Reaching out to our current residents is a great way to gain information about each particular BayCare residency program. For our featured residents, you will discover some background information regarding why our residents decided to pursue residency training as well as how they became interested in their current practice sites and programs.
Listed below are our current pharmacy residents along with their contact information from each BayCare Pharmacy Residency site. Please contact residents with any questions you may have about the program.
2025- 2026 Residency Class
Noshin Mahmud
Annie Alexis
Colin Kehus
Victoria Isgett
Jessica Simmons
Bethanie Budlong
Kaitlyn Kauff
Shelby Brooks
Isis Rollins
Jacob Smith
Ilyarosa Perez Palacios
Christa Epperson
Joshua Ehlers
Lindsey Council
Medina Ibisevic
Ashley Harriott
Matthew Kurisunkal
Jessica Schneid
Christian Viola
Jena Schanze
Merna Sawaris
Paola Hernandez Velez
Liza Harpley
Sarah Seward
Rachael Weingarten
Featured Residents
Merna Sawaris
PGY1 - St. Joseph's Hospital North
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I chose to pursue a pharmacy residency because I wanted to becoming a confident and well-rounded clinical pharmacist who can provide high-quality, evidence-based patient care in a multidisciplinary setting. I value the opportunity to explore and refine my interests in various specialties through hands-on learning. I see residency as an essential step toward not only clinical competence but also leadership, teaching, and research involvement.
Why did I choose St. Joseph’s Hospital North at BayCare?
I was fortunate to complete a few of my APPE rotations at BayCare, I was drawn to the supportive and collaborative environment within the institution. What stood out to me about St. Joseph’s Hospital North was the warm and welcoming energy I felt after my interview as well as the diverse range of rotations offered which aligns perfectly with my interests. This program is the ideal place for me to continue my professional training and growth.
Merna Sawaris| PGY1 - St. Joseph's Hospital North
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I chose to pursue a pharmacy residency because I wanted to becoming a confident and well-rounded clinical pharmacist who can provide high-quality, evidence-based patient care in a multidisciplinary setting. I value the opportunity to explore and refine my interests in various specialties through hands-on learning. I see residency as an essential step toward not only clinical competence but also leadership, teaching, and research involvement.
Why did I choose St. Joseph’s Hospital North at BayCare?
I was fortunate to complete a few of my APPE rotations at BayCare, I was drawn to the supportive and collaborative environment within the institution. What stood out to me about St. Joseph’s Hospital North was the warm and welcoming energy I felt after my interview as well as the diverse range of rotations offered which aligns perfectly with my interests. This program is the ideal place for me to continue my professional training and growth.
Jessica Simmons
PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I chose to pursue a PGY-1 residency as a way to challenge myself and continue growing as a pharmacy professional. My goal is to expand my clinical knowledge, strengthen my decision-making skills, and become a well-rounded pharmacist capable of delivering the highest quality of care to my patients. I believe that residency training will play a vital role in helping me achieve my long-term career goals by providing the advanced experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities essential for success in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
After being an intern at Winter Haven Hospital throughout pharmacy school, I had the opportunity to experience the unique culture that sets this hospital apart. What stood out to me most was the genuine sense of community I felt here. The RPD and preceptors are incredibly kind, approachable, and truly invested in your growth. It’s a place where I feel valued, challenged, and inspired to give my best every day. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue my journey here and grow alongside a team that has already played such a meaningful role in my development!
Jessica Simmons| PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I chose to pursue a PGY-1 residency as a way to challenge myself and continue growing as a pharmacy professional. My goal is to expand my clinical knowledge, strengthen my decision-making skills, and become a well-rounded pharmacist capable of delivering the highest quality of care to my patients. I believe that residency training will play a vital role in helping me achieve my long-term career goals by providing the advanced experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities essential for success in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
After being an intern at Winter Haven Hospital throughout pharmacy school, I had the opportunity to experience the unique culture that sets this hospital apart. What stood out to me most was the genuine sense of community I felt here. The RPD and preceptors are incredibly kind, approachable, and truly invested in your growth. It’s a place where I feel valued, challenged, and inspired to give my best every day. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue my journey here and grow alongside a team that has already played such a meaningful role in my development!
Isis Rollins
PGY1 - Morton Plant Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
My time as an inpatient pharmacy intern combined with my clinical rotation experiences as a student, was instrumental in solidifying my desire to become a clinical pharmacist. Through my involvement in providing antibiotic stewardship recommendations, evaluating the correlation of pharmacokinetic drug properties to clinical outcomes, and preparing medications at the bedside during rapid sequence intubations, I developed a deep appreciation for the impact clinical pharmacists have on patient outcomes. These opportunities underscored the critical contributions of pharmacists in delivering evidence-based patient care in high-pressure clinical environments, igniting my passion to seek out a pharmacy residency.
Why did I choose Morton Plant Hospital at BayCare?
The residency program at Morton Plant Hospital offers comprehensive training and a dynamic learning environment essential to achieve my career goals. With its emphasis on patient safety and interdisciplinary collaboration, this program aligned seamlessly with my professional aspirations. As an institution with multiple critical care units, Morton Plant Hospital provides unmatched opportunities to manage complex, high-acuity patient cases while fostering the development of critical thinking and advanced clinical skills. The rigorous training would equip me with a strong, well-rounded clinical foundation and refine the specialized skills needed to deliver exceptional care to acutely ill patient populations.
Isis Rollins| PGY1 - Morton Plant Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
My time as an inpatient pharmacy intern combined with my clinical rotation experiences as a student, was instrumental in solidifying my desire to become a clinical pharmacist. Through my involvement in providing antibiotic stewardship recommendations, evaluating the correlation of pharmacokinetic drug properties to clinical outcomes, and preparing medications at the bedside during rapid sequence intubations, I developed a deep appreciation for the impact clinical pharmacists have on patient outcomes. These opportunities underscored the critical contributions of pharmacists in delivering evidence-based patient care in high-pressure clinical environments, igniting my passion to seek out a pharmacy residency.
Why did I choose Morton Plant Hospital at BayCare?
The residency program at Morton Plant Hospital offers comprehensive training and a dynamic learning environment essential to achieve my career goals. With its emphasis on patient safety and interdisciplinary collaboration, this program aligned seamlessly with my professional aspirations. As an institution with multiple critical care units, Morton Plant Hospital provides unmatched opportunities to manage complex, high-acuity patient cases while fostering the development of critical thinking and advanced clinical skills. The rigorous training would equip me with a strong, well-rounded clinical foundation and refine the specialized skills needed to deliver exceptional care to acutely ill patient populations.
Sarah Seward
PGY2 (Critical Care) - Morton Plant Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a PGY2 residency?
My experiences in critical care as a student and developing pharmacist have led me to pursue a PGY2 to further strengthen my clinical skills. I am passionate about helping people when they need it the most and enjoy the challenge of complex patients. I have been privileged to witness the meaningful impact pharmacists can have on critically ill patients and their families. Many critical care preceptors I have met along the way have inspired me with their strong knowledge, confidence, and independence in their profession. Completing a critical care residency will allow me to learn, grow professionally, work at the top of my license, and provide high quality care to my patients.
Why did I choose Morton Plant Hospital at BayCare?
I chose to complete my residency at Morton Plant Hospital because the program distinguished itself from others with their various intensive care units to rotate through and the strong, experienced preceptors. Once I met the team and toured the hospital on my interview, I was positive this was where I wanted to continue my clinical education. Everyone was very welcoming and truly interested in learning about me. The facilities are excellent and BayCare has a great reputation as a health system. Coming from out-of-state, I was excited to gain a feeling of support and encouragement from BayCare and the precepting team on day one. I believe Morton Plant Hospital will prepare me for a successful career as a critical care pharmacist.
Sarah Seward| PGY2 (Critical Care) - Morton Plant Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a PGY2 residency?
My experiences in critical care as a student and developing pharmacist have led me to pursue a PGY2 to further strengthen my clinical skills. I am passionate about helping people when they need it the most and enjoy the challenge of complex patients. I have been privileged to witness the meaningful impact pharmacists can have on critically ill patients and their families. Many critical care preceptors I have met along the way have inspired me with their strong knowledge, confidence, and independence in their profession. Completing a critical care residency will allow me to learn, grow professionally, work at the top of my license, and provide high quality care to my patients.
Why did I choose Morton Plant Hospital at BayCare?
I chose to complete my residency at Morton Plant Hospital because the program distinguished itself from others with their various intensive care units to rotate through and the strong, experienced preceptors. Once I met the team and toured the hospital on my interview, I was positive this was where I wanted to continue my clinical education. Everyone was very welcoming and truly interested in learning about me. The facilities are excellent and BayCare has a great reputation as a health system. Coming from out-of-state, I was excited to gain a feeling of support and encouragement from BayCare and the precepting team on day one. I believe Morton Plant Hospital will prepare me for a successful career as a critical care pharmacist.
Joshua Ehlers
PGY1 - St. Anthony's Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
My passion for patient care and making an impact on others is what drew me to clinical practice. Residency is a great opportunity to solidify the skills and knowledge I gained in pharmacy school and make the transition to clinical pharmacy practice. It provides a comprehensive learning experience consisting of patient care, research, quality improvement projects, teaching, leadership and more. I’m confident I will leave residency equipped for a career in clinical pharmacy.
Why did I choose St. Anthony’s Hospital at BayCare?
I chose St. Anthony’s Hospital because I wanted to join a program that I would be excited to go to every day. With a diverse patient population and a variety of rotations offered, I knew it would provide a well-rounded experience in the acute care setting. Most importantly, the supportive and welcoming learning environment created by all the preceptors helped make this decision easy. BayCare is an excellent healthcare system and I am proud to be a part of it.
Joshua Ehlers| PGY1 - St. Anthony's Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
My passion for patient care and making an impact on others is what drew me to clinical practice. Residency is a great opportunity to solidify the skills and knowledge I gained in pharmacy school and make the transition to clinical pharmacy practice. It provides a comprehensive learning experience consisting of patient care, research, quality improvement projects, teaching, leadership and more. I’m confident I will leave residency equipped for a career in clinical pharmacy.
Why did I choose St. Anthony’s Hospital at BayCare?
I chose St. Anthony’s Hospital because I wanted to join a program that I would be excited to go to every day. With a diverse patient population and a variety of rotations offered, I knew it would provide a well-rounded experience in the acute care setting. Most importantly, the supportive and welcoming learning environment created by all the preceptors helped make this decision easy. BayCare is an excellent healthcare system and I am proud to be a part of it.
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