Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences at UH Cleveland Medical Center

Frances M. Hayslett, RPh
Operations Coordinator, Clinical Staff Pharmacist

The General Hospital Rotation provides access to clinical and operational pharmacy experiences at UH Cleveland Medical Center, Monday through Friday typically 7:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. Students participate in shadowing various pharmacy teams and specialists in each of our three inpatient pharmacies, along with project opportunities. Students should be professional, with good communication skills, a positive attitude and eagerness to learn.

Cassandra Bennett, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Emergency Medicine

Brianna Latta, PharmD, BCEMP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Emergency Medicine

The rotation will be located at the adult Center for Emergency Medicine at UH Cleveland Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center. Hours will be variable, between 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., for a minimum of eight hours, Monday through Friday, unless otherwise specified (subject to change depending on preceptor availability). This rotation will include participation in trauma response, STEMI response, rapid sequence intubation, advanced life support response, sepsis support and emergent compounding. Activities include drug information questions, patient chart review, topic discussions, biweekly podcast review and may include a journal club or case presentation depending on the pharmacy school requirements.

Courtney Veltri, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist – Antimicrobial Stewardship

Nick Newman, PharmD, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist – Antimicrobial Stewardship

The Infectious Diseases rotation focuses on Antimicrobial Stewardship. The student will review patients as part of the prospective audit and feedback program at UH Cleveland Medical Center which focuses on patients specific antimicrobials not followed by the inpatient ID consult teams. Interventions will then be made to the primary team to optimize patient's antimicrobial therapy. There will also be opportunities to discuss patients with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Medical Director to gain provider insight prior to making recommendations to the primary teams.

Robert Barcelona, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist – Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director

The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit APPE rotation will emphasize the understanding and management of problems specifically related to cardiovascular medicine patients at UH Cleveland Medical Center. Students will become familiar with the pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and therapeutics in the most common cardiovascular disease states. Students will be required to participate in work rounds, educational sessions, and may be asked to give a formal presentation or write a newsletter article based on requirements of their school. Expected hours are 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and may vary based on activities for the day.

Andreea Popa PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Medical Intensive Care Unit
PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program Director

Maribel Llamas Rangel, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Medical Intensive Care Unit

The MICU service at UH Cleveland Medical Center is comprised of two medical teams with a census of 10-15 patients each. Each MICU team includes the attending physician, fellow, senior residents, interns, clinical pharmacy specialist and pharmacy trainees (residents and/or students) and advance practice practitioners.  During the rotation emphasis will be placed on drug therapy as it relates to or is influenced by conditions unique to the critical care setting (e.g. Sepsis, ARDS, Pneumonia, DKA, Sedation, Analgesia, Mechanical Ventilation, Liver/Kidney failure etc.).  The student will also be exposed to the economic, quality of life and operational factors involved in managing drug therapy. Student will be required to attend daily rounds, closely monitor assigned patients, meet with preceptor and discuss assigned topics and patients.

Jessica Traeger, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Neuroscience Critical Care

The neurosciences critical care unit (NSU) is a 19 bed unit located at UH Cleveland Medical Center. The NSU patient population is followed by a multidisciplinary intensive care team which consists of residents, nutritionists, respiratory therapists, nurses, a pharmacist, fellow and an attending physician. The patient population consists of both neurological and neurosurgical patients with a variety of critical care issues and neurologic diseases states including: intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, Myasthenia gravis, status epilepticus, autoimmune and viral encephalitis.

Weston Bush, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Surgical and Trauma ICU

Brian Lauer, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Surgical and Trauma ICU

Rounding in ICU from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. with multidisciplinary teams in the TSICU or CTICU. Present patients to preceptor three days a week in the afternoon. Discuss and prepare for topics unique to ICU location (CTICU Topics Include: Mechanical Circulatory Support, Postoperative Pain Management, Cardiogenic Shock, Vasoactive Medication Support, Hemodynamic Indices, etc. TSICU Topics Include: Postoperative Management of the Surgical Patient, Vasoactive Medication Support, Hemodynamic Indices, Renal Replacement, Fluid and Electrolyte Management, Acid-Base Management, ICU Care of the Solid Organ Transplant Patient, Trauma Standard of Care, Traumatic Brain Injury, Infectious Diseases Encountered in the SICU, etc.) One JC or Case Presentation.

Alyson Rohrer, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Internal Medicine

Jodie Turosky, RPh, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Internal Medicine

The Internal Medicine APPE rotation at UH Cleveland Medical Center is an inpatient, interdisciplinary team based rotation where the student will have the ability to care for a general medicine adult population. Responsibilities include patient chart review, attending table rounds and bedside rounds with the interdisciplinary team, providing recommendations and education to the team, and providing education to the pharmacy staff. Students will complete a journal club presentation and a patient case presentation.

Emily Harris, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Internal Medicine

This is a unit based rotation where the student will be part of the floor with the pharmacist. This role includes mostly clinical work, but there is an operational component as well. Daily tasks include working up patients, topic discussions, patient educations, etc. Projects for the rotation include a journal club and patient case presentation.

Rebecca Powell, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Obstetrics

Jenna Deininger, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Obstetrics

The obstetric rotation focuses on treatment of high risk medical conditions in pregnant patients with the pharmacist/student focusing on evaluating medication safety in pregnancy, recommending appropriate evidence based treatment regimens and providing education to the team. Student hours will be from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. and they will have the opportunity to actively participate in rounds, presentations, topic discussions and a variety of projects/research focusing on a unique patient population.  

Nicholas Bitz, PharmD, MBA, MSPGx
Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Multiple Myeloma/Lymphoma Oncology Student Education Coordinator

Nicholas A. Link, PharmD, MBA, BCOP
Pharmacy Manager, Oncology Clinical Services
PGY-2 Oncology Residency Program Director

UH Seidman Cancer Center Oncology rotation is a Monday through Friday, first shift rotation experience designed to provide APPE students a diverse oncology experience. The rotation will allow students to spend time with Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialists that specialize in oncology disease states that span the spectrum of cancer care and practice in both the inpatient and ambulatory environment.

APPE student rotations will focus on one of four areas, based on student preference and preceptor availability:

Inpatient Medical Oncology

The Inpatient Medical Oncology APPE rotation at UH Cleveland Medical Center is an inpatient interdisciplinary team-based rotation where the student will have the ability to care for complex oncology patient populations. This includes, but is not limited to, several solid tumor malignancies (GI, head & neck, GU, urothelial, lung, and more), chemotherapy management, oncologic emergencies, infectious disease/antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacokinetics, and supportive care. The student will be responsible for recommending, monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating patient-specific information as well as providing education to the interdisciplinary team. The team consists of a hematology/oncology attending, medical residents/students, and other pharmacy residents/students if applicable. The Inpatient Medical Oncology APPE rotation opportunity will be available onsite at UH Cleveland Medical Cennter, Monday through Friday, typically 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Students may be asked to complete a formal presentation based on school requirements. 

Inpatient Malignant Hematology/Transplant

The Inpatient Malignant Hematology/Transplant APPE rotation at UH Cleveland Medical Center is an interdisciplinary, team-based experience where the student will care for patients with acute and chronic leukemias, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and those undergoing or recovering from stem cell transplant and cellular therapy. Clinical focus areas include chemotherapy management, supportive care, tumor lysis syndrome, febrile neutropenia, cancer-related infections, and oncologic emergencies. The student will be responsible for recommending, monitoring, and evaluating patient-specific pharmacotherapy, participating in daily interdisciplinary rounds, and providing education to both patients and the healthcare team. The team consists of a hematology/oncology attending, medical fellow, advanced practice providers, and other pharmacy residents/students if applicable. 

The Inpatient Malignant Hematology/Transplant APPE rotation will be available onsite at UH Cleveland Medical Center, Monday through Friday, typically 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Students may be asked to complete a formal presentation based on school requirements. 

Ambulatory Adult Solid Tumors

The Ambulatory Adult Solid Tumors Oncology APPE rotation at UH Cleveland Medical Center and affiliated UH Seidman Cancer Center community sites is an interdisciplinary team-based rotation where the learner will have the ability to care for oncology patient populations with solid tumor malignancies (GI, breast, GU, thoracic, and more) in the ambulatory clinic setting.  In addition, the learner will be involved in cancer drug management and supportive care. The learner will be responsible for recommending, monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating patient-specific information as well as provide education to the patients and clinical team. The team consists of hematology/oncology attendings, mid-level practitioners, nurses, other oncology clinical staff, as well as support personnel. The Ambulatory Adult Solid Tumors Oncology APPE rotation opportunity will be available onsite at UH Cleveland Medical Center and UH Seidman Cancer Center community sites, Monday through Friday, typically 8 a.m to 4 p.m (hours may vary depending on individual clinic schedules). Learners may be asked to complete a formal presentation based on school requirements.

Ambulatory Malignant Hematology

The Ambulatory Malignant Hematology APPE rotation at UH Seidman Cancer Center is an outpatient interdisciplinary team-based rotation where the student will have the ability to care for complex oncology patient populations. This includes, but is not limited to, various malignant hematological malignancies (including acute and chronic leukemias, acute and chronic lymphomas, myeloid malignancies, such as multiple myeloma or amyloidosis), as well as exposure to the outpatient management and education of patients undergoing cellular therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The rotation may also encompass the dimensions of chemotherapy management, oncologic emergencies, infectious disease/antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacokinetics, and supportive care. The student will be responsible for recommending, monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating patient-specific information as well as provide education to the interdisciplinary team. The teams consist of physicians, nurse practitioners/APPs, nursing partners and coordinators, medical assistants, and other pharmacy residents/students if applicable. The Ambulatory Malignant Hematology APPE rotation opportunity will be available onsite at UH Seidman Cancer Center, Monday through Friday, typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students may be asked to complete a formal presentation based on school requirements.

Lauren Hoffman, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Psychiatry

Jenna Stearns, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Psychiatry

This rotation will entail working with the Psychiatry Consult and Liaison team at UH Cleveland Medical Center. Our team will see patients in all adult areas of the campus including Lerner Tower, UH Seidman Cancer Center, Lakeside Hospital, UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, and the UH Cleveland Medical Center Emergency Department.  Daily activities will include reviewing each patient with the interdisciplinary team, as well as rounding on patients on the units. Weekly topic discussions and/or presentations will also be completed in order to strengthen the student's knowledge of psychopharmacology.

Alexandra Bixby, PharmD, BCTXP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialists - Solid Organ Transplant

Corey Burrelli, PharmD, BCPS, BCTXP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialists - Solid Organ Transplant

Danielle Ecabert, PharmD, BCTXP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialists - Solid Organ Transplant

Alyson Conrath, PharmD, BCTXP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialists - Solid Organ Transplant

The focus of this rotation will be on the care of abdominal transplant recipients (kidney, liver, pancreas) less than 1 year post-transplant. Routine responsibilities include: rounding, review of the patient’s medical chart, optimizing pharmacotherapy regimens, answering drug information requests, therapeutic drug monitoring, medication reconciliation, and providing medication education to patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. There are opportunities for projects and presentations depending on the learners' needs.

Kristen Kissling, PharmD, CSP
Specialty Pharmacy Manager

Jordan Reinhart, PharmD, CSP
Specialty Pharmacy Supervisor

Alexis Mod, PharmD, CSP
Operations Coordinator - Specialty Pharmacy Clinical Services

The Specialty Pharmacy Rotation is a one-month long learning experience at UH Specialty Pharmacy (UHSP).  The rotation is designed to expose and educate students to specialty pharmacy practice by exploring the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy team across the onsite operations team, the specialty pharmacy leadership team, and the ambulatory clinic based pharmacists.  The student will be introduced to the operations of the specialty pharmacy, specialty medications, departmental policies and procedures, and the unique skills necessary to serve as a clinic-based pharmacist during the rotation.

Indrani Kar, PharmD, DPLA
System Pharmacy Manager, Formulary and Drug Policy

*Application and interview required*

This rotation exposes a student to formulary and policy for a large hospital system. The student is based at UH Cleveland Medical Center with defined virtual days and defined days at other hospitals in the health system. The student will spend eigth hours minimum per day at rotation. This is a project and presentation based rotation offering unique experiences in formulary and policy, such as such as drug information questions, drug monograph, journal club, class review, and policy work. The student gives a final presentation on a topic of choice. The student also completes one medication safety project. Students interact with clinical pharmacy, medication safety, legal, compliance, and policy teams at University Hospitals. There is an opportunity for research and publication experience (dependent on rotation month and need). Daily activities will include attendance at meetings, completing projects, topic discussions and presenting presentations. The expectations for this rotation include willingness to learn and open communication throughout the rotation.

James Reissig, PharmD, MS, BCPS
Pharmacy Manager, Clinical Operations

The aim of the Pharmacy Leadership - Clinical Management experience is for the student to gain a better understanding of the processes that drive hospitals and pharmacies. The experience is mostly self-directed and project based but the student will have topic discussions at least weekly and attend meetings daily with the preceptor. The experience will be designed to align with the interests and future plans of the student. Students planning a future in leadership may request more complex projects and experiences.

Jacquelyn McClary, PharmD, BCPS
Manager of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacy Services

This management rotation is located at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's and offers the pediatric perspective on typical management experiences. The student will spend approximately eight hours per day at the hospital attending manager level meetings and working on projects derived from those meetings. The student will be expected to complete one presentation during the rotation on either a completed project or a management topic of his/her choosing.

Mallary Biros, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS
Medication Safety Officer - Pediatrics

The Medication Safety Rotation is an in-depth experience in the hospital's medication use systems. The Medication Safety Officer works to follow-up on all errors that occur related to medications. This pharmacist works in and out of the department on various projects and attends a variety of meetings to be the safety representative for the pharmacy department.

Matthew McGuire, PharmD, MS, BCPS
Manager, Pharmacy Supply Chain and Automation

The Pharmacy Supply Chain Management APPE rotation offers pharmacy students a hands-on experience in supporting operational needs at UH Cleveland Medical Center, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s, and UH Seidman Cancer Center. Students will actively contribute to cost-saving initiatives, optimize procurement processes and engage in physical inventory management. The rotation provides a comprehensive understanding of pharmacy supply chain dynamics, emphasizing collaboration, technology integration and regulatory compliance.