Meet the Board of Directors

The ASHP board brings a wealth of experience from all walks of pharmaceutical life.

Paul C. Walker, PharmD, FASHP, President

Dr. Paul Walker is clinical professor and assistant dean of experiential education and community engagement, College of Pharmacy, and manager, department of pharmacy, Michigan Medicine. Dr. Walker received his BS in pharmacy and PharmD from Wayne State University. He completed an ASHP-accredited residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and specialty residency in pediatric pharmacy practice at the University of Tennessee. He has served in clinical practice and leadership roles at the Detroit Medical Center and Henry Ford Health System and held faculty appointments at Wayne State University. He is passionate about advancing pharmacy practice by innovating pharmacist services, evaluating pharmacists’ impact on patient care, and especially by integrating student pharmacists into practice models and interprofessional teams through work in experiential education. 

Dr. Walker has served ASHP in many capacities, most recently as a member of the Board of Directors. He chaired ASHP’s recent Task Force on Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He also served as chair of the Committee on Nominations; as a member of the Commission on Affiliate Relations and the ASHP Foundation Donor Retention Subcommittee; and as a delegate to the House of Delegates for many years. 

Dr. Walker served on the board of directors of the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) and the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP). He received the 2008 MSHP Professional Practice Award, the 2010 MSHP Pharmacist of the Year Award, the 2017 MSHP Joseph A. Odis Leadership Award, and the 2021 MPA Pharmacist of the Year Award. He has been inducted into the MPA Hall of Honor and is recognized as a Fellow by ASHP and MPA. Dr. Walker serves as President of the ASHP Board of Directors.

Nishaminy Kasbekar, PharmD, BSPharm, FASHP, President-elect

Dr. Nishaminy (Nish) Kasbekar is the chief pharmacy officer at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kasbekar earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and completed residencies in pharmacy practice and infectious diseases at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She began her career providing direct patient care as a clinical pharmacy specialist in infectious diseases, implementing an antimicrobial stewardship program. In her 25 years at Penn Medicine, she has led many strategic and programmatic initiatives expanding the scope, services, and influence of the pharmacy department in inpatient and ambulatory areas. 

Her ASHP service includes Board of Directors (2019-2022); chair, Section Advisory Group on Multi-Hospital Pharmacy Executives; chair, Council on Pharmacy Practice; Women in Pharmacy Leadership Steering Committee; AJHP Editorial Board; and delegate to the ASHP House of Delegates for over eight years. In addition, she has served as chair, Vizient Practice Advancement Committee; president, Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists; president, Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Educational Foundation; and president, Delaware Valley Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Kasbekar has also received numerous recognitions for her work and contribution to pharmacy, including the PSHP Pharmacist of the Year Award, Joe E. Smith Award, Sister M. Gonzales Duffy Award, and as a Fellow of ASHP. Kasbekar has also published and presented on a variety of topics, including leadership development, process improvement in healthcare, well-being and resilience, and innovative practice models. Dr. Kasbekar serves as President-elect of the ASHP Board of Directors.

Linda S. Tyler, PharmD, FASHP, Immediate Past President

Dr. Linda Tyler is professor (clinical) of pharmacotherapy, University of Utah College of Pharmacy. Previously, she was the chief pharmacy officer for University of Utah Health; and associate dean for pharmacy practice, University of Utah College of Pharmacy. Dr. Tyler received her BS in Pharmacy and PharmD degrees from the University of Utah. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at University of Nebraska Medical Center. She was a faculty member and critical care practitioner at the University of Wisconsin and a poison control center specialist at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She returned to the University of Utah as director of drug information services. She served in that role for many years before becoming the senior pharmacy leader for University of Utah Health. Dr. Tyler is a tireless advocate for progressive and innovative pharmacy services in health systems.  She was the residency program director for the HSPAL program and prior to that for the Drug Information residency. Dr. Tyler has served ASHP in many capacities. She previously served as a Board Member, Chair of the Council on Pharmacy Management and as Director-at-Large of the Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists Executive Committee. She has also served on the Councils on Organizational Affairs, Therapeutics, Education and Workforce Development, and Pharmacy Practice; the Committee on Nominations; Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners; New Practitioner and Student Forums; and a delegate to the House of Delegates for many years. She is a Past President of USHP. Dr. Tyler was the 2015 recipient of the John Webb Award, given by ASHP in recognition of outstanding leadership. Dr. Tyler serves as Immediate Past President of the ASHP Board of Directors.

Christene M. Jolowsky, BSPharm, MS, FASHP, Treasurer

Ms. Christene Jolowsky is senior director of pharmacy, Hennepin Healthcare System, Minneapolis. She completed her BSPharm and MS in Pharmacy Administration at the University of Minnesota and a two-year ASHP-accredited administrative residency at the University of Minnesota Hospital. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, teaching in both the PharmD and graduate curriculums.

In her current role, she is responsible for inpatient, retail, and clinic-based pharmacy services for the system and the Poison Control Center. Ms. Jolowsky has led teams around patient safety and clinical service initiatives. Her expertise is in clinical and operational performance improvement. Key accomplishments include promoting technician, student, and residency training and expanding the roles and scope of practice for pharmacists.

Her service to ASHP includes serving as President and on the Board of Directors, and serving on many councils, committees, and task forces for ASHP and local and state health-system chapters. She has been a Minnesota delegate to ASHP’s House of Delegates and served as President of the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP). She is a Fellow of both ASHP and MSHP.

Ms. Jolowsky was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers in 2009, the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy’s Preceptor of the Year and MSHP’s Hallie Bruce Award in 2005, and the MSHP Hugh F. Kabat Award in 2012. Ms. Jolowsky serves as ASHP Treasurer.

Melanie A. Dodd, PharmD, PhC, BCPS, FASHP, House of Delegates Chair

Dr. Melanie Dodd is associate dean for clinical affairs and professor, department of pharmacy practice and administrative sciences, The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM. A Purdue University, UNM and Presbyterian Healthcare Services residency program graduate, she began her career with the NM Medicaid DUR Program. She is now a pharmacist clinician with prescriptive authority at the UNM Senior Health Clinic and oversees a consultant pharmacist team. She is responsible for teaching pharmacy law, physical assessment, and geriatric teaching activities with PharmD students. She also teaches geriatric content across the UNM Health-Sciences Center with interprofessional students and medical and pharmacy residents. She plays an active role in development of and oversees new pharmacist clinical practice models, credentialing processes, and pharmacist reimbursement at UNM, including advocating for passage of and implementing NM House Bill 42, reimbursement parity to physicians for pharmacists with prescriptive authority.  

Dr. Dodd’s ASHP service includes vice-chair and chair of the Council on Public Policy, chair of the Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners, Pharmacy Forecast Advisory Committee, PPMI delegate, and NM delegate to the House of Delegates for 14 years. She is past-president of NMSHP and faculty advisor for the UNM SSHP. She was a member of the NM coalition that received the inaugural ASHP Pharmacy Champion award and received the Distinguished Service Award from the ASHP Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners. Dr. Dodd serves as Chair of ASHP House of Delegates.

Leigh A. Briscoe-Dwyer, PharmD, BSPharm, BCPS, FASHP

Dr. Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer is the system director of pharmacy for United Health Services Hospitals based in Johnson City, NY. She has spent the majority of her career in leadership positions across New York State and is a passionate advocate for expanding the role of the pharmacist in health care. 

She received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Albany College of Pharmacy and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. John’s University. Dr. Briscoe-Dwyer is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist, and has been named a Fellow of ASHP. She maintains Adjunct Clinical Faculty positions at Albany College of Pharmacy, St. John’s University, and Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and is a Past President of both the Long Island Society of Health-system Pharmacists and New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists. She has served ASHP in a number of capacities, including the FASHP Recognition Committee, Council on Public Policy, Committee on Nominations, including a term as Chair, and the PAC Advisory Committee. She has served as a Member of the House of Delegates for 15 years. Dr. Briscoe-Dwyer serves as a member of the ASHP Board of Directors.

Jamie S. Sinclair, MS, RPh, FASHP, FMSHP

Ms. Jamie Sinclair is director, pharmacy services for Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Sinclair earned her BSPharm from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and MS from the University of Minnesota. She completed an ASHP-accredited residency at Methodist Hospitals of Memphis. Ms. Sinclair has practiced in academic and community-based settings, beginning as a critical care pharmacist, and has held health-system leadership positions for over 20 years. Her passions include developing technicians, pharmacist practitioners, and leaders; implementing/optimizing technologies; and fostering interprofessional relationships. 

Ms. Sinclair’s service to ASHP includes:  Council on Pharmacy Practice; Chair, Commission on Affiliate Relations; Committee on Nominations; Women in Pharmacy Leadership Steering Committee; ASHP/ISMP Medication Safety Certificate Faculty; and state delegate (Iowa and Minnesota).  She is a member of the Iowa Pharmacy Association and past Treasurer and President of the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Ms. Sinclair serves as a member of the ASHP Board of Directors. 

Kim W. Benner, PharmD, BCPS, FALSHP, FASHP, FPPA

Dr. Kim Benner is professor of pharmacy practice at Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and pediatric specialist at Children’s of Alabama. After earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Samford, Dr. Benner completed an ASHP-accredited residency at Children’s of Alabama. Areas of specialty include pediatrics (specific experience in critical care and pulmonary), dermatology, translational research, and simulation education. Teaching is directed towards students, residents, fellow pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals both at Samford University and Children’s Hospital; other teaching-related duties include coordination of a teaching and learning certificate program for local pharmacy residents. She serves as the faculty advisor for the Samford SSHP chapter, the same one she chartered over 20 years ago. 

ASHP related activities include Past Chair of the Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists (SCSS), Committee on Nominations, and Council on Therapeutics. Dr. Benner has also served as an ASHP Clinical Skills Competition (CSC) coordinator and judge, Alabama delegate (6 years), CV and meeting proposal/abstract reviewer, and on the SCSS Pediatrics SAG as well various Section/ad hoc committees. Alabama ASHP state affiliate work includes past Council Director, President and Student Activities Committee Chair. She was appointed and served three years on the inaugural Board of Pharmacy Specialties Pediatric Council. Dr. Benner serves as a member of the ASHP Board of Directors. 

Pamela K. Phelps, PharmD, FASHP, FMSHP

Dr. Pamela Phelps is system director of acute care clinical pharmacy services at M Health Fairview, a 10-hospital health system in Minneapolis, MN. She is clinical associate professor at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. A Minnesota alum, she began her career as a staff pharmacist, followed by pharmacy specialist in critical care, before moving into formal leadership roles. Dr. Phelps is chief executive for M Health Fairview’s residency programs and HSPAL residency program director at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. She has 35 peer-reviewed articles and has given 61 invited presentations. 

Dr. Phelps’ service to ASHP includes Chair of the Council on Therapeutics, ASHP Advisory Committee for the Pharmacy Forecast, chapter author for the Pharmacy Forecast, editor for the ASHP book, Smart Infusion Pumps, member of the ASHP Task Force on Accountable Care Organizations, Minnesota State Delegate, and ASHP Council on Educational Affairs. She has served as a Chair and Executive Board Member for the Vizient Pharmacy Council. Phelps has served in many state affiliation roles, including President and Board Member of the Minnesota Society. She has served as Public Policy Co-Chair for MSHP for three years. Dr. Phelps serves as a member of the ASHP Board of Directors.

Samuel V. Calabrese, BSPharm, MBA, FASHP

Mr. Samuel Calabrese is the executive chief pharmacy officer for the Cleveland Clinic Enterprise in Cleveland, Ohio and holds an academic appointment at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He obtained his pharmacy degree from The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, his MBA from Cleveland State University, and also obtained a certification in executive coaching from The Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. In his current role, he leads a pharmacy enterprise that encompasses a 1.5 billion dollar drug budget and 1,700 FTEs in 19 hospitals and clinics in Ohio, Florida, Nevada, Canada, England and Abu Dhabi. He is passionate about leadership development and has given several invited presentations and serves as the residency program director for Cleveland Clinic’s health-system pharmacy administration and leadership residency. 

Mr. Calabrese’s ASHP service includes serving on the Commission on Affiliate Relations, the Council of Pharmacy Management, and as an ASHP delegate for Ohio. He has been an active member of the Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders (SPPL) where he chaired the Section Advisory Group for Quality and Compliance and completed terms as director-at-large and chair for the SPPL. He has served as faculty with ASHP’s Pharmacy Leadership Academy and with ASHP’s Australia leadership boot camp. He is past president for both the Cleveland Society of Health System Pharmacists (CSHP) and the Ohio Society of Health System Pharmacists (OSHP). He received CSHP’s Evlyn Gray Scott Award in 2018 and OSHPs Walter M. Frazier Award in 2020. Mr. Calabrese serves as a member of the ASHP Board of Directors.

Vivian Bradley Johnson, PharmD, BS, RPh, MBA, FASHP

Dr. Vivian Bradley Johnson is the senior vice president of clinical services at Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, Texas. She oversees pharmacy, radiology, respiratory, clinical dietary, physical medicine & rehabilitation and laboratory services. 

She has spent over 35 years providing healthcare services to the underserved in Dallas County. Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, many pharmacy programs have been developed including a 340B program. 

Johnson is originally from Lake City, Florida. She attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, School of Pharmacy, attained her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia and an MBA from University of Dallas.

Dr. Johnson has been the recipient of many awards, including the 2010 Texas Pharmacy Leadership Award. She has served on the TSHP Professional Affairs Council and the Leadership Section. Dr. Johnson is a long-term member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. She is a fellow of ASHP. Dr. Johnson has served on the ASHP Residency Excellence Awards Committee, the Council on Pharmacy Management, and the ASHP Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. She was appointed to the Pharmacy Executive Leadership Alliance Advisory Panel and the ASHP Forecast 2022 Advisory Committee. She continues to be an advocate and active member in the pharmacy profession. Dr. Johnson serves as a member of the ASHP Board of Directors.

Vickie L. Powell, PharmD, MS, BSPharm, FASHP, Board-elect

Dr. Powell is the site director of pharmacy operations at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. The hospital is affiliated with two of the nation’s leading medical colleges: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College. The hospital and its academic affiliates share a commitment to pursuing clinical excellence, engaging in groundbreaking biomedical research, outstanding medical education, and providing prevention and wellness services to the community. Dr. Powell is a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy at Long Island University and a guest lecturer at the Touro College of Pharmacy. 

Dr. Powell received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Master of Science degree in Pharmacy Administration from Long Island University, New York, and a PharmD degree from Howard University, Washington DC. She is a fellow of ASHP, a BPS Employee Advisory Council member, and worked with AACP on the Bridging Pharmacy Education and Practice Summit.

Dr. Powell is the past president of the New York City Society and New York State Council of Health-System Pharmacists (NYSCHP). She remains active in both organizations and recently chaired NYSCHP’s inaugural DEI committee. Dr. Powell’s sustained ASHP service includes: delegate to the House of Delegates, member of the Council on Education and Workforce Development, ASHP Policy-Process CQI Special Committee, Board of Canvassers, ASHP Committee on Nominations, Council on Pharmacy Practice, ASHP Task Force on Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Certified Pharmacy Executive Leaders Advisory Committee, and chair of the ASHP Advocacy and PAC Advisory Committee. Dr. Powell will begin her 3-year term on the ASHP Board of Directors in June 2023.

Jennifer E. Tryon, PharmD, MS, FASHP, Board-elect

Dr. Tryon is the chief pharmacy officer at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, Michigan, leading inpatient, outpatient, and health plan pharmacy teams for the integrated delivery network. Having practiced pharmacy in community hospitals, academic health systems, and integrated delivery networks, she has broad perspectives on unique challenges across health-system pharmacy. Committed to teaching, she has lectured in multiple schools of pharmacy and is an Associate Faculty for the ASHP Foundation's Pharmacy Leadership Academy. She has been the Residency Program Director for multiple HSPAL and postgraduate year-1 residency programs and has enjoyed training over 100 pharmacy residents. Jennifer received her MS from the University of Wisconsin and her PharmD from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. She completed a two-year health-system pharmacy administration residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. 

Dr. Tryon has served ASHP as the Chair of the Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders, the Council on Pharmacy Management, and section advisory groups and served in the House of Delegates. She is Past President of the Oregon Society of Health-System Pharmacists and has held other elected positions in multiple pharmacy associations. 

She chairs the Autonomous Pharmacy Advisory Board and has a passion for innovative models to advance healthcare. She is frequently invited to present on leadership and business of pharmacy topics within the United States and internationally. Jennifer was honored with the 2021 Distinguished Service Award for the ASHP Section for Pharmacy Practice Leaders and was a named a 2020 Emerging Industry Leader by Managed Healthcare Executive. Dr. Tryon will begin her 3-year term on the ASHP Board of Directors in June 2023.