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Program Directors
RICHARD ROONEY, Pharm.D.
Dr. Rooney earned his B.S. in Pharmacy form the University of Nebraska in 1974 and subsequently earned his Pharm.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1984. He completed post graduate Chief Training Program at the Iowa VA Medical Center in 1985. He currently serves as the Director of Pharmacy at the Jesse Brown VA medical Center since 1987. He has served as an adjunct clinical assistant professor with the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy since his arrival to the VA in 1987. Dr. Rooney serves as the Residency Program Director for the PGY-2 Pharmacy Health Administration Residency since 2009. Currently, Dr. Rooney is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. When Dr. Rooney served in the United States Army Reserve he was a certified instructor for students/Majors in Command and General Staff College.
MILICA JOVIC, Pharm.D., BCACP
Dr. Jovic earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at the Lakeside VA (currently the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center) in 1996. She continues to work at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as a clinical pharmacy specialist in the general medicine clinic at Lakeside CBOC. As well, Dr. Jovic serves as the Residency Program Director for the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency since 1999 and assists in the coordination of the PGY2 Pharmacy Administration Residency since 2009. She also coordinates the student rotations from the University of Illinois for over 120 students per year. She also serves as a reviewer for the JBVAMC Continuing Pharmacy Education Committee. Dr. Jovic is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
ANDREA BESHALSKE, Pharm.D. BCIDP
Dr. Beshalske earned her Pharm.D. from Midwestern University- Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2012. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2013, and a PGY2 Infectious Diseases Residency at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2014. She worked for as a clinical pharmacist in antimicrobial stewardship before returning to JBVAMC in 2020. Her current role is as the clinical pharmacy specialist for the Home Infusion Program at JBVA, and other Infectious Diseases related responsibilities at our institution. She is the residency program director for the PGY2 Infectious Disease residency program and a Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist.
ANUJA VALLABH, Pharm.D., BCPP
Dr. Vallabh earned her Pharm.D. from the University at Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2014. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She joined the Jesse Brown VA in 2016 as the outpatient mental health clinical pharmacy specialist where her role involves service creation within the outpatient mental health department, rounding with the residential rehabilitation treatment team, and precepting students, PGY1 residents, and PGY2 residents. She is also involved with leadership activities, such as longitudinal research, quality improvement projects, and active interdisciplinary committee membership.
Preceptors
ISABEL SANVANSON KARCESKI, Pharm.D.
Dr. Karceski earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. She began her pharmacy career working at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital (now known as Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center) as a Clinical Pharmacist and as the coordinator of the ambulatory care rotation for 4th year Pharm.D. candidates attending the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy. She joined Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2005 as the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor. In March 2008, she was appointed the role of the Assistant Chief for Pharmacy Operations. Dr. Karceski serves as the co-chair of the Root Cause Analysis Medication Event team. She also coordinates the VALOR internship program specializing in Pharmacy Administration along with working actively with both PGY-1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents in pharmacy management and patient safety.
BRETT GEIGER, Pharm.D.
Dr. Geiger earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1997. He completed a one-year pharmacy practice residency at the Veterans Affairs Chicago Healthcare System (currently the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center) in 1998. He started his post-residency career working in general medicine and cardiology ambulatory care clinics. While continuing to work in ambulatory care, he later became the department’s formulary manager. He was named Associate Chief of Pharmacy for Clinical Services in June 2011. Dr. Geiger represents Pharmacy Service on several interdisciplinary committees including Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Medical Executive Council and Quality Leadership Council. Dr. Geiger enjoys teaching and precepts PGY- and PGY2 residents on their practice and clinical management rotations, respectively. Dr. Geiger has also been a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy where he worked part-time as a drug information specialist for 12 years.
SINDHU ABRAHAM Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Abraham earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2006. She completed a PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2006. She continues to work at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as a clinical pharmacy specialist in primary care (Red General Medicine Clinic). Dr. Abraham serves as the Patient Aligned Care Team clinical champion for the Contextualizing Veterans’ Care QI project. Dr. Abraham is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy.
JOSHUA M. ADAMS, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Adams earned his Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy in 2015. He completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (JBVAMC) in 2016. Currently, he is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the inpatient pharmacy setting at JBVAMC, where he precepts both UIC students and JBVAMC pharmacy residents. He is also an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at the UIC College of Pharmacy.
MILA ALBERT, Pharm.D.
Dr. Albert earned her Pharm.D. from Ryazan State Medical University in 1985. Before coming to Jesse Brown VAMC in 2008, she worked as Clinical Pharmacist at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital managing Lipid and Anticoagulation Clinics and as Clinical Assistant Professor of University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, providing training to P-4 students. Dr. Albert currently works as Pharmacy Procurement Manager, actively participates as in Emergency Management Board and provides guidance to PGY2 Pharmacy residents in the area of Pharmacy Procurement, Budgeting and Contract fulfillment.
CHARITY ANICETE-PENA Pharm.D. BCPS
Dr. Anicete-Pena earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2011. She completed a one-year pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2012. She continues to work at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as a clinical pharmacy specialist in the Chicago Height's and Auburn Gresham CBOCs and the geriatric clinic at the JBVAMC main campus. Dr. Anicete is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
KATERINA BAKHMUT, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Bakhmut earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy in 2016. She subsequently completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (JBVAMC) in 2017. Currently, she is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the inpatient pharmacy setting at JBVAMC, where she precepts both UIC students and JBVAMC pharmacy residents. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at the UIC College of Pharmacy.
CLARE BERGMAN, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Bergman earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2007. She completed a one year pharmacy practice residency at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2008. She currently works at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as one of the primary inpatient anticoagulation pharmacists and as the pharmacist for the Chronic Heart Failure Pharmacy Clinic. She is co-chair of the Anti-Thrombosis sub-committee. Dr. Bergman is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy and a Board- Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.
JAIMIE BHAGAT, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Jaime Bhagat received his Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2015. He completed a pharmacy practice residency in 2016 at NorthShore University HealthSystem. He served as a clinical pharmacist at NorthShore for one year after residency prior to coming to the Jesse Brown VA in 2017. Currently, Dr. Bhagat serves as an inpatient clinical pharmacy specialist at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. He is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
VIKA BURSUA, Pharm.D., CACP
Dr. Bursua received her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy in 2005. She completed a one year pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2006. Dr. Bursua went on to work as an inpatient clinical pharmacist at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. In 2008, Dr. Bursua developed and now continues to manage the inpatient anticoagulation program. She has been a Certified Anticoagulation Care Provider since 2013. She is co-chair of the Anti-Thrombosis sub- committee. Dr. Bursua is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy.
CHAD BRODY, Pharm.D.
Chad received his BS in Pharmacy from the University at Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2006. He then completed his pharmacy practice residency in 2007 at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Currently, Chad is the team leader for the discharge pharmacy service at Jesse Brown VA. Dr. Brody is a clinical adjunct professor at the University Of Illinois College Of Pharmacy.
LEE ANN CARSELLO, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Carsello earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at the Veterans Affairs Chicago Healthcare System (currently the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center) in 1999. She continues to work at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as a clinical pharmacy specialist in anticoagulation and primary care. Dr. Carsello serves as Editor of the JBVAMC Pharmacy & Therapeutics Newsletter and as the Continuing Education Administrator for the JBVAMC Continuing Pharmacy Education Committee. She also works for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12, and serves on the VA National Pharmacy Education Advisory Group.
JESSICA DAPISA, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. DaPisa earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2016. She completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2017. Her current role is as a clinical pharmacy specialist in primary care at the Adam Benjamin Jr. VA Clinic, a community-based outpatient clinic that is part of the JBVA Medical Center. Dr. DaPisa is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and also an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the UIC College of Pharmacy. Additionally, she serves on the Medication Use Evaluation (MUE) Subcommittee at JBVA.
ZANE ELFESSI, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP
Dr. Elfessi received his Pharm.D. degree from Midwestern University-Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2015. He then completed his PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. Dr. Elfessi is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the UIC College of Pharmacy and the clinical pharmacy specialist in the Emergency Department at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Dr. Elfessi’s research interests include emergency medicine, ACLS anticoagulation reversal, toxicology and statistics.
SARAH FLAHERTY, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Flaherty earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Butler University in 2013. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital in 2014, and completed the PGY-2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration Residency at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (JBVAMC) in 2015. She continues to work at JBVAMC as the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, and is an active member of several interdisciplinary committees within the medical center.
MOLLY HENEGHAN Pharm.D., BCACP
Dr. Heneghan received her BS in biological sciences from Northern Illinois University in 2001 and her Pharm.D. from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2005. She completed a one year pharmacy residency in primary care at the Iowa City VA Medical Center in 2006. Currently, Dr. Heneghan is a clinical pharmacy specialist in ambulatory care, specializing in general medicine and smoking cessation. Dr. Heneghan is an active member of the Pharmacy Resident Research Advisory Committee, the Medication Use Evaluation Subcommittee, serves as a reviewer for the JBVAMC Continuing Pharmacy Education Committee, secretary for the Medication Use Evaluation Subcommittee, and is an ambulatory care pharmacist representative on the Anti-Thrombosis Subcommittee. Dr. Heneghan is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
ARCHANA JHAWAR, Pharm.D., BCPP
Dr. Jhawar earned her Pharm.D. from Drake University in 2009. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice Residency at Community Health Network Hospitals. She joined Jesse Brown VA in 2012 as the psychiatric clinical pharmacist and is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at University of Illinois at Chicago
TANIA JOHN, Pharm.D., BCACP
Dr. John received her Pharm.D from the University of Rhode Island in 2004. She completed a pharmacy practice residency in 2005 at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Currently, Dr. John is a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She practices as a clinical pharmacy specialist in ambulatory care at the Adam Benjamin Jr. VA clinic, a community based outpatient clinic that is part of Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. She is a also member of the VISN Medication Use Evaluation (MUE) committee and also serves as a reviewer for the JBVAMC Continuing Pharmacy Education Committee.
SEEMA KAPADIA, Pharm.D., BCACP
Dr. Kapadia earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2008. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2009. Her current role is as a clinical pharmacy specialist in primary care at Jesse Brown (Blue general medicine clinic). Dr. Kapadia received her board certified in ambulatory care in 2011. She is also an adjunct clinical instructor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. Dr. Kapadia serves as the MUE Subcommittee Secretary, a reviewer for the JBVAMC Continuing Pharmacy Education Committee and is one of the ambulatory care pharmacist representatives on the Anti-Thrombotic Team.
LEENA LAFORTE, Pharm.D.
Dr. LaForte earned her Pharm.D. from Rutgers University, Ernest Mario College of Pharmacy in 2008. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2010. Currently, Dr. LaForte is a clinical pharmacist working in primary care (Blue General Medicine clinic and anticoagulation telephone clinic). Dr. LaForte is a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. Dr. LaForte is a member of JBVAMC medication event committee and manages adverse drug reaction reporting for the facility.
ERICA H. LIN, Pharm.D., BCACP
Dr. Lin earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2007 then completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2008. Since then she has been a clinical pharmacy specialist in the multidisciplinary outpatient pain clinic as well as an academic detailing pharmacist for Jesse Brown and Hines VA since 2015. Dr. Lin is also the co-coordinator of the JBVAMC Pain Education School, which is offered to chronic pain patients year-round. She participates is several local, regional, and national committees addressing pain management.
ERICA LIU, Pharm.D
Dr. Liu earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2010. She then went on to complete a one year pharmacy practice residency here at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2011. She currently works at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as a clinical pharmacy specialist in the Operating Room and Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Liu is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
SHERYL LOWERY, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Lowery earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2001. Her current role is Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for inpatient care at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. She is also a part of our Nutrition Support Team, Wound Care Team, and is an Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor. Dr. Lowery serves as a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy and regularly precepts pharmacy students as well as Jesse Brown VA Medical Center PGY1 pharmacy residents. Dr. Lowery is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.
SIMA MADHIWALA, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Madhiwala earned her Pharm.D. from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University in New Jersey in 2008. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2009. She currently works as an inpatient clinical pharmacy specialist at JBVA and also serves as the facility point of contact for medication reconciliation efforts. Dr. Madhiwala is an adjunct clinical instructor for the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
MARISSA MAHONEY, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Mahoney earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Butler University in 2012. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (JBVAMC) in 2013. Currently, she practices as a clinical pharmacy specialist working primary care (Gold General Medicine Clinic), anticoagulation telephone, and liver clinics. Dr. Mahoney is also a clinical adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
NISHA MEHTA, Pharm.D.
Dr. Mehta earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy in 2009. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency in 2010 and a PGY2 health system administration residency in 2011. Both residencies were completed at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago. Since then, she worked at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center’s as the pharmacoeconomic specialist and formulary manager until 2019. She now works as an outpatient pharmacy supervisor that coordinates medication intervention resolution and staff development while also participating in various leadership projects.
MELISSA MORIARTY Pharm.D. BCPS
Dr. Moriarty earned her Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2011 and her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2016. She completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency in 2017 and a PGY2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration Residency in 2018 at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Following her residencies, she assisted the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor before transitioning to her current role as the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor in 2019.
JACLYN NG, Pharm.D., BCACP
Dr. Ng earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2007. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2008. Her current role is as a clinical pharmacy specialist in ambulatory care. She is involved in the home based primary care service, the pulmonary, general medicine, and smoking cessation clinics. Dr. Ng is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. She is a member of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Fall Prevention Aggregate Team.
MANSI PATEL, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Patel earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2008. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2009. Her current role is as a clinical pharmacy specialist in primary care (Green General Medicine Clinic). Dr. Patel is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. Dr. Patel is also a clinical adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
CLAUDIA RAKHMAN, Pharm.D., BCACP
Dr. Rakhman earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at Rush-Presbyterian Medical Center in 1998. She works at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as a clinical pharmacy specialist in the general medicine clinic at Lakeside CBOC and in hemodialysis clinic at JBVA She serves as a reviewer for the JBVAMC Continuing Pharmacy Education Committee. Dr. Rakhman is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy.
ELIZABETH GARFIELD, Pharm.D. BCPS
Dr. Garfield received her Pharm.D. from the University of Michigan in 2010. She completed a pharmacy practice residency in 2011 at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL. She worked as a clinical pharmacist at the University of Chicago Medicine for 3 years after residency prior to returning to the Jesse Brown VA in 2016. Currently, Dr. Garfield is a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She practices as a clinical pharmacist in the inpatient pharmacy at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
ALEXANDRA RISKUS, Pharm.D.
Dr. Riskus earned her Pharm.D. degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2015. She completed a PGY1Pharmacy Practice residency in 2016 and PGY2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration residency in 2017 at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Dr. Riskus went on to work as an outpatient clinical pharmacist at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, and transitioned into a pharmacoeconomics role in 2019. She also serves as a reviewer on the JBVAMC Continuing Pharmacy Education Committee and is a pharmacist member on the Institutional Review Board.
NICHOLAS SUPER, Pharm.D.
Dr. Super received his B.A. in biological sciences from The University of Chicago in 2004, and subsequently obtained his Pharm.D. from The University of Illinois-Chicago in 2009. He completed a pharmacy practice residency in 2010 at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Following his residency, he worked as an inpatient clinician before transitioning to ambulatory care in 2011. Currently Dr. Super works in anticoagulation, women’s health and home-based primary care clinics. He also coordinates the monitoring of post-transplant immunosuppressants at Jesse Brown VAMC. Dr. Super is also a clinical adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy.
JUDITH A. TOTH, Pharm.D., BCACP, BCGP, BC-ADM, CDCES
Dr. Toth earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. She completed a one-year pharmacy practice residency at the Veterans Affairs Chicago Healthcare System (currently the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center) in 2000. Dr. Toth continues to work at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (JBVAMC) as a clinical pharmacy specialist in primary care and an adverse drug reaction reporting manager. She also serves on JBVAMC’s Medication Event Committee. Dr. Toth’s additional responsibilities include co-teaching JBVAMC’s interdisciplinary diabetes self-management program. Dr. Toth also serves as faculty for the VISN’s Pain Resource Nurse Program. Dr. Toth is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist (since 2015), a board-certified geriatric pharmacist (since 2002), a board-certified advanced diabetes management pharmacist (since 2017), and a certified diabetes care and education specialist (since 2003). Dr. Toth is a contributing author to ICHP KeePosted, U.S. Pharmacist and The Diabetes Educator. Dr. Toth is also a Clinical Adjunct Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy.
CAITLIN TURNBULL, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dr. Turnbull received her Pharm.D. degree from the University of Michigan in 2014. She then completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Dr. Turnbull previously served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy providing clinical pharmacy services in the Emergency Department at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Currently, she is a clinical pharmacy specialist working in primary care at the Adam Benjamin Jr. Clinic, a community based outpatient clinic.
ANUJA VALLABH, Pharm.D., BCPP
Dr. Vallabh earned her Pharm.D. from the University at Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2014. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She joined the Jesse Brown VA in 2016 as the outpatient mental health clinical pharmacy specialist where her role involves service creation within the outpatient mental health department, rounding with the residential rehabilitation treatment team, and precepting students, PGY1 residents, and PGY2 residents. She is also involved with leadership activities, such as longitudinal research, quality improvement projects, and active interdisciplinary committee membership.
PATRICK WATERS, Pharm.D. AAHIVP
Dr. Waters received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1982 and his Doctor of Pharmacy in 1983 both from University of Michigan. His PGY1 residency was at the Ann Arbor VAMC 1983 to 1984 and his PGY2 Residency in Infectious Diseases from Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He worked as a clinical coordinator and infectious diseases specialist at Harper hospital from 1985-1987 and then as an Infectious Diseases Specialist at Rush Hospital from 1987- 1990. He was an Infectious Diseases clinical specialist at Lakeside starting in 1990 and transferred to Jesse Brown when Lakeside was closed.
LONYEL WILLIAMS, Pharm.D.
Dr. Williams graduated from University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. She is currently employed at Jesse Brown VA Medical center where she serves as an Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Williams works on general medicine and surgery floors at JBVAMC. She also serves on the CLC committee as a pharmacy liaison during Interdisciplinary rounds. Dr. Williams is an adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. She precepts internal medicine, staffing rotations, and rounding with medical teams. Dr. Williams serves as a Basic life support RQI instructor at JBVAMC and serves on the MUE committee.
ANTHONY H. WONG Pharm D.
Dr. Wong earned his Pharm D. from Midwestern University, Chicago College of pharmacy in 2001. He is currently employed at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center as the Pharmacy Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC)/Clinical Informatics Program Manager. Prior to his transition to Pharmacy ADPAC, Dr. Wong held several positions within the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center’s Pharmacy Service. These positions include 7 years as the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor and 4 years as a Clinical Outpatient Pharmacist. Additionally, Dr. Wong obtained eight years of pharmacist retail experience with Walgreens and Target pharmacies prior to his employment at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2007.
LISA RENE YOUNG, Pharm.D. BCIDP
Dr. Young earned her Pharm.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2006. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Duke University Medical Center in 2007, and a PGY2 Infectious Diseases Residency at The Ohio State University Medical Center in 2008. Dr. Young established the PGY2 Infectious Diseases and Home Infusion programs at the Jesse Brown VA Medical center and served as the Residency Program Director for 9 years. Dr. Young’s current role is as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in infectious diseases with a focus on the management of our facility’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Dr. Young is the co-chair of our P&T Antimicrobial Subcommittee and a Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist.

















