PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - Preceptors
Dave Blaha, Pharm.D.
Dave Blaha, Pharm.D., is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa and completed a PGY1 residency at Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has practiced at MercyOne since 1999 and serves as a preceptor for the cardiology rotation.
Dave also precepts pharmacy students from the University of Iowa and Creighton. His professional interests include cardiology and critical care. He is a member of ASHP, IPA and is past-President of North Iowa Pharmacy, Inc.
Shana Brunsvold, Pharm.D., BCPS
Shana Brunsvold, Pharm.D., BCPS, is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 2007 and completed a PGY1 residency at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Shana serves as an adjunct assistant professor for the University of Iowa - College of Pharmacy. Shana is a preceptor for Internal Medicine and serves as the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director. Her professional interests include internal medicine, infectious disease, and pharmacy practice leadership.
Shana is a member of ACCP, ASHP, and IPA.
Ben Buffington, Pharm.D.
Ben Buffington, Pharm.D., is a staff pharmacist at MercyOne Long Term Care Pharmacy.
He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 2019.
Ben serves as a preceptor for the geriatrics learning experience.
His professional interests include geriatrics and transitions of care.
Danielle Christianson, Pharm.D.
Danielle Christianson, Pharm.D., is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Drake University in 2024 and completed a PGY1 residency at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Danielle is a preceptor for Internal Medicine. Her professional interests include internal medicine, infectious disease, and critical care.
Danielle is a member of ACCP, ASHP, and IPA.
Kirk Eckhoff, Pharm.D., BCPS
Kirk Eckhoff, Pharm.D., BCPS, is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 2005 and completed a PGY1 residency at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Kirk serves as a critical care preceptor and is an adjunct assistant professor for the University of Iowa and Drake.
His professional interests include cardiology and critical care.
Cheryl Larson, Rph., BCPS, BCSCP
Cheryl Larson, Rph., BCPS, BCSCP, is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
She received her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 1994. Cheryl serves as preceptor for acute care pharmacy practice.
Her professional interests include sterile compounding and hospital pharmacy operations.
Cheryl is a member of ACCP and ASHP.
Zach Law, Pharm.D., BCPS
Zach Law, Pharm.D., BCPS, is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from South Dakota State University in 2010. Following graduation, he completed the PGY1 residency at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Zach is a preceptor for critical care. He is also a student preceptor for South Dakota State University and the University of Iowa - College of Pharmacy.
His professional interests include critical care, cardiology and internal medicine.
Jill Leisure, Pharm. D., BCACP
Jill Leisure, Pharm. D., BCACP, is the lead clinical pharmacist of the MercyOne Anticoagulation Clinic. This clinic specializes in ambulatory outpatient anticoagulation management which serves approximately 520 patients in the North Iowa area.
Jill received her B.S. in pharmacy from South Dakota State University in 1991, and then completed her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa in 2002.
Jill is an active preceptor of both residents and students. Her professional interests include anticoagulation, heart failure, diabetes and geriatrics.
She is a member of ASHP.
Danielle Lorentzen, Pharm.D.
Danielle Lorentzen, Pharm.D., is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Creighton University in 2024 and completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Danielle serves as the coordinator of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and is a preceptor for the Antimicrobial Stewardship rotation. Her professional interests include emergency medicine, critical care, and infectious diseases.
Danielle is a member of ACCP, ASHP, and IPA.
Abbey Pitzenberger, Pharm.D., BCPS
Abbey Pitzenberger, Pharm.D., BCPS, is a clinical oncology pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center.
She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 2006 and completed a PGY1 residency at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Abbey serves as an adjunct assistant professor for the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and is also a rotation preceptor for Drake University and Creighton University. Her professional interests include oncology targeted therapy and supportive care.
Abbey is a member of ACCP and HOPA.
Cathy Stroup, Pharm.D., BCPS
Cathy Stroup, Pharm.D., BCPS, is a clinical pharmacist in the Cancer Center at MercyOne North Iowa.
She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 2003 and completed a PGY1 residency at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Cathy serves as a preceptor for the oncology elective experience. Her professional interests include oncology, process improvement, and information technology.
She is a member of ASHP and North Iowa Pharmacy, Inc.
John Swegle, Pharm.D.
John Swegle, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCACP, is a clinical pharmacist on faculty at the Family Medicine Residency Program at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor for the University of Iowa - College of Pharmacy.
He received his B.S. degree in pharmacy from Drake University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa. In addition, he has completed a pharmacy residency in Family Medicine from the University of Iowa - College of Pharmacy and the University of Iowa Department of Family Medicine.
He is a member of the Iowa Pharmacy Association, ACCP, APhA, ASHP, and North Iowa Pharmacy, Inc.
His areas of interest include geriatrics, hospice and palliative, and ambulatory care.
Vanessa Vesely, Pharm.D., BCPS
Vanessa Vesely, Pharm.D., BCPS, is a clinical pharmacist at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from South Dakota State University in 2018 and completed a PGY1 residency at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Vanessa serves as a preceptor for emergency medicine.
Her professional interests include emergency medicine, internal medicine and transitions of care.
Dave Blaha, Pharm.D.
Ryan Weaver, Pharm.D., is the Director of Pharmacy at MercyOne Northeast Iowa and MercyOne North Iowa.
He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa.
He has practiced at MercyOne since 2022 and currently serves as the preceptor for the leadership learning experience. He was Manager of Acute Care and Cancer Center Pharmacy Services at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, Pharmacy Director at Mercy Hospital in Lebanon, MO and a Pharmacy Supervisor at Mercy hospital in Springfield, MO prior to his current role.
He served as a preceptor for St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Creighton school of pharmacy and the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Pharmacy.
His professional interests include process improvement, hospital operations, and pharmacy practice leadership.
