Dave Jones, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Residency Program Director & Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator
Dave Jones earned both his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Albany College of Pharmacy before completing his residency training at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Over the past decade, he has built a diverse and accomplished career in pharmacy, with clinical and leadership experience spanning six hospital systems as well as community pharmacy and home infusion practice.
Board certified in both Pharmacotherapy and Critical Care Pharmacy, Dave has spent the majority of his career dedicated to critical care, where he brings both deep clinical experience and a strong commitment to advancing patient care. He is licensed to practice pharmacy in New York, Florida, and North Carolina.
In his dual role as Residency Program Director and Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator, Dave has been instrumental in starting and leading the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program. He also plays a vital role in shaping institutional pharmacy practice, serving on multiple hospital committees and co-chairing both the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee.
Passionate about postgraduate learning and academia, Dave is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of pharmacists. His blend of clinical, leadership, and educational vision continues to strengthen the pharmacy profession and enhance patient care.
Troy Brown, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist
A native of the Mohawk Valley, Troy is a dedicated clinical staff pharmacist at Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS), having joined the team in 2020. His connection to MVHS began even before completing his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2018, as he completed an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation here. He is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS).
Prior to MVHS, Troy gained valuable experience as a staff pharmacist and oncology pharmacist at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY. His experience at MVHS extends to areas such as Internal Medicine-1 and Pharmacy Operations-Staffing, where he serves as a learning experience preceptor. This background makes him a valuable mentor within the MVHS PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program.
Nicole Cough, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
After earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2018, Nicole Cough continued her career at MVHS, where she had served as a pharmacy intern during her education. As a practicing clinical pharmacist, she helped co-create and pilot the Emergency Department’s decentralized pharmacy model, a significant initiative for the health system.
In her collaborative role as part of the multidisciplinary emergency medicine team, Nicole is proficient in the fundamental concepts necessary to provide pharmaceutical care and recommend appropriate pharmacotherapy for patients presenting to the emergency department. She holds the Emergency Medicine certification from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, along with advanced life support certifications, including BLS, ACLS, PALS, and ENLS.
Beyond her clinical work, Nicole is an active member of both the Medication Safety Committee and the Code Blue Committee at MVHS. She is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of pharmacy professionals, serving as a residency program preceptor for our core Emergency Medicine-I learning experience and elective Emergency Medicine-II learning experience. In addition, Nicole also precepts an APPE Emergency Medicine Ambulatory Care rotation for students from Albany College of Pharmacy.
Alicia Courtney, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist
Alicia Courtney earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2020. After graduation, she completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. She is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). Alicia joined Mohawk Valley Health System in 2021 as a clinical staff pharmacist. Alicia precepts multiple learning experiences including Operations/Orientation, Emergency Medicine, and Critical Care.
Bethanie Emerick, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
Bethanie earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Albany College of Pharmacy in 2020. Her history with MVHS extends back to her time as an intern and during her APPE rotations- a testament to her long-standing commitment to the institution. After graduating, she continued her career at MVHS, becoming an integral part of the pharmacy department and program. Bethanie is a dedicated and versatile pharmacist committed to advancing patient care at MVHS and fostering the next generation of pharmacy leaders.
As a clinical preceptor, Bethanie has developed experience in several key areas. Her experience includes precepting the sterile compounding learning experience, ensuring residents are proficient in this critical skill, and precepting the orientation/operations learning experience, helping residents navigate their transition from pharmacy student to hospital pharmacist.
Most recently, she has expanded her teaching to include internal medicine pharmacotherapy, guiding residents in providing safe and effective patient care. As a valued member of the multidisciplinary team, Bethanie is also ACLS-trained and responds to code blue, trauma, and code stroke situations, showcasing her ability to function competently and calmly in high-pressure situations.
Bethanie’s journey from a student trainee to a clinical preceptor at MVHS demonstrates her evolving expertise and dedication to her home institution. Her unique perspective allows her to provide empathetic and practical mentorship, making her an invaluable asset to the program and a strong role model for incoming residents.
Lindsay Gymburch, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist
Lindsay Gymburch earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2013. She is a Board-Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP). Lindsay serves as the Pharmacy Clinical Services Manager.
Lindsay started her career out of college with the Mohawk Valley Health System as a clinical staff pharmacist in 2013. In 2021, she became the Clinical Coordinator at the St. Luke’s Campus and in 2023, the Clinical Service Manager at the Wynn Hospital. Lindsay serves as a preceptor for the PGY-1 Leadership/Advancing Practice & Improving Patient Care longitudinal learning experience. Additionally, she precepts students from various colleges of pharmacy. In 2024, Lindsay was recognized by the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as one of its Preceptors of the year. Lindsay co-precepts the Leadership/Advancing Practice & Improving Patient Care longitudinal learning experience.
Melissa Howe, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist
Melissa earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) in 2006. She began her career at Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) where she quickly developed a focus in oncology through her work at the outpatient infusion center.
Over the years, Melissa has continued to expand her clinical expertise across both the main hospital and the MVHS Faxton Cancer Center. She holds board certifications in Pharmacotherapy, Oncology, and an ASHP certificate in Non-Malignant Hematology.
Since 2020, Melissa has served as the oncology pharmacist at the MVHS Faxton Cancer Center. In this role, she collaborates closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide personalized, high-quality care to cancer patients. She is also passionate about mentoring future pharmacists serving as a preceptor for ACPHS pharmacy students and PGY-1 residents completing their oncology rotations at MVHS.
Melissa brings both clinical excellence and compassionate dedication to her role, helping to ensure optimal outcomes for every patient she serves. Melissa precepts the Oncology Pharmacy learning experience.
Rebecca Kelly, PharmD, BCSCP
Clinical Pharmacist
Rebecca has been an employee with Mohawk Valley Health System for 22 years. She started as a staff pharmacist at the St. Luke’s Hospital legacy campus transitioning into a clinical pharmacist role. In 2022, she was board certified in sterile compounding and took the position of Sterile Compounding Coordinator. Her duties included updating and consolidating all policies, procedures, and compounding practices for Faxton Infusion Pharmacy Campus and legacy sites St Luke’s Hospital and St Elizabeth Hospital in anticipation of merging the two hospitals into Wynn Hospital in 2023. Rebecca also wrote the USP 800 hazardous drug policies and updated the policies for USP 795 and USP 797 once they were finalized in 2023. Her duties also include training and testing of all compounding staff and maintenance of the cleanrooms. Rebecca precepts the Sterile Compounding Learning Experience.
Sabina Kendic, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
As a valued Clinical Pharmacist at the Mohawk Valley Health System and a dedicated preceptor for its PGY-1 residency program, Dr. Sabina Kendic guides residents through their Family Medicine Pharmacotherapy and longitudinal Scholarly Activity–Research Project learning experiences. In the family medicine setting, she shares her clinical knowledge and experience in direct patient care, while also overseeing the residents’ research process. A two-time alumna of local and regional institutions, Dr. Kendic earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2021, after graduating from Utica University with a B.S. in Biochemistry in 2017. She completed her PGY-1 residency at Unity Hospital in Rochester, NY, in 2022 and began her career with the Mohawk Valley Health System shortly after joining the clinical staff.
Austin Spiridilozzi, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
Austin earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Elmira College in 2020 and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2024. His background includes completing his PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at MVHS in 2025.
Austin serves as a co-preceptor for the longitudinal Ambulatory Care Diabetes learning experience at MVHS. In this role, he also acts as a dedicated mentor for new residents, guiding them through the system and assisting with mapping ASHP goals and objectives to ensure the new residents successfully document their deliverables.
As a recent graduate of the MVHS PGY-1 program, Austin brings a unique and invaluable perspective to shaping the residency program and mentoring future residents. His firsthand experience as a trainee within the health system makes him an excellent resource for guiding new residents through their professional development.
