Meet the Pharmacy Residents 

Evan Hurley, PharmD

PGY2-Infectious Diseases, Pharmacy Resident 

Pharmacy Education: University of Wisconsin – Madison 

Hometown: Twin Cities, MN 

Residency Project: Validation of a post-first dose vancomycin level dosing regimen

Hobbies: Enjoying the numerous cycling trails in Dane County, WI.  Dining out at restaurants and food carts or cooking with ingredients from the famous Madison farmer's markets. Attending concerts at great venues near the Capitol Square. 

Why UnityPoint Health - Meriter? As a resident at UnityPoint Health – Meriter, I am a part of a cohesive pharmacy team that works alongside knowledgeable preceptors, staff, and medical team members. Meriter offers an infectious disease residency program that tailors to my specific interests as well as offers unique opportunities within a large community hospital including infectious disease rotations in neonatal critical care, adult critical care, and pharmacokinetics.

Contact: evan.hurley@unitypoint.org

Kristin Hegna, PharmD

PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 

Pharmacy School: St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St Louis, MO 

Hometown: Pewaukee, WI 

Residency Project: Development of Guideline-Driven Antibiotic Order Panels at Discharge from the ER 

Career Interests: OB/NICU, Infectious Diseases, Oncology

Hobbies: Supporting local restaurants, hiking, and meeting new dogs 

Why UnityPoint Health – Meriter? Meriter gives pharmacy residents the best of both worlds as a progressive community hospital. The community setting allows us to develop ongoing relationships with our patients, staff, and providers. Meanwhile, the progressive culture at Meriter emphasizes research and the advancement of evidenced-based medicine, in which pharmacists are heavily involved. Meriter pharmacists are well-supported and respected, with excellent opportunities to provide and improve upon patient care. With a wide variety of rotation opportunities, coupled with flexibility, the resident experience is truly made to fit our needs. Above all, Meriter pharmacists and providers are motivated teachers. Preceptors, mentors, and other healthcare providers are always happy to provide direction and support in our learning experience. Even beyond Meriter, the city of Madison is saturated with high-level care providers and healthcare facilities, giving residents plenty of diverse learning and teaching opportunities for advancing our clinical practice. I'm confident that the Meriter residency program is providing me with the tools and experiences necessary to become a successful, well-rounded clinician.

Contact: kristin.hegna@unitypoint.org

Landon Neese, PharmD

PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 

Pharmacy School: The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 

Hometown: Davenport, IA 

Residency Project: Minimizing Clinical Variability in Antithrombotic Use 

Career Interests: Anticoagulation, Cardiology, Surgery, Internal Medicine 

Hobbies: Cooking, baking, and listening to music (usually all together) as well as seeing new movies and spending time with family and friends 

Why UnityPoint Health-Meriter? Meriter had all the experiences I wanted in a community hospital program with opportunities for teaching, rotations I was interested in, staffing on decentralized units, and great relationships with all other healthcare professionals who value pharmacists' input. But after spending time at the hospital during my residency interview, the people were what solidified my choice to come to Meriter. Everyone is very passionate about their hospital and continuously trying to improve themselves in order to practice at the very top of their licenses. Everyone I work with now is very welcoming, engaging, and helpful since they are all used to having residents at Meriter. I have no doubt that taking advantage of all the opportunities provided to me through UnityPoint Health-Meriter and learning from the knowledgeable and passionate staff will prepare me extremely well for my future as a clinical pharmacist. 

Contact: landon.neese@unitypoint.org