Current Residents
Training the Leaders of Tomorrow
Pharmacy Residents
July 12 – June 13
PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residents:
Kristina Rokas, PharmD.JPG?n=5520 "Rokas_Kristina_SQ")
School of Pharmacy: South Carolina College of Pharmacy - USC Campus
Undergraduate: University of South Carolina
Hometown: Atkinson, New Hampshire
Professional Interests: Infectious Diseases
Email: krokas@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
When I was participating in the interview process, I was looking for a program with strong rotations in various areas of expertise, knowledgeable preceptors, and an environment that would challenge me and facilitate my development as a clinical pharmacist. When I interviewed at WFBMC, I quickly realized that the program would far exceed my expectations. The pharmacy staff members were hospitable and passionate about their careers, and I knew immediately that I would enjoy working every day with this group of people. Since beginning my residency, I have been thoroughly impressed by the organization of the program and the helpfulness of the entire staff. I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in a residency at WFBMC and looking forward to a wonderful year!
Coco Perry, PharmD.JPG?n=1817 "Perry_Courtney_SQ")
School of Pharmacy: South Carolina College of Pharmacy - USC Campus
Undergraduate: University of South Carolina
Hometown: Kirtland, Ohio
Professional Interests: Pediatrics
Email: cjperry@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
When searching for a residency I knew I wanted to be at a major academic teaching institution so that I would have the opportunity to experience many different practice areas as well as work closely with various other professionals. Wake Forest gave me the option to complete rotations in the specialty I am interested in at an institution whose program is well established. But, what really stuck out to me were the charismatic and passionate clinical preceptors I had the chance to meet during my interview. It doesn't take long to realize that everyone at The Baptist truly wants to be here. I am really looking forward to taking advantage of all the opportunities afforded to us this year!
Stephen B. Vickery, PharmD .JPG?n=4829 "Vickery_Stephen_SQ")
School of Pharmacy: Wingate University
Undergraduate: University of Maryland, College Park
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Professional Interests: Critical Care & Internal Medicine
Email: svickery@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
I chose Wake Forest to complete my pharmacy residency for a multitude of reasons. The clinical opportunities and experiences that are provided to residents are second to none. With so many elective rotations, you're able to tailor the residency experience to your interests. Moreover, the most impressive aspect of the residency is the preceptors and staff. Everyone involved in the program is devoted to the development of both your professional and personal goals. During my interview I immediately felt a part of the "Baptist" family and couldn't wait to begin work here. I'm excited about beginning my transition into a clinical practitioner and looking forward to a great year at Wake Forest.
Morgan Pendleton, PharmD 
School of Pharmacy: East Tennessee State Univ. Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee
Hometown: Kingsport, TN
Professional Interests: Oncology and Pediatrics
Email: mpendlet@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
I knew during my first year of pharmacy school that I wanted to pursue residency training after graduation. I never imagined how difficult it would be to decide what I wanted out of my residency program. The most important program attribute for me was a place I could feel comfortable while learning, thriving, or struggling as a pharmacy resident. I also wanted the program to offer a variety of elective rotations, as well as specialty residency options. Not only did this program have every detail on my checklist, but I felt very different leaving Baptist than anywhere else. I found that I had enjoyed the interview process and the time I was able to speak to the preceptors and residents. I knew that Baptist would provide me with an environment where I could learn from fantastic pharmacists in each specialty, while providing me with abundant opportunities to learn and grow as a person, a professional, and as a pharmacist. I also felt that I would receive the guidance that I needed on my rotations, projects, research, and for anything else throughout my residency year. I know that I found everything I was hoping for in a residency program at Wake Forest Baptist.PGY2 Pharmacy Specialty Residents
Elizabeth A. Connelly, PharmD PGY2 Pediatrics
School of Pharmacy: UNC Eschelman School of Pharmacy
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Hometown: Mendham, NJ
Professional Interests: Pediatrics, cardiology, infectious diseases
Email: econnoll@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
Early on in my year as a PGY1 pharmacy practice resident I discovered a passion for pediatric pharmacy, and I quickly realized that working with and learning from the excellent pharmacists and medical teams at WFBH is truly a blessing. The combination of a progressive pharmacy environment, a hospital that highly values pharmacy services, and people who are genuinely invested in supporting the personal and professional growth of residents makes Baptist a wonderful place to work and train. I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue my training at Baptist.
Katherine E. Denney, PharmD PGY2 Infectious Disease
School of Pharmacy: University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Undergraduate: University of Oklahoma
Hometown: Cushing, OK
Professional Interests: Infectious Disease, Pediatric
Email: kdenney@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
During the first few months of my PGY1 year, I knew I wanted to stay at Baptist for the Infectious Diseases specialty residency. Immediately, I could tell that just one year would not be enough! Being at Wake Forest seemed like a natural fit for me and it was evident that the ID training I would receive would be unparalleled. I was particularly excited for Wake Forest's ID residency because it the training is so broad, providing experiences on consults, in an ID clinic, and with stewardship. I am very passionate about HIV but I also love the inpatient environment as well and wanted to be a well rounded Infectious Diseases pharmacist following my second year of residency. I am so excited about this year, everything that I am going to learn, and getting to work with such intelligent, supportive people!
Meghan M. Devine, PharmD PGY2 Oncology 
School of Pharmacy: University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia
Professional Interests: Adult and pediatric oncology, infectious diseases
Email: mdevine@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
I chose WFBH for many reasons including the wide range of oncology experiences in both adult and pediatric settings, highly qualified preceptors and clinical specialist, academic medical center setting, and the pharmacy's emphasis on "putting the patient first". I felt Baptist would be an excellent place for me to grow professionally and personally while being challenged to excel as a leader in oncology pharmacy practice.
Sandra Rowe, PharmD PGY2 Critical Care 
School of Pharmacy: University of Utah College of Pharmacy
Undergraduate: Pacific University (Forest Grove, OR)
Hometown: Madera, CA
Professional Interests: Medical and Surgical ICU, Infectious Disease, Cardiology/CT Surgery, Nephrology
Email: srowe@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
I knew I was passionate about critical care by my 3rd year of pharmacy school. When I started my search for the right PGY1 program, I knew I wanted a program that offered both a great pharmacy practice residency and a great critical care specialty residency. My first year of residency at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center was an amazing experience because of the people I get to work with everyday and the outstanding rotations that are available. It did not take me very long to know that this was where I wanted to continue my critical care training. There is a great variety of critical care rotations, the preceptors are great, and the program is tailored to my needs. I am so excited to spend another year at the Baptist, growing as a critical care practitioner and as a person.
Administrative Residents
Mitch Dorn, PharmD (PGY1- Administration)
School of Pharmacy: The Ohio State University
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Hometown: Chardon, OH
Professional Interests: Administration; Healthcare Finance; Continuum of Care improvement
Email: mdorn@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
From the moment I interviewed, I knew that Baptist was the place I wanted to be for my residency. One of the things that brought me to Baptist was the incredible family atmosphere of support and teamwork that permeates throughout the whole pharmacy department. The leadership team has been so welcoming to its residents that you truly feel like an asset from day one. There is a strong emphasis on developing my clinical skills tailored to my interests within their highly regarded PGY1 program, which is something that I found unique to WFBH's administrative program. The professional opportunities currently going on here, from the implementation of the Epic EMR system to learning about the high level of automation employed in the department to the current initiatives to improve the continuity of patient care, would be difficult to find all at the same place at one time. All of these opportunities are what attracted me to the program, and I am so excited to be a part of learning in such an innovative pharmacy practice!
D. Gavin Magaha, PharmD (PGY2-Administration)
School of Pharmacy: Wingate University School of Pharmacy
Undergraduate: High Point University
Hometown: Clemmons NC
Professional Inteerests: Administration, Transitional Pharmacy, Team Building, IT, Marketing/Communications; Government Affairs
Email: gmagaha@wakehealth.edu
Why WFBMC:
The pharmacy family at Baptist is an amazing close-knit group, whose collegiality and commitment to patient safety is truly inspiring. Whether rounding on a clinical service, preparing medications to be delivered, or implementing new protocols - the well-being of our patients is always the driving motivator behind our actions.
Baptist's strong commitment to safety is supported through a progressive infrastructure, enhanced by administrators committed to being leaders and innovators in pharmacy practice both at the state and national levels. I'm excited to be part of several projects designed to promote pharmacist and technician involvement directly in patient care through better use of technology, automation, and lean processes.
Having only one Administration resident in each class afforded me the opportunity to become involved with the department's strategic initiatives immediately. Regular, one-on-one meetings with Directors, Assistant Directors, and Coordinators fostered great topic discussions and learning opportunities not available at all programs. I'm truly fortunate to be able to practice here and I'm looking forward to all that year two has to offer.