VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System

Lincoln Preceptors

Residency Program Director: Veronica Kuhlmann, Pharm.D.

Veronica Kuhlmann graduated from South Dakota State University in 2006 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and went on to complete an ASHP accredited residency in ambulatory care at the Madison, WI VAMC 2006-2007. She has been working at the Lincoln VAMC since 2007. Veronica helped expand pharmacy services into the primary care area and currently works with one of the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) in primary care.

Clinical Coordinator: Justin Frazer, Pharm.D.

Dr. Frazer is a 2003 graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy.  He completed an ASHP-accredited Primary Care Specialty residency at the William S. Middleton VA in Madison, Wisconsin in 2004.  Justin then started working at the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care system as an ambulatory clinical pharmacy specialist.  After developing a new practice, he helped it rapidly expand by adding an Anticoagulation Clinic, the Chronic Disease State Management service, Mental Health and specialty clinic support, as well as an Acute Care Clinical Pharmacy service.  In 2009, Justin became the Clinical Coordinator and started the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program in Topeka.  When the opportunity to come back home to Nebraska arose in 2013, Justin and his family moved to Omaha.  Dr. Frazer currently serves as the Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator for VA Nebraska-Western Iowa, overseeing the clinical and educational programs across the system.  He regularly works with residents on research and management projects, as well as serving on the Residency Advisory Committee for all of the PGY1 and PGY2 programs.  Justin and his wife Bridget have four children, and enjoy coaching (and cheering) them in basketball, baseball, track and soccer.

Chief of Pharmacy: Tracie Balvanz, Pharm.D.

Dr. Balvanz is a 2004 graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Pharmacy.  She completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 residency at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson Arizona.  She went on to complete a PGY2 in Pharmacoeconomics and managed care at the Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21) in Reno Nevada.  Following residency, she began working at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno Nevada as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in a variety of practice areas including mental health, inpatient, CLC.  She developed the Pharmacoeconomics program in 2009 before assuming the role of Associate Chief of Pharmacy for Inpatient in 2011 and then Deputy Chief of Pharmacy in 2017.  Recently, she returned to Nebraska and joined the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System as the Chief of Pharmacy.  She and her husband Bryan have 3 children and enjoy traveling.

Grand Island PGY2 Residency Program Director: Lisa Bilslend, Pharm.D, BCACP

Dr. Bilslend is a 2009 graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Pharmacy. She completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 residency focused in ambulatory care at the Grand Island VA in 2009-2010. Following residency, Lisa began working at the Lincoln VA as a clinical pharmacist. She helped to pilot the Tele-pharmacy program and provided medication therapy management for four satellite clinics across the Nebraska-Western Iowa division. She also served as primary preceptor for clerkship students from UNMC, as well as telepharmacy and drug information rotation preceptor for residents. She attained Board Certification in Ambulatory Care in 2012.

In 2013, Dr. Bilslend returned to the Grand Island VA as a clinical pharmacy specialist and residency program director.  She works primarily in the PACT/ambulatory care clinics, is also involved in Academic Detailing, as well as precepting APPE students from UNMC and Creighton University. Together with the other Ambulatory Care preceptors, she was awarded “Preceptor Site of the Year” by the UNMC P4 class in 2015, and again in 2019.  Lisa also serves as the Residency Program Director for the PGY2 residency program. She and her husband, Matt, have a son, Rowan.  In her free time, she enjoys gardening, working on DIY projects and spending time with family.

Lincoln Preceptors:

Chad Bartholomew, Pharm.D.

Chad graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in 2009 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Grand Island, Nebraska VA in 2009-2010. After completing the residency he began working at the Lincoln, Nebraska VA in July of 2010. He helped expand pharmacy services into primary care at the Lincoln VA and provided Medication Therapy Management services as part of Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) in primary care. Chad became the Lincoln site Pharmacy manager 8/2013.

Kathryn Bowers graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2011 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She went on to complete an ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Grand Island, Nebraska VA in 2011-2012. After completing residency, Kathryn began working at Northern Indiana VA as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in ambulatory care and in December of 2013 she became board certified in ambulatory care pharmacy. In August of 2016, Kathryn transferred to the Lincoln, Nebraska VA clinic and is currently working there as part of Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) in primary care.

Johanna Hatcliff, Pharm.D.

Johanna graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2007 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She then worked at and managed the Wal-mart Pharmacy in Sidney, Nebraska. While in Sidney, Johanna also filled in at Memorial Health Center as staff pharmacist and long term care consultant. She joined Lincoln VAMC in March of 2011 in Outpatient Pharmacy, anticoagulation clinic, Infusion/Chemotherapy, anticoagulation clinic and PACT.

Jim Puhl, Pharm.D., BCPS

Jim Puhl graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2009 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He went on to complete an ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Nebraska Medical Center in 2009-2010. After completing his residency, he began working as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Omaha VA and participating in ambulatory care, anticoagulation services, pain management, and surgical services. During this time, he obtained his Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy. In 2019, he transferred to the Lincoln VA and is now a member of the outpatient pharmacy staff.

Adam Placke, Pharm. D.

Adam graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2009 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  He then worked at and managed two locations for CVS/pharmacy in the greater Kansas City, MO area.  In 2011, he moved to Lincoln, NE and helped open a new store location for CVS, where he managed the pharmacy until March 2020.  He joined the Lincoln VA in April 2020 as a member of the Outpatient Pharmacy staff.

Alex Schneider, Pharm.D.

Alex (Jim) graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in 1982 with a doctor of pharmacy degree.  He began work as a staff pharmacist in the Omaha VA Hospital’s inpatient and outpatient areas.   He transferred to the Lincoln VA Medical Center in 1990 and worked inpatient and outpatient areas as a clinical pharmacist.  In 2008 he became Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System’s Pharmacoeconomist.  He also serves as the pharmacy Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) for Lincoln. Jim was 1 of 42 participants across the US that received a Healthcare Analytics Certificate through the inaugural  Veterans Administration sponsored Healthcare Analytics Certificate Program in 2012.  Jim prepares SQL pharmacy database reports for VISN23 Pharmacy Chiefs and managers.  Jim is a member of the Veterans Health Administration Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Public Health  IDPIO (Infection Don’t Pass It On) team.

Jeffrey Steffensmeier, Pharm.D.

Jeff graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1989 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  Prior to working at the VA he worked for 11 years at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital as the Clinical Pharmacy Manager and expanded clinical pharmacy services to all areas of the hospital.  While at Madonna he also was an Adjunct Professor in the School of Pharmacy and Allied Health at Creighton University and was preceptor for many students. He has been working at the Lincoln VAMC since 2009. Jeff participated in the expansion of pharmacy services into the primary care area and participated in the establishment of the interdisciplinary pain clinic. Jeff currently works in primary care (PACT) and in pain clinic.

Patricia Steffensmeier, Pharm.D., BCPS

Patricia graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1992 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Prior to joining the VA in 2008, she was a hospital pharmacist in Fremont, Nebraska, and La Crosse, Wisconsin. In Lincoln, she worked at a local independent pharmacy and as a long term care consultant pharmacist.   As a VA Pharmacist, she has worked in the outpatient pharmacy area, works closely with the Oncology and Infusion Clinic, works with Vista Chemotherapy Manager (VCM) individualized standard chemotherapy regimens and assists with 797 Compliance. She also rotates through the primary care (PACT) and anticoagulation clinic. She is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy.

Susan Stone, Pharm.D., MPA, BCACP

Susan graduated from Drake University in 2011 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a Masters in Public Administration.  She went on to complete an ASHP accredited PGY1 residency focused in ambulatory care at the Grand Island VA in 2011-2012.  Following residency, Susan began working at the Marion VA in Indiana as a clinical pharmacist and transferred to Lincoln in 2014.  She is also Board Certified in Ambulatory Care.  She currently provides medication therapy management for satellite clinics in Holdrege, NE and Shenandoah, IA within the Nebraska-Western Iowa division, as well as anticoagulation services to the Lincoln VA veterans.

Andrea Walter, MS, Pharm.D.

Andrea graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2011 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 residency at the Lincoln VA in 2012. Following residency, Andrea worked as a clinical pharmacist at the Lincoln VA providing Tele-pharmacy services to community based outpatient clinics within the Nebraska-Western Iowa division. She is now providing medication therapy management services focused on prevention and management of metabolic syndrome for patients utilizing mental health services at the Lincoln VA.

Rebecca White, Pharm.D., CACP

Rebecca graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2008 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  She completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 residency at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center in 2008-2009.  From there, she began working at the Black Hill VA Health Care System in Fort Meade as a clinical pharmacy specialist.  In June 2010 she returned to her childhood home of Lincoln and began working at the Lincoln VA as a clinical pharmacist.  She has helped in the development and implementation of the tele-pharmacy program that provides medication therapy management to four rural outpatient VA clinics. Becky is a Certified Anticoagulation Care Provider (CACP).

Ly Nguyen, Pharm.D., BCPS

Ly Nguyen graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2007 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Practice residency at the Grand Island VA in 2007-2008. After completing her residency, she worked as an ambulatory care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) at the Omaha VA and became a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist in 2009.  In 2011, Ly relocated to Jacksonville, Florida and spent 7 years at the University of Florida Health-Jacksonville as an ambulatory care Clinical Pharmacist specializing in anticoagulation, chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and nicotine dependence), and pain management. Ly returned to the Omaha VA in 2018 to take the position as a Pain CPS and Academic Detailer. In July of 2020, she transferred to the Lincoln VA to practice as the Medication Safety/Informatics Pharmacist for NWI.  Her interests include patient safety, medication safety, pharmacy informatics, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and nicotine dependence.

Off-Site Preceptors for Elective Choices:

Grand Island VA

Amy Thompson, Pharm.D, BCGP, FASCP

Amy graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in 2005. She went on to complete a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at the Grand Island VA. Following residency, Amy joined the UNMC/VA team as a 50:50 faculty member. A few years later, she transitioned to a full time position at the Grand Island VA, serving as the Community Living Center (CLC) pharmacist. She is primary preceptor for APPE fourth year clerkship students from the Nebraska Medical Center and preceptor for the Residents completing the CLC rotation.

Jamie Baldwin, Pharm.D. (Staff Pharmacist, HBPC clinical pharmacist)

Jamie graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2009.  After graduation, she took a position with Walgreens pharmacy in Grand Island where she had been working since 2001 as a technician and pharmacy intern.  She worked as a staff pharmacist for about a year, then transitioned into a manager role at Walgreens.  When an opening came up in 2013 at the Grand Island VA outpatient pharmacy, she accepted the position and loves her roles here!  She is the pharmacist representative for the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) team and the Women’s Health Committee, and also provides coverage for the Community Living Center (CLC) and the outpatient infusion clinic.  She loves to be outdoors and travel, and has a long list of National Parks to cross off the bucket list!  She also enjoys spending free time with her family, cooking, and playing with her dogs.   

Omaha VA

Michaela Hrdy, PharmD (Cardiology)

Dr. Hrdy graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2006. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Omaha, NE.  Following residency, she accepted an inpatient clinical pharmacist position with Bergan Mercy Medical Center. In 2008, she transitioned to the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Omaha, NE to serve as an acute care clinical pharmacist and residency program director. Currently, Dr. Hrdy is the cardiology clinical pharmacy specialist and residency program director for the Omaha VA. 

Kathryn (Kate) Hentzen, PharmD, BCACP (Geriatrics and HBPC)

Kate graduated in 2010 from the University of Nebraska Medical  (UNMC) with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  Following graduation she completed an ASHP accredited PGY-1 residency focused in ambulatory care at the William S Middleton VA in Madison, WI and stayed to complete a PGY-2 Ambulatory Care residency with a focus in geriatrics and academia.  Following residency, she started as a clinical assistant professor at UNMC with a practice site at the Omaha VA in primary care (PACT) and anticoagulation.  She transitioned to the Omaha VA full time in 2013 as a PACT pharmacist in primary care and anticoagulation.  She currently serves as the clinical pharmacist for the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) teams for Omaha and North Platte as well as the pharmacist for the Geriatrics evaluation clinic.

Mandy Herdzina (Inpatient Mental Health)

Dr. Herdzina graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center – College of Pharmacy in 2009 followed by a PGY1 residency at Bergan Mercy Medical Center/Creighton University in 2010 with a focus in psychiatric pharmacy.  Since completion of her residency, she has served as an Inpatient Pharmacist at the Omaha VA.  Dr. Herdzina was the co-preceptor for Creighton and UNMC fourth year rotation students from 2010-2012, the preceptor and coordinator of the Valor student program from 2013-2017 and she has been precepting pharmacy residents and students on the inpatient psychiatric unit since 2014. 

Teri Gabel (Outpatient Mental Health)

Dr. Gabel has been the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Mental Health at the VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System for over 20 years serving the inpatient and outpatient psychiatric areas and the substance use disorders programs. Dr. Gabel is a Volunteer Faculty member for the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Gabel received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the UNMC College of Pharmacy, completed a residency in Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice at the Medical University of South Carolina, and is board certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy. She was an Assistant Professor at the UNMC College of Pharmacy for over ten years where her area of expertise was psychiatric therapeutics. Dr. Gabel has advanced training in herbal medicine holding a Master Herbalist Diploma from the Australasian College of Health Sciences. Dr. Gabel provides educational programming in and has authored and co-authored articles and chapters on mental health and natural medicines.

Mike graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2007 and went on to complete a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Boston Medical Center. After residency, he worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston as a clinical pharmacist on one of their inpatient Cardiology teams. He moved to Nebraska after meeting his now wife, a Nebraska native, during her residency in Boston. Mike then began working at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on the Neurosurgery and Internal Medicine services before coming to the Omaha VA in 2014. Throughout his time at the VA, he has served as a preceptor for the Internal Medicine rotation and is a member of the RAC and P&T Committee. 

Pamela A. Foral, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP (Infectious Disease)

Dr. Foral is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professionals and Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Foral graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree and completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at The University of Arizona.  She is certified as a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. Dr. Foral’s clinical site is at the Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Hospital in Omaha.  She is an Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and is the Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.  Her current areas of research interest include antimicrobial stewardship and outcomes.  She is a member numerous professional organizations, has published in peer-reviewed journals and has given numerous local and national presentations.  

Allyson Friel

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