The Lamy Center has a history of collaborating with many stakeholders interested in older adults and medication use and safety.

Core faculty are noted here, but we are always looking for additional collaborators. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Nicole Brandt if you are interested in learning more.

Executive Team

Headshot of Nicole Brandt Nicole Brandt, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, FASCP
Executive Director, The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging
Professor, Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research

Phone: 410-706-1491
Fax: 410-706-1488
Email: nbrandt@rx.umaryland.edu
Linda Wastila, BSPharm, MSPH, PhD Linda Wastila, PhD, MSPH, BSPharm
Director of Research, The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging
Parke-Davis Chair in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
Phone: 410-706-4352
Fax: 410-706-1488
Email: lsimoniw@rx.umaryland.edu
Headshot of Chanel Whittaker  Chanel F. Whittaker, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP
Director of Education and Training, The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging
Professor, Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Phone: 410-706-5535
Fax: 410-706-1488
Email: cwhittaker@rx.umaryland.edu

Faculty and Staff Team Members

Catherine Cooke, PharmD, BCPS, PAHM - Research Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science Catherine Cooke, PharmD, BCPS, PAHM
Research Associate Professor, Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
Phone: 410-706-1451
Email: ccooke@rx.umaryland.edu
Sarah Holmes, MSW Sarah Holmes, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor of Organizational Systems and Adult Health
University of Maryland School of Nursing

Email: sarahholmes@umaryland.edu
Merton Lee, PharmD
Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Fellow
Email: merton.lee@rx.umaryland.edu
Daniel Mansour, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP Daniel Mansour, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, AGSF
Interprofessional Clinical Coordinator
Phone: 410-706-2434
Email: dmansour@rx.umaryland.edu
Diane Martin, PhD Diane Martin, PhD
Director, Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) Program
Program Director, Aging and Applied Thanatology
University of Maryland Graduate School

Phone: 410-706-4327
Email: diane.martin@umaryland.edu
Eleanor Perfetto, PhD, MS
Professor, Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
Phone: 410-706-6989
Email: eperfetto@rx.umaryland.edu
Danya Qato, PhD, PharmD, MPH Danya Qato, PhD, PharmD, MPH
Associate Professor, Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
Phone: 410-706-4044
Email: dqato@rx.umaryland.edu
Bruce Stuart, PhD Bruce Stuart, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
Email: bstuart@rx.umaryland.edu
Barbara J. Zarowitz, PharmD, FCCP, FCCM, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP Barbara J. Zarowitz, PharmD, FCCP, FCCM, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP
Geriatric Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Research Consultant
Phone: 248-972-7623
Email: dr.barbarajzarowitz@gmail.com

Post-Graduate Team Members

Headshot of Eposi Elonge Eposi Elonge, MS
PhD Student, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
Phone: 410-744-4968
Email: eelonge@umaryland.edu
Headshot of Yu-Hua Fu Yu-Hua Fu, PharmD, MS
PhD Student, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
Email: yu-hua.fu@umaryland.edu

Lamy Champions

Lamy Champions are a diverse group of clinicians, educators, researchers, and community stakeholders committed to improving the health and well-being of older adults across the continuum of care.

This coalition will be instrumental in assisting the Lamy Center to further its mission and promote an agenda for developing clinical and educational initiatives to improve geriatric care. The larger School of Pharmacy community will benefit from their example of clinical excellence, leadership, and advocacy as they develop innovative strategies to improve medication-related outcomes for older adults.

Patricia (Tricia) Cash, PharmD, BCGP, CCP Patricia (Tricia) A. Cash, PharmD, BCPS, CCP
Pharmacist, Frederick Integrated Health Network

Tricia Cash received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy from Purdue University in 1984 and 1985, respectively. She currently is employed by Fredeick Regional Health Systems, working with primary care physician practices through the system's Affordable Care Organization (ACO), Frederick Integrated Health Network. Her responsibilities include collaborating with prescribers as well as other members of the health care team to improve outcomes for community dwelling Medicare patients.

Dr. Cash's passion is working directly with older adults to improve medication regimens, safety and systems in various settings, including long-term care environments, hospitals, and patient homes. Dr. Cash's past involvement includes being a continuing education provider for pharmacy education. She is owner of Talbert Consulting, a sole proprietorship with past and current activities, including consulting activities to a medical affairs department of a pharmaceutical company, consulting for PPOs, medical writing, lecturing to health care providers, and consulting pharmacy to long term and assisted care facilities.
Jean Dinwiddie, PharmD

Jean McConnell Dinwiddie, PharmD
Commissioner, Montgomery County Commission on Aging

Dr. Dinwiddie received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She has worked as a consultant pharmacist in long-term care, as clinical coordinator at the George Washington University Physician's Group, and as director of client services at PharmaCare, a national PBM. She retired from Lash Group, an AmerisourceBergen company, holding the position of senior director of client services.

Since retiring from getting paid, Dr. Dinwiddie serves as a commissioner on the Montgomery County Commission on Aging and produces the COA’s cable television show, 50+ in Montgomery County. In addition, she serves as a co-leader of the Communication Workgroup of the Montgomery County Age-Friendly Initiative and as chair of the Gaithersburg Senior Advisory Committee. She also volunteers at her grandchildren's elementary schools and as an usher at Ford's Theatre.

Joshana K. Goga, PharmD, BCPP Joshana K. Goga, PharmD, MBA, BCPP, CLSS
System Director Clinical Pharmacy Programs, Rochester Regional Health

Joshana Goga received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Buffalo School of Pharmacy in 2001. She completed her primary care residency at the Buffalo Veterans Affairs Hospital and her psychopharmacology residency at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Hospital. Dr. Goga currently serves as system director clinical pharmacy programs at Rochester Regional Health. She has achieved recognition at various levels, including Preceptor of the Year by the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, CDC VTE Prevention Program, and the Minogue Award for Management of Agitation in the Dementia Population.

She has been involved in the College of Pyschiatric and Neurological Pharmacists (CPNP) at several levels, including chair of the Program Committee and the current lead of the Geriatric Community. Involvement in other organizations include NAMI and IAPA.
Lisa Hogan, RN, BSN Lisa Hogan, RN, BSN
Chronic Care Management Team Leader, Frederick Health

Lisa is the chronic care management team leader at Frederick Health. In her role, Lisa oversees the Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Medication Management programs, both of which leverage telehealth and remote patient monitoring to improve patient outcomes and reduce cost of care. Under her leadership, the program has grown over the past four years and works closely with other community agencies to serve residents in the community. Lisa has worked across many areas of the health system and brings over 34 years of nursing experience to her role.
David H. Jones, RPh, FASCP David Jones, RPh, FASCP
Independent Consultant Pharmacist, dhjRx Consulting

David H. Jones is an independent consulting pharmacist focusing geriatric care in the community. Mr. Jones is an active member of the Maryland chapter of the ASCP. He is president-elect of the Maryland Chapter this year and serves on the Educational Services Committee. Previously, he was co-chairperson for that committee and was elected chapter president in 2012. The chapter once honored him as Pharmacist of the Year.

Prior professional experience included acute care, anticoagulation, pain management, long-term care consulting, home and LTC infusion, and formulary management, with a focus on geriatric care. He also served as long-term care liaison for the state of Maryland and several health care providers.

Mr. Jones served as the long-term care commissioner for one term on the Maryland State Board of Pharmacy and was elected secretary of the Board for the last year of service. He is a 1970 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
Jessica W. Merrey, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCACP, BCGP Jessica W. Merrey, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCACP, BCGP
Lead Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Ambulatory Care, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Jessica Merrey received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2007. She currently serves as the lead clinical pharmacy specialist in ambulatory care at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where her areas of expertise include adult internal medicine and primary care disease states, anticoagulation, and proactive care for the older adult living at home or with caregivers.

Dr. Merrey is passionate about student and resident development, and actively involved in the advancement of the pharmacy profession, having served as past president for DC-CCP; member of DC-CCP, ASCP and MD-ASCP, ASHP and MSHP; and APhA. She served the BPS Specialty Council for Geriatrics from 2018 to 2022.
Stephanie M. Ozalas, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP Stephanie M. Ozalas, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
Long-Term Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, VA Maryland Health Care System

Dr. Stephanie Ozalas received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University in 2013. She completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the VA Maryland Health Care System and her PGY-2 geriatric pharmacy residency at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She currently serves as the PGY-2 geriatrics residency director and geriatrics clinical pharmacy practitioner at the VA Maryland Health Care System, where her areas of expertise include long-term care, potentially inappropriate medications, hospice, and academia.

Dr. Ozalas is actively involved with the education of interdisciplinary health care professionals in the Maryland area and beyond through presenting at local and virtual seminars, precepting various levels of pharmacy trainees, and publishing scholarly works.

Christina Prather, MD Christina Prather, MD
Clinical Director, Institute for Brain Health and Dementia
George Washington (GW) University


Dr. Christina Prather is a geriatrician and palliative physician with the GW Medical Faculty Associates at the George Washington University. She is the director of GW's Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and the and the clinical director of GW’s Institute for Brain Health and Dementia, which is committed to improving collaboration for brain health research at GW. In her clinical practice, Dr. Prather is committed to providing the highest quality, patient-driven care to older adults, persons with cognitive disorders, and individuals living with serious illness in need of palliative care. As the co-director of GW’s Geriatric Memory Evaluation and Treatment Clinic, she is committed to providing person-centered care for patients and families living with memory loss to optimize function and quality of life. She is the aging theme lead in the human behavior and development theme for GW’s medical school curriculum, core faculty for the internal medicine training program, and an associate program director for GW’s long-running geriatric medicine fellowship. Dr. Prather believes that geriatricians and palliative physicians play an important role in supporting families in understanding their loved ones illnesses and that through education and research, we can improve access to care and quality of life for all seniors and their families.

Edgar (Eddie) Rivas, MS, MPP Edgar (Eddie) Rivas, MS, MPP
Montgomery County Commission on Aging

Successful project manager with planning and policy analysis skills and hands-on experience in management, advocacy, and coalition building with emphasis on underserved communities. Experience in state and local government, Congress and non-profit associations in the aging/health field and with local agencies and schools in the disabilities arena. Strengths include the ability to work successfully with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives to problem solve, explore challenges, and find innovative solutions. In retirement, Eddie has focused on his efforts in strengthening the Village to Village Network (neighbors helping neighbors age in community) and enhancing his skills and service as a master naturalist.  
Avra Thomas, PharmD, FASCP Avra Thomas, PharmD, MS, BCGP, FASCP
Senior Director of Pharmacy Practice, ASCP

Avra Thomas is ASCP’s Senior Director of Pharmacy Practice. ASCP is a nonprofit association of pharmacists and pharmacies that manage the medications of older people and the medically complex. Prior to joining the team at ASCP Avra was the Senior Director of Pharmacy with Sava Senior Care Consulting. In that role she served as a liaison between pharmacy providers, pharmacy vendors, interdisciplinary team members, and nursing home operators across 20 states. She is a past president of Maryland’s chapter of ASCP and a past member of ASCP’s Foundation Board. 

Avra received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Temple University School of Pharmacy, Master of Science in Palliative Care from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate School, and undergraduate degree from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.

Lamy Champions Alumni

Lamy Champions are instrumental in assisting the Lamy Center to further its mission and promote an agenda for developing clinical and educational initiatives to improve geriatric care, as well as obtain provider status for pharmacists.

We thank the stellar practitioners listed below who formerly served on this critical coalition.

Michelle A. Fritsch, PharmD, BCGP, BCACP Michelle A. Fritsch, PharmD, BCGP, BCACP
Founder and President, Meds MASH, LLC

Michelle Fritsch received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy from Purdue University in 1990 and 1991, respectively. She founded and currently serves as president for Meds MASH, LLC, a company dedicated to reducing risks posed by medications, health care gaps, and preventable negative health events in mature adults.

Dr. Fritsch's areas of expertise include geriatrics, healthy aging, telehealth, falls risk reduction, and health care education. She is actively involved in advancing the pharmacy profession through her service as a member of ASHP, ASCP, MPhA, Life Planning Resources, Maryland Senior Resource Network, and the Harford Geriatric Assistance and Information Network.