Pharmacy Residency Preceptors

Dr. Bobbi Hilker is the Director of Pharmacy, PGY1 Residency Program Director for Meritus Medical Center, and Clinical Professor at Frostburg State University for the Physician Assistant Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. After moving back to Maryland, she went on to earn her doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Maryland. Dr. Hilker is a certified anticoagulation provider and has achieved board certification in pharmacotherapy. She is the preceptor for the administration learning experience. Her areas of interest include anticoagulation and she enjoys teaching students and residents.

Dr. Jerry Van is the Pharmacy Clinical Manager at Meritus Medical Center. He earned his doctorate in pharmacy and MBA from Shenandoah University and completed a PGY-1 residency at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Van has held positions such an ICU clinical specialist and OR pharmacy specialist. He currently is board certified in pharmacotherapy. His areas of interest include infectious diseases, critical care, and internal medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys watching/playing sports, watching movies/TV shows, and dad jokes.

Dr. Sarah Hawbaker is the Pharmacy Operations Manager at Meritus Medical Center. She earned her doctorate in pharmacy from Shenandoah University. Prior to joining Meritus Medical Center, she served in staffing and leadership roles in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacies. Dr. Hawbaker obtained a Board Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy in 2020. She also completed the SIDP Antimicrobial Stewardship Certificate, Summit Health Lean for Leaders Certificate, and the University of Southern Indiana Anticoagulation Therapy Certificate. Her professional areas of interest include transitions of care, palliative care, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Dr. Amanda Bertele is a Clinical Pharmacist with specialty practice in Antithrombotic Stewardship, and PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator for Meritus Medical Center. She earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Notre Dame of Maryland University and completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Frederick Health Hospital. Dr. Bertele has held pharmacy specialist positions in care transitions and anticoagulation. She earned her teaching certificate from University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Frostburg State University in the Physician Assistant Studies Program. Her areas of interest include antithrombotic stewardship, critical care, and internal medicine. Dr. Bertele is the preceptor for the longitudinal projects and research learning experience.

Dr. Katelyn Andrews is the Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist for Meritus Medical Center. She is a graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy. Dr. Andrews completed her PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at Meritus Medical Center. She completed a Teaching Certificate Program at Shenandoah University and holds certificates in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. Dr. Andrews also completed the SIDP Antimicrobial Stewardship Certificate Program and achieved board certification in critical care. Her areas of interest include infectious diseases, critical care, and toxicology. Dr. Andrews is the preceptor for the critical care and infectious disease learning experiences.

Dr. Jeanette Dean is the Safety Officer for Meritus Medical Center. She is a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a doctorate in pharmacy. She obtained a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management for Sustainability at Wilson College in 2017. During this program, she earned a Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt certification. Prior to joining Meritus Medical Center, Dr. Dean served in leadership roles over the last several years as an operations manager and director of pharmacy. Her areas of interest include medication safety, patient safety, antibiotic stewardship, lean methodologies, and medication therapy management.​

Dr. Kwabena Nimarko is the ambulatory care pharmacist for Meritus Medical Center. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. He completed a PGY-1 pharmacy residency program at Hahnemann University Hospital, the former teaching hospital for Drexel School of Medicine. Before joining Meritus Medical Center, Dr. Nimarko worked as a clinical pharmacist in internal medicine, transitions of care, and transplant. His areas of interest include diabetes, anticoagulation, polypharmacy, and transitions of care.

Julie Shupp is the oncology pharmacist at Meritus Health's John R. Marsh Cancer Center. Julie received her Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Prior to her current position, she worked at Meritus Medical Center in the inpatient pharmacy. She earned her BCOP in 2017. Mrs. Shupp is the preceptor for the outpatient oncology learning experiences.

Dr. Dana DelTufo is originally from the New Jersey Shore, but moved to Maryland for pharmacy school in 2015. She is excited to continue her journey at Meritus after graduating from their PGY-1 residency program in June 2022. She completed her pharmacy coursework in Baltimore at Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy in May 2021. As a new preceptor, Dana truly enjoys having a part in teaching the future pharmacists of the world. Her teaching style involves encouragement, positivity, and a focus on evidence-based medicine practices. Dana’s professional areas of interest are medication safety, cardiology, and infectious diseases. Outside of residency, she loves to cook, explore new places, and spend time with her loved ones.

Dr. Kaitlin Scott is the Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist for Meritus Medical Center.. She graduated from West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in 2020 and went on to complete a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Meritus Medical Center. Dr. Scott looks forward to becoming a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the near future. Her professional interests include infectious disease, emergency medicine, critical care, and nutrition support.

Dr. Kellyn Smith is the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Administration at Meritus Medical Center and will be a preceptor during the medication safety learning experience. She received her doctor of pharmacy degree from West Virginia University. Prior to her current position, Dr. Smith was an inpatient pharmacist here at Meritus Medical Center and has experience in the ICU, nutrition support team and oncology areas.

Dr. Kari Louk graduated from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 2018. Within a few months, she started as an evening staff pharmacist at Meritus Medical Center. Later, she transitioned to being a clinical pharmacist after board certification in pharmacotherapy. Today, Dr. Louk is the Internal Medicine Specialist and preceptor for internal medicine, pediatrics, and nutritional support.