Pharmacy Residency Program Faculty at UPMC in South Central Pa.

UPMC Pinnacle Pharmacy residents work under the supervision of a diversely talented group of faculty members who are dedicated to providing a strong educational foundation in the sciences of pharmacy.

• Renee Bogdan, Pharm.D., BCPS, received her Pharm.D. from Shenandoah University. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency and PGY2 Critical Care pharmacy residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. Renee joined the UPMC Pinnacle pharmacy team as a Critical Care Specialist and since has taken on additional leadership roles at UPMC Pinnacle and is currently a Pharmacy Manager, with a focus on education and staff development.  Renee serves as residency program director, supervising pharmacy interns, and coordinating a clinical staff pharmacist ladder program. Renee’s professional interests include critical care medicine, nutrition, and optimization of the electronic medical system. Outside of work, Renee enjoys spending time with her family, running, and reading.
• Janice Dunsavage, BS, MAS, received her B.S. in Pharmacy from University of Sciences in Philadelphia Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and Master of Administrative Science from Johns Hopkins University.  Janice is the Vice President of Pharmacy for UPMC Pinnacle and serves as the preceptor for the Management learning experience. Janice also serves as the Board of Trustees Chair for the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). 
• Erik M. Hernandez, Pharm.D., MHA, BCPS, is a graduate of the Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and graduated with his Master’s Science in Health Administration at Saint Joseph’s University.  Additionally, Erik has completed training in Antimicrobial Stewardship through the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.  Erik has served in various pharmacy leadership capacities with UPMC Pinnacle since 2004 and is currently a System Clinical Director of Pharmacy Services, where he has oversight of multiple inpatient, transitions of care, and outpatient service lines.  His primary professional interests include pharmacy administration, adult internal medicine, and the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.
• Ryan Porter, PharmD, MBA, received his Pharm.D. from LECOM School of Pharmacy.  He also posses a Bachelors of Science degree in Biochemistry from Juniata College and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts.  Ryan began his career at St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem, PA as an evening shift staff pharmacist.  From there, he held various roles including IV room supervisor.  Ryan joined the team at UPMC Pinnacle in 2013 and now is the Director of Operations of the Dauphin and Cumberland Divisions as well as Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute.  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family (two active young kids that also avoid sleep!), travel, exploring culinary opportunities, and following sporting events (especially college football).
• Christopher Valintakonis, Pharm.D., BCPS, received his Pharm.D. from the University of the Sciences Philadelphia School of Pharmacy in 2011.  Upon graduating, he began working for UPMC Pinnacle as a Clinical Staff Pharmacist and has since transitioned into his current role as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Internal Medicine with a focus in Infectious Diseases.   His roles rotate between a decentralized pharmacist on the medicine floors, the Intensive Care Units, and emergency departments.  Additionally, he serves as a member of the Antibiotic Subcommittee of P&T and the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team.  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog and outdoor sports including skiing, mountain biking, soccer, and volleyball.
• Ken Trinh, Pharm.D., BCCCP, received his Pharm.D. from Temple University in 2015.  He completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at Tower Health Reading Hospital (formerly Reading Health System) and a PGY2 critical care pharmacy residency at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital.  After completion of residency training, Ken joined the UPMC Pinnacle team and currently practices primarily in the intensive care unit and emergency department.  Ken serves as the preceptor for the Emergency Medicine Learning Experience.  He is a member of SCCM, ASHP, and ACCP and is currently a member of the ACCP Critical Care PRN Communications Committee.
• Kristi (Soyoung) Kim, Pharm.D, BCCCP, received her Pharm.D from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015. She completed a PGY1 residency at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, and a PGY2 residency in Critical Care at CHI Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. Her practice involves providing pharmacotherapy for patients in the medical-surgical ICU and the Emergency Department. Additionally, she provides support for medication reconciliation, patient education, and preceptorship for students and residents. She serves as the secretary for the Resident Advisory Committee. She is an active member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
• Kristofer Rivers, Pharm.D., received his Pharm.D. from Wilkes University in 2015.  Post-graduation he completed his PGY1 residency at WellSpan York Hospital followed by a PGY2 residency specializing in Drug Information at Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He joined the UPMC Pinnacle team in 2017 and serves as the preceptor for the Drug Information learning experience and longitudinal research projects. Kris is actively involved in the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the Emergency Management Committee.  In his free time he enjoys mountain biking with his co-preceptors.  
• Jaci Dudley, Pharm.D., BCOP, received her Pharm.D. from the University of Iowa in 2010.  Jaci completed a PGY1 residency at Mayo Clinic Health System.  Following her residency training, she began her clinical practice with an emphasis in oncology treatment.  She is currently involved with both outpatient and inpatient treatment at several of the UPMC Pinnacle Hospital infusion centers.  Jaci is a member of the oncology subcommittee and has worked on numerous Epic Beacon protocols.  She serves as adjunct faculty for Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy.  
• Yanmen Yang, PharmD, received her PharmD from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy in 2016. She completed her PGY1 residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a PGY2 residency in Solid Organ Transplant at Henry Ford Hospital. After the completion of her residency training, she joined UPMC Pinnacle as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist focusing on solid organ transplant and internal medicine. Her clinical interests include antibody-mediated rejection and long-term patient and graft outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her dog.
• Manuela Haiduc, Pharm.D., received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from University of Pittsburgh I 2017. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at Forbes and West Penn Hospitals in Pittsburgh, PA and a PGY2 critical care residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY. After completing residency training, she joined UPMC Pinnacle as a clinical pharmacist, primarily practicing in the medical-surgical intensive care unit and emergency department. Her clinical interests include infectious diseases, cardiology, anticoagulation, and shock states. She is an active member of ASHP and SCCM.
• William Pinkowski, RPh, BCOP, received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA. Bill has vast experiences in both retail and hospital pharmacy settings. He found his pharmaceutical niche in oncology pharmacy at The Conemaugh Cancer Center in Johnstown, PA; where he served as Clinical Oncology Pharmacist/Pharmacy Manager from 2009-2016. Bill, then joined the Veteran’s Affairs Administration in 2016; and served as Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Oncology, serving veterans at the Mountain Home VAMC in Johnson City, TN. Bill joined the UPMC Pinnacle Health System in 2018 first as a Clinical Pharmacist for oncology/infusion services, then as a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Oncology.  He currently, is involved in managing oncology care at all of the UPMC outpatient hospital clinics. Bill is a member on the oncology subcommittee and helps maintain the various EPIC Beacon chemotherapy treatment protocols. Outside work, Bill enjoys running, kayaking, golfing, spending leisure time with his family, and watching college/professional sports.
• Olivia Marchionda, Pharm.D., received her Pharm.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in 2018. Upon graduation, she completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and subsequently a PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. After the completion of residency, she joined UPMC Pinnacle as a clinical pharmacist practicing in the medical-surgical intensive care unit and emergency department. Her professional interests include sepsis, hemodynamics/shock states, and sedation practices. She is an active member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing with her dog Charlie. 
• Katherine Mersinger, Pharm.D., received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy after graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park with a BS in Biochemistry. She completed her PGY1 residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she subsequently completed a PGY2 residency in Infectious Diseases. After residency, Katherine joined the UPMC Pinnacle team as a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist in 2020. She is a member of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, and her professional interests include multidrug-resistant gram negative organisms and HIV. In her free time, she enjoys visiting wineries and taking pictures of her dog. 
• Rose M. Kohinke, Pharm.D., received her Pharm.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy in 2018 and a Bachelors of Science degree in Biochemistry from Roanoke College in 2014. She completed her PGY1 residency followed by a PGY2 Infectious Diseases residency at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Rose’s clinical interests are antimicrobial stewardship, Clostridioides difficile infection, HIV, and pediatrics. Outside of work, she enjoys trail running and finding new restaurants. 
• Nicolette Diehl, Pharm.D., BCPS, received her PharmD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in 2018. She completed her PGY1 pharmacy residency at Temple University Hospital and PGY2 pharmacy residency in internal medicine at Temple University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, PA. After completion of her residency training, Nicolette joined UPMC Pinnacle as an internal medicine clinical pharmacist specialist. She is a member of ACCP, ASHP, PSHP, and PPA and her clinical interests include infectious diseases, anticoagulation, and inpatient diabetes management. In her free time, Nicolette enjoys spending time outside, exercising, and baking new recipes.  
• Jenny Shah, Pharm.D., received her Pharm.D. from Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in 2018. Upon graduation, she completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and a PGY2 Pharmacy Residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. After residency, Jenny joined the UPMC Pinnacle team with a practice caring for patients in the medical-surgical intensive care unit and emergency department. She is an active member of ASHP on the Leadership Development Committee and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys running, traveling, exploring new restaurants, and playing board games. 
• Julie Mandel, Pharm.D., received her PharmD from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. She completed her PGY1 residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY and a PGY2 residency in Solid Organ Transplant at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. After the completion of her residency training, she joined UPMC Pinnacle as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist focusing in solid organ transplant. Her clinical interests include improving medication adherence among transplant recipients, and long-term allograft outcomes. She is an active member of the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Transplant/Immunology PRN. In her free time, she enjoys baking, going to concerts, reading, and traveling. 
• Lindsey Stramara, Pharm.D., received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Bradenton, Florida, in 2017. She completed a Pediatric Specialty Residency at Wesley Children’s Hospital, in Wichita, Kansas. Upon completion of post-graduate training she practiced in Arizona, specializing in pediatric critical care and general pediatrics. She joined UPMC Pinnacle as a Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist in 2020, where she serves the women’s and children’s services. She is an active member in multiple multidisciplinary pediatric committees at UPMC Pinnacle and serves as the preceptor for the Pediatrics/Neonatology rotation. Professional affiliations include the Pediatric Pharmacy Association, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Practice interests include pediatric critical care, sedation, pain management, traumatic brain injury and research.