Pharmacy Residency Program Faculty at UPMC in Central Pa.

UPMC in central Pa. 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.

• Gabby Albaz, PharmD, received her Pharm.D. from Temple University School of Pharmacy in 2019. She completed both her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice and PGY-2 Critical Care residencies at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa. After residency, Gabby joined the UPMC central Pa. team as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist practicing in the medical-surgical intensive care unit. She is an active member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). In her free time she enjoys trying new restaurants, traveling, taking work-out classes and reading.
• Michael Barrese, PharmD, BCCCP, BCCP, received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 2011.  Upon graduation, he began working for Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA as a cardiology clinical pharmacist later transitioning to emergency medicine and critical care. In this role he served as a preceptor for PGY1 and PGY2 residents as well as the department ACLS and emergency bedside response instructor.  In 2021 he joined the UPMC Central Pa region team as a clinical specialist in cardiology and critical care.  He serves as a member of several interdisciplinary committees related to the care of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery patients.  Professional affiliations include the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Practice and Research Networks for cardiology and emergency medicine as well as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.  Practice interests include resuscitation, emergency cardiac care, and heart failure.
• Renee Bogdan, PharmD, 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 in central Pa. pharmacy team as a Critical Care Specialist and since has taken on additional leadership roles at UPMC in central Pa.  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.
• Marissa Csovelak, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, received her Pharm.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in 2015. She completed her PGY1 residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network in 2016. Marissa joined UPMC in central Pa. as a Clinical Staff Pharmacist and has since transitioned to her current role as a Clinical Pharmacist in Oncology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, hiking, and putting jigsaw puzzles together.
• 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 in central Pa.  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, PharmD, 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 in central Pa.  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.
• Rose M. Kohinke, PharmD, BCIDP, 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. 
• Daniel Lindsay, PharmD, BCPS,  received his Pharm.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.  He completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.  Following his post-graduate training he practiced in emergency medicine in Ohio before moving to medical critical care in Brooklyn, NY.  He joined the UPMC in central Pa team as a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist in 2021 where he practices in the medical-surgical intensive care unit.  He is a member of SCCM, ASHP, and ACCP as well as a member of ACCP’s critical care and emergency medicine PRN’s.  Dan’s clinical interests include precepting, hemodynamics, toxicology and pk changes in critically ill patients.  Outside of work Dan enjoys spending time with his family, visiting the local breweries, golf and cooking. 
• Kristen Looney, PharmD, received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2019. She completed both a PGY-1 and PGY-2 residency training (Critical Care) at the University Of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. After completion of residency, she joined UPMC in central PA as a Critical Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Her interest within critical care pharmacy include academia, cardiology, and neuroscience.  She is an active member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Critical Care PRN and the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). In her free time she enjoys running, being outdoors (hiking, kayaking), trying new restaurants, watching The Office, and seeing Broadway musicals.
• Julie Mandel, PharmD, BCPS, 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 in central Pa. 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. 
• Liana Mandel, PharmD, received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from University of Pittsburgh in 2015. She completed her PGY1 residency at Valley Health in Winchester, Virginia. After completing her residency, she joined UPMC in central PA as a Clinical Staff Pharmacist. She has since transitioned to Clinical Pharmacist with a focus on adult internal medicine. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and baking (especially macarons!).  
• Katherine Mersinger, PharmD, BCIDP, 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 in central Pa. 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. 
• 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 in central Pa. 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.
• 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 in central Pa.  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).
• Kristofer Rivers, PharmD, 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 in central Pa.  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.  
• Ken Trinh, PharmD, 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 in central Pa.  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.
• Jenny Shah, PharmD, BCCCP, 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 in central Pa. 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. 
• Lindsey Stramara, PharmD, BCPP, 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 in central Pa. 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 in central Pa. 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. 
• Soim Tsang, PharmD, BCOP, received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. Upon graduating, she worked at a long-term care pharmacy for 3 years before joining UPMC in central PA as a Clinical Staff Pharmacist in 2012. She has since transitioned into her current role as a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in Oncology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games, and watching K-drama, which also helps keep up with her Korean so she can teach her two active kids. 
• Christopher Valintakonis, PharmD, BCPS, received his Pharm.D. from the University of the Sciences Philadelphia School of Pharmacy in 2011.  Upon graduating, he began working for UPMC in central Pa. as a Clinical Staff Pharmacist and has since transitioned into his current role as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Internal Medicine. 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 Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute P&T Committee. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dogs and outdoor sports including skiing, mountain biking, soccer, and volleyball.
• Ryan Zabrosky, PharmD, received his Doctor of Pharmacy from West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in 2019. He completed a PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a PGY-2 residency in Internal Medicine at Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. After completion of his residency training, Ryan joined the central PA UPMC team in 2021 as a Clinical Pharmacist in Internal Medicine. His clinical interests are broad (like many internal medicine pharmacists) but include cardiology and transitions of care. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys watching Pittsburgh sports, brewing beer, hiking, and all things Star Wars.