Lamy Champions are a diverse group of practitioner leaders who provide specialized geriatric care in various practice settings.

Submit a Lamy Champion Nomination

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2020 Class of Lamy Champions. Learn more about eligibility requirements and expectations, and submit your nomination today.

Submit Your Nomination Now

This coalition will be instrumental in assisting the Lamy Center to further its mission and promote an agenda for developing clinical, educational, and research initiatives to improve geriatric care.

Download the full description of Lamy Champion eligibility requirements and expectations here.

The larger School of Pharmacy Community will benefit from their example of clinical excellence, leadership, and pharmapreneurism as they develop innovative strategies to improve medication related outcomes for older adults.

Patricia (Tricia) Cash, PharmD, BCGP, CCPPatricia (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, PharmDJean 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, Dr. Dinwiddie serves as a commissioner on the Montgomery County Commision on Aging; with UMSOP pharmacy students, she gives medication safety presentations at assisted living facilities and senior centers in Montgomery County; she provides individual medication check-ups at local senior centers; and has provided an "Ask the Pharmacist" table at health fairs. She also volunteers at her grandchildren's elementary school and as an usher at Ford's Theatre.

Michelle A. Fritsch, PharmD, BCGP, BCACP‌Michelle 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.

Joshana K. Goga, PharmD, BCPPJoshana K. Goga, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Pharmacy Program Manager, Sheppard Pratt Health System

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 clinical pharmacy program manager at Sheppard Pratt Health System, where she provides clinical care for the geropsychiatric population, education to both students and staff, and serves in several research and leadership roles. 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.

David H. Jones, RPh, FASCPDavid 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.

Mr. Jones is a 1970 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

Jessica W. Merrey, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCACP, BCGPJessica W. Merrey, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCACP, BCGP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Jessica Merrey received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2007. She currently serves as a clinical pharmacy specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where her areas of expertise include adult internal medicine and primary care disease states, anticoagulation, and proactive care for the geriatric patient 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 has also been newly elected to the BPS Specialty Council for Geriatrics.

Stephanie M. Ozalas, PharmD, BCPS, BCGPStephanie M. Ozalas, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
Long-Term Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, VA Maryland Health Care System

Stephanie Ozalas received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University in 2013. She currently serves as a long-term care clinical pharmacy specialist with 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 in the advancement of the pharmacy profession through her service as secretary for MD-ASCP. She is also an active member of ASCP and ASHP.

Avra Thomas, PharmD, FASCPAvra Thomas, PharmD, FASCP
Division Director Pharmacy Services at Sava Senior Care Consulting, LLC

Avra Thomas received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Temple University School of Pharmacy in 2007, and Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in 2000. She is a fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), a member of ASCP since 2006, and currently serves as president-elect for the ASCP Maryland Chapter.

In the last 15 years, she has consulted in health care, with the most recent nine years being dedicated to long-term care. While focusing in long-term care, she has held the position of division director of pharmacy services for SAVA Senior Care Consulting, LLC. She serves as a liaison between pharmacy providers, pharmacy vendors, interdisciplinary team members, and nursing home operators for more than 200 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities. Avra has expertise in cost effective management of pharmaceuticals, regulatory aspects of long-term care, and a clinical focus as it relates to the senior population.