Pharmacy Residency Preceptors
Amy Nguyen, PharmD, BCPPS
PGY1 & PGY2 Residency Program Director, Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Las Vegas, NV
- Residency training: PGY1 Tucson Medical Center; PGY2 (Pediatrics) University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love the team-based environment in pediatrics. Many people who work in pediatrics are working towards a common goal in providing the best patient care for these kiddos…and our patients are pretty adorable too!
Ali Aldieri, PharmD, BCPPS
Solid Organ Transplant Specialist
- Pharmacy school: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- Original from: Connecticut
- Residency training: PGY1 & PGY2 (Pediatrics) at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love the positive environment of working in pediatrics. It’s one of the few jobs where you can have spontaneous dance parties with patients and the medical team while bedside rounding!
Precious Alino, PharmD, MS
Director of Clinical Pharmacy, Education and Research
- Pharmacy school: Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Houston, TX
- Residency training: PGY1 Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT; PGY2 in Health System Pharmacy Administration at Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The adorable patients we serve, the team culture and the positive vibes that come from the pediatric environment.
Christian Armstrong, PharmD
Infectious Disease Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of Utah
- Originally from: Provo, UT
- Residency training: PGY1 Primary Children’s Hospital
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: Being a part of a team that includes medical professionals, patients, families, and caregivers that are so focused on providing the highest quality care to our wonderful patients.
Don Bladt, PharmD, MBA
Director of Inpatient Pharmacy Operations
- Pharmacy school: Drake University College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Shelby, IA
- Residency training: PGY1 Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: Positive interventions in a children’s early years can have a lasting impact on their entire life, making the work feel especially meaningful.
Jamie Brown, PharmD, BCOP
Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Albuquerque, NM
- Residency training: PGY1 University of Arizona (Banner-University Medical Center Tucson), Tucson, AZ; PGY2 (Pediatric Oncology) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love working with the patients and their parents! It’s inspiring to see how resilient children are and how they can find a way to laugh or smile through almost anything.
Kali Cira, PharmD
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
- Originally from: Milwaukee, WI
- Residency training: PGY1 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, WA; PGY2 (Pediatrics) University of Minnesota Medical Center – Masonic Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: Is the collaborative environment and the shared commitment to helping our patients get better. Our patients continually remind me that laughter is an important part of healing and just how strong and resilient kids can be. I love connecting with patients and families, answering their questions about medications and therapies, and making sure they feel heard and supported. I also try to see my patients and their families at the bedside whenever possible, which helps me make thoughtful, individualized recommendations to the medical team.
Barbara Davee, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Puerto Rico
- Residency training: PGY1 HonorHealth (formerly Scottsdale Healthcare)
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: As a lifelong learner, pediatric pharmacy is the ideal place. Every day, I encounter new things that are exciting and challenging. I also love the patients. There’s never a dull moment when you can dance to the “Bluey” theme song at work!
Kendall Day, PharmD, BCEMP
Emergency Department Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Phoenix, AZ
- Residency training: PGY1 Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The challenge and complexity of tailoring medications to our pediatric patients makes us an even more valuable part of the healthcare team.
Jonathan Enchinton, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: El Paso, TX
- Residency training: PGY1 Phoenix Indian Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: Is being able to precept residents using my background in HIV and infectious diseases, a service that is not always recognized in pediatric settings.
Nate Evans, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Manager – Acute Care
- Pharmacy school: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Phoenix, AZ
- Residency training: PGY1 Phoenix Children's, Phoenix, AZ
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love seeing a kid go from having some of the worst day(s) of their life to seeing the excitement on their face when they are better and get to go home!
Nadine Faulkner, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Manager – Critical Care
- Pharmacy school: Midwestern University - College of Pharmacy, Glendale
- Originally from: Houston, TX
- Residency training: PGY1 Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: Pediatric pharmacy is challenging and complex, yet incredibly rewarding. I love the team culture and knowing that we are all working together to ensure we provide the best care to our patients.
Will Foster, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: Marshall University School of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Huntington, WV
- Residency training: PGY1 Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center, Huntington, WV
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love the collaborate team-based environment and that there is always something new to learn!
Bente Garcia, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Albuquerque, NM
- Residency training: PGY1 Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque, NM; PGY2 Ambulatory Care Banner Health, Phoenix, AZ
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I am always learning something new, and we have the nicest providers!
Shannon Griffith, PharmD, BCPS
Medication Safety Specialist
- Pharmacy school: Drake University
- Originally from: Milwaukee, WI
- Residency training: PGY1 Banner Desert Medical Center
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: There is always something new to learn and you have to think outside the box when caring for your patients.
RC Hellinga, PharmD, BCPPS
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: University of Utah College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Mesa, AZ
- Residency training: PGY1 w/ Pediatric Emphasis – Baptist Health/Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Jacksonville, FL; PGY2 Pediatrics – Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: Pediatrics has always been special, from being very individualized (i.e. specific dosing for that patient, when and how we are going to get our patients take the medication). I feel like most if not all providers I have worked with in pediatrics have been very supportive of pharmacy and our involvement in patient care.
Vanessa Holton, PharmD, BCPPS
Senior Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: Idaho State University
- Originally from: Boise, ID
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I learn something new every day.
Kalia Hughes, PharmD, BCPPS
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Specialist
- Pharmacy school: The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Gilbert, AZ
- Residency training: PGY1 Pharmacy Practice and PGY2 Pediatrics at Banner University Medical Center Tucson
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The unspoken mentality that all team members will collaborate and do whatever is necessary to ensure our kids are taken care of.
Darcy Johnson, PharmD
Clinical Research Pharmacy Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of Arizona
- Originally from: Phoenix, AZ
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love that all the employees are here to benefit children by keeping them healthy and safe.
Chris Kennie-Richardson, PharmD, BCPPS
General Pediatrics Specialist
- Pharmacy school: Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: New Orleans, LA
- Residency training: PGY1 Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge, LA; PGY2 Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, Fort Myers, FL
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love the problem-solving aspect to caring for pediatric patients and the impact that pharmacists can have in helping to craft pharmacotherapy regimens.
Rhonda Kurz, PharmD
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Specialist
- Pharmacy school: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Southern Illinois
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: My practice in the NICU allows me the opportunity to collaborate with a primary team and consultants to improve patient outcomes by developing treatment and monitoring plans that are safe and effective on very challenging and unique cases.
Polina Langer, PharmD, BCPPS
Solid Organ Transplant Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Pittsburgh, PA
- Residency training: PGY1 University Hospitals – Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH; PGY2 (Pediatrics) at Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love working in pediatrics because of the continuous learning that comes from within the field. It’s so fulfilling to be a part of the pediatric transplant team, and seeing the patients grow and thrive.
Alexandra Leath, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Originally from: Aurora, CO
- Residency training: PGY1 Phoenix Children’s, Phoenix, AZ
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The grey area and the challenge! Pediatric pharmacy has very few guidelines and resources; this requires pharmacists to be investigators of drug therapy which can be challenging. It also encourages pharmacists to be creative/innovative in the way we care for patients.
Amanda Li, PharmD, BCPS
Manager of Pharmacy Operations
- Pharmacy school: University of Michigan, Go Blue!
- Originally from: Detroit, MI
- Residency training: PGY1 Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO; PGY2 Lebanon Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Lebanon, PA
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The unknown of working with pediatric patients, there isn’t always a guideline or study telling you exactly how to treat a patient. You have to work collaboratively with the healthcare team to find ways to help patients. Also, it’s acceptable to love Disney as much as I do.
Azhar Nawaz, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP
Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist
- Pharmacy school: Midwestern University - College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove
- Originally from: I grew up in Chicago, IL, which is where I get my sense of home. I was born in Pakistan.
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The opportunity to improve outcomes for our pediatric patients. Every day, I have the privilege of optimizing medication regimens to the specific needs of young patients with cancer. The resilience of our patients and their caregivers is inspiring, and it is incredibly rewarding knowing hat my work can help them in their journey to health and well-being.
Logan Peterson, PharmD, BCSCP
East Valley Pharmacy Operations Supervisor
- Pharmacy school: University of Utah College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Lehi, UT
- Residency training: PGY1 Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: I love working with pediatric care providers. We are all equally strange and care a lot about this population!
Maiya Sanderson, PharmD
Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Pharmacy
- Residency training: PGY1 OSF St. Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois, Peoria, IL; PGY2 (Oncology) Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
- Originally from: Castle Rock, CO
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The resilience of the patient population we work with!
David Seto, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS
General Pediatrics Specialist
- Pharmacy school: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Phoenix, AZ
- Residency training: PGY1 Valleywise Health; PGY2 (Pediatrics) Diamond Children’s at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson/University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The pharmacotherapy and the people!
Andy Tsai, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University
- Originally from: Beaverton, OR
- Residency training: PGY1 Valley Medical Center, Renton, WA; PGY2 (Pediatrics) Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: The opportunity to talk to patients! Being able to help these kids understand their medications and therapies is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.
Elizabeth Vadasz, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmacy school: The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- Originally from: Portland, OR
- Residency training: PGY1 Pharmacy Practice & PGY2 Critical Care at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
- What I love most about pediatric pharmacy: How resilient kids can be! It’s so rewarding to be involved in these patients’ care and healing.