent
Nicholas Barker
Katherine Saunders
Hannah Dills
Julianne Jones

2014-2015

2014-2015-Residents

 

Shreena Patel Advani
Kristina Smith Evans
Coral Iserhienrhien
Meredith Miles
Emily Pavich
Ah Hyun Jun
Stacey Karl
Amanda Naujelis
Kayla Randle
Lindsay Schaack
Molly Trent

2013-2014

2013-2014-Residents

 

Houda Aboujamous
Rita Gayed
Olivia Johnson
Steven Nakajima
Katherine Pleasants
Rejena Azad
Coral Iserhienrhien
Shreena Patel
Emily Pavich
Kristina Smith

2012-2013

2012-2013-Residents

 

Tiffany Choe
Brianna Franklin
Elyse Hall Panjic
Amy Schultz
Jennifer Sutherland
Houda Aboujamous
Rita M. Gayed
Olivia Johnson
Steven Nakajima
Kate Pleasants

2011-2012

2011-2012-Residents

 

Robin Gerding
Kara Goddard
Bailey Guest
Tara Holt
Andy Perez
Grishma Desai
Dayne Laskey
Elyse Panjic
Amy Schultz
Rebecca Spivey
Jennifer Sutherland

2010-2011

2010-2011-Residents

 

Derek Burden
Tanea Chane
Tai Houtz
Vivian Liao
Kara Goddard
Bailey Guest
Tara Holt
Shauna Jacobson
Sara Miller
Andy Perez
Mary Katherine Brown

2009-2010

Derrick Clay
Brandon Hobbs
Aryan Rahbar
Derek Burden
Tanea Chane
Tai Houtz
Elim Ijo
Vivian Liao

2008-2009

Crystal Calloway
Rebekah Thomas
Aryan Rahbar
Brandon Hobbs
Derrick Clay
Jessica Southward
Nikita Patel
Alissa Lockwood
Beth Irvine
Kristy Fordjour

2007-2008

Nikita Patel
Jessica Southward
Alissa Lockwood
Kristy Fordjour
Beth Irvine
Michael Biglow
Kat Wyatt
Samantha Munro
Angelina Davis

2006-2007

Julie Rafferty
Kat Wyatt
Dusty Lisi
Angelina Davis
Ebony Broner
Lindsay Helms
Leigh Efird
Margie Curry

2005-2006

Cortney Stone
Brooke Sorgen
Leah Smith
Amy Parks
Alison Eisenhart
Marjorie Curry
Marina Rabinovich
John Patka

2004-2005

Marina Tovbina
Cailin McLaughlin
Kim Mahoney
Kelly Goodson
Lillian Chou
Dipti Patel
Kelly O’Neil
Katie Holloway

2003-2004

Erin Robinson
Kelly O’Neil
Jennifer Ling
Katie Holloway
Tara Hill
Scott Taylor
Rhonda Martin
Jason Brady

2002-2003

Laura Lowder
Scott Taylor
Rhonda Martin
Jennifer Lehneman
Jason Brady
Tina Bhavsar
Amy Trobaugh
Melinda Throm

2001-2002

Amy Trobaugh
Melinda Throm
Seema Talsania
Cathy Schubert
Rangaroon (Noy) Russell
Quwanna Raven
Elvira Madueme

2000-2001

Ozma Kahn
Deanne Jones
Maureen Haas
Heather Eyrich
Amy Dzerba
Michelle Lowe

1999-2000

Savitha Thomas
Michelle Lowe
Michael Knauss
Sharon Jones
Paul Gautier
Lisa Woolard

1998-1999

Lisa Woolard
Mamie Pang
Mary Dewey
Kim Davis
Terri Corbo
Sumita Biswas

1997-1998

Irene Gabel
Terri Corbo
Sumita Biswas
Scott Cooper

1996-1997

Steve Harrison
Scott Cooper

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Clinical Preceptors

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Rondell Jaggers, PharmD, FASHP - Vice President, Pharmacy and Medical Nutrition

Rondell Jaggers, PharmD, FASHP is Vice President, Pharmacy and Medical Nutrition. Dr. Jaggers received his B.S. in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Kentucky and completed an administrative residency at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida. Prior to joining Grady Health System, he practiced as a pharmacist, clinical pharmacist and pharmacy manager in various hospitals and health systems in Kentucky, Virginia and Georgia. Dr. Jaggers is adjunct faculty at Mercer University & The University of Georgia Schools of Pharmacy. Professional activities include serving as president and chairman of the board for the Atlanta Academy of Institutional Pharmacy, and in addition to serving on various committees, he is a past President and Chair of The Board for The Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Dr. Jaggers is a former residency program director, a practitioner surveyor for ASHP and served a three-year term on The Commission on Credentialing. He was recently appointed to serve on ASHP’s Council on Pharmacy Management.

Ted Walton, PharmD, BCPS - Pharmacy Clinical Manager

Ted Walton, PharmD, BCPS is the Pharmacy Clinical Manager and an assistant professor of pharmacy for the University of Georgia School of Pharmacy.  Dr. Walton graduated from the VCU – Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy and completed a clinical pharmacy residency at the University of Cincinnati Hospitals. He became Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy in 1993. He has presented at state and national meetings and has published over 25 articles/chapters in various journals in the area of medicine and nephrology. Dr. Walton is a reviewer for American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Critical Care Medicine and Annals of Pharmacotherapy and has served as a chapter reviewer for the Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP). Previously, Dr. Walton was a clinical pharmacist specialist in the areas of nephrology and internal medicine and director of the PGY-1 Pharmacy and PGY-2 Internal Medicine residencies.  Dr. Walton also participates as a practitioner surveyor for ASHP residency program accreditation and currently is a member of the ASHP Council on Education and Workforce Development.

Marina Rabinovich, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM – Residency Director PGY-1

Marina Rabinovich, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM is the clinical pharmacy specialist in the medical intensive care unit and director for the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program. She earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from Nesbitt School of Pharmacy at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2004, and completed pharmacy practice and internal medicine specialty residencies at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dr. Rabinovich practices in the area of critical care and, in addition to training residents and students, serves on Residency Research Advisory Committee and is a Co-Director for the annual Southeastern Critical Care Summit organizing poster presentations and continued education for healthcare providers. She is involved in various research and QI projects, with particular interest in sepsis care, glycemic control in critically ill patients, AKI, alcohol withdrawal, and management of pain, agitation, and delirium in ICU and post-ICU discharge. In collaboration with other providers, she initiated pharmacy services in the first multi professional Post-ICU Care Clinic in Georgia. Dr. Rabinovich is an active member of multiple committees at Grady including the Anticoagulation Management Team, the COVID Clinical Best Practice Committee, Sepsis Care Committee, and is heavily involved in organizations at local and national levels such as GSHP and SCCM. She is the past President of the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and continues to be actively involved as chapter’s Fundraising Committee Co-Chair focusing on raising funds for Sepsis Alliance and promoting sepsis awareness via annual fundraising event, Spike out Sepsis. Dr. Rabinovich is the recipient of the Doug Miller Clinical Pharmacist Leadership Award (2017) and enjoys mentoring residents and students. Outside of work, Dr. Rabinovich enjoys spending time with family and two very active daughters, travel, run/hike, and explore in-town Atlanta area as well many beautiful remote parts of Georgia and surrounding states.

Kristi Quairoli, PharmD, BCACP, CDE – Residency Director PGY-2 Ambulatory Care

Kristi Quairoli, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES is a clinical pharmacist specialist in ambulatory care and the director of the PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Specialty Residency. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in Gainesville, FL. She completed a community pharmacy practice residency with the Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy (now College of Pharmacy). After completing her residency, she served as Clinical Assistant Professor with Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for three years. Dr. Quairoli became Board Certified in Ambulatory Care in 2011. She now practices in the outpatient internal medicine clinics (Primary Care Center), Liver Clinic, and Diabetes Clinic. She precepts pharmacy students from Mercer University, South University and the University of Georgia. Her areas of interest are in hypertension, hepatitis C and diabetes, with a special interest in Type 1 diabetes and diabetes technologies.

Rita Gayed, PharmD, BCCCP – Residency Director PGY-2 Critical Care

Rita Gayed, PharmD, BCCCP, is the critical care pharmacist specialist practicing in the burn center at Grady Health System, covering the burn service in the intensive care and step-down units and burn clinic. She earned her PharmD degree at Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, in Tallahassee, FL. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy residency and PGY-2 Critical Care specialty residency at Grady Health System in Atlanta, GA. Her clinical interests include pain and agitation management, burn sepsis treatment, antimicrobial stewardship and multi-drug resistant organism management in the burn ICU and management of inhalation injury. Her research interests include traditional and adjunct pain management options, altered medication pharmacokinetics in large burns and burn resuscitation. Rita is an active member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and is serving as the chair of the Patient Safety Committee of the Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology (CPP) Section of SCCM this year. She is also an active member of the American Burn Association (ABA), the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). Additionally, she is currently serving as the President of the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM).

John Patka, PharmD, BCPS - Residency Director PGY-2 Emergency Medicine

John Patka, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacist specialist in emergency medicine. Dr. Patka completed a PGY-1 residency at the University of Illinois Medical Center and a critical care PGY-2 residency at Grady Health System. He is an active pharmacy resident preceptor and is involved in the training of nurses, students and post-graduate medical residents. Professional affiliations include the Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists and their education committee, and he has presented at regional and national meetings on pharmacy services in the emergency department. Dr. Patka is an active practitioner surveyor for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists emergency medicine PGY-2 residency surveys.

Michael Knauss, PharmD, BCPS, AACC, FGSHP – Residency Director PGY-2 Internal Medicine

Michael Knauss, PharmD, BCPS, AACC, FGSHP is the Director of the PGY-2 Internal Medicine Pharmacy Residency Program. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University School of Pharmacy and completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Grady Health System. Prior to receiving his Doctor of Pharmacy, he earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently practices in the area of internal medicine. Dr. Knauss precepts pharmacokinetics and internal medicine rotations, as well as pharmacy students from Mercer University, University of Georgia, and South University. He serves on the Heart Failure Practitioners Work Group and Research Advisory Committee at Grady. In addition, he is a reviewer for Pharmacotherapy and the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. GSHP honored him with the 2011 Outstanding Pharmacy Practitioner Award, and the 2015 Best Paper Describing a Pharmaceutical Care Service Award. Other honors are 2012 Preceptor of the Year for South University School of Pharmacy and the 2018 Doug Miller Clinical Pharmacist Leadership Award. Additionally, he enjoys participating in the residency accreditation process as a practitioner surveyor for ASHP.

Manish Patel, PharmD, BCIDP, BCPS – Residency Director PGY-2 Infectious Diseases

Manish Patel, PharmD, BCIDP, BCPS is the director for the PGY-2 Infectious Diseases Specialty Residency Program. Dr. Patel received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario. He subsequently completed his Doctor of Pharmacy at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In 1998, Dr. Patel completed a HIV pharmacy residency program at Toronto General Hospital. Currently he practices clinical pharmacy with the inpatient HIV service, Infectious Diseases Consult Service, and Antimicrobial Stewardship team at Grady. He enjoys precepting pharmacy students from Mercer University, University of Georgia and South University. Dr. Patel is the recipient of several awards including: Grady Health System Clinical Pharmacist of the Year Award (2013), GSHP Outstanding Residency Preceptor Award (2012), and GSHP Best Paper Describing a Pharmaceutical Care Service Award (2012, 2014 & 2017). Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, playing tennis, swimming and spending time with his 2 children. Currently, he is a member of the Georgia Society of Health-Systems.

Katleen Wyatt Chester, PharmD, BCCCP, BCGP - Residency Director PGY-2 Neurology

Katleen Wyatt Chester, PharmD, BCCCP, BCGP is a clinical pharmacist specialist in neurocritical care and director of the PGY-2 Neurology Pharmacy Residency Program, established in 2017.  Previously, she was director of the Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia State University and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy in 2006. In addition, she completed both her pharmacy practice and critical care specialty residencies at Grady Health System. Dr. Chester began her career as a clinical pharmacist in the health system’s busy Emergency Department, and two years later transitioned her practice to the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center at Grady Health System which opened in 2010. Dr. Chester serves as adjunct faculty for the Emory University School of Nursing teaching Advanced Pharmacology to nurse practitioner students. She places high importance on organizational involvement and giving back to the community. She served as President of the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) from 2014 to 2016. Dr. Chester currently serves on several committees within the multi-disciplinary Neurocritical Care Society (NCS). At the institutional level, Dr. Chester continues to oversee the Pharmacist Stroke Response Program established in 2011. Dr. Chester is the recipient of the Grady Health System Clinical Pharmacist of the Year award (2014), and she participates as a reviewer for the Journal of Critical Care and the Annals of Pharmacotherapy. Research interests include anticoagulant reversal, pharmacotherapy of the geriatric patient in neurocritical care, antiplatelet therapy in stroke, and safely reducing door-to-needle times for thrombolytic therapy.

Jennifer LaFollette, PharmD, BCOP – Residency Director PGY-2 Hematology/Oncology

Jennifer LaFollette, PharmD, BCOP is the Director of the PGY-2 Hematology/Oncology Specialty Residency and a clinical pharmacy specialist in hematology and oncology. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. She completed a pharmacy practice residency and an oncology specialty residency at the University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio (now the University of Cincinnati Medical Center).  Dr. LaFollette precepts PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents, as well as, pharmacy students from Mercer University, the University of Georgia and South University. She is an Adjunct Instructor for Emory University School of Medicine in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. Dr. LaFollette provides clinical pharmacy services to inpatient and outpatient hematology and oncology patients. She also serves on committees within the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence and Grady Health System (GHS) including the GHS Chemotherapy Quality Committee (Chairperson), Cancer Center Clinical Research Committee, GHS Medication Safety Committee, and GHS Anticoagulation Management Team.

Shelbie Patterson, PharmD – Clinical Pharmacist

Shelbie Patterson, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist specialist in primary care. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Patterson completed her PGY-1 pharmacy residency and her PGY-2 ambulatory care pharmacy residency at Grady Health System. Dr. Patterson provides primary care services at Grady Health System’s ASA G. Yancey and East Point neighborhood outpatient clinics. She enjoys precepting pharmacy students along with PGY-1 and PGY-2 pharmacy residents, and routinely provides education to Emory University School of Medicine third year students on asthma and COPD. Dr. Patterson is currently a member of GSHP. Her professional interests include diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Hiba Yacout, PharmD – Clinical Pharmacist

Hiba Yacout, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist in ambulatory care. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Mercer University. Dr. Yacout completed her PGY-1 and PGY-2 Internal Medicine residency at Grady Health System. Dr. Yacout practices in the primary care setting at two multilingual clinics, Brookhaven and North Fulton Health Centers. She is a member of GSHP and ASHP. Her professional interests include diabetes, transition of care, anticoagulation, and heart failure.

Van Bui, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP – Clinical Pharmacist

Van Bui, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP is a clinical pharmacist for the medical intensive care unit and cardiovascular intensive care unit. She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from University of Georgia in 2018. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Falls Church, VA and PGY-2 Critical Care Residency at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. She serves as a co-coordinator for the Advanced Clinical Track (ACT) Program for Mercer College of Pharmacy students at Grady and enjoys mentoring pharmacy residents and students. She is a member of Neurocritical Care Society (NCS), Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), and American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). Her professional areas of interest include arrhythmias, heart failure, and hemodynamics.

Rebecca “Becky” Andruski, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist

Rebecca “Becky” Andruski, PharmD is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) College of Pharmacy in Suwanee, GA. After completion of her PharmD, she completed an ambulatory care focused PGY1 at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lake City, FL. She continued to work at the North Florida/South Georgia VA as a pharmacist in the outpatient pharmacy and ambulatory care clinics until she joined the Grady family. Dr. Andruski is currently the clinical pharmacist for the Transitions of Care Clinic where she primarily works with the outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) patients.

Irene Bemis, PharmD, BCPS - Clinical Pharmacist

Irene Bemis, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacist specialist in internal medicine. She is a graduate of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, where she received a B.S. in Pharmacy. After four years of retail work, she attended the University of Colorado, where she received her Doctor of Pharmacy. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at Grady Health System in 1998, and became board certified in pharmacotherapy in 1999. Dr. Bemis precepts the Internal medicine rotation for both PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents as well as students from Mercer University, University of Georgia Schools of Pharmacy and South University. Dr. Bemis serves on various committees at Grady Health System including the Research Advisory Committee the Anticoagulation Management Committee and Falls Committee. She is currently a member of ASHP, ACCP and GSHP.

Sarah Boyko, PharmD, BCPS – Clinical Pharmacist

Sarah Boyko, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacist in internal medicine. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2017 from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. She completed a PGY-1 pharmacy residency followed by a PGY-2 in Internal Medicine at Grady Health System. Dr. Boyko serves as Co-Chair of the Residency Research Advisory Committee and is an active member of ASHP and ACCP. She precepts the Internal Medicine rotation for PGY-1 residents as well as students from Mercer University and the University of Georgia Schools of Pharmacy. Her areas of special interest are: heart failure, anticoagulation, and infectious diseases Dr. Boyko also serves on the Residency Research Advisory Committee.

Julianna Cebollero, PharmD, BCOP – Clinical Pharmacist

Julianna Cebollero, PharmD, BCOP is a Hematology/Oncology clinical pharmacist specialist at Grady’s Outpatient Cancer Center for Excellence. Dr. Cebollero earned her Bachelor and Master of Science in Chemistry at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. After working as a Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist for three years, she earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University College of Pharmacy in 2017 and later completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY-2 Oncology Specialty Residency at Grady Health System. She currently practices as an ambulatory care pharmacist with areas of interest including oral chemotherapy adherence, toxicity management, specialty pharmacy processes, and chemotherapy-related quality improvement. Dr. Cebollero is an Adjunct Instructor for the Emory University School of Medicine in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. She also serves on various committees including Chemotherapy Quality Committee, ASCO Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Committee, Cancer Center Clinical Research Committee, and the Residency Research Advisory Committee. Dr. Cebollero precepts P4 pharmacy students, as well as PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents.

Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA - Clinical Pharmacist

Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA is a clinical pharmacist specialist in primary care. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Atlanta, GA. She completed her Primary Care pharmacy residency at Grady Health System and received her board certification in pharmacotherapy in 2011. She also received her Clinical Lipid Specialist certification in 2014. Dr. Cheeley practices in the outpatient internal medicine clinics, lipid clinic and diabetes clinic. She also teaches Emory Internal Medicine residents on a regular basis. She is an active member of the National Lipid Association and GSHP. She precepts pharmacy students from Mercer University and the University of Georgia. For the PGY-1 residency, she precepts the advanced lipid disorders longitudinal experience for the PGY-2 Ambulatory Care resident as well as Primary Care rotations. Her areas of special interest are advanced dyslipidemias, resistant hypertension, diabetes, and health literacy related to patient outcomes.

Marjorie Adams Curry, PharmD, BCOP - Clinical Pharmacist

Marjorie Adams Curry, PharmD, BCOP is a clinical pharmacist specialist in hematology and oncology and serves as the primary preceptor for the inpatient hematology rotation. Dr. Curry earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2005. She completed her pharmacy practice residency and hematology/oncology specialty residency at Grady Health System. She is an Adjunct Instructor for Emory University School of Medicine in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and an Adjunct Clinical Professor for Mercer University. In addition to residents, Dr. Curry precepts pharmacy students from the University of Georgia and Mercer University and served as the coordinator for the Mercer Advanced Clinical Track (ACT) APPE students at Grady from 2012 – 2021. Additionally, she developed and implemented the residency Professional Development Program and has served as a co-coordinator for the past nine years. In 2018, Dr. Curry was the recipient of the Emory Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Award and in 2019, she was named the APPE Preceptor of the Year for Mercer University College of Pharmacy. Dr. Curry serves on multiple hospital-wide committees including the Anticoagulation Management Team, the COVID Clinical Best Practice Committee, and is a core team member of the ASCO Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Committee. Most recently, she was asked to sit on the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Oral Chemotherapy Collaborative, a new national committee on which she is excited to serve. Outside, of work, Dr. Curry is actively involved in the community and serves on the Board of Directors at the Dunwoody Nature Center.

Kristina Evans, PharmD, BCPS – Clinical Pharmacist

Kristina Evans, PharmD, BCPS, is a clinical pharmacist specialist in internal medicine. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in Athens, GA in 2013. She then completed two years of residency at Grady Health System with her PGY2 specialty residency in internal medicine. After completion of residency, Dr. Evans worked in internal medicine at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. While in Louisville, Dr. Evans was active on several multi-disciplinary committees within the organization, precepted pharmacy residents and students, and helped develop the PGY2 internal medicine residency at ULH. After returning to Grady Health System, Dr. Evans has served as an internal medicine preceptor for the PGY2 internal medicine resident, PGY1 residents, and students from both Mercer University and the University of Georgia. She also serves as the coordinator for the PGY2 internal medicine residency program. Dr. Evans is co-coordinator of the Professional Development program at GHS, on the Residency Research Advisory Committee at GHS, Education committee for GSHP, and Secretary of the Adult Medicine PRN of ACCP. Dr. Evans clinical interests include heart failure, diabetes, and optimizing the role of the clinical pharmacist within the healthcare organization.

Nicole Little, PharmD – Clinical Pharmacist

Nicole Little, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist in primary care. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy in New Orleans, LA. She completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the Birmingham VA Medical Center where her focus was on ambulatory care. Dr. Little practices in one of the outpatient Emory internal medicine clinic, Emma I. Darnell geriatric center and the newest Camp Creek comprehensive care center. She is an active member of both GSHP and ASHP. She precepts pharmacy students from Mercer University and the University of Georgia as well as PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents. Her areas of special interest are geriatrics, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking cessation.

Alexandria May, PharmD, BCPS – Clinical Pharmacist

Alexandria May, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacist specialist in ambulatory care. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2018 from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. She completed her PGY1 pharmacy practice residency and PGY2 ambulatory care specialty residency at Grady Health System. Dr. May currently practices in the primary care setting at the Kirkwood Family Medicine Clinic and in the neurology clinic at the Grady Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center. Dr. May serves as Chair of the Residency Research Advisory Committee and is an active member of GHSP, ASHP, and ACCP. She precepts pharmacy students from Mercer University and the University of Georgia as well as PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents. Her professional areas of interest include mental health, migraine/headache disorders, and diabetes with a focus on cardiovascular risk reduction.

Sara Miller, PharmD, DABAT - Clinical Pharmacist

Sara Miller, PharmD, DABAT is a clinical pharmacist in Emergency Medicine and Toxicology. Her Doctor of Pharmacy degree was earned at Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy in Weatherford, OK. Passion for toxicology brought Dr. Miller cross-country to Grady Health System and the Georgia Poison Center where she completed a pharmacy practice residency as well as a clinical toxicology fellowship. Dr. Miller practices in the Emergency Care Center and continues her professional association with the Georgia Poison Center as a toxicologist-on-call. She is a member of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and Phi Delta Chi Professional Pharmacy Fraternity. Her interests include envenomations and disaster preparedness.

Olivia “Libby” Morgan, PharmD, BCCCP, BCGP – Clinical Pharmacist

Olivia “Libby” M­­­­organ, PharmD, BCCCP, BCGP is a clinical pharmacist specialist in neurology for the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center. Her role is a hybrid of acute care and ambulatory care. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia in 2012. In addition, she completed both her pharmacy practice and emergency medicine specialty residencies at Grady Health System. Dr. Morgan is the program coordinator for the PGY-1 pharmacy residency program, PGY-2 neurology pharmacy residency program, and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences for Grady Health System. Additionally, she has served as a neurology preceptor for the PGY2 neurology resident, PGY1 residents, and students from Mercer University and the University of Georgia. Dr. Morgan is the recipient of the Grady Health System Rookie of the Year award (2017) and the Emory Neurology Residency Program’s Honorary Faculty Award (2019). She guest lectures for the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and Emory’s neurology residency program. Dr. Morgan actively participates on the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience center’s acute stroke committee and the pharmacy department’s professional development committee. Furthermore, she participates as a reviewer for the Annals of Pharmacotherapy. Her dedicated research interests individualized stroke therapies, reducing door-to-needle times for alteplase administration in acute ischemic stroke, and neuroimmunology.

Joseph Oliva, PharmD, BCACP - Clinical Pharmacist

Joseph Oliva, PharmD, BCACP is a clinical pharmacist specialist in ambulatory care. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from MCPHS University in Boston, MA in 2018. After pharmacy school, Dr. Oliva completed his PGY-1 and PGY-2 residency training at the University of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill. Dr. Oliva currently practices in primary care in the Diabetes Center at Grady Hospital. He enjoys precepting all levels of learners including pharmacy students and residents. His areas of interest include diabetes, endocrinology, and other chronic disease state and transitions of care management such as dyslipidemia or hypertension, cardiovascular risk reduction, and polypharmacy.

Melissa P. Patel, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist

Melissa P. Patel, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacist in Internal Medicine and Acute Care in the Elderly. Dr. Patel received her Bachelors in Biological Sciences from the University of Florida, followed by Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University. After pharmacy school, she completed her residency at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL. Dr. Patel is co-coordinator for the Advanced Clinical Track (ACT) program for pharmacy students through Mercer University, serves on the Residency Research Advisory Committee (RRAC) and on the Age Friendly Health System committee (AFHS) at Grady Health System. Dr. Patel is an active member of both the Georgia Society of Health System Pharmacists (GSHP) and American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) and serves on the education committee for GSHP. Dr. Patel’s interests include geriatrics, anticoagulation, heart failure, process improvement development, and growing as an educator for residents and students. She precepts PGY1 Internal Medicine rotation and pharmacy students from Mercer University, University of Georgia, and South University.

Lindsay Schaack Rothstein, PharmD, DABAT – Clinical Pharmacist

Lindsay Schaack Rothstein, PharmD, DABAT is a clinical pharmacist in the Emergency Care Center (ECC). She earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from The University of Georgia’s College of Pharmacy (Go Dawgs!). Dr. Schaack Rothstein then completed a PGY1 residency at Grady Health System followed by a toxicology fellowship with the Georgia Poison Center. Upon completion of her fellowship, she successfully sat for the clinical toxicology board exam and is now a Diplomat of the American Board of Applied Toxicology. In addition to working in the ECC, Dr. Schaack Rothstein takes call for the Georgia Poison Center once per month where she acts as the toxicologist on-call for the state of Georgia.

Dylan Wallace, PharmD – Clinical Pharmacist

Dylan Wallace, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist within the ambulatory space, with focuses on dermatology and hepatitis c medication management. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry as well as his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduation, Dylan completed a community/ambulatory based PGY-1 with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently the clinical pharmacist for the Dermatology and Liver clinics at main Grady. His areas of interest include specialty pharmacy and chronic disease state management.

Nathalie See, PharmD – Clinical Pharmacist

Nathalie See, PharmD is a graduate of University of Florida College of Pharmacy in Orlando, FL. After completion of her PharmD, she completed a PGY1 at West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL and a PGY2 in Ambulatory Care at UF Health Jacksonville in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. See is currently the clinical pharmacist for the Rheumatology and Gastroenterology Clinics. She is a member of GSHP and ASHP. Her areas of interest include specialty pharmacy and chronic disease state management.

Kruti Shah, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP – Clinical Pharmacist

Kruti Shah, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP is a clinical pharmacist specialist in drug information and drug policy development.  She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of Kentucky and completed her Pharmacy Practice Residency at University of Louisville Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky.  Prior to joining Grady Health System, Dr. Shah has worked as a clinical pharmacist and clinical coordinator at various health systems.  Dr. Shah currently provides clinical pharmacy services in the area of drug information, drug shortage planning, medication utilization, and formulary management. In addition, she serves as the preceptor for PGY-1 residency longitudinal and elective Drug Information learning experience. She precepts pharmacy students from Mercer University, University of Georgia and South University.  She is involved in various committees at Grady Health System, including the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and various subcommittees and expert panels.

Brad Smith, PharmD, BCACP, AAHIVP – Clinical Pharmacist

Brad Smith, PharmD, BCACP, AAHIVP is a clinical pharmacist specialist in primary care, the Assistant Program Director for the PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency, and a Co-Coordinator for the Advanced Clinical Track (ACT) Program for Mercer College of Pharmacy students at Grady. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Atlanta, GA. He completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System in Savannah, GA and a PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He received his American Academy of HIV Medicine Pharmacist certification in 2018 and then became a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist in 2019. Dr. Smith provides primary care services in the outpatient HIV clinic as well as support in the Asthma Clinic. He precepts pharmacy students from Mercer University and the University of Georgia. He also preceptors both PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents. Dr. Smith was the recipient of the 2019-2020 UGA Preceptor of the Year for the North Georgia area. He is currently a member of GSHP, ASHP, IDSA, HIVMA, and ACCP. He currently serves on the Education and Communications Committees for GSHP as well as the Research Advisory Committee for Grady.

Kate Tauson, PharmD, BCPS – Clinical Pharmacist

Kate Tauson, PharmD, BCPS is a graduate of The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in Tucson, AZ. After completion of her PharmD, she completed a PGY1 at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. She then went on to complete a specialty residency in Critical Care at University of California, San Diego. Prior to joining Grady Health System (GHS) in 2014, Kate practiced as a specialist in the ICU at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA and then the Emergency Department at Emory University Hospital Midtown. At GHS, Kate currently combines both an ambulatory and inpatient role as the pharmacist in the Chronic Care Clinic as well as the Emergency Care Center.

Deborah Taylor, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist

Deborah Taylor, PharmD is a graduate of Mercer University School of Pharmacy. She completed a Staff Development Program for pharmacists of Grady Health System and currently works in the areas of cardiology and internal medicine.  She is a member of the CPR Committee and the Mock Code Team.  She precepts 4th year pharmacy students for their Pharmaceutical Care and Internal Medicine rotations and pharmacy residents in Cardiology.  She works with the Grady interventional cardiologist to ensure post-PCI patients are discharged and counseled on their medications. She is also a TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer with Nursing at Grady, a program developed by AHRQ to improve collaboration and communication in the interest of patient safety.  A native of Atlanta, she has worked at Visiting Nurse Health System, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Georgia Baptist Medical Center. Her interests include cardiology and diabetes.

Joseph Torrisi, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist

Joseph Torrisi, PharmD, BCIDP is a clinical pharmacist in Infectious Diseases. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the South Carolina College of Pharmacy in Columbia, SC. He did both his PGY1 and PGY2 ID residency at Grady Health System. Currently he covers the Specialized Immunology Service (inpatient HIV/AIDS team), ID consults and Antimicrobial Stewardship service. He enjoys precepting students and residents on the SIS and ID consult teams throughout the year. He has published on Invasive Respiratory Viral infections in the ICU within the ACCP Pharmacotherapy textbook and guest lectured on COVID-19 at the Southeastern Critical Care Summit. His interests include HIV, treatment for multi-drug resistant organisms, infections within the ICU and using advanced laboratory diagnostics to improve antimicrobial stewardship. Outside of work he enjoys going to the gym, watching sports, cooking food and spending time with his dog Tank.

Alyssa Utz, PharmD, BCPS – Clinical Pharmacist

Alyssa Utz, PharmD, BCPS is an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist at Grady Health System. Dr. Utz received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and her Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at WellStar Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta, GA and her PGY-2 in Ambulatory Care at Kaiser Permanente in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Utz received Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy in 2018. She practices in the outpatient anticoagulation clinic and serves as the Anticoagulation Stewardship Pharmacist leading various quality improvement projects related to anticoagulation within the health system. Dr. Utz is an active member of GSHP and ACCP. Her areas of interest include anticoagulation management, quality improvement, and precepting.

Connor Walsh, PharmD – Clinical Pharmacist

Connor Walsh, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist in Grady’s emergency care center. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy at Mercer University College of Pharmacy in 2019. Dr. Walsh completed his PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Grady Health System, followed by a PGY-2 clinical toxicology fellowship through the Georgia Poison Center. His professional and academic interests include venomous animal and insect bites/stings, acute and chronic overdose management, and acute care of COVID-19. He is an active member of AACT. Dr. Walsh is looking forward to precepting students with similar interests in the near future.

Stella Ye, PharmD, BCPS – Clinical Pharmacist

Stella Ye, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacist in internal medicine. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2018 and went on to complete a PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, followed by a PGY-2 residency in Internal Medicine at Grady Health System. Dr. Ye precepts pharmacy students from the University of Georgia and Mercer University, as well as PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents. Her professional areas of interest include cardiology, anticoagulation, infectious disease, and transitions of care. She is an active member of the Georgia Society of Health-Systems.

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Program Directors Contacts

PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program
Marina Rabinovich, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM – [email protected]

PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency
Kristi Quairoli, PharmD, BCACP, CDE – [email protected]

PGY-2 Critical Care Residency
Rita Gayed, PharmD, BCCCP– [email protected]

PGY-2 Emergency Medicine Residency
John Patka, PharmD, BCPS – [email protected]

PGY-2 Infectious Diseases Residency

Manish Patel, PharmD, BCIDP, BCPS – [email protected]

PGY-2 Internal Medicine Residency
Michael Knauss, PharmD, BCPS– [email protected]

PGY-2 Oncology Residency
Jennifer LaFollette, PharmD, BCOP – [email protected]

PGY-2 Neurology Residency
Katleen Wyatt Chester, PharmD, BCGP, BCCCP – [email protected]