Mary Vacha, Pharm.D., is a new faculty member at UNMC’s College of Pharmacy. Here’s a brief rundown of her background and the expertise she brings to campus.
- Name: Mary Vacha
- Hometown: Omaha
- New title and department at UNMC: Clinical assistant professor in pharmacy practice at the College of Pharmacy and adult liver transplant pharmacist coordinator at Nebraska Medicine.
Research/professional interests:
- Immunology and organ rejection
- Transplant pharmacotherapy
How I fell in love with transplant research:
I had a strong interest in infectious diseases and critical care when I finished pharmacy school, but it was during my residency that I fell in love with transplant. It was a merging of my interest areas that was deepened by the complexity of immunosuppression. As a transplant pharmacy resident, I enjoyed both the professional relationships with the health care team and the personal relationships with the patients that made this area one where I am happy to practice as a pharmacist.
Teaching activities:
I will be involved with precepting pharmacy students on clinical rotations with the adult liver transplant team. I also will teach lectures in the transplant section of pharmacotherapy.
Previous positions:
- Transplant pharmacy resident at Duke University Hospital
- Pharmacy practice resident at Duke University Hospital
Education:
- Doctor of Pharmacy at University of Nebraska Medical Center (2013)
- Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2005)
Three things you don’t know about me:
- I speak Japanese.
- I have the most adorable niece (Hadley) and a stellar nephew (Theo).
- I ran my first half-marathon during my pharmacy residency.