Faculty

Darah Bec, RPD

Darah Bec, PharmD, BCCCP

Residency Program Director

PGY1: Mount Sinai Hospital; Chicago, IL
PGY2: Advocate Lutheran General; Park Ridge, IL (Critical Care)
Interests: Renal replacement therapy, hemodynamics, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics
Why Ascension Saint Francis: Despite being one of the smaller hospitals within our market, we have a high level of acuity leading to plenty of opportunities for residents to learn about all different kinds of disease states. The pharmacy department is filled with dedicated individuals who care for our patients and love teaching residents.
Hobbies: Traveling, spending time with family and friends, and attempting to keep up with my Husky/Shiba Inu mix, Nitro!

Preceptors

Marija Lapkus, PharmD, BCACP

Pharmacy School: Ascension St. Vincent Hospital - Indianapolis
PGY1: Nova Southeastern University; Fort Lauderdale, FL
Interests: Chronic disease state management (T2DM, HTN, CHF, etc.), geriatrics, psychiatry
Why Ascension Saint Francis: I love Ascension Saint Francis for the wide variety of patients, welcoming staff and environment that supports learning
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, trying new restaurants and spending time with my niece

Katelyn Lappin, PharmD, BCIDP, BCPS

Pharmacy School: Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
PGY1: CPS / Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Interests: Multi-drug resistant organisms and rapid diagnostics
Why Ascension Saint Francis: Flexibility and dedicated preceptors
Hobbies: Going to the playground with my kids and playing fetch with our dogs. I love trying new restaurants and making up recipes, too!

Gia McKnight, PharmD, BCACP

PGY1: Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, Chicago, IL
PGY2: Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Interests: Chronic disease state management (DM, HTN, CHF, Asthma/COPD)
Why Ascension Saint Francis: Ascension Saint Francis' diverse patient population and high acuity of patients provides learning experiences that are typically only seen at large academic medical centers, while providing residents a personalized residency experience that you would find at a community hospital.
Hobbies: Tennis, reading, traveling

Srishti Singal, PharmD

PGY1: CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy - Omaha, NE
PGY2: UCHealth Memorial Hospital - Colorado Springs, CO (Critical Care)
Interests: Neurocritical care, Vasopressors, Renal Replacement Therapy, Delirium, Neuromuscular Blockade
Why Ascension Saint Francis: The high acuity and diversity of patients throughout the hospital leading to various learning opportunities.  Also the many ways to be involved within the multidisciplinary team with the medical residents and nurses.  The pharmacy department is very open to teaching and guiding their new colleagues.
Hobbies: Hiking, Skiing, Cooking, Painting, Cross stitching, Reading

Amanda Wolfe, PharmD, MS

Interests: Pharmacy administration and all things Pyxis
Why Ascension Saint Francis: The people! You are sure to make many new memories while also participating in a variety of clinical activities as a pharmacy resident.
Hobbies: Playing with my kids and wearing Crocs!