Pharmacy Residents
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Aaron Speak, PharmD
PGY2 Informatics Pharmacy Resident Education: PharmD, University of Kentucky About me: Originally from a small town in Virginia, I am the first Pharmacy Informatics resident at University of Louisville Hospital. After completing my undergraduate education with a degree in both history and biology, I found myself pursuing a career in teaching as a high school biology and chemistry instructor. It was during this time that I developed a desire to further my education and quench my thirst for life-long learning. The pharmacy profession was a natural fit for these desires and my science background, leading me to completion of a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Kentucky. The transition to University of Louisville Hospital has been a satisfying decision. As an academic facility, the opportunity for interaction with other emerging medical professionals and participation in research is rich. The passion of the pharmacy employees for their profession and patients is contagious and drives a constant effort to deliver optimal pharmaceutical care. Regarding pharmacy informatics, University of Louisville Hospital offers unique opportunities. With dedicated pharmacy informatics staff, including HIMSS certified professionals, the program is very involved in the maintenance and development of current clinical systems, as well as pioneering new initiatives to further enhance the quality of patient care. Currently, my research project focuses on evaluating the impact of physician notification alerts for vaccination. |
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Sharon Shiraga, PharmD
PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident Education: PharmD, Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University; Pharmacy Practice Residency, Deaconess Medical Center About me: Originally from a small town in Washington, I am the second oncology resident at University of Louisville Hospital. After completing my undergraduate education with a degree in biology, I worked for a few years at Oregon Health & Science University as a research assistant studying imatinib, dasatinib and sunitinib in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) before entering pharmacy school. It was during this time that I developed an interest in oncology drugs and their impact on patient care. The James Graham Brown Cancer Center at University of Louisville Hospital offers a wide range of opportunities for me to work daily with a multidisciplinary team in ambulatory clinics, and on daily rounds on the inpatient oncology services. The pharmacy department also works with many colleges of pharmacy, providing advanced pharmacy practice education to pharmacy students on rotation, as well as providing didactic lectures at the college of pharmacy. The residency offers a wide range of opportunities to prepare me for a future as an oncology pharmacist. One of my projects focuses on my interest in hematology oncology, evaluating the safety and efficacy of Gemcitabine/Vinorelbine/Methylprednisolone, +/- Rituximab for hematopoietic cells mobilization in malignant lymphomas. In the future, I hope to obtain a clinical position in an academic hospital setting. |
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Jennifer Wiedmar, PharmD
Education: PharmD, University of Kentucky About me: Born and raised in Louisville, KY, I attended the University of Kentucky for undergraduate studies and to obtain my doctorate of pharmacy degree. After completing many of my advanced pharmacy practice experiences at University of Louisville Hospital as a student, I knew this was the place for me to complete my PGY1 pharmacy practice residency. Working with an academic institution gives me more opportunities for learning and growth as a clinical pharmacist. My personal interests lie in the areas of oncology and critical care. With opportunities to work in the Brown Cancer Center and to engage in the care offered at a level I trauma center, I have high hopes that my experiences as a PGY1 resident will inspire me to pursue further professional training with a PGY2 residency. My research project this year involves the implementation of a sepsis protocol with the purpose of improving compliance to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign treatment guidelines. Upon completion of residency training, I plan to practice as a clinical pharmacist in an academic medical institution. |
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Stephen Creasy, PharmD
PGY2 Informatics Pharmacy Resident Education: PharmD, Shenadoah University About me: During my years at the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, I developed a love for therapeutics and a pharmacist’s role in delivering optimal patient care. My professional and personal journey led me to Louisville, which I chose for my PGY1 residency training due to the fact it is an academic hospital that treats a population that may face several health issues. My professional interests include informatics, patient safety, administration, internal medicine and infectious disease. I plan to use my skills and training from UofL Health Care to pursue a career as an administrator working on an interdisciplinary team to enhance patient safety through the medication use process and technology. My current research project focuses on improving time to therapeutic vancomycin goal level through implementing a new vancomycin dosing algorithm. |
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Bradley Winegar, PharmD
Education: PharmD, East Tennessee State University About me: I was born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee and attended East Tennessee State University as an undergraduate and doctorate of pharmacy student. Currently, I am one of the four PGY1 residents at the University of Louisville Hospital. I decided to leave the sprawling metropolis of Kingsport, for a year or two, and pursue a residency at the University of Louisville Hospital because the program offers unique opportunities that matched my interests. During my time at East Tennessee State, I developed an immense interest in the areas of ambulatory care and oncology. I plan on completing multiple rotations in these areas at University of Louisville Hospital while gaining valuable experience in numerous other areas of practice. My current research project evaluates the use of alvimopan (Entereg) on the length of hospital stays after bowel resection. |
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Lauren Sledjeski, PharmD
Education: University of Florida About me: I am originally from the Tampa, FL area but spent 10 years growing up in the Louisville area. During my education at the University of Florida I learned the value of patient-centered care and working together with a multidisciplinary team. I realized early on that completing a pharmacy residency after graduation was my primary goal. I chose the University of Louisville to complete my residency for it’s excellent reputation as an academic teaching institution and Level I trauma center in addition to it’s wide variety of rotation opportunities. My professional interests include Critical Care, Oncology, Infectious Disease and Emergency Medicine. I plan to use the knowledge and experiences gained during this residency year to pursue a PGY2 residency in a specialty area. My current research project involves implementing a Geriatric De-Prescribing protocol in order to reduce the number of inappropriate medications prescribed in this population. |
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Stephanie Bowman, PharmD
Education: PharmD, Wayne State University About me: I am originally from Novi, Michigan. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology at Michigan State University (Go Green!) and proceeded to complete my Doctorate of Pharmacy degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Currently I am one of four PGY1 residents at University of Louisville Hospital. I chose to pursue my residency at a University of Louisville Hospital for several reasons, largely because it is an academic teaching facility, offers a wide variety of rotations, and participates in a teaching certificate program. My professional interests are cardiology, critical care, and academics. My current research project examines the efficacy of extended release pancreatic enzymes to the previously marketed immediate release formulation for obstructed feeding tubes. |