Program Statement

Program Director - Davina Dell-Steinbeck, PharmD, BCPS
As Residency Program Director at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, I would like to thank you for your interest in our PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program.  Our residency program was started in 2001 to lift the level of pharmacy practice in our department equal to the needs of a community based teaching hospital. All of the graduates of our program have placed in a clinical practice setting, academia, or a PGY-2 residency program. Eight residents have stayed with St. Mary's for a period of time.  The opportunity to continue working with our residents after completion of the program is a rewarding experience.

SSM St. Mary's Health Center Pharmacy, due in part to our program, practices a very clinically assertive approach to pharmacy.  From rounding with house staff physicians, conducting therapeutic drug monitoring, teaching patients about their medications, and code response the pharmacy is intricately involved in all aspects in the continuum of patient care.  Pharmacy services at our institution is one of the most respected departments in the hospital.  Through our patient safety initiatives, protocol development, committee participation, and overall practice excellence, the pharmacy truly exemplies the SSM Mission Statement.  Through our Exceptional Health Care Services, We Reveal the Healing Presence of God.

Davina Dell-Steinbeck, PharmD, BCPS
Residency Program Director / Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
PharmD: The University of Kansas, School of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice Residency: St. Mary's Health Center, St. Louis, MO
Preceptor: Internal Medicine and Drug Information

Ted Sitek, RPh
Team Leader, Interim
BSPharm: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Preceptor: Pharmacy Administration

Laurie Niewoehner, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
PharmD: University of Minnesota
Specialty Residency in Pediatrics: Children’s Mercy Hospital and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy
Preceptor: Neonatology and Women’s Health

Kevin McCree, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
PharmD: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice Residency: St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, MO
Preceptor: Critical Care

Heather Mandeville, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
PharmD: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice Residency: Missouri Baptist Medical Center
Preceptor: Internal Medicine

Anna Gurevich, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
PharmD: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice Residency: The Brooklyn Hospital Center
Preceptor: Internal Medicine

Shared Faculty Positions
Cassandra Maynard, PharmD, BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville - School of Pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
PharmD: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice Residency: St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, MO
Preceptor: Internal Medicine, Cardiology

Abigail Yancey, PharmD, BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, St. Mary’s Health Center
PharmD: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice Residency: The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Specialty Residency in Internal Medicine: Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH
Preceptor: Internal Medicine

Alicia Forinash, PharmD, BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, St. Mary’s Health Center
PharmD: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice Residency: Family Medicine of St. Louis - St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Preceptor: Internal Medicine / Ambulatory Care

Jamie Pitlick, PharmD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, St. Mary’s Health Center
PharmD: Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Pharmacy Practice Residency: Mercy Family Medicine - St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Preceptor: Internal Medicine / Ambulatory Care

Current Residents
Claire Boomershine, PharmD
Education

Pharm.D. - University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL, 2009

Bachelor of Arts - Knox College, Galesburg IL, 2005

Why I chose St. Mary's
In my search for residencies, I was looking for a program that was flexible with rotations, had excellent clinical opportunities and that had staff and preceptors who would provide a great learning environment.  I was also looking for a program where autonomy was highly encouraged, but where preceptors were accessible and would be involved in my experiences.  When I interviewed at St. Mary's, I felt an instant connection with the people as well as with the program.  The program was strong and had all of the features that I was looking for in a residency experience.  I immediately connected with both the staff and clinical pharmacists during my interview, and from that experience I knew that St. Mary’s would provide both a challenging experience and a great working environment, and thus was the best choice for my pharmacy practice residency.

My Favorite Rotation
Thus far, I have only had Acute Care and have recently started Ambulatory Care.  Both rotations have completely different environments and I am torn as a clinician between inpatient and outpatient care.  Right now, I am really enjoying my ambulatory care rotation as it involves care of many different patients, lots of patient interaction and is helping me to develop a solid foundation for treatment of pregnancy-related problems as well as general internal medicine issues.

After Residency
After residency, I hope to obtain a clinical position in a hospital that is affiliated with a school of pharmacy.  I really enjoy teaching and working with students.  I plan to take the BCPS exam during the fall after residency.  I have not decided if I want pursue a PGY-2 residency, but currently my major area of interest is oncology.

Kelly Hsia, PharmD
Education
St. Louis College of Pharmacy

Why I chose St. Mary's
When I was look ing for residencies, I wanted a program that was flexible, had opportunities to explore my areas of interest, as well as a place where I would fit in. When I went on my interview, all the staff members were welcoming and I felt that St. Mary’s had all the aspects I was looking for in a residency program.

My Favorite Rotation
Thus far, I have enjoyed both my internal medicine and critical care rotations despite the different envirnonments. My internal medicine rotation provided opportunities to interact with both patients and the medical team, which I love. In the ICU, most of my interaction is with the medical team, but the interventions made and the care provided are that much more vital to the patients well being. 

After Residency
After my PGY-1 residency, I am considering a PGY-2 specialty residency in infectious disease/HIV or seeking a clinical position in an inpatient or outpatient setting.