Program Directors, Preceptors, and Residents

Program Directors, Preceptors, and Residents

Medical Center is a teaching hospital where pharmacists are a vital part of the interdisciplinary team and daily patient medical rounds. Pharmacists are de-centralized and integrated completely into the following services: internal medicine, family medicine, critical care, trauma/surgery, NICU/pediatrics, and emergency medicine. Our pharmacists make numerous evidence-based medication recommendations which are frequently accepted. We have a robust preceptor group with extensive precepting experience. Most of our pharmacy preceptors are board certified, residency trained, or both.

We are a quality-driven department that will introduce you to vital skills you will need to be successful as a pharmacy resident and/or clinical pharmacy specialist (patient work-up and management, rounding, medication-use evaluations, journal clubs, topic discussions, drug class reviews, drug monographs, noon conference, etc.)

Residency Program Directors

Erica Wilson, PharmD, BCPS

Pharmacy Director

Contact: ewilson@echd.org

Dr. Wilson was born and raised in Andrews, TX, and graduated from high school in 2007. She attended McMurry University in Abilene, TX for college and played basketball for four years before graduating in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a minor in business administration. After college, Erica attended Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy in Abilene, TX and graduated with her Doctorate in Pharmacy in 2015. Erica completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice residency at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX in July of 2016. After residency, Erica took a clinical pharmacy specialist position with Medical Center first in internal medicine July 2016-January 2017 and then in critical care from January 2017-June 2019. From June 2019 to July 2022, she served as the clinical coordinator and PGY1 residency program director and currently serves as the director of pharmacy. She lives in Midland with her husband Adam Wilson and her daughters Allie and Nora. Erica enjoys traveling, hosting get-togethers, reading books, running, and spending time with friends and family.

Laura Branum, PharmD, BCPS

PGY2 emergency medicine pharmacy residency program director

Dr. Branum is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the emergency department at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She received her PharmD from D’Youville College School of Pharmacy in 2014. She then completed a Post-Graduate Year One ASHP-accredited residency at The University of Vermont Medical Center – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, New York in 2015. Her current practice activities at Medical Center Hospital include performing medication reconciliations, providing nursing and physician medication therapy consults, participating in cardiac arrests and trauma cases as well as emergency medication preparation.

Ashley Bane, PharmD, BCPS

PGY1 Residency Program Director

Dr. Bane is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the internal medicine division at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree from the University Of Kentucky College Of Pharmacy in 2013. In 2014, she completed a PGY1 ASHP/ACCP-accredited residency at Norton Healthcare Hospital system in Louisville, KY. She completed her teaching certificate through the University of Kentucky and is an eligible preceptor in Texas. Her current practice activities at Medical Center Hospital include rounding with internal medicine, family medicine, and trauma/surgery multidisciplinary teams. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, running with her dog, and traveling with her husband.

Preceptors

Kristina Chang, PharmD

Dr. Chang was born and raised in West Texas as she grew up in Big Spring approximately 60 miles East of Odessa. She attended the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa where she graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2014. Afterwards, she ventured down to South Texas where she attended pharmacy school at Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy in Kingsville, Texas. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa June 2019 and is now a clinical pharmacy specialist for the internal medicine and trauma services. In her spare time she enjoys naps with her new baby girl, cheering her son on at his sporting events, binging shows, and eating. food.

Art Munoz, PharmD

Dr. Munoz is the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) pharmacist at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. He received his PharmD from University of Houston College of Pharmacy in 2006. He has worked with the NICU team at Medical Center Hospital since 2014. His current daily activities with the department include daily rounds with physicians, nurse practitioner and nurses. He currently is training in the emergency department. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family.

James Palmer, PharmD, BCCCP

Dr. Palmer is the Pharmacy Operations Manager and Medication Safety Officer for Medical Center Hospital as of August 2021. He received his PharmD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy in 2012 and his critical care board certification BCCCP in 2017. He has worked as a Neonatal Intensive Care Pharmacist (2012 – 2013) and Adult Critical Care Pharmacist (2013 – 2021). He has served as PGY1 and PGY2 Critical Care Residency Instructor from 2014 – 2021. He is a member of the local Institutional Review Board and a residency instructor for the Medication Safety Longitudinal PGY1 rotation. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, camping, and rock climbing.

Alex Rothenberger, BCPS

Dr. Rothenberger is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the critical care department at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy in 2019. In 2020, he completed a PGY1 ASHP/ACCP-accredited residency at Medical Center Hospital and completed his teaching certificate with Texas Tech University for Health Sciences. HIs professional interests are critical care and infectious disease, and his current practice activities include rounding with interprofessional critical care teams and coordinating the antimicrobial stewardship service. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family playing games and traveling to see the outdoors.

Adewale Balogun, PharmD, BCPS

Dr. Balogun is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the internal medicine department at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. He attained his pharmacy degree from Long Island University in 1995 and then attained his Doctor of Pharmacy from Skaggs College of Pharmacy in Aurora, CO in 2019. Dr. Balogun then obtained his BCPS in 2016. In his free time, he enjoys running and spending time with his family.

Cheryl Go, PharmD

Dr. Go is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the internal medicine department at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. She attained her BS in Pharmacy from University of San Carlos, Cebu Philippines and then attained her Doctor of Pharmacy from University of Colorado-Denver. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and playing with her dog Oreo

Juan Charlie Cid, PharmD

Dr. Cid is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the internal medicine and critical care divisions at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy in 2022. In 2023, he completed a PGY1 ASHP/ACCP-accredited residency at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. His current practice activities at Medical Center Hospital include rounding with internal medicine, family medicine, trauma/surgery, and critical care multidisciplinary teams. In his free time, he enjoys running ultra marathons, spending time with his young child, and 3D printing and modeling toys and gifts.

Thao Do, PharmD

Thao was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and relocated to the U.S at the age of fifteen. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in May of 2021 at the University of Houston. Her passion for pharmacy stems from her lifelong goal to ensure quality healthcare is accessible to low-income families. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency in Odessa at Medical Center Hospital. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching K-drama, exploring new places, and spending time outdoors with her friends, family and her fur baby, Kyo.

Mary Kim, PharmD

Dr. Mary Kim grew up in Southern California. She attended the University of California, Irvine and majored in Biology. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy. Dr. Kim has worked for Medical Center Hospital in several different roles including Inpatient pharmacist, Pharmacist-in-charge of Family Health Clinic Pharmacy and Pharmacy Educator. In her current position as Transitions of Care Pharmacist, her duties include reviewing discharge medication reconciliations, providing medication counseling to patients and assisting with medication needs prior to discharge. She, along with her husband, raised four wonderful children with three currently working in the healthcare field. In her free time, Dr. Kim enjoys traveling, tennis, playing the piano and spending time with her family.

Tony Li, PharmD, MBA-HOM

Dr. Li is currently is currently an Assistant Director at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. He grew up in Houston, Texas and received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy and MBA in Healthcare Organization Management at Texas Tech University in Abilene, Texas. During his PGY1 at Medical Center Hospital, he discovered his interest in administration and leadership and then completed his PGY2 in Administration at Medical Center Hospital. In his spare time, he enjoys camping with friends, discovering different cuisines, taking photographs, and weightlifting.

Kate Cowey, PharmD

Dr. Cowey is a clinical specialist in the emergency department at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She received her PhamD from Feik School of Pharmacy. She then completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency and PGY-2 Emergency Medicine residency at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. Her current practice activities at Medical Center Hospital include performing medication reconciliations, providing nursing and physician medication therapy consults, participating in cardiac arrests and trauma cases as well as emergency medication preparation.

Michele Bender, PharmD

Dr. Bender is clinical specialist in the emergency department at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ and she completed her PGY-2 Emergency Medicine residency at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Tx. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, rock climbing, and skiing.

Brandon Buss, PharmD

Dr. Buss is a clinical pharmacy specialist in Internal Medicine. He grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy at University of North Texas Health Science Center System College of Pharmacy in Fort Worth, Texas. He then went on to complete his PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Tx. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, experiencing new cuisines, weightlifting, and spending time with friends and family.

Thao-Mi Vu, PharmD

Dr. Vu is currently clinical specialist in critical care. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at University of North Texas Health Science Center System College of Pharmacy in Fort Worth, Texas. In her spare time, she likes to do yoga, watch TV, enjoy trying new foods, shop, and rock climb.

Current Residents

Kayla Rhodes

Dr. Rhodes is currently a non-traditional PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. She currently has a lot of interests such as cardiology, pediatrics, NICU, emergency medicine and infectious disease. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family by taking her nieces and nephews to the zoo and have play sword fights. She enjoys playing video games, reading, and hanging with her grandparents.

Oluyemisi Abinnbade

Dr. Oluyemisi Akinbade is a PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Medical Center Hospital Odessa, Texas. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at Washington State University. Yemi was born and raised in Nigeria, moved to Prosser, WA about 14 years ago. Her professional interests include Emergency medicine, AMS, Transition of care, NICU and pharmacy leadership development. In her free time, she likes dancing, traveling and hiking.

Albert Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen is currently a PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. He was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. His professional interests include Internal Medicine and Critical Care as well as Administration. In his free time, he likes to watch professional basketball, exercise regularly, and explore new places.

Andrew Kiracofe

Dr. Kiracofe is currently a PGY2 emergency medicine Pharmacy Resident at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy at The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio and his PGY1 at ProMedica Hospital in Toledo Ohio. His areas of interest include infectious disease and trauma. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, especially Ohio State football, exploring new breweries/restaurants, and playing video games with friends.

Pegah Asadi

Dr. Asadi is currently a PGY1 pharmacy resident at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Houston. She intends to pursue a PGY2 pharmacy residency program in one of her areas of interest, which include critical care, internal med and emergency medicine. In her free time, Pegah enjoys spending time with family, friends and going outdoor.

Neda Esfahani

Dr. Esfahani is currently a PGY 1 Pharmacy Resident at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy. She was born and raised in Chicago and received her bachelor of science in biology at the Ohio State University. Her professional interests include critical care, cardiology and oncology. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring new places.

Previous Residents

2023-2024

Allie Eberling – PGY1

Sophia McCance – PGY1

2022-2024

Kimberly Nebo – Non-Traditional PGY1

2022-2023

Michele Bender, PharmD – PGY2 Emergency Medicine

Alicia Chavez, PharmD – PGY1

Charlie Cid, PharmD – PGY1

Miguel Rivera, PharmD – PGY1

Thao Mi Vu, PharmD – PGY1

2021-2023

Brandon Buss, PharmD – Non-Traditional PGY1

2021-2022

Tony Li, PharmD – PGY-2 Administration

Stephanie Anderson, PharmD – PGY-2 Emergency Medicine

Madi Holguin, PharmD – PGY1

Thoa Do, PharmD – PGY1

Mina Aziz, RPh, PhD – PGY1

2020-2021

Stephanie Anderson, PharmD

Carrolyn Kate Cowey, PharmD (ED PGY2)

Katie Epley, PharmD

Yaze Li, PharmD, MBA-HOM

Albert Ngo, PharmD

2018-2020

Carrolyn Kate Cowey, PharmD (Non-Traditional PGY1)

2019-2020

Victoria Hamill, PharmD, BCPS

Amanda Harper, PharmD

Hannah Lineberry, PharmD, BCPS (ED PGY2)

Alexander Rothenberger, PharmD, BCPS

2018-2019

Kristina Chang, PharmD

Steven Tang, PharmD, BCPS

Ha Neul Yang, PharmD, BCPS

John Witucki, PharmD, BCCCP (ED PGY2)

2017-2018

Michelle Aguirre, PharmD

Janel Cala

John Witucki, PharmD, BCCCP

2016-2017

David Besanti, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP

Priyanka Patel, PharmD

2015-2016

Jan Ramos, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP

Erica Wilson, PharmD, BCPS

2014-2015

Elvis Achuo, PharmD

Tram Vo, PharmD, BCPS