The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Retzky College of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health), is proud of the 56-year history of training post-graduate pharmacists in clinical service and research through our PGY1 and PGY2 residencies.
Dear Colleagues and Friends of Pharmacy Practice,
I’m pleased to share with you our Residency Programs’ Annual Report and give you a glimpse of our exceptional training opportunities and resident accomplishments at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Retzky College of Pharmacy.
The UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy has a rich history of defining and advancing the practice of pharmacy. Our clinical and practice-based service programs span over our 2 campuses in Chicago and Rockford and surrounding areas; and we have over 150 faculty practitioners in nearly all inpatient and primary care clinical and service specialties. We embrace an inventive forward-thinking mindset in service and patient care and provide one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive pharmacy practice programs.
The magnitude and quality of our clinical pharmacy and service programs create opportunities for residency training experiences not available elsewhere. Running for more than five decades, UIC’s residency programs stand among the nation’s most prominent and distinguished and train around 3540 residents each year in general pharmacy practice and several specialty areas.
Dr. Edith Nutescu Head of Pharmacy Practice
Our residents are given independent experiences so they can practice autonomously and develop a sense of responsibility as clinical professionals. This focus, a hallmark of the UIC program, not only equips trainees with robust and relevant clinical skills, but also ensures our residency retains its standing as a cuttingedge program that prepares the future generation of leaders and change agents in pharmacy and health care.
Graduates of our residency training programs are leaders in all patient care settings, academia, pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, professional associations, and many more. Their work has resulted in advances and innovations in pharmacy practice and the expansion of the role and impact of pharmacists. Last year we celebrated the 55th anniversary since the inception of our residency program. We launched our Residency Village, an alumni network for our past residents and fellows. Check out our Residency Village website and join our village here: go.uic.edu/residencyvillage.
We hope you enjoy reading some of our program highlights and residents’ accomplishments over the last academic year. For those of you considering residency training programs, we would love to have you join our team to continue our tradition of excellence together.
The 2024-2025 residency year was another impressive one for the Department of Pharmacy Practice at UIC! Our residents continued to make significant contributions to our education, research, service, and entrepreneurship mission.
A few notable accomplishments this year include:
• Our PGY1 Pharmacy residency class had a 100% match rate into post-graduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residencies and fellowships.
• Our Residency Teaching Certificate Program, under the direction of Brianna Hudak, PharmD, and Abigail Elmes-Patel, PharmD, awarded 69 certificates from 23 different programs.
• Our Academic Leadership Program, under the direction of Nancy Shapiro, PharmD, and Scott Benken, PharmD, awarded 14 certificates to PGY2 residents and fellows.
• Check out the ‘Residents in the News’ Section to read about the many great accomplishments of our residents such as publications, presentations, awards, and much more.
These are just a few highlights of the many accomplishments of our program, residency program directors (RPDs), and residents. This success of training future clinical educators, researchers, scholars, and leaders would not be possible without the dedication of college and departmental leadership,
Dr. Nancy Shapiro Associate Head for Education
UIC’s PGY1 Pharmacy Residency is a one-year program, during which the resident effectively makes the transition from student to independent practitioner under guidance from the clinical faculty. The main goals of the program are to develop competent clinical pharmacists capable of practicing in any setting by providing exposure to a diverse scope of pharmaceutical care services while also fostering leaders in clinical pharmacy practice and education.
The 2024-2025 PGY1 pharmacy residency class had a 100% match rate into post-graduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residencies; 6 of them early committed to specialty residencies at UIC! Our Community Service Committee organized multiple events including multiple days of service at the Pilsen Food Pantry. In the spring, we traveled to the University of Kentucky
for a professional development trip where we talked about our respective on-call programs; introduced them to our daily, dedicated resident education time, Resident Report; and joined them at their institution’s research day showcasing the great projects their residents and pharmacists are doing. End-ofthe-year awards were given to Dr. Sky Harrigfeld, PGY1 resident (Richard A. Hutchinson Award for Excellence in Pharmacy Practice); Dr. Laila Hammad, PGY1 resident (John McBride Award for Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy); Dr. Drew Posen, emergency medicine preceptor (Frank P. Paloucek Preceptor of the Year Award for the second year in a row!!); and Dr. Alexandria “T,” Tang clinical staff pharmacist (Residency Appreciation Award). Our new 20252026 PGY1 class of 12 residents includes 6 from UIC, 2 from the University of Tennessee, 2 from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and 1 each from the University of Pittsburgh and University of Michigan. For more information about the great things our residents are doing, follow us on social media (Facebook | https:// www.facebook.com/UICRxResidency/ ; Instagram | @uicrexresidency).
The PGY1 Pharmacy, Specialty residency is a 12-month, ASHPaccredited program at the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy. The goal of the program is to produce a well-rounded specialty pharmacy practitioner who has learned to manage specialty pharmacy patients by rotating through our URAC and ACHC accredited Clinical Care Center/Specialty Pharmacy and by rotating through several UI Health specialty outpatient clinics.
Anh Dam successfully completed the PGY1 Specialty Pharmacy Residency. She rotated through the UI Health Specialty Pharmacy Clinical Care Center, Infusion Pharmacy, Wood Street Mail Order Pharmacy, and various Ambulatory Care Clinics. Anh completed a year-long research project titled “Development and Implementation of a Management Program for Oral Endocrine Therapy in Patients with Breast Cancer in an Integrated Health System Specialty Pharmacy.” She presented her research project at the Vizient Annual Pharmacy Meeting in New Orleans and the Illinois Pharmacy Residency Conference. In the fall, Anh conducted a seminar on treatment updates in gynecological cancer. Anh worked on several projects with the Specialty Pharmacy leadership team including an MUE and a quality improvement project focusing on medication errors. Anh is excited to begin her position as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with Rush Specialty Pharmacy.
PGY1 PHARMACY, SPECIALTY DIRECTOR
Hidaya Hassan successfully completed the PGY1 Specialty Pharmacy Residency. She rotated through the UI Health Specialty Pharmacy Clinical Care Center, Infusion Pharmacy, Wood Street Mail Order Pharmacy, and various Ambulatory Care Clinics. Hidaya completed a year-long research project titled “Health Literacy in Specialty Pharmacy: A Retrospective Analysis of PatientReported Outcomes and Medication Adherence.” She presented her research project at the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists Spring Meeting and the Illinois Pharmacy Residency Conference. In the fall, Hidaya conducted a seminar on the use of biologics in severe asthma treatment. Hidaya worked on several projects with the Specialty Pharmacy leadership team including an MUE and a quality improvement project focusing on REMS management. Hidaya is excited to begin her position as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with Rush Specialty Pharmacy.
The PGY1 Community-Based residency is a 12-month, ASHPaccredited program at the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy. The program prepares graduates to utilize clinical skills to provide exceptional pharmaceutical care for patients in a community pharmacy, develop and implement innovative and sustainable patient care services, and maintain or improve current services. Graduates obtain positions in community, ambulatory care, and academia and commit to the advancement of the profession of pharmacy through continued education and involvement. Residents spend 60% of their time in the UIC Specialty Care Building (SCB) outpatient pharmacy and 40% of their time rotating through UIC’s ambulatory care clinics, in addition to developing academic and research skills.
PGY1 COMMUNITY-BASED PHARMACY DIRECTOR
As the UIC PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Resident for 2024-2025, Dr. Karina Sowa spearheaded significant initiatives in research, clinical service development, and education. Her research, which focused on evaluating pharmacy recommendations to enhance immunization rates, was presented as a poster at the APhA Annual Meeting in Nashville and as a podium presentation at the Illinois Pharmacy Resident Conference. Dr. Sowa also led the development of several clinical initiatives, including a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) service, a glucagon protocol, and updates to the immunization protocol. She actively contributed to professional advancement by participating in the Vizient Ambulatory Pharmacy Development Committee and delivering educational lectures across various platforms, including UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy and UIC College of Medicine courses, the UIC Sports Medicine Fellowship program, and various community groups. Dr. Sowa provided a continuing education seminar on a new non-hormonal drug for managing vasomotor symptoms of menopause and presented on Medicare updates at an ICHP Ambulatory Care Network Meeting. Additionally, she conducted teach-back education sessions for UIH nursing staff in-service and addressed non-sterile compounding safety at the ICHP Spring Meeting. Dr. Sowa showcased further research through posters addressing medication education and patient experience at the UIH Quality & Safety Fair, as well as public health in correctional facilities at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in New Orleans. Dr. Sowa’s next position will be as a Clinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Pharmacist/ Coordinator at UIC.
The PGY1 Pharmacy International residency is a 12-month, ASHP-accredited program at the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy. The International program is for students who have completed an ACPE-accredited PharmD program, and its goal is to foster the growth of clinical pharmacy practice outside the United States.
ABDUL
Abdul Khormi, the PGY1 International resident, will be starting a PGY2 residency in Investigational Drugs and Research Pharmacy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. In preparation, Abdul was able to gain rotational experience with our investigational drug service during his time as a PGY1 at UIC. His goals include starting an investigational drug service upon his return to Saudi Arabia.
The PGY1 Community-Based UIC-Osco (Albertsons) residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited program. The program focuses on community practice where residents enhance their skills to develop and deliver patient care services, establish programs within corporate and local leadership, and engage with the local university to learn skill sets needed for teaching. The resident also completes clinical experiences in a variety of ambulatory care settings that UI Health has to offer.
PGY1 WALGREENS-UIC SITE FACULTY LIAISON
The Walgreens-UIC Pharmacy Residency Program is a 12-month, structured, ASHP accredited PGY-1 Community-Based Program. The residency program is based out of three community Walgreens specialty pharmacy locations in Chicago that offer a variety of innovative clinical pharmacy services for the patients who are prescribed complex therapies such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, oncology, and transplant. The residency is offered in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago Retzky College of Pharmacy which allows the resident the opportunity to gain experience in the delivery of clinical pharmacy services in ambulatory care clinics and actively participate in teaching and precepting.
Our 2024-2025 PGY1 community-based resident, Dr. Hadeel Fouad, was highly productive over her residency year. She contributed to the community, health system, college, and pharmacy profession through service, research, precepting and teaching activities, and presentations. At the conclusion of the residency year, Dr. Fouad will be starting as a pharmacist with Walgreens Specialty District 860.
PGY1 WALGREENS-UIC COMMUNITYBASED PHARMACY DIRECTOR
Joseph Shen, PharmD created a new service project on Lyme disease prophylaxis that outlines how pharmacists will assess patients for receiving PEP after high-risk tick bites. The service was able to be rolled out in several states such as Colorado, Idaho, and Montana. He also worked on a collaborative practice agreement within the Jewel-Osco pharmacy to allow Osco pharmacists to prescribe OTC products for insurance coverage and create more accurate medication lists.
The PGY1 Pharmacy - Rockford residency is a 12-month ASHPaccredited program completed at the UIC Rockford campus. The program is designed to solidify the skills and knowledge obtained during the PharmD education. By focusing on developing clinical pharmacists prepared to offer medication-related care on multidisciplinary teams, the program provides the advantages of preparation for board certification and PGY2 pharmacy residency training. Under the mentorship and guidance of experienced clinical faculty members, the pharmacy resident will transition from a student to an independent practitioner.
Dr. Armin Pashaeimofrad, our 2024–2025 pharmacy resident, had an exceptionally productive residency year. He completed a wide range of clinical rotations across multiple health systems in the community, each under the guidance of expert clinical faculty specializing in the respective areas. During his residency, Dr. Pashaeimofrad played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of a project aimed at improving access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for patients with uncontrolled diabetes in underserved populations. He is now continuing his postgraduate training as a fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Larry Danziger in the Department of Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy.
The UIUC-UIC Veterinary residency is completed at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. The program is focused on teaching the resident to deliver outstanding care, educating future veterinarians and pharmacists, and advancing veterinary pharmacy. The resident will also learn from and provide clinical knowledge for a variety of species including small animal, large animal, zoological, and wildlife patients.
ANDREW DONNELLY
PGY1/2 HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACY ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR
The PGY1/2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency is a two-year ASHP-accredited residency. The PGY1 year provides training in the overall delivery of healthcare with a major emphasis placed on drug-related issues and practices. The main goals are to develop competent clinical pharmacists capable of practicing in any setting, provide exposure to a diverse scope of pharmaceutical care services, and foster leaders in clinical pharmacy practice and education. The PGY2 year focuses on Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership. Rotations include pharmacy operations, clinical services management, pharmacy IT, ambulatory pharmacy administration, medication use policy, etc. The goal of this two-year residency is to develop a confident, well-prepared administrator, educator, and researcher who will be prepared to assume a wide array of leadership roles in pharmacy administration.
Dr. Vinh Thai completed the second year of his two-year HSPAL residency on June 30, 2025. Dr. Thai had a very productive year. He presented an excellent seminar titled “Championing DEI in Pharmacy Leadership”. Dr. Thai’s major research project was to develop and validate an EHR report for evaluating a pharmacy-led medication history program. In conjunction with this, he developed a business proposal for this program. Dr. Thai taught in three different classes in the Retzky College of Pharmacy, lecturing on diversity in pharmacy leadership, pharmacy leadership, and residency/postgraduate training. He was my first resident to complete a new rotation in hospital executive leadership. Dr. Thai had an article published in JACCP on pharmacy residency leave time as well as an interview in a NABP blog on things to embark on during pharmacy school for a fulfilling career. He has accepted an administrative position in Ambulatory Pharmacy Services here at UI Health. We are happy that he is part of our team.
Dr. Xinyue (Joanne) Shen completed the first year of her two-year HSPAL residency on June 30, 2025. Dr. Shen’s research project examined the economic impact of an investigational drug service at an academic medical center. Her results were quite interesting. Dr. Shen presented a timely seminar on the financial and operational challenges of million dollar therapies. She also gave a presentation on vaccines at the ICHP Spring Meeting titled “Fast and Curious: How Vaccines Race to Your Pharmacy Shelf”. Dr. Shen taught in two different classes in the Retzky College of Pharmacy, lecturing on strategic planning and pharmacy leadership. Projects that Dr. Shen completed this past year included a literature review on the cost and reimbursement of pharmacogenetic tests in cancer treatment and a MUE on IV acetazolamide. Dr. Shen will be starting the second year of her HSPAL residency on July 1, 2025 with her rotations focusing on pharmacy administration and leadership.
The UIC College of Pharmacy offered 13 different PGY2 pharmacy residency programs at our Chicago and Rockford campuses. PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build upon skills and competencies from PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. Residents who successfully complete a PGY2 pharmacy residency at UIC are well prepared for practices in advanced patient care, academia, and leadership.
In 2024-25, 12 residents completed PGY2 training in one of our programs. Residents had previously completed PGY1 residencies at UIC (4 residents), Beaumont Health, Capital Health Regional Medical Center, TriHealth Bethesda North, Cabell Huntington Hospital West Virginia, UCSF Health Parnassus Hospital, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Rhode Island Hospital, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
LIZ VAN DRIL
PGY2 AMBULATORY CARE DIRECTOR
The PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. This residency aims to develop expert knowledge and skills in providing pharmacotherapy to ambulatory care patients by combining clinical service with educational and scholarly activities.
Our 2024-2025 PGY2 ambulatory care residents, Hannah Ayers, PharmD and Carrie Yu, PharmD, were highly productive over their residency year. They contributed to the college, health system and pharmacy profession through precepting and teaching activities, several presentations and service opportunities, and most importantly, through the provision of highquality comprehensive medication management for ambulatory care patients served by UI Health. After graduating from the program, Dr. Ayers assumed a role as an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist in the Pharmacotherapy Clinic at Ascension Saint Joseph’s in Chicago, and Dr. Yu joined Yale New Haven Health as an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist in their multispecialty clinics.
The PGY2 Cardiology Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. The Retzky College of Pharmacy has provided post-doctoral training specializing in the study and treatment of cardiovascular disease for nearly 30 years, and this program continues that tradition. This residency aims to develop expert knowledge and skills in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy through clinical service, education, and scholarly activities.
Our 2024-2025 PGY2 Cardiology Pharmacy Resident, Dr. Emma Dittmar, was highly productive over her residency year. She completed rotations in various clinical practice settings, including cardiology clinics, hospital floors, and intensive care units. Additionally, Dr. Dittmar served as a preceptor-in-training for several PGY1 Pharmacy Residents and fourth year pharmacy students over the course of her year. Lastly, she delivered several presentations and assisted with faculty at the college to facilitate recitations in the cardiovascular therapeutics course.
Dr. Dittmar obtained a position as a Cardiology Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Michigan Medicine. She will be a tremendous asset to the pharmacy team, her interdisciplinary colleagues, and her patients. We look forward to hearing about all her success in her career!
DYSON WAKE
PGY2 CLINICAL PHARMACOGENOMICS DIRECTOR
The UIC-Endeavor Health PGY2 Clinical Pharmacogenomics Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency that is jointly sponsored by UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy and Endeavor Health. The program works to develop expert knowledge and skills in clinical pharmacogenomics by combining clinical service with educational, practice development, and scholarly activities. The UIC-Endeavor Health program is the nation’s first and only dual-site PGY2 Clinical Pharmacogenomics Residency Program to capitalize on the strengths of two institutions with national reputations in clinical pharmacogenomics practice, implementation, expansion, education, and research. Our program’s patient care mission is to improve health equity and quality by making pharmacogenetic testing and pharmacogenomicsdriven treatment available to the diverse inner-city and suburban patient communities our institutions serve.
Our 2024-2025 PGY2 Clinical Pharmacogenomics Resident, Katrina Seidel, was highly productive over her residency year. Katrina performed an extensive review of over ten thousand patient responses to a new implemented service of automated reminder messages targeted at patients with existing genetic results. She presented a poster of her analysis of the reminder messages at ASHP Midyear and presented her work on genetic impacts for treatment of patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia at the inaugural Clinical Pharmacogenomics Residency Showcase. Also, we implemented a new tool to allow the program to create updated reports for patients with prior testing and Katrina drafted the database content and performed the quality assurance testing.
RENEE
PETZEL GIMBAR
PGY2 EMERGENCY MEDICINE DIRECTOR
The PGY2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. This residency aims to develop expert knowledge and skills in providing pharmacotherapy to emergency department patients by combining clinical service with educational and scholarly activities.
Natalie Pettit was very productive this past year teaching and precepting in the college and at the bedside in the ED. She was an integral part of our ED team providing high quality comprehensive medication management for patients served by UI Health. She developed a new
The PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. The program trains residents in the provision, research, and education aspects of adult critical care pharmacotherapy. Residents have faculty appointments at the Retzky College of Pharmacy, provide emergency response support at the hospital, and train in various intensive care and emergency medicine units. Graduates of this program serve as clinical specialists, researchers, and academicians across the United States and Canada.
Michelle Tsai, originally from Cincinnati and a graduate of The Ohio State University, completed her PGY1 residency at TriHealth Bethesda North before coming to UIC for her PGY2 in Critical Care. She rotated through high-acuity services including the MICU, CCU, ED, CT Surgery, and Trauma, where she was recognized for her insight, efficiency, and strong command of patient care. Her contributions this year included a critical care nutrition guideline, an MUE on IV push seizure medications, published research on angiotensin II use across racial groups, seminar surrounding controversies with use of sodium bicarbonate, participation in the Academic Leadership Program, national conference attendance at ASHP and SCCM, podcast features on AVP and diabetes insipidus, and an SCCM Journal Club examining ICU pharmacist to patient ratios.
guideline for the use of IV Ketamine for Pain Management. Her research, “Pharmacotherapy Decision-Making with QT Prolongation Risk” was presented at Great Lakes Residency Conference. Natalie also gave several national presentations, including “The Battle of Tenecteplase vs Alteplase for Massive PE” as part of the ACCP/AEMP Journal Club Debate SeRxies. She also published her PGY1 residency research project, along with collaborators from UIC, “Angiotensin Receptor Blockade Does Not Decrease Synthetic Angiotensin II Effectiveness in Perioperative Hypotension Surrounding Kidney Transplant.” She started working as an overnight Emergency Medicine Clinical Specialist at the University of Chicago in July 2025.
PGY2 CRITICAL CARE DIRECTOR
MARIANNE POP
PGY2 EMERGENCY MEDICINE, ROCKFORD DIRECTOR
The PGY2 Emergency Medicine, Rockford Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. The residency offers specialty training in emergency medicine and critical care within a community hospital in Rockford, IL. By focusing on developing clinical pharmacists prepared to offer medication-related care on multidisciplinary teams, the program provides the advantages of preparation for establishing a new pharmacy service and board certification. Under the mentorship and guidance of experienced clinical faculty members, the pharmacy resident will transition from a PGY1 to an advanced specialty independent practitioner.
In 2024-2025 the Emergency Medicine PGY2 UIC Retzky COP Rockford Campus Resident, Heather Zimmerman, PharmD, completed research on Assessing Pharmacist Impact on Analgesia and Sedation After Rapid Sequence Intubation in the Emergency Department. She also presented on the Clinical Utility of Drug Screens in the ED. She currently has one publication in process. Lastly, she secured a position as an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist at Springfield Regional Medical Center, Springfield, OH.
The PGY2 HIV Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month program. The residency provides training opportunities at several locations including UI Health Outpatient Care Center (OCC), UI Health Community Clinic Network (UCCN), Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Telemedicine HIV/HCV clinics, John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County, and the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center.
The PGY2 Infectious Disease Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month program. The goal of the program is to provide the incoming resident with opportunities to develop expertise in the practice of infectious diseases pharmacy as a key player in the interdisciplinary ID team. This residency focuses on developing the necessary clinical and didactic teaching, research, antimicrobial stewardship, and skills needed to practice as an independent infectious diseases pharmacist. Upon successful completion of this program, residents will be prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions.
TONY DUONG
The 2024-2025 ID resident, Tony Duong, had a busy year in which he assessed the use of enteral IVIG for the treatment of norovirus in immunocompromized patients, provided a seminar on long-acting glypopetides, and honed his teaching skills in the classroom and in the clinical setting.
PGY2 INFECTIOUS DISEASES DIRECTOR RODRIGO BURGOS
PGY2 ONCOLOGY DIRECTOR
The PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. The goal is to foster well-rounded and independent clinical pharmacists through clinical service in both inpatient and outpatient hematology/oncology settings as well as educational and scholarly activities throughout the year.
During her residency year, Kimberly Kue-Tsemo, PharmD, distinguished herself through scholarship and contributions to oncology pharmacy practice. Her presentation, “Synergy in Care: A Collaborative Approach to Integrating Nutrition and Pharmacology in Cancer Treatment” at the APPOS Chicago Conference in Fall 2024, highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in oncology. At UIC, she delivered her resident seminar, “Project Optimus: Cutting the Dose, Not the Efficacy”, a presentation on the FDA’s initiative to refine dose optimization
strategies in oncology drug development. Nationally, she presented a critical review of Osimertinib after Chemoradiotherapy in Stage III EGFR-Mutated NSCLC for the ACCP Heme/Onc PRN Journal Club. In addition, Dr. KueTsemo presented a poster at the HOPA Annual Conference 2024 showcasing her research, A Phase 3 Study of Transdermal Granisetron vs. Standard of Care Ondansetron in Antiemetic Regimens for Patients Undergoing Preparative Chemotherapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
PGY2 PEDIATRICS DIRECTOR
The PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. This residency focuses on the refinement of clinical skills to prepare the resident for a career as a board-certified pediatric clinical pharmacy specialist. The close relationship between UI Health and the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy also prepares our resident for a position in academia, a unique opportunity not available in most pediatric residencies.
Dr. Charlie Spuhler, our 2024-2025 PGY2 pediatric pharmacy resident, developed a strong, independent, diverse clinical practice this year through participation in the on-call program and various inpatient and ambulatory experiences.
Dr. Spuhler gained valuable teaching experience providing two didactic lectures and participating as a panelist speaking to Honors College students about training and careers in pharmacy. Dr Spulher also delivered an ACPE accredited continuing education presentation to faculty and students titled “Pharmacology of Affirmation: Options and Outcomes for Gender Diverse Youth”. Additionally, she served as a preceptor and mentor for students and residents practicing in
Dr Spuhler’s research focused on evaluation of renal outcomes in neonates with in-utero exposure to gentamicin. She presented her results at the Pediatric Pharmacy Association Annual meeting in Portland, Oregon.
Dr Spuhler will be continuing her career as a pediatric pharmacist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital.
The PGY2 Specialty Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. The goal of this residency is to develop expert knowledge and skills in Specialty Pharmacy administration, management, and leadership by combining clinical service with educational and administrative activities. pediatrics at UI Health.
PGY2 SPECIALTY PHARMACY ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR
The PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month ASHP-accredited residency. This program aims to create strong, independent clinical pharmacists by integrating patient care, education, and research into the training experience. Residents will become leaders in the management of transplant recipients in all phases of care and play an integral role with transitions of care.
The 2024-2025 SOT PGY2 resident, Keaton Tauer, developed a confident, independent clinical pharmacy practice through his autonomous weekend transplant ICU coverage and clinical rotations in both the transplant ICU and outpatient transplant clinics. He was a trainee member of the Illinois Transplant Pharmacist Association (ITPA) and provided a case presentation on Cytogam for Management of CMV Infection as well as an ACPE accredited seminar entitled “Targeting CD38: A New Approach in the Prevention and Treatment of AntibodyMediated Rejection.”
Dr. Tauer gained extensive teaching experience at UIC College of Pharmacy through the development and facilitation of pharmacotherapeutic recitations, provision of two lectures in the transplant elective, and participation in the critical care elective on the influence of media. He also precepted pharmacy students and PGY1 residents throughout his residency training while participating in the Advanced Leadership Program.
Dr. Tauer’s research focused on outcomes of belatacept with low-dose tacrolimus in kidney transplantation. He presented the results as a poster presentation at World Transplant Congress (WTC) meeting in August 2025. He also led a multidisciplinary team with the development of an institutional guideline for Alcohol Use Disorder in Liver Transplantation.
These accomplishments are just a few highlights of his contribution to the transplant team, College of Pharmacy, and clinical pharmacy practice at UI Health. Dr. Tauer has accepted a Transplant Clinical Pharmacist position at UI Health where he will continue his clinical practice in the inpatient and outpatient setting while remaining engaged in teaching and research activities.
Thomas Szwajnos is a PGY2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Resident at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
Charlie Spuhler is a General Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist at Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Hannah Ayers is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Ambulatory Care at Ascension Saint Joseph’s.
Abdul Khormi is a PGY2 Investigational Drug Services Pharmacy Resident at Brigham and Women’s Health.
Kimberly Kue-Tsemo is a Clinical Oncology Pharmacist at George Washington Medical Faculty Associates, Cancer Center.
Tony Duong is an ID Clinical Pharmacist at INSIGHT Chicago
Joseph Shen is a Pharmacist at Jewel-Osco.
Emma Dittmar is a Cardiology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Michigan Medicine.
Andrew Russo is a PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Tracy Van is a PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Resident at Nova Southeastern University.
Richard Ramos is a PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident at The Ohio State University.
Katrina Seidel is a Clinical Pharmacist at Penn Medicine.
REPORT
Heather Zimmerman is an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist at Springfield Regional Medical Center.
Kara Brown is a PGY2 Pediatrics Pharmacy Resident at Rush University Medical Center.
Anh Dam is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Rush Specialty Pharmacy.
Hidaya Hassan is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Rush Specialty Pharmacy.
Sylvia Choi is a PGY2 Cardiology Pharmacy Resident at Stanford Health Care.
Natalie Pettit is an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Chicago Medicine.
Michelle Tsai is an ICU floating Clinical Pharmacy Specialistat the University of Chicago Medicine.
Laila Hammad is a PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Resident at UIC.
Travis Hanson is a PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident at UIC.
Skylar Harrigfeld is a PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident at UIC.
Armin Pashaeimofrad is an Infectious Diseases Fellow at UIC.
Daniel Schreiber is a PGY2 HIV Care Pharmacy Resident at UIC.
Joanne Shen is a PGY2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Resident at UIC.
Karina Sowa is a Clinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Pharmacist/Coordinator at UIC.
Luke Stickler is a PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Resident at UIC.
Keaton Tauer is a Solid Organ Transplant Clinical Pharmacist at UIC.
Vinh Thai will be part of the Ambulatory Pharmacy Services team at UIC.
Teresa Valadez is a PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Resident at UIC.
Hadeel Fouad is a Pharmacist at Walgreens.
Carrie Yu is an Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist at Yale New Haven Health.
Armin Pashaeimofrad was named one of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP) Shining Stars and was announced at the ICHP Annual Meeting.
This award is given to ICHP Members who show initiative as an ICHP Champion or committee member over the year.
Kimberly Kue-Tsemo, our PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident, with Sandy Cuellar, her Program Director, attended the 2024 Advanced Practice Providers Oncology Summit (APPOS) and Precision Medicine Tumor Board where she gave a presentation titled “Synergy in Care: A Collaborative Approach to Integrating Nutrition and Pharmacology in Cancer Treatment.”
Our PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residents, Hannah Ayers and Carrie Yu attended the 2024 American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Annual Meeting held in Phoenix, AZ.
Carrie Yu presented her poster titled “Evaluating impact of high verses low kidney donor profile index (KDPI) kidneys on clinical outcomes.” The other authors on the poster were Maya Campara, Kristin Heagler, and Dana Pierce.
Carrie also served as a member of the ACCP Endocrine and Metabolism PRN Communications Committee.
Hannah Ayers was the recipient of the ACCP Endocrine and Metabolism PRN Resident Travel Award and gave two platform presentations and a poster presentation while at ACCP.
She presented “Emerge from the Crowd: How to Become a Standout Residency Candidate”at the Resident Round Tables. She also presented “An Ounce of PREVENTion: A Guide to Cardiovascular Risk Estimation Equations”, a clinical update that was given at the ACCP Endocrine and Metabolism PRN Business Meeting during the conference.
Her Poster presentation was titled “Evaluating LipidLowering Intensification in Patients Post ASCVD Revascularization.” Other authors on poster were Ali Alaraj, Robert J. DiDomenico, Melissa Duckett, Stephanie Dwyer Kaluzna, Vicki Groo, Erika Hellenbart, Peter Theiss, David Tofovic.
Hannah was also appointed as a member of the ACCP 2025 National Residency Advisory Committee and served as a member of the ACCP 20242025 Endocrine and Metabolism PRN Education Committee.
Our PGY1 and PGY2 Residents attended the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Clinical Meeting & Exhibition 2024 held in New Orleans, LA.
Over the course of the conference, our residents gave 24 poster presentations. Photos highlight not just the hard work our residents did at the conference, but some enjoyable moments as well.
Drs. Hannah Ayers and Carrie Yu, our PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residents, delivered a series of recurring lectures on Diabetes-related Kidney Disease and Continuous Glucose Monitoring to over 75 internal medicine medical residents over a few months.
Karina Sowa, our PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Resident, presented a poster at APhA 2025 Annual Meeting held in Nashville, TN. The title of her presentation was “Evaluating Pharmacy Recommendations in Enhancing Immunization Rates: A Comparative Study.” The other authors on her poster were Karen Juco and Marlowe Djuric Kachlic.
They did an excellent job integrating their clinical expertise on these topics into this interprofessional education opportunity.
Hannah Ayers presented a poster with along with Pharmacy Practice co-authors Drs. Vicki Groo, Stephanie Dwyer Kaluzna, Rob DiDomenico, and Erika Hellenbart titled “Missed Opportunities to Optimize Lipid-Lowering Therapy Following Revascularization in Patients with ASCVD” at the 2024 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions, held in Chicago, IL.
Photos below are from the Residency Banquet, held at the end of their Program to celebrate their completion.
Breathing New Life into COPD: Ensifentrine and Dupilumab
Kara Brown
Anh Dam
Quitting vaping…What works? (with a focus on peds/adolescence)
ATII as a vasopressor for SOT
The PARPi Era: Swiftly Changing the Game in Gynecological Cancer Treatment
Long-Acting, Short Guidelines: Where Lipoglycopeptides Fit Beyond the Label
Hadeel Fouad
Travis Hanson
The Balancing Act: Navigating Immunization Recommendations
Sotatercept for pulmonary hypertension
Neonatal outcomes with early antibiotic use
Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome: Preventing it with Incretinbased therapies
Hidaya Hassan
Biologics in Severe Asthma: Transforming Treatment Paradigms and Patient Outcomes
A Fungus Among Us: Climate Change and the Emergence of Candida Auris
Probiotic Use in ICU
Project Optimus: Cutting the Dose, Not the Efficacy
GLP-1 agonists: Is there anything they can’t do?
Role of MRD in hematologic malignancies
Treatment considerations for the use of antibody drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer
Daniel Schreiber
Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection: A focus on treatment advancement
COVID-19 vaccination and risk of myocarditis in adolescents
Million Dollar Therapies: Financial and Operational Challenges
Nonhormone therapies for vasomotor symptoms of menopause, with a focus on novel agent fezolinetant
Gender Affirming Care In Pediatrics
Syphilis: Choosing Abx During Benzathine PCN G Shortage, And ED Considerations
Navigating Weight Loss Medications in People with HIV: Weighing In on Efficacy and Safety
Novel use of anti-CD38 antibodies in solid organ transplant recipients
Championing DEI In Pharmacy Leadership
The Role of Statins in HIV Management: Therapeutic Benefit or Clinical Controversy
Pharmacologic Management of Acute Psychosis (i.e., rapid tranquilization)
Do or Do Not: DOACs in Bariatric Surgery
To Pee, or not to Pee: The clinical utility of urine drug screens in the ED
Critical Care Update Resident Symposium 2025
Our PGY1 and PGY2 Residents attended the Great Lakes Pharmacy Resident Conference 2025 held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
Over the course of the three-day conference, our residents gave 16 presentations that highlighted their research throughout their training.
Dr. Sky Harrigfeld, PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, was recognized by faculty with the 2025 Richard A. Hutchinson Award for Excellence in Pharmacy Practice.
Dr. Laila Hammad, PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, was recognized by faculty with the 2025 John McBride Award for Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy Practice.
Dr. Drew Posen was the recipient of the Pharmacy Practice Frank P. Paloucek Preceptor of the Year Award. This award is given to outstanding preceptors working with the residents.
Dr. Alexandria “T” Tang was the recipient of the Resident Appreciation Award. This award is given to outstanding staff working with the residents.
Alexandria was unavailable for a photo.
UIC Residency Village is an alumni engagement program for over 1,000 alumni of the UIC Pharmacy Residency and Fellowship programs. It offers opportunities for alumni to connect with the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, our Residency and Fellowship Programs, our residents, fellows, and other alumni for networking, connections, and sharing your knowledge and expertise with our residents and fellows.
