Cardiology Pharmacy Faculty

Content Matter Experts

• Steven Dunn, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ Cardiology, FAHA, FCCP
• Tracy Macaulay, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ Cardiology, BCCP, AACC
• Brent N. Reed, Pharm.D., BCCP

Faculty

William L. Baker, Pharm.D., FCCP, FACC, FAHA
Associate Professor,
Department of Pharmacy Practice
University of Connecticut
School of Pharmacy
Farmington, Connecticut

William L. Baker, Pharm.D., FCCP, FACC, FAHA is Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut, School of Pharmacy. Dr. Baker received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Connecticut, School of Pharmacy in 2000 and 2002, respectively. After working as a clinical pharmacist for a few years at Bayhealth Medical Center in Milford Delaware, he completed a 2-year cardiovascular pharmacology & outcomes fellowship at Hartford Hospital in 2008 under the direction of Drs. Michael White and Craig Coleman.

Dr. Baker’s practice/research interests include comparative effectiveness for medical decision making, efficacy and effectiveness of cardiovascular drugs, systematic review and meta-analysis and evidence-based medicine. He has received grant funding from various federal, pharmaceutical, and foundation sources. To date, he has published over 120 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and won numerous awards including the 2012 ACCP New Investigator Award.

Scott Bolesta, Pharm.D., FCCM, BCPS
Associate Professor,
Department of Pharmacy Practice Nesbit School of Pharmacy,
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Dr. Bolesta is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice in the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy at Wilkes University. He also holds a Visiting Investigator appointment within the Center for Pharmacy Innovation and Outcomes at Geisinger Health System. His current clinical practice is in pharmacogenetics at Geisinger’s Precision Health Center, where he provides care to patients in collaboration with other providers and serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students. Dr. Bolesta also conducts research with a focus on cardiovascular science and pharmacogenomics. He also has an interest in interprofessional education and the use of simulation in student learning.

James C. Coons, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCCP
Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 
Clinical Pharmacist, Cardiology, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
PGY2 Cardiology Residency Program Director
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jim Coons is an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacist specializing in cardiology at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist, with Added Qualifications in Cardiology Pharmacotherapy. He also directs the PGY-2 Cardiology Pharmacy Residency Program at UPMC. His current practice and research interests focus on the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes that undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as well as those with advanced heart failure and pulmonary vascular diseases. His current efforts focus on the clinical implementation of pharmacogenomics at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in patients that undergo PCI.

Rhonda M. Cooper-DeHoff, Pharm.D., M.S.
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research and
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine;
Associate Director, Center for Pharmacogenomics
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Dr. Cooper-DeHoff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, and the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, College of Medicine at the University of Florida. She is also the Associate Director for the Center for Pharmacogenomics. Dr. Cooper-DeHoff has spent the last 25 years doing research in the areas of hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, as well as metabolic syndrome and diabetes and has contributed significantly to the body of published literature in the area of hypertension, pharmacogenomics and pharmacometabolomics. She is a co-PI for the NIH funded Pharmacgenomics Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses grant, as well as a previously funded Career Development Award (K23) entitled “Metabolic Effects of Antihypertensive Drugs.” She was also an investigator of the International Verapamil Trandolapril Study (INVEST) which evaluated hypertension treatments in elderly coronary artery disease patients. Dr. Cooper-DeHoff serves as a scientific reviewer for several Journals, including Circulation, Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Lancet and many others. Dr. Cooper-DeHoff has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the American Heart Association, and the American College of Cardiology, in accordance with her accomplishments in the clinical and scientific arena of cardiovascular disease.

Paul P. Dobesh, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, BCCP
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
College of Pharmacy
University of Nebraska Medical Center,
Omaha, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from South Dakota State University. Two year add-on Pharm.D. degree also from South Dakota State University. Internal Medicine Specialty Residency with the University of Texas at Austin at Brackenridge Hospital. He is currently Professor of Pharmacy Practice with the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Currently maintains clinical practice with cardiology services at Nebraska Medical Center. Responsible for teaching pharmacy and medical students as well as pharmacy and medical residents. Lectures in the area of ischemic heart disease, antithrombotic therapy, and other cardiology and critical care topics. Dr. Dobesh has conducted research on antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy, focusing on real-world utilization and health-economics. He has also published book chapters and several manuscripts in this area. Dr. Dobesh was awarded the “Distinguished Educator or the Year” award at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in 2015, an award he has received 4 times since 2007. In 2013 he was also awarded the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus wide Outstanding Educator Award.

Steven Dunn, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ Cardiology, FAHA, FCCP
Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, Heart & Vascular University of Virginia Health System Charlottesville,
Virginia Literature Study  

Steven Dunn, Pharm.D., is the Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator for the Heart & Vascular Center at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he manages pharmacy services for the Center. In addition, Dr. Dunn is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. Dr. Dunn is also an active member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.

Shannon Finks, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCCP, ASH-CHC
Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy
University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy
Memphis, Tennessee

Dr. Shannon Finks, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS—AQ Cardiology, ASH-CHC is Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis. Dr. Finks has practiced for two decades in the area of cardiology and has expertise in private institution and academic practice settings. She is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, has Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy, and has received Added Qualifications in Cardiology and AHSCP-CHC certifications. Her current practice includes Cardiology Service at the VA Hospital where she co-precepts students and residents in the cardiology intensive care unit. Her passion is teaching—and has been awarded University related teaching awards in 2010, 2012, and 2018. Dr. Finks is well published in the medical literature and has been invited to present locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally on numerous cardiovascular related topics.

Doug Jennings, Pharm.D., FCCP, FAHA, FACC, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant;
New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York

Douglas L. Jennings is the clinical pharmacy manager in heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support at NewYork Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. An active researcher in his field, he has published over 80 peer-reviewed abstracts and manuscripts, primarily focusing on the pharmacotherapy of patients under mechanical circulatory support. As a recognized expert in this area, he has been invited to speak at numerous national and international venues, including meetings in France, Saudi Arabia, and India. Finally, Jennings has been active in professional organizations throughout his career. He is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American College of Cardiology, and American Heart Association.

Tracy Macaulay, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ Cardiology, BCCP, AACC
Associate Clinical Professor
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
Cardiology Clinical Specialist
UKHealthCare and Gill Heart Institute
Lexington, Kentucky
Literature Study

Dr. Macaulay obtained her PharmD from the University of South Carolina.  Subsequently she completed a Post-Graduate Pharmacy Practice Residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and a Cardiology Specialty Residency at The Ohio State University.  In 2006 she joined UK HealthCare Pharmacy Services and Gill Heart Institutes as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist-Cardiology.  A short time later she was appointed in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the UK College of Pharmacy, and is now at the rank of Clinical Associate Professor. Over the past ten years with UKHealthCare Pharmacy Services she has held several leadership roles, including Director of Transitional Care Pharmacy Services leading and developing transitions of care programming and establishing a credentialing and privileging process for pharmacists.  She remains a clinical pharmacist for Pharmacy Services, responsible for providing direct patient in a Transitions of Care ACS Clinic and leading CV transitional care improvement processes.  She has experience teaching pharmacy students and residents as well as medical students, residents and CV fellows in both didactic and clinical arenas, including serving as the PGY2 in Cardiology Pharmacy Residency Program Director. 

Karen McConnell, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, ASH-CHC
System Director
Clinical Pharmacy Services Catholic Health Initiatives
Englewood, Colorado

Karen J. McConnell is the system director of clinical pharmacy services for Catholic Health Initiatives. She is a clinical associate professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. McConnell earned her Pharm.D. degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in 1999. She then completed a pharmacy practice residency at Cox Medical Center and a specialty residency at Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Dr. McConnell is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist with added qualifications in cardiology. She is also a certified hypertension clinician through the American Society of Hypertension. Previously, she was a clinical director and cardiology subject matter expert for Cardinal Health, providing consultative services and cardiology expertise to large health systems nationwide. She also worked as a clinical pharmacy specialist at Kaiser Permanente Colorado for 15 years. For 10 years she worked in the Clinical Pharmacy Cardiac Risk Service, providing direct patient care for patients with cardiovascular disease, and for 5 years she worked in the Cardiology Department, where she provided patient care and clinical consults to cardiologists and other health care providers.

Dr. McConnell has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and given several presentations at state, national, and international professional meetings. She has also served as principal investigator on several research studies, focusing on cardiovascular care and continuing professional development. Dr. McConnell received the Teacher of the Year award from the Kaiser Foundation in 2007 and the Paper of the Year award from ACCP’s Cardiology PRN in 2010. She has taught outpatient cardiology for ACCP’s Ambulatory Care Preparatory Course (2011-2015) and Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Course (2016-2017) and will teach hypertension for the Cardiology Preparatory Course (2018). She became a Fellow of ACCP in 2013. For 2016-2017, she was elected and has served as the secretary/treasurer for ACCP’s Cardiology PRN.

Zachary R. Noel, Pharm.D., BCCP
Assistant Professor
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, Maryland
Literature Study

Dr. Zachary Noel is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacy specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Noel obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in Lexington, KY. He completed a pharmacy practice and cardiology specialty residency at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. He currently practices on an adult general cardiology service where he provides clinical pharmacy services for the cardiac intensive care and step-down units. Dr. Noel’s practice and research interests include arrhythmias and antithrombotic therapies. He is a member of the Applied Therapeutics, Research, and Instruction at the University of Maryland (ATRIUM) collaborative and also serves as program coordinator for the Postgraduate Year 2 Cardiology Pharmacy Residency Program at the University of Maryland. 

Carrie Oliphant, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCCP, AACC
Cardiology/Anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Methodist Healthcare-University Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee

Carrie S. Oliphant is a clinical pharmacy specialist, cardiology/anticoagulation, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and an associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. She received her B.S. degree in pharmacy and Pharm.D. degrees from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and completed her PGY1 residency at Methodist Healthcare - Memphis Hospitals. Dr. Oliphant is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and associate of the American College of Cardiology and is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist with added qualifications in cardiology. She has practiced in cardiology for more than 15 years and has precepted more than 150 students and residents on a cardiology rotation. In 2013, she received the Preceptor of the Year award from the University of Tennessee on the basis of student feedback. She has more than 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has been invited to present local, regional, and national presentations in the area of cardiology. Her current practice interests include acute coronary syndrome, antiplatelets, and anticoagulants.

Robert Page II, Pharm.D., MSPH, FCCP, FASHP, FASCP, FAHA, BCPS, CGP
Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy
Professor, Department of Physical Medicine
University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Aurora, Colorado

Dr. Robert Page is a professor in the Departments of Clinical Pharmacy and Physical/Rehabilitative Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver, Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine (Aurora), and the clinical pharmacy specialist for the Division of Cardiology and Heart Transplantation. Dr. Page received his bachelor’s of science degree in biology and chemistry from Furman University (Greenville, SC); bachelor’s of science in pharmacy and Pharm.D. degrees from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC; Charleston); master’s of science degree in public health with an epidemiology focus from the University of Colorado School of Medicine (Denver); and specialty residency in pharmacotherapy from MUSC. He is presently a Ph.D. student in health services research and health policy in the Colorado School of Public Health (Aurora). He is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist with added qualifications in cardiology, a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, and a fellow of the following organizations: the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the Heart Failure Society of America, the American Heart Association (Council on Clinical Cardiology), the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.Dr. Page has written over 150 several abstracts, journal articles, and book chapters in the areas of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and has received many teaching awards. His research interests consist of medication adherence and pharmacotherapy complications in the heart transplant recipient and the patient with heart failure.

Dr. Page served as a faculty member for the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Updates in Therapeutics: The Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Review Course from 2009-2012.

Mary Parker, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, BCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Durham VA Medical Center
Greensboro, North Carolina

Dr. Mary Parker is a clinical pharmacist specialist at the Durham VA Medical Center in Durham, NC. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Campbell University School of Pharmacy and pharmacy practice residency and specialty residency training at Moses Cone Health System in Greensboro, NC. She is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist who obtained Added Qualifications in Cardiology designation in 2009. Dr. Parker has maintained an active cardiology-focused and primary care practice, focusing on risk reduction strategies for the past 18 years, first, in a private-practice multispecialty physician group, and now, as an ambulatory care specialist at the VA. Research interests include optimization of practice management, best practices arrhythmias, heart failure management and transitions of care. She remains active in state and national pharmacy organizations, and is a past Cardiology PRN officer for ACCP.

 

Brent N. Reed, Pharm.D., BCCP
Associate Professor
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, Maryland
Literature Study

Brent Reed is an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacy specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, where he practices in advanced heart failure. Reed received his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee, and completed two years of residency training at the University of North Carolina Hospitals. Reed’s other professional pursuit is organizational science, and his interests led him to begin pursuing a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology in 2017. Reed can be found on Twitter @brentnreed.

Kelly Rogers, Pharm.D., BCCP, FCCP, FACC
Professor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy
Memphis, Tennessee

Dr. Kelly Rogers is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy and completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Virginia Health Systems in Charlottesville. Dr. Rogers has practiced for 21 years in cardiology and began her career as an assistant professor at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy where she practiced in adult cardiology before moving back to Memphis. She is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and was elected as an Associate of the American College of Cardiology. She currently practices with the cardiology service at the VA Hospital in Memphis. She is also an AHA Regional Faculty, Training Center Faculty, BLS and ACLS instructor and works with students to increase awareness of CPR in the community. She has authored several articles, book chapters, abstracts, and delivered lectures and presentations in the area of cardiology.

Mary Roth, Pharm.D., BCCP, BCPS
Cardiovascular Clinical Pharmacist
University of Virginia Medical Center
Charlottesville, Virginia
Literature Study 

Mary Roth completed her undergraduate Biology and Pharmacy education at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She then moved to Chapel Hill, NC to complete her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice and PGY2 Cardiology Residency programs at the University of North Carolina Hospital. After residency, Mary moved to Charlottesville to begin her clinical practice as a Cardiovascular Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Virginia Medical Center. She works on the Heart Failure service, Coronary Care Unit, and Acute Cardiology Service, and serves as a preceptor first the Cardiology PGY2 resident, as well as Solid Organ Transplant PGY2, Critical Care PGY2, and PGY-1 residents.  

Ashley Schenk, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCP
Cardiology Clinical Pharmacist
University of Kentucky HealthCare
Lexington, Kentucky
Literature Study 

Dr. Ashley Schenk, originally from Prague, Nebraska, received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in May 2015. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Saint Joseph East in Lexington, KY, and went on to complete a PGY2 Cardiology Pharmacy Residency at UK HealthCare in Lexington, KY. After completion of her PGY2 residency, she accepted a position as a Cardiology Clinical Pharmacist at UK HealthCare, where she provides pharmaceutical care to medical cardiology patients. Dr. Schenk is actively engaged in both teaching and precepting activities. She is currently involved in precepting pharmacy students and residents on rotation and leading didactic therapeutic lectures at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. Her research involves the impact of pharmacist-run transitions of care programs on hospital readmission rates in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. Her practice areas of interest include acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, anticoagulation, and congenital heart defects.

Dustin Spencer, Pharm.D., MBA, BCPS, BCCP
Clinical Director
Cardiopulmonary Diseases
Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Solutions
Houston, Texas

Dustin D. Spencer is a clinical director of cardiopulmonary diseases for Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Solutions and an affiliate assistant professor of pharmacy practice for Purdue University College of Pharmacy. He received his Pharm.D. degree from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Indianapolis. In addition, he has completed a pharmacy practice residency at Eskenazi Health and a critical care specialty residency at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital. Previously, he worked at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital as the clinical pharmacy specialist in the cardiac medical critical care unit and at Eli Lilly, performing drug safety surveillance for the cardiovascular portfolio. In his current role, he delivers customer value by providing strategies, support activities, and educational programs to optimize drug safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness related to cardiopulmonary drug therapies.

James Tisdale, Pharm.D., FCCP, FAPhA, FNAP, FAHA, BCPS-AQ
Cardiology Professor
College of Pharmacy
Purdue University
Adjunct Professor
School of Medicine
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana

James E. Tisdale earned his B.Sc. degree in pharmacy at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and his Pharm.D. degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed a pharmacy practice residency at the University of Manitoba Health Sciences Centre and a postdoctoral fellowship in cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics at Hartford Hospital and the University of Connecticut. In 1990-2002, he was an assistant/associate professor in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Wayne State University and coordinator, education and training, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, he is a professor in the College of Pharmacy at Purdue University and an adjunct professor, School of Medicine, Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Tisdale's research on the prevention and management of naturally occurring and drug-induced arrhythmias has resulted in more than 160 journal articles, book chapters, and abstracts. He is coeditor of the book titled Drug-Induced Diseases: Prevention, Detection and Management, currently in its second edition, with the third edition to be published in 2018. Tisdale has served two terms on the ACCP Board of Regents, and in 2009-2010, he was ACCP president.

Kristin Watson, Pharm.D., BCCP
Associate Professor
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, Maryland
Literature Study

Dr. Watson completed her pharmacy practice and cardiology specialty residencies at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist. She has practiced in an ambulatory care heart failure clinic for over fourteen years. For nine years, she also practiced in the inpatient setting, where she provided care for patients with numerous cardiac conditions. Dr. Watson is a co-founder of the ATRIUM Cardiology Collaborative at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.