Current and Past Residents

Current Resident

Maria Palmer

Maria Palmer, PharmD, 2024

As a PGY1 pharmacy resident at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, I was fortunate to have had an amazing rotation in general pediatrics and absolutely loved the experience. The preceptors here are extremely passionate about patient care and dedicated to teaching, making the decision to apply through the early commit process an easy one. I knew I wanted to continue my training at a place that challenged me to grow both personally and professionally, but also supported me and my aspirations. Our PGY2 pediatric program offers a wide range of elective rotations, providing residents with the opportunity to see a vast array of disease states, care for patients of varying acuity, and experience different practice settings. I really enjoy being a part of the unique experiences through Brenner Children's Hospital inpatient and ambulatory care settings through the BRIDGE clinic and Downtown Health Plaza Pediatric Clinic. At Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, it is evident that preceptors and peers all share a passion for excellence, compassion, and dedication. I am so grateful to continue my training as the PGY2 pediatric pharmacy resident and look forward to another great year!

Past Residents

Abbie Benfield

Abbie Benfield, PharmD, 2023

After completing my PGY1 residency at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, I knew that the residency programs here provided a supportive yet challenging environment for residents to reach their full potential. During my PICU rotation as a PGY1, I was fortunate to work alongside our dedicated and compassionate pediatric pharmacists and knew right away that I wanted to continue my training here. During the early commit process, my main goal for my PGY2 Pediatric residency training was to expand my pediatric knowledge by caring for high acuity patients and gaining exposure to a variety of disease states and practice settings. Brenner Children's Hospital offers opportunities for pharmacists to improve care in both the inpatient and ambulatory care setting through the BRIDGE clinic and Downtown Health Plaza clinic. Each day I am met with new challenges and learning opportunities to ensure that our patients are receiving the best care possible! Since beginning my PGY2 Pediatric residency, I am constantly impressed by the department's commitment to not only our patients but also my career goals as a pediatric pharmacy resident. I am so excited for the year of growth ahead!

Carolyn Hill, PharmD, 2021

Carolyn Hill, PharmD, 2022

As a P4 student applying for residency, I was searching for a program that was challenging enough to help me grow, but supportive enough to help me excel. Flexibility was also very important to me. I wanted to be at an academic medical center that offered diverse rotations, valued research, and provided opportunities to mentor and teach younger pharmacy students (those of you who are currently applying know that there are many schools that satisfy these criteria). But as I started to interact with representatives from different programs, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist consistently stood out. There is a strong sense of community and respect among the residents and preceptors here that has been evident throughout my entire experience; this sense of camaraderie really cemented my decision. I knew that I would be equally challenged and supported as I advanced in my training, and I couldn’t wait to get started!

Tanya Makhlouf, PharmD, 2021

Tanya Makhlouf, PharmD, 2021

I was initially drawn to the pediatrics program at Brenner Children’s because of the wide variety of rotations offered and the ability to become a well-rounded pediatric pharmacist. The pharmacists play an integral role within the healthcare team and provide a supportive environment for resident development. I knew that the diverse inpatient and longitudinal experiences within Wake Forest Baptist would help me achieve my career goals. I am continuously impressed with this program and am excited to complete my training at this institution!

Brianna Henson, PharmD

Brianna Hemmann, PharmD, 2020

My first interaction with Wake Forest Baptist was during the Personnel Placement Service at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. I was thrilled to learn about the variety of learning opportunities afforded by the program and the new level IV NICU that opened this year. I felt the opportunities provided by this program aligned with my long-term career goals and could not have been happier with my choice.  

Chelsea Ferguson, PharmD

Chelsea Cooley, PharmD, 2019

Throughout pharmacy school and my PGY1 year, I developed a passion for pediatrics. After completing a PGY1 pharmacy residency, I strived to continue my training at a large academic medical center with a well-rounded training experience in pediatrics. Wake Forest Baptist offers so many opportunities allowing me to learn from a multitude of pediatric experiences, work in a progressive environment, and participate in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The preceptors and other members of the pharmacy department strive to help advance my growth as a resident and ensure that I am able to become a knowledgeable and successful pediatric pharmacist. I also wanted to train in an academic medical center associated with many learners, which would allow me to advance my skills in training and educating health professionals of the future. Wake Forest Baptist is an ideal fit for me and I am so excited to see where the year takes me!


Where Are They Now?

  •  2010-11 Leigh Peek, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPPS, Pediatric Clinical Specialist, The Children's Hospital - OU Medical Systems, Oklahoma City, OK 

  • 2011-12 Mary Submaranian, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPPS, Clinical Pharmacy Manager /PGY2 Residency Director, Wake Forest Baptist Health/Brenner Children’s, Winston-Salem, NC

  • 2012-13 Elizabeth Woods, Pharm.D. 2012-13 Pediatric Specialty Pharmacist, Wake Forest Baptist Health/Brenner Children’s, Winston-Salem, NC

  • 2013-14 Coco Perry, Pharm.D., Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist, Wake Forest Baptist Health/Brenner Children’s, Winston-Salem, NC
    Clinical Scholar/Instructor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

  • 2014-15 Beth Sawrey, Pharm.D., BCPPSPediatric Clinical Pharmacist, Wake Medical Center, Raleigh, NC

  • 2016-17 Lauren Walter, Pharm.D, BCPPS, Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist University of North Carolina Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC

  • 2015-16 Ashley Huebschman, Pharm.D., BCPPS, CTICU Clinical Specialist, Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI

  • 2017-18 Brittany Logston, Pharm.D., BCPPS,Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC 

  • 2018-19 Chelsea Cooley, Pharm.D., BCPPS, PICU Clinical Pharmacist, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL

  • 2019-20 Brianna Hemmann, Pharm.D., BCPPS, NICU Clinical Pharmacist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 

  • 2020-21 Tanya Makhlouf, Pharm.D., BCPPS., Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist, Moses Cone, Greensboro, NC

  • 2021-22 Carolyn Hill, Pharm.D., Clinical Pharmacist, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA