APPE Preceptor of the Year 2025

Each year, students in each of the five Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) regions select an outstanding preceptor for recognition. These educators are outstanding clinical teachers who apply knowledge of the basic health sciences to the treatment and care of a patient in a manner that ensures the best educational opportunities for students and high-quality care for patients.

The 2025 APPE Preceptors of the Year are:

Fresno: Harlan Husted, Community Regional Medical Center

As a clinical pediatric pharmacist, Husted exemplifies excellence in both patient care and clinical teaching. His unwavering passion for teaching is evident through his ability to engage students in thoughtful, case-based discussions—particularly in the high- stakes ICU setting—while consistently promoting critical thinking and clinical reasoning. Husted creates a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel empowered, respected, and encouraged to grow. He provides timely, constructive feedback and takes a personalized approach to precepting, tailoring educational experiences to meet the individual needs of each learner. His commitment to fostering student confidence and competence, paired with his clinical expertise and genuine investment in student success, make him truly deserving of this recognition.

Greater Sacramento: Tiffany Pon, UC Davis Medical Center

Students completing a rotation with Pon stated the following: “This rotation provided me with the most growth and confidence in myself as an APPE student, and I correlate this growth with Dr. Pon. It was evident through working alongside her that she truly values and loves teaching students. When working with Dr. Pon, I never felt like a student, but rather as a collaborator. She encouraged me to act independently and always included me in any conversation involving the patients on my team so I could have a full understanding of their care, even when I was not directly involved. This helped me develop my direct patient care skills and provider skills, including interdisciplinary communication. When Dr. Pon asked me questions, it always felt like a fun challenge to solve. If I ever felt uncertain about making a recommendation, she listened to my clinical thought process before providing me with clinical pearls to make better recommendations for the future. I always felt supported by Dr. Pon. I never felt nervous, but encouraged and confident; I felt excited to go into work every day and have the chance to work alongside a role model. Dr. Pon not only inspired me to be the provider I aspire to be, but she also invoked a strong passion in me to be a preceptor who provides students the support and positivity to grow during challenging experiences.”

North Bay Area: Michael Majeski, West County Health Center

Michael Majeski is extremely proactive, promoting student learning and facilitating growth through positive feedback and encouragement. His dedication to student development is evident in his consistent support, challenging students with critical thinking tasks, and ensuring they have the necessary resources. With significant growth of the APPE program at West County Health Centers, Majeski and his team have worked diligently to provide an outstanding learning experience for students. He goes above and beyond by facilitating their interests in specialized areas like HIV, OB, and teen clinics, and encouraging independent thinking while creating a safe environment for open discussion. His positive attitude and genuine enjoyment of his job make students feel supported and inspired, fostering their professional growth and confidence. Majeski’s exceptional mentorship, professionalism, and unwavering support make him a deserving candidate for the Preceptor of the Year Award.

San Francisco Bay Area: Victoria Dudas, UCSF Health

Victoria Dudas excels in assessing and addressing student needs and comfort throughout their rotations, starting from guiding them in their first week to taking up more roles by the end. Dudas effectively balances self-directed learning and direct teaching, providing mini teaching points as needed. Her dedication to student growth, organized precepting, and providing relevant learning resources significantly contribute to student success. Additionally, her ability to adapt her communication style, expectations, and task delegation based on the skill level of students, along with her collaborative work with the infectious disease team, showcases her depth of knowledge and passion for mentoring. Dudas is not only a remarkable teacher but also an exemplary role model, committed to follow-up on patient care even beyond her service. Her qualities and dedication make her an excellent candidate for this prestigious award.

Southern California: Kallie Amer, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Kallie Amer exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding clinical teacher and preceptor. She builds strong relationships with her students and encourages exploration of various pharmacist roles within the hospital system. She fosters a learning environment that encourages independence, critical thinking, and open communication. Amer excels in pushing students beyond their comfort zones while providing the necessary support for them to thrive. She engages students in thoughtful discussions, challenging them to justify their clinical decisions with evidence and guidelines. She offers essential tips and tricks from her own clinical experience. Through providing regular feedback and explaining common practices in the field, her guidance bridges the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world application. Amer is highly responsive to student feedback, continually seeking ways to improve the rotation experience. Her dedication to student professional development and her embodiment of teamwork makes her an exemplary pharmacy preceptor.