Pharmacist Bios
Elizabeth Gonzalez, PharmD, BCPS, MBA
Clinical Manager
PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency Director
PGY2 Residency Program Coordinator
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Infectious Diseases
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy
Dr. Elizabeth González received her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Irvine, and her Doctor of Pharmacy and Masters in Business Administration degrees from Roseman University of Health Sciences. She completed her pharmacy practice residency at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. She earned an Antimicrobial Stewardship Certificate from the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists. Dr. Gonzalez is credentialed by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS) as a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS).
Dr. Gonzalez joined St. Rose Dominican hospitals in 2006 serving as a clinical specialist in infectious disease. She is director of pharmacology education for St. Rose Dominican’s Internal Medicine Residency Program. She is currently a member of the Silver States Scripts Board (Nevada Medicaid Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee).
She is a full member of the American Society of Health – System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), the Nevada Society of Health-System Pharmacists (NVSHP), and the Nevada State Antibiotic Stewardship Program. Dr. Gonzalez serves as the Program Director for the PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency program.
Lisa Krautstrunk, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
PGY2 Residency Program Director
PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency Coordinator
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Antimicrobial Stewardship
Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy
Dr. Krautstrunk received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her pharmacy practice residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. She obtained an antimicrobial stewardship certification through the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists (SIDP), and is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist (BCIDP). Dr. Krautstrunk precepts both pharmacy students and residents.
She is a member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and serves as a peer reviewer for the BCPS preparatory review guide, Infectious Diseases Self-Assessment Program (IDSAP), and Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology (ASHE). Dr. Krautstrunk is also a full member of ASHP, NVSHP, and the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists (SIDP).
Ragini S. Bhakta, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Cardiology; Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy
Dr. Bhakta received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from University of the Pacific. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at Veterans Affairs hospital in Long Beach, California. Dr. Bhakta is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Roseman University of Health Sciences and precepts students on their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). She has more than 10 years of experience as a clinical specialist in cardiology. Her primary practice involves rounding with cardiology, providing formulary management, and coordinating policy and/or procedure updates as related to the Pharmacy and Cardiology departments. Her clinical research interests include antithrombotic medications as related to acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
Dr. Bhakta has given professional presentations at California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP), Nevada Society of Health-System Pharmacist (NVSHP), American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and AHA Get with the Guidelines® seminars. She is a member and President for NVSHP, as well as a member of ACCP and ASHP.
Christine Hackman, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Critical Care Medicine
Dr. Christine Hackman graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. She went on to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy. Dr. Hackman completed an ASHP-accredited pharmacy practice residency and an ASHP-accredited specialty residency in critical care at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.
Upon completion of her residency training, Dr. Hackman joined St. Rose Dominican as a clinical specialist in the intensive care unit. She is a full member of the American Society of Health – System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Stacy Henry, PharmD, BCPS, BCEMP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Emergency Medicine
Dr. Stacy Henry received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson, Nevada, in 2019. She then completed a pharmacy practice residency and teaching certificate at St. Rose Siena Hospital. Since completing her residency, she has become a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and has an ASHP accredited certification in Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Henry has remained with St. Rose Siena Hospital where she currently works as a clinical pharmacist in the emergency department and precepts residents and students during their rotations. She enjoys the fast-paced environment and variety of clinical challenges faced daily in the emergency room. During her spare time, her favorite thing to do is relax at home with her family watching movies and cheering for sports.
Chris Hightower, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Pharmacy Supervisor
Dr. Christopher Hightower received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California, San Diego and his Doctor of Pharmacy and Masters in Business Administration from Roseman University of Health Sciences. He is also a board certified geriatric pharmacist.
Dr. Hightower has held a variety of positions throughout his career. He was a Manager for Target Pharmacy and a Utilization Review Clinical Pharmacist before joining St. Rose Dominican Hospital in 2012. Dr. Hightower has held a variety of positons within the organization and has worked at all three campuses. He started his career with St. Rose at the San Martin campus as the graveyard pharmacist, then became the clinical staff pharmacist for the medical/surgical unit at the Rose de Lima campus before transferring to the Siena campus where he served as a clinical staff pharmacist for the medical/surgical unit, IV room pharmacist, and now pharmacy supervisor.
He is also a member of American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. As the population ages and nearly 92% of older adults have at least one chronic condition and 81% have two, there is going to be a greater demand for senior care. He feels pharmacists can play an important role in delivering that care.
Karen Holmes, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Critical Care Medicine
Dr. Karen Holmes received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2009. She then completed a pharmacy practice residency at Forsyth Medical center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a specialty residency in critical care at U of A University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. She became a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist in 2013.
After residency, Dr. Holmes practiced as a clinical specialist in critical care medicine at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In both positions she precepted residents in ASHP accredited residency programs. In Saudi Arabia, she also precepted pharmacy students and lectured at the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
Dr. Holmes joined the St. Rose Dominican team in September 2015 as a clinical specialist in critical care medicine.
Brett Krautstrunk, RpH, BCPS, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Antimicrobial Stewardship
Mr. Krautstrunk attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. After receiving his degree in pharmacy, he practiced in many areas of hospital pharmacy including critical care, pediatrics, surgery, and administration. He is certified in antimicrobial stewardship through the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists. Mr. Krautstrunk is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist (BCIDP).
At Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican, Mr. Krautstrunk worked initially to address quality improvement. Currently, he is involved in antimicrobial stewardship and rounding with infectious disease physicians to ensure appropriate antibiotic therapy. He also contributes to various committees including Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Sepsis committee, Infection Control, and Antimicrobial Stewardship. Mr. Krautstrunk is a preceptor for Roseman University College of Pharmacy and is a member of the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists (SIDP).
Travis Merkle, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Critical Care Medicine
As early as the age of six, Dr. Travis Merkle, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP, wanted to be a pharmacist. His father, a clinical engineer, had recommended the career after admiring the passion and knowledge of several pharmacist colleagues.
While an undergraduate student at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Dr. Merkle worked as a pharmacy technician at St. Rose Dominican, which cemented his dream to be a hospital pharmacist in the St. Rose system. Not ready to leave his native Las Vegas valley, Dr. Merkle applied to Roseman University of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy (formerly University of Southern Nevada). After graduating with his PharmD in 2007, Dr. Merkle began a pharmacy practice residency at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where he piqued his interest in critical care. Moreover, he met his lovely wife Summer during his residency orientation.
When he completed his pharmacy residency in 2008, Dr. Merkle began working as an ICU clinical pharmacist at the Siena Campus. Dr. Merkle continues to practice in the Siena ICU. In his spare time, he enjoys playing games with his wife and two children, sampling delicious cuisine, and enjoying his dogs, a Great Dane and a Beagle.
Katie Mrzljak, PharmD, MBA, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Critical Care Medicine
Dr. Katie Mrzljak received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson, Nevada, in 2014. She then completed a pharmacy practice residency and teaching certificate at Banner University Medical Center and a specialty residency in internal medicine at the VA Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She became a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist in 2016.
After residency, Dr. Mrzljak returned to Nevada to practice as a clinical specialist in critical care at St. Rose, where she also precepts students on their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs).
Jenny Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Pediatrics and Neonatology
Dr. Jenny Nguyen earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Roseman University of Health Sciences in 2014. As a new graduate, she practiced in community, hospital, and long term/palliative care settings until she found her passion in pediatrics in 2018 at Sunrise Children's Hospital. In addition to being a Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist, she is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.
At Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, Jenny is currently the pediatric and neonatology clinical specialist. Working collaboratively with the NICU and pediatric teams, Jenny provides knowledge and expertise that is unique to the pediatric and neonatal population.
She is also a full member of the Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) and actively participates in its communication network of special interest groups including critical care and nutrition. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys traveling, not for the sights but for the food.
Jacole L. Pogue, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Internal Medicine
Dr. Jacole Pogue has over 30 years of pharmacy experience in several diverse practice settings. Dr. Pogue received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Pogue then completed a pharmacy practice residency at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona.
From there, Dr. Pogue has practiced in a variety of pharmacy settings throughout her diverse career. These include both staff and managerial positions in hospital and home health care. Dr. Pogue also worked for the pharmaceutical industry as a medical liaison for parenteral nutrition.
Dr. Pogue joined the St. Rose Dominican team in 2007. She is currently involved with precepting pharmacy students on their Advanced Pharmacy Experiences (APPE’s). Her interests include internal medicine, critical care, and infectious disease. Dr. Pogue is a member of NVSHP.
Anthony Sayegh, PharmD
Dr. Anthony Sayegh received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2014 from Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson, Nevada. As a new graduate, he began his career in long-term acute care until he found his passion in the Emergency Department in 2016 at Valley Hospital Medical Center. He has been precepting pharmacy residents since 2017.
Dr. Sayegh has an ASHP accredited certification in Emergency Medicine and has been at St. Rose since 2023. He loves the fast-paced and exciting environment of the emergency department. Outside of the adventure of ED, Anthony enjoys exploring, hiking, and biking national parks with his wife.
Julie Seidlinger, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Education
Dr. Julie Seidlinger received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from North Dakota State University College of Pharmacy in Fargo, North Dakota in 2005. Following her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, she completed a pharmacy practice residency at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, then went on to do the George P. Provost Editorial Internship with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in Bethesda, Maryland.
Her current role at St. Rose Dominican is Medication Safety Officer. This position involves measuring and improving medication safety, in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and individual clinicians. She evaluates medication events, quality metrics, and medication safety technology usage reports guides areas of focus. In addition, she precepts pharmacy students and develops nursing and pharmacy education as well as creates, edits, and provides lectures and patient education. Dr. Seidlinger is a member of ASHP and the Nevada Society of Health-System Pharmacists (NVSHP).
Michael Ta, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist, Internal Medicine
Dr. Michael Ta received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Pacific University School of Pharmacy, Hillsboro, OR. He then went on to complete his PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, in which he also obtained his teaching certificate through University of Kansas School of Pharmacy.
Dr. Ta joined the Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican hospital system in 2016 and currently serves as clinical pharmacist in emergency medicine at the Siena campus. His practice interests include critical care, infectious disease, and emergency medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, hiking, and traveling.