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Program Preceptors

Program Preceptors

Name:

Ethan Austin, PharmD, BCCCP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Manager
PGY-1 Residency Program Director
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Medical ICU

Learning experience(s)::

Orientation, Practice Management I &II, Weekend Staffing

Education:

Pharmacy School: University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: East Jefferson General Hospital

Email Address:

ethan.austin@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Gabriela Andonie, PharmD, BCIDP, AAHIVP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Infectious Diseases
Assistant Professor - University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) College of Pharmacy, New Orleans Campus

Learning experience(s):

Infectious Diseases, Academia

Education:

Pharmacy School: Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: University Medical Center New Orleans
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency: Infectious Diseases, University Health System

Email Address:

andonie@ulm.edu

Name:

Genet Aramde, PharmD

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Internal Medicine

Learning experience(s):

Internal Medicine I & II

Education:

Pharmacy School: Florida A&M University School of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Tallahassee Memorial Hospital

Email Address:

genet.aramde@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Katherine “Katie” Aymond, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP, BCCCP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Medical ICU

Learning experience(s):

Medical ICU I & II

Education:

Pharmacy School: University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: LSU Health Shreveport

Email Address:

katherine.aymond@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Lillian “Lilly” Bellfi, PharmD, BCCCP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Trauma & Surgery Critical Care

Learning experience(s):

Trauma ICU I & II

Education:

Pharmacy School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: University of Chicago Medicine
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency: Critical Care, University of Chicago Medicine

Email Address:

lillian.bellfi@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Helen Calmes, PharmD, MBA

Position:

Clinical Pharmacist Specialist – Internal Medicine

Learning experience(s):

Internal Medicine

Education:

Pharmacy School: University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Buffalo General Hospital

Email Address:

helen.calmes@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Alexandra “Lexi” DeWitt, PharmD, BCCCP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Burn ICU

Learning experience(s):

Burn Services

Education:

Pharmacy School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center - College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: University Medical Center New Orleans
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency: Critical Care, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

Email Address:

alexandra.dewitt@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Taraya Gerard, PharmD, MS

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Oncology

Learning experience(s):

Oncology & Hematology

Education:

Pharmacy School: Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Ochsner Medical Center

Email Address:

taraya.gerard@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Chelsea Giroir, PharmD

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Emergency Medicine

Learning experience(s):

Emergency Medicine I & II

Education:

Pharmacy School: Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: University Medical Center New Orleans

Email Address:

chelsea.giroir@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Chelsea James, PharmD

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Emergency Medicine

Learning experience(s):

Emergency Medicine I & II

Education:

Pharmacy School: University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Touro

Email Address:

Chelsea.james2@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Sierra Meyers, PharmD

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist- Internal Medicine
Assistant Professor - Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy

Learning experience(s):

Internal Medicine I &II, Academia

Education:

Pharmacy School: Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Slidell Memorial Hospital

Email Address:

smeyers@xula.edu

Name:

George Nawas, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Assistant Professor - Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy

Learning experience(s):

Internal Medicine I &II, Academia

Education:

Pharmacy School: Lebanese American University School of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Banner University Medical Center – Tucson
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency: Internal Medicine, Banner University Medical Center - Tucson

Email Address:

gnawas@xula.edu

Name:

Victoria Sawyer, PharmD

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Internal Medicine

Learning experience(s):

Internal Medicine I & II

Education:

Pharmacy School: Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Ochsner Medical Center

Email Address:

victoria.sawyer@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Brenda Simiyu, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, AAHIVP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Infectious Diseases
PGY2 Infectious Diseases Residency Program Director

Learning experience(s):

Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Stewardship, HIV Ambulatory Clinic

Education:

Pharmacy School: Wingate University School of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Jackson Hospital & Clinic
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency: Infectious Diseases, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

Email Address:

brenda.simiyu@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Lauren H. Sutton, PharmD, BCCCP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Neurocritical Care

Learning experience(s):

Neurocritical ICU

Education:

Pharmacy School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center - College of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Barnes-Jewish Hospital
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency: Critical Care, Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Email Address:

lauren.sutton1@lcmchealth.org

Name:

Wade Wheat, PharmD, BCIDP, AAHIVP

Position:

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Infectious Diseases

Learning experience(s):

Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Stewardship, HIV Ambulatory Clinic

Education:

Pharmacy School: William Carey University School of Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Henry County Medical Center
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency: Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center New Orleans

Email Address:

Wade.wheat@lcmchealth.org

Select Publications
  • Abdul-Mutakabbir JC,Simiyu B, Walker RE, Christian RL, Dayo Y, Maxam M. Leveraging Black pharmacists to promote equity in COVID-19 vaccine uptake within Black communities: A framework for researchers and clinicians. J Am Coll Clin Pharm. 2022 Aug;5(8):887-893. doi: 10.1002/jac5.1669. Epub 2022 Jun 27. PMID: 35942357; PMCID: PMC9350100.
  • Abdul-Mutakabbir JC, Simiyu B. Exploring the intersection of racism, antimicrobial resistance, and vaccine equity. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol. 2022 Aug 5;2(1):e134. doi: 10.1017/ash.2022.283. PMID: 36483434; PMCID: PMC9726476.
  • Ahmed F, Gross S, Hammad S, Wilson C, Nawas G, Zeini B. Correlation Between Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Statin Prescribing Patterns. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2021 Dec;14(4):140-146. PMID: 35261718; PMCID: PMC8844639.
  • Alilaen N, Vu C, Bellfi L, Burke V. Evaluation of the predictive value of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nares polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening within hospitalized patients. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Dec 15;9(Suppl 2):ofac492.254. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofac492.254.
  • Almuntashiri S, James C, Wang X, Siddiqui B, Zhang D. The Potential of Lung Epithelium Specific Proteins as Biomarkers for COVID-19-Associated Lung Injury. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 Sep 8;11(9):1643. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics11091643. PMID: 34573984; PMCID: PMC8469873.
  • Bellfi LT, Zimmerman SA, Boudreau R, Mosier W Jr, Smith A, Rueb N, Hunt JP, Stuke L, Greiffenstein P, Schoen J, Marr A. Impact of Increased Enoxaparin Dosing on Anti-Xa Levels for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Trauma Patients. Am Surg. 2022 Sep;88(9):2158-2162. doi: 10.1177/00031348221091935. Epub 2022 Jul 15. PMID: 35839754.
  • Borghol A, Ahmed F, Jamero D, Calmes H, Monthey T, Pappas S, Scott R, Deblieux JS, Ulrich M, Malhotra S. Barriers to electronic prescribing of controlled substance, especially opioids. J Opioid Manag. 2024 May-Jun;20(3):225-231. doi: 10.5055/jom.0857. PMID: 39017614.
  • Borghol A, Onor I, Neuliep A, Zaki A, Andonie G, Zaki A, Bergeron B, Castro M, Beyl R, Brakta F, Hawawini F, Ahmed F. Effectiveness of mono antiplatelet therapy vs dual antiplatelet therapy in ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack-Special subgroup consideration for the African-American Population. Int J Clin Pract. 2020 Jul;74(7):e13504. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.13504. Epub 2020 Apr 21. PMID: 32243645; PMCID: PMC8424906.
  • Calmes H, Ausmus M. Pharmacy Technicians Historical Review: Practitioners’ Concerns and Recommendations. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 1990 Jun;3(3):182–91.
  • Cao A, Bellfi LT, Schoen J, Greiffenstein P, Marr AB, Stuke L, Hunt JP, Pino R, Smith A. Perioperative Fluid Management in Surgical Patients: A Review. Am Surg. 2023 Jun;89(6):2677-2684. doi: 10.1177/00031348221121565. Epub 2022 Aug 17. PMID: 35977846.
  • DeWitt A, Johnston E, Dekerlegand A. Evaluation of clinical outcomes and safety of eravacycline for its use in serious infections. Crit Care Med. 2022;50(1):340. doi: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000809096.28031.f2.
  • Ellis KE, Nawas GT, Chan C, York L, Fisher J, Connick E, Zangeneh TT. Clinical Outcomes Following the Use of Archived Proviral HIV-1 DNA Genotype to Guide Antiretroviral Therapy Adjustment. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019 Dec 14;7(1):ofz533. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofz533. PMID: 31915714; PMCID: PMC6942490.
  • FakhriRavari A, Simiyu B, Morrisette T, Dayo Y, Abdul-Mutakabbir JC. Infectious disease: how to manage Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogen conundrums with dual beta-lactam therapy. Drugs Context. 2022 Jan 20;11:2021-8-9. doi: 10.7573/dic.2021-8-9. PMID: 35145558; PMCID: PMC8798368.
  • Giroir C, Helen Calmes. ‘Hypoglycemia in the Hospitalized Patient: Interventions and Opportunities’. Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis, IntechOpen, 19 Mar. 2024. Crossref, doi:10.5772/intechopen.1003906.
  • Herndon K, Dewitt A, Gillion A, Pattanaik D. Infusion-related angioedema associated with infliximab-abda: Case report. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2021 Jan 5;78(2):108-112. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxaa321. PMID: 33031494.
  • Hill DM, Reger M, Todor LA, Boyd AN, Cogle S, DeWitt A, Drabick Z, Faris J, Zavala S, Adams B, Alexander KM, Carter K, Gayed RM, Gutenschwager DW, Hall A, Hansen M, Krantz EN, Pham F, Quan AN, Smith L, Tran N, Walroth TA, Mueller SW. An Appraisal of Pharmacotherapy-Pertinent Literature Published in 2021 and 2022 for Clinicians Caring for Patients With Thermal or Inhalation Injury. J Burn Care Res. 2024 May 6;45(3):614-624. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/irae012. PMID: 38285011.
  • Hyneman D, Coburn J, Bellfi L, Chapple AG, Christensen BJ. Do Antibiotics Prevent Infectious Complications in Critically Injured Patients With Blunt Nonoperative Midfacial Trauma? J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2023 Jun;81(6):746-751. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2023.02.011. Epub 2023 Mar 8. PMID: 36905943.
  • Ivanko A, DeWitt A, Schoen JE, Phelan HA, Hill D, Carter JE. Scientific Opinion on the Risks of Drug Shortages on Burn Care. J Burn Care Res. 2024 Jan 5;45(1):253-255. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/irad174. PMID: 37971431; PMCID: PMC11023253.
  • Kabbara WK, Nawas GT, Ramadan WH. Evaluation of the appropriateness of imipenem/cilastatin prescription and dosing in a tertiary care hospital. Infect Drug Resist. 2015 Mar 24;8:31-8. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S78633. PMID: 25848308; PMCID: PMC4378284.
  • Malaeb D, Hallit S, Dia N, Cherri S, Maatouk I, Nawas G, Salameh P, Hosseini H. Effects of sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors on stroke development in Lebanese patients with atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional study. F1000Res. 2021 Aug 11;10:793. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.54236.2. PMID: 34504688; PMCID: PMC8383125.
  • McIntire K, Lundervold D, Calmes H, Jones C, Allard S. Temporal control in a complex environment: An analysis of schedule-related behavior. J Exp Anal Behav. 1983 May;39(3):465-78. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1983.39-465. PMID: 16812331; PMCID: PMC1347857.
  • Nawas GT, Zeidan RS, Edwards CA, El-Desoky RH. Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccines and Strategies to Improve Acceptability and Uptake. J Pharm Pract. 2023 Aug;36(4):900-904. doi: 10.1177/08971900221081621. Epub 2022 Apr 23. PMID: 35465688; PMCID: PMC9047593.
  • Nguyen BD, Calmes HM, Trahan AN, Pierre DM. Identifying barriers to the utilization of intravenous pump-system safety software. Int J Nurs Health Care Res. 2024;7:1520. doi: 10.29011/2688-9501.101520.
  • Okeke NL, Ware KB, Campbell R, Taylor J, Hung F, Questell C, Brickler MP, Smith UD, Nawas GT, Hanlen-Rosado E, Chan C, Bosworth HB, Aifah A, Corneli A. Evidence2Practice (E2P): Leveraging Implementation Science to Promote Careers in HIV Research Among Students From Historically Black Colleges and Universities. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2023 Oct 1;94(Suppl 2):S65-S72. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000003263. PMID: 37707851; PMCID: PMC10748978.
  • Onor I, Andonie G, Hoang L, Smith T, Guillory S, Walvekar S, Sanne S. Is Ciprofloxacin in Combination With Beta-lactam Antibiotics a Recipe for Thrombocytosis?: A Case Report of Thrombocytosis in a Patient Receiving Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone. P T. 2019 Dec;44(12):749-753. PMID: 33935476; PMCID: PMC8082235.
  • Perumal-Pillay VA, Bangalee V, Oosthuizen F, Andonie G, Rotundo H. Shared learning experiences: Pilot study of an online exchange project between pharmacy students in South Africa and the United States. Curr Pharm Teach Learn. 2023 Oct;15(10):896-902. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2023.06.021. Epub 2023 Jul 26. PMID: 37507312.
  • Purcell DJ, Standifer M, Stroude J, Martin E, Belton A, Hopkin J, McKinney T, Warren E, Nawas G, Williams L, Kennedy K. Advancing Health Equity: A Collaborative Framework to Address HIV Disparities in Georgia and Louisiana through Data, Education, and Policy Initiatives. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2024;35(3):978-994. PMID: 39129614.
  • Santos R, Boyd AN, Walroth TA, Hall A, King J, Ahiskali A, Walter E, Neumann N, Curry D, Hoyte B, Thomas W, Adams B, Tran N, Gleason VM, Drabick Z, DeWitt A, Suarez J, Prazak AMB, Disney KA, Hill D. A Multicenter, Retrospective Outcome Analysis of Vancomycin Area Under the Curve versus Trough-Based Dosing Strategies in Patients with Burn OR Inhalational Injuries (MONITOR). J Burn Care Res. 2024 Jun 20:irae109. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/irae109. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38900835.
  • Sutton LH, Tellor BR, Pope HE, Riney JN, Weaver KL. Evaluation of Time to Therapeutic Anticoagulation and Associated Outcomes in Critically Ill, Obese Patients With Pulmonary Embolism Receiving Unfractionated Heparin. J Pharm Pract. 2021 Jun;34(3):438-444. doi: 10.1177/0897190019878073. Epub 2019 Sep 29. PMID: 31564199.
  • Taghavi S, Chun T, Bellfi L, Malone C, Oremosu J, Ali A, Toraih E, Duchesne J, Tatum D. A Propensity-Matched Analysis of Tranexamic Acid and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Trauma Patients. J Surg Res. 2022 Dec;280:469-474. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.06.017. Epub 2022 Sep 1. PMID: 36058012; PMCID: PMC9575143.
  • Taylor NA, Bellfi LT, Aiken J, Stuke L, Greiffenstein P, Schoen J, Hunt J, Marr A, Smith, A. Prehospital ketamine administration for trauma patients results in more emergency department intubations. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2022;235(5):S292-S293.
  • Tham E, Calmes HM, Poppy A, Eliades AB, Schlafly SM, Namtu KC, Smith DM, Vitaska MC, McConnell C, Potts AL, Jastrzembski J, Logsdon TR, Hall M, Takata GS. Sustaining and spreading the reduction of adverse drug events in a multicenter collaborative. Pediatrics. 2011 Aug;128(2):e438-45. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-3772. Epub 2011 Jul 4. PMID: 21727100.
  • Wheat W, Simiyu B, Andonie G, Bellfi L. Clinical Impact of Vancomycin MIC on Outcomes in Patients With Coagulase-negative Staphylococcal Bacteremia. Clin Ther. 2024 Jun;46(6):444-450. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2024.01.012. Epub 2024 Mar 15. PMID: 38493003.
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