Pharmacy Residency Program Leadership/Faculty
Program Director
Karen Williams, Pharm.D., B.S.Pharm, BCPS
Preceptor: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Family Medicine, Teaching and Learning, Project
Hometown: Guilford, New York
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy
Residency: University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Primary Care Pharmacy Residency at Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, Sioux City, Iowa.
What drew me to Pharmacy: I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do but had many options. While still in high school I discovered pharmacy, where I spent time with a variety of pharmacists – community and hospital. I realized the opportunity for variety was broad and would allow me to find a niche while still being in a profession with a high degree of respect and comfortable income that helped me balance work and life while supporting improved patient care. I eventually realized I loved being part of the teams that cared for acutely ill patients, contributing my knowledge to that of my colleagues, layering together all our skills.
Areas of Interest: Infectious disease, antimicrobial stewardship/infectious diseases, general adult medicine, hematology, trauma, medical and surgical critical care, teaching, quality improvement
Certifications: ASHP Well-Being Ambassador, Stanford University and NYSCHP Antimicrobial Stewardship Certificates, Cornell University NYS Citizen Public Health Leader, Publons Academy Practical Peer Review Certificate, Stanford University Medical Statistics Certificate
What do I like to do in my free time: I grew up on a dairy farm which informed many of my key values– hard work, adaptability, reverence for mother nature. My father was a ‘Jack of all Trades’ who taught me to “learn something new every day,” so much that it’s something I love to do with my free time and extend to those around me at home and at work. Beyond that, I love to cook, garden (we grow most of our own food), forage plants and fungi, hike, travel (national parks & international destinations), and spend time with my family.
Assistant Program Director
Josh Campbell, Pharm.D., BCCCP
Preceptor: Critical Care 1, Critical Care 2, Emergency Medical Response, Teaching and Learning, Project
Hometown: Sayre, Pennsylvania
Pharmacy School: Wilkes University
Areas of Interest: Medical/surgical critical care, heart failure, trauma, sepsis
What drew me to Pharmacy: I knew pretty early on that I wanted to pursue a career in health care, and loved the unique role that pharmacists provide in serving their community. However, I never expected that role to be in critical care. At Guthrie, I have been able to work with phenomenal colleague and mentors that have allowed my curiosity of critical care pharmacy to grow into a passion. Everyday serves as a constant reminder of how much there is to learn in medicine and how to apply what we do know to do whats best for each individual patient.
What do I like to do in my free time: Outside of work, I like to spend as much of my free time as possible with my family (wife, three kids, and two dogs). I greatly enjoy serving as the counselor, tutor, sports coach, and all the other duties that come with being a dad. I also enjoy doing yard work, exercising, and a good bingeable podcast.
Coordinator
Ann Andrada
Hometown: Bay Shore, New York
Jessica Carswell, Pharm.D.
Preceptor: Adult Medicine (elective rotation at Corning Hospital), Project
Hometown: Elmira, New York
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2014
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy Residency, Albany Medical Center; Albany, N.Y., 2015
Certifications: Teaching certificate, Pain Management and NYSCHP Antimicrobial Stewardship, ASHP Well-Being Ambassador
Areas of Interest: Antibiotic stewardship, heart failure, patient engagement, anticoagulation, transitions of care
What drew me to Pharmacy: The ability for pharmacists to be an accessible and valuable member of the healthcare team, empowering patients to actively be involved in their medication management
What do I like to do in my free time: Spending time with my family and friends, traveling, shopping and reading
Matthew Denniston, Pharm.D.
Preceptor: Pharmacy Leadership
Pharmacy School: St. John Fisher College – Wegmans School of Pharmacy, 2010
Areas of Interest: Pharmacy Leadership, process improvement, professional advocacy
Lucy Ellis, Pharm.D., BCPS
Preceptor: Pharmacy Practice (Staffing), Internal Medicine
Hometown: Elmira, New York
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Certifications: NYSCHP Antimicrobial Stewardship, 2017
Areas of Interests: Adult medicine, quality improvement
What drew me to Pharmacy: I knew I wanted to be involved in the medical field. I started a job in high school in an inpatient pharmacy and really enjoyed it. I liked the idea of being involved in patient care, and helping support the team.
What do I like to do in my free time: Spending time with family, staying active, watching or playing sports.
Andrea Felt, Pharm.D.
Hometown: Sayre, Pennsylvania
Undergrad School: Wilkes University
Pharmacy School: Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital (2024)
What drew me to Pharmacy: I was first drawn to pharmacy for my love of science and helping others. I quickly learned the vast opportunities to make a positive impact on people’s lives through pharmacy. I look forward to being part of patient care, ensuring safe and effective use of medications, counseling individuals on their health, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. With dedication to improving health outcomes and a strong desire to contribute to my community, pharmacy became the perfect avenue for me.
What do I like to do in my free time: Going for walks with my husband and dogs, relaxing on the couch, hanging out with friends and family on a warm summer night.
Keith Hughes, Pharm.D.
Hometown: Binghamton, New York
Undergrad School: Cornell University
Pharmacy School: Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital (2024)
What drew me to Pharmacy: I chose pharmacy because I am interested in medication management of chemotherapy drugs, performing patient-centered counseling to help minimize those adverse effects, and help in developing institution-based protocols for new upcoming therapies.
What do I like to do in my free time: Going for walks, watching sports, and hanging out with friends.
Nicole Ink, Pharm.D.
Hometown: Whitney Point, New York
Undergrad School: SUNY Broome Community College
Pharmacy School: Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital (2023)
What drew me to Pharmacy: After watching a family member struggle with finding the right medication to control a chronic disease, I decided that I wanted to be involved in finding better treatment options for those in need, and I could best do that by pursuing a career in pharmacy. What drove me towards clinical pharmacy was my APPE rotation at Guthrie Robert Packer. I gained so much valuable experience during my time here and was encouraged to apply for the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency program. I'm excited to learn more about clinical pharmacy and become a part of the Robert Packer team this year!
What do I like to do in my free time: Mostly, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, but I also love just being outside on warmer, sunny days or curling up with a good book on rainy or cold days. When I'm feeling especially creative, I enjoy painting, drawing, writing and learning new crafts.
Kimberly Joedicke, Pharm.D., B.S. Pharm, CPPS
Preceptor: Medication Safety, Project
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy (BS Pharm, 1996; Pharm.D., 1997)
Certifications: Anticoagulant Care Provider, 1998; Team STEPPS 2.0 Master Trainer, 2017; NYSCHP Antimicrobial Stewardship, ASHP/ISMP Medication Safety Certificate 2018; Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS), 2019
Areas of Interest: Medication and patient safety, regulatory and clinical compliance, quality improvement, process optimization, pharmacy IT optimization
Rachel Klosko, Pharm. D., BCCP
Preceptor: Cardiology
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Pharmacy School: University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Residency: PGY-1 Health Systems Pharmacy Residency, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (2020); PGY-2 Cardiology Pharmacy Residency, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (2021)
Areas of Interest: Mechanical Circulatory Support, Heart Failure, Antithrombotic Therapy, Teaching and Learning
Emily Leppien, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPP
Preceptor: Pain Management & Palliative Care (practice site: outpatient Guthrie Lourdes Pain Clinic)
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2016
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy Residency (2017) and PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency (2018) at
the Buffalo Psychiatric Center and University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Areas of Interest: Chronic pain management, with a focus on treatment of psychiatric illness and
substance use disorders
What do I like to do in my free time: Spending time with my family (including my two beautiful dogs), binge watching old television shows, and all things football - Go Bills!
David Mastro, Pharm.D.
Hometown: Apalachin, New York
Undergrad School: SUNY Broome Community College
Pharmacy School: Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital (2024)
What drew me to Pharmacy: Contributing to high quality and respected health care has been a goal of mine since I entered college. With this in mind, paired with an interest in pharmacology and medication management of disease states, pharmacy seemed like a great fit. The ability of pharmacists to play a major role in the direct provision of patient care was the major reason why I ultimately decided to pursue a career as a pharmacist. ||I've had some familial inspiration too. I was inspired after seeing the impact my family members were making on patients' lives as pharmacists, in both community and clinical settings.
What do I like to do in my free time: I spend time with family and friends and like to get outside as much as possible. I love being out on the golf course with my brother and our friends, going to the gym, as well as playing basketball, baseball, and any other team sport you can think of. I also enjoy watching movies from time to time, action and 80s cinema being my favorite genres.
Matthew Pietro, Pharm. D., BCCP
Preceptor: Primary Care (PACT) (elective at the Finger Lakes VA)
Hometown: Troy, New York
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
What drew me to Pharmacy: As a graduate from La Salle Institute in Troy, NY I developed a commitment to our mission of truth, honor and duty with many of my mentors being Veterans of our armed forces. This passion translated into the field of health care where I could provide patient centered services to others. Clinical Pharmacy at the Veterans Affairs became a natural fit balancing my career goals of direct patient care, pharmacology and serving our Veterans.
Areas of Interest: I enjoy exploring the New York Finger Lakes region, swimming at the pool and playing Polish folk songs on the accordion with my family.
Alexandra Rola, Pharm.D.
Preceptor: Ambulatory Care Psychiatry
Pharmacy School: University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak,
MI; PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy at Bruce W Carter VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL
Areas of Interest: Mental health, substance use disorder, social determinants of health,
education, and learning
What drew me to pharmacy: I always had an interest in medicine, but I wasn't sure what area
of practice. Then, during college, I joined our biochemistry research group, working in organic
synthesis of drug and target molecules. I loved it, but I also wanted to work with patients.
Pharmacy was the perfect combination of both.
What I like to do in my free time: Read, play video games, hiking
Rachel Saroka, Pharm.D., BCPS
Preceptor: Community Hospital Pharmacy (elective at Cortland Medical Center)
Pharmacy School: Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College
Residency: PGY-1 Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences/The Endocrine Group, Albany, NY
Zane Waite, Pharm.D., BCOP
Preceptor: Ambulatory Hematology/Oncology, Inpatient Hematology/Oncology, Ambulatory Infusion Center, Teaching and Learning, Project
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2012
What drew me to Pharmacy: I have always enjoyed helping others and had an interest in healthcare. I became fascinated with the dynamics between medications and the human body, so I pursued pharmacy.
Certifications: ASHP Teaching Certification, Antimicrobial Stewardship Certification, Guthrie Leadership Certification, APhA Pharmacy-Based Immunization Certification, Tobacco Cessation Training Certification
Areas of Interest: Hematology/Oncology, Oncology Supportive Care, Ambulatory Care, Research, Teaching, Leadership
What do I like to do in my free time: Spend time with my family, physical fitness, sports, DIY projects
Lucas Whittaker, Pharm. D.
Preceptor: Orientation
Hometown: Endwell, New York
Pharmacy School: Wilkes University, 2008
Areas of Interest: Ambulatory care pharmacy with a focus on chronic disease state management, advanced diabetes care, telehealth services
Natalia Wojciaczyk,Pharm.D.
Preceptor: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Infectious diseases
Pharmacy School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy (Retzky College of Pharmacy)
Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy at Community Hospital, Munster, IN; PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
Areas of Interests: Antimicrobial resistance patterns, antimicrobial stewardship, combination therapy for gram positive bacteremia, antimicrobial PK/PD
What drew me to Pharmacy: I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, while working as an EMT I discovered my interest in knowing how medications work and decided to pursue pharmacy
Why Infectious Diseases: I enjoy the dynamic nature of infectious diseases, with new pathogens and resistance pattern constantly emerging. Infectious diseases can affect nearly every organ system which offers a wide range of clinical cases, making my work diverse, stimulating, and rewarding.
Personal Interests: hiking, cycling, building/collecting Legos, and spending time with my puppy Luca.
Kelly Wurzler, Pharm.D.
Preceptor: Ambulatory Infusion Center, Ambulatory Hematology/Oncology, Inpatient Hematology/Oncology, Pain Management and Palliative Care
Pharmacy School: Wilkes University, 2003
Certifications: Pain Management Certification, University of Southern Indiana, 2017
Areas of Interest: Pain management, hematology/oncology, palliative care