Preceptors
Danny Vera, PharmD
Director of Pharmacy Services
Dr. Vera is the Director of Pharmacy Services at Community Regional Medical Center. He serves as a preceptor to PGY1 pharmacy residents. Dr. Vera received his bachelor of arts in chemistry with a minor in microbiology from California State University Stanislaus and his doctor of pharmacy from University of California, San Francisco. He currently has memberships with California Society of Health System Pharmacists, Sierra Society of Health System Pharmacists, American Society of Health System Pharmacists. He serves as the 2008 President of Sierra Society of Health System Pharmacists. dvera2@communitymedical.org
Alice Ung-Robbins, PharmD, BCPS
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director
Dr. Robbins is the residency program director and a clinical pharmacist in internal medicine. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, Assistant Clinical Professor for University of California-San Francisco pharmacy students and Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific, Stockton California. Dr. Robbins received her bachelor of science and doctor of pharmacy from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey-College of Pharmacy. She currently has memberships with American Society of Health-System Pharmacy, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and California Society of Health System Pharmacists. arobbins@communitymedical.org
Khaja M. Ahmed, RPh, MS
Mr. Ahmed is the manager of the Clovis Community Medical Center Pharmacy Department. He serves as a preceptor to PGY1 pharmacy residents and pharmacy students from Creighton University, and Northeast Louisiana University, college of pharmacy and Health Sciences. Mr. Ahmed received his master of science from University of North Dakota. He is currently a member of American Society of Health System Pharmacist. kahmed@communitymedical.org
Staci Anderson, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Anderson is a clinical pharmacist in critical care trauma. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, pharmacy students at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific, and serves as an assistant clinical professor for University of California, San Francisco pharmacy students. Dr. Anderson completed her PGY1 pharmacy residency at Community Medical Centers in 2003. She practiced as a Clinical Pharmacist at the Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System in Fresno, CA until 2006. Dr. Anderson received her doctor of pharmacy from University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2002. sanderson2@communitymedical.org
Amy N. Bower, MS, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Bower is a clinical pharmacist in critical care medicine. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, and is an assistant clinical professor for University of California, San Francisco pharmacy students. Dr. Bower received her bachelor of science in biochemistry and cell biology and her master of science in biomedical science at University of California, San Diego. She received her doctor of pharmacy at University of California, San Francisco. She completed a general pharmacy practice residency at University of Arizona and a critical care pharmacy practice residency at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Bower was honored with the Longs Foundation Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award ("Teacher of the Year") for the UCSF Fresno site in 2006. The Longs Award is the highest teaching award given by the UCSF School of Pharmacy. Dr. Bower also contributes to departmental research goals and has presented research posters at the Infectious Diseases Society of America Annual Meeting (2004) and the Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Congress (2007). She currently has memberships with Society of Critical Care Medicine and American College of Clinical Pharmacy. abower@communitymedical.org
Julius Chang, PharmD
Dr. Chang is a clinical pharmacist in internal medicine. He serves as a preceptor to PGY1 pharmacy residents, University of California, San Francisco pharmacy students and Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific pharmacy students. Dr. Chang received his bachelor of science in pharmacological chemistry from University of California, San Diego, in 2003 and doctor of pharmacy from University of Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy in 2006. He completed a PGY1 residency at Community Medical Centers in 2007. He currently has memberships with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and California Society of Health-System Pharmacists. jchang2@communitymedical.org
Michelle Chang, PharmD
Dr. Chang is a clinical pharmacist in emergency medicine. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents and University of California-San Francisco pharmacy students. Dr. Chang received her bachelor of science from California State University, Fresno in 2000 and doctor of pharmacy from University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy in 2005. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency with Community Medical Centers in 2006. She currently has memberships with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and California Society of Health-System Pharmacists. mchang@communitymedical.org
Mary C. Ghaffari, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Ghaffari is a clinical pharmacist in critical care surgery and burn. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, Assistant Clinical Professor for University of California-San Francisco and Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific pharmacy students. Dr. Ghaffari received her doctor of pharmacy at South Dakota State University and completed a critical care residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN in 2002. Dr. Ghaffari is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. She currently has memberships with American Burn Association, Society of Critical Care Medicine, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacy. mghaffari@communitymedical.org
Janie Hatai, PharmD, FCSHP
Dr. Hatai is the Pharmacy Information Services (IS) specialist. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents. Dr. Hatai received her doctor of pharmacy at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific. She completed a pharmacy practice residency with the VA Medical Center at San Francisco. She currently has memberships with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and California Society of Health-System Pharmacists. jhatai@communitymedical.org
Harlan M. Husted, PharmD
Dr. Husted is a clinical pharmacist in the neonatal intensive care unit. He serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, adjunct professor for the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific, and serves as an assistant clinical professor for University of California, San Francisco pharmacy students. Dr. Husted completed his Pediatric Pharmacy Practice Residency Children’s Hospital, Central California in 2006. He practiced as a Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist at Children’s Hospital in Madera, CA until 2008. Dr. Husted received his doctor of pharmacy from University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2005. He currently has memberships with American Pharmacists Association, American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, California Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists – Sierra Society Chapter, Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group and Society of Critical Care Medicine. hhusted@communitymedical.org
Ronald M. Imoto, PharmD, FCSHP
Dr. Imoto is the Manager for the Community Regional Medical Center Pharmacy Department. He serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, and for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) pharmacy students. He is Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific in Stockton, California. Dr. Imoto received his doctor of pharmacy at University of California, San Francisco. He has served as Director of the Drug Information and Analysis Center at Valley Medical Center prior to the facility changing to University Medical Center. His current professional memberships include the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the California Society of Health System Pharmacists. rimoto@communitymedical.org
David B. Lennon, RPh, FCSHP
Mr. Lennon is a clinical pharmacist in Oncology Services and the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor at Community Regional Medical Center. He serves as preceptor to PGY1 pharmacy residents and is an Assistant Clinical Professor for the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific. Mr. Lennon received his pharmacy degree at University of Houston. He also serves as a member of Community Medical Center's Investigational Review Board and coordinates inpatient and outpatient investigational drug studies for Community Medical Centers. His current professional memberships include American Society of Health System Pharmacists and California Society of Health System Pharmacists. dlennon@communitymedical.org
Timothy M. Lopez, PharmD
Dr. Lopez is a clinical pharmacist in internal medicine. He serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, assistant clinical professor for University of California, San Francisco pharmacy students, and adjunct professor for Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific pharmacy students. Dr. Lopez received his bachelor of arts in chemistry at California State University, Fresno, and his doctor of pharmacy at University of California, San Francisco. He completed a pharmacy practice residency at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, Calif., in 2001. Dr. Lopez was honored with the Longs Foundation Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award ("Teacher of the Year") for the UCSF Fresno site in 2005 and 2008. The Longs Award is the highest teaching award given by the UCSF School of Pharmacy. tlopez2@communitymedical.org
Marisa Mendez, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Mendez is a clinical pharmacist in infectious diseases. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, University of California-San Francisco and Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific pharmacy students, and Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy students. Dr. Mendez received her doctor of pharmacy at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy in Ann Arbor and completed a pharmacy practice residency and infectious diseases specialty residency at the University of California at San Francisco. mmendez@communitymedical.org
Ogochukwu C. Molokwu, PharmD
Dr. Molokwu is a clinical pharmacist in ambulatory care. He serves as a preceptor to PGY1 pharmacy residents and University of California-San Francisco pharmacy students. Dr. Molokwu received his doctor of pharmacy from University of California at San Francisco- School of Pharmacy and completed an ambulatory care specialty residency from VANCHCS. He currently has memberships with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the American Pharmacists Association. omolokwu@communitymedical.org
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Gillian H. Pineda, PharmD
Dr. Pineda is a clinical pharmacist in emergency medicine. She serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents, and University of California-San Francisco pharmacy students. Dr. Pineda received her bachelor of science in biological sciences from the University of California, Irvine in 2000, and her doctor of pharmacy from the University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy in 2007. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Community Medical Centers in 2008. She currently has memberships with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and California Society of Health-System Pharmacists. gpineda@communitymedical.org
Curtis Takemoto, PharmD, FCSHP
Dr. Takemoto is the Manager of Clinical Pharmacy Services at Community Medical Centers. He serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents. Dr. Takemoto received his doctor of pharmacy from University of California, San Francisco. He currently has memberships with California Society of Health System Pharmacists, Sierra Society of Health System Pharmacists, American Society of Health System Pharmacists. He served as President of the Sierra Society of Health System Pharmacists in 1995 and 2003. ctakemoto@communitymedical.org
Jennifer Trytten, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Jennifer Trytten is the clinical coordinator at Clovis Community Medical Centers. She serves as assistant clinical professor for University of California, San Francisco pharmacy students and a preceptor for Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific pharmacy students. Dr. Trytten received her bachelor of arts in liberal studies at California State University, Fresno; her bachelor of science and doctor of pharmacy from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Ill.; and she completed a pharmacy practice residency at University Hospital Health Alliance of Cincinnati. She currently has memberships withAmerican College of Clinical Pharmacy and California Society of Health System Pharmacists. jtrytten@communitymedical.org
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Daniel Yousef, PharmD
Dr. Yousef is a clinical pharmacist in critical care medicine. He serves as a preceptor for PGY1 pharmacy residents. Dr. Yousef received his Doctor of Pharmacy at Northeastern University -Bouve College of Health Sciences in Boston, MA. He completed a PGY1 residency and a PGY2 Critical Care Specialty Residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. He currently has memberships with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and Society of Critical Care Medicine. dyousef@communitymedical.org
Donald F. Beste Jr.
In Memoriam, Oct 20, 1937 - Jan 22, 2005
“Not too shabby for a poor, simple, balding druggist from Iowa” - famous quote by Don Beste
Don Beste was responsible for envisioning and creating the Community Medical Centers Pharmacy Practice Residency Program. His long and diverse career in pharmacy was an asset to the profession and he will be greatly missed.
Don attended Drake University, College of Pharmacy in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated with a B.S. in Pharmacy, 1959. He worked in various pharmacy settings, starting out as a staff pharmacist and moved his way up as director of pharmacy Central Sterile Supply Services at Yale-New Haven Medical Center, New Haven, Conn., and director of pharmacy services, Providence Hospital Medical Center Seattle, Wash. In 1973 he moved out West and served as Associate Dean and Director of Pharmaceutical Services, School of Pharmacy and Hospitals and Clinics, University of California, San Francisco.
Don served as president of ASHP from 1976 to 1977, president and chairman of the board of directors for the ASHP Research and Education Foundation and was on the ASHP Board of Directors.
His academic appointments included: an assistant clinical professor of pharmacy, School of Pharmacy-University of Connecticut; and associate dean and an associate and clinical professor of pharmacy, School of Pharmacy-University of California, San Francisco.
From 1982 to 1985 he lived in Saudi Arabia and served as the director of pharmacy services, King Khalid University Hospital-King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Don then moved to Texas, where he was noticed by Community Medical Centers and was brought aboard to serve as pharmacy professional development specialist, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, and director, Pharmacy Practice Residency Program.
He had numerous publications and presentations all over the world, and received many honors and awards over his lifetime. He helped transform pharmacy education and residency programs during his career in pharmacy. He always made us laugh and had hundreds of jokes for every occasion. Don will be remembered for his amazing life, and his legacy lives on through the peoples’ lives he touched.
Residency Manual