Meet the VHC Health Preceptors!

Dr. Jenn Bingham is the critical care pharmacy specialist at VHC Health. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Shenandoah University in 2021, completed an ASHP-accredited PGY-1 residency at VHC Health in 2022, and received her Master in Public Health from Shenandoah in 2023. Prior to her career as a pharmacist, Jenn received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Carroll College in Helena, MT. Her first career was in the Peace Corps, serving two years as an agroforestry Volunteer in the Dominican Republic (DR), and then as safety and security staff both in the DR and at Peace Corps Headquarters. Outside of pharmacy, she loves to spend time with her cat and two horses.

Dr. Nancy Nystrom received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Northeastern University followed by her Doctoral Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Nystrom has served an illustrious career with over thirty years of pharmacy experience in hospital, community, military, and research environments. Her extensive background ranges from pharmacy administrative, clinical, and operational functions. Dr. Nystrom is a board certified ambulatory care pharmacist. Dr. Nystrom has spearheaded pharmacy improvements from Omnicell implementation, waste reduction management, managing Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, cost-savings initiatives, inventory management, and staffing optimization. She is the backbone of the pharmacy department at VHC Health. Her expertise ranges from applying USP, formulary, order sets, policies, and procedures to a wide array of hospital pharmacy practices. Outside of work, Dr. Nystrom enjoys swimming, running, hiking, and gardening.

Dr. Mona Shah graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of Maryland. She went on to complete a PGY1 residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bronx, New York and started her career as a Clinical Manager at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. Dr. Shah is a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist with many years of experience as a clinical specialist in Emergency Medicine and Neurocritical Care. Dr. Shah is currently enrolled in the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at George Washington University in D.C. She dedicates her time to support the clinical team at VHC Health as well as rounds with the trauma team daily. Dr. Shah’s interests outside of work include hiking, working out, spending time with family and friends, and watching Netflix shows when time permits.

Dr. Hiba Alajaj graduated with a bachelor's degree from Jordan University School of Pharmacy and later obtained her PharmD from Howard University. She has a master's in business administration from George Washington University. She is board-certified in pharmacotherapy. She serves as a NICU and pediatric pharmacy specialist at VHC Health. Outside of work, Dr. Alajaj enjoys spending time with family, exercising, cooking, and skiing.

Dr. Ferealem (Fray) Assefa graduated from Wingate University School of Pharmacy in 2014. Upon graduating, she completed a PGY1 Residency at Centra-Lynchburg General Hospital followed by a PGY2 in Undeserved Care/Global Health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. After residency, Fray worked as a Clinical-Staff pharmacist at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Fray currently resides on staff as the Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Outside of work, Fray enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and volunteering in underserved communities.

Dr. Nenita De Cecco obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Southwestern University in the Philippines. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University College of Pharmacy in Washington DC in 2008. She has been a clinical pharmacist at Virginia Hospital Center since 2011. She also serves as the preceptor for the Internal Medicine learning experience. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. Kiara Lorenz graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Pharmacy in 2008. Following graduation, she accepted a Clinical Pharmacist position at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. Dr. Lorenz is a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist. She currently serves as Cardiology Clinical Specialist Pharmacist at VHC Health. She is an active member of the Cardiac Collab Team, Residency Advisory Committee, Readmissions Task Force, and Code Blue Team. In her spare time she enjoys riding horses, drinking coffee, reading and spending time in her garden.

Dr. Disha Mehta completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2017 at the University of Maryland. She then went on to work as a Clinical Pharmacist at University of Maryland Medical Center, rotating between the inpatient Pediatric, Central and Shock Trauma pharmacies. She is now a Clinical Pharmacy at Virginia Hospital Center and has a special interest in Internal Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, doing art and spending time with family.

Dr. Cannie Tran is a DMV transplant, originally from Los Angeles, CA. She received her BS in Biology at the University of Washington, Seattle and completed her Doctorate of Pharmacy at Pacific University in Portland, OR. She continued as a PGY-1 resident, focused in ambulatory care at the Shenandoah University. During the pandemic, she floated for CVS, and worked as a Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacy Operations Supervisor at the Children’s National Hospital in DC. She joined the VHC pharmacy team in spring 2023 and is the staff preceptor for the residents. She is a ASHP Diplomate, Pharmacy Leadership Academy. Dr. Tran has a passion in ambulatory care and operational optimization to streamline processes. Outside of pharmacy, she is a homebody who enjoys knitting, baking a variety of treats for her colleagues while binge watching movies and shows.