Meet Our Preceptors

Brook Smith DesRivieres, PharmD, MS HSPA is a former Regional Director of Pharmacy for Ascension Wisconsin and now Senior Director, Market Engagement for AscensionConnect. AscensionConnect provides Consumer Services products that improve patient and provider loyalty through a seamless scheduling and referral support experience, and Hospital Services that improve hospital operations, improve network quality and reduce inpatient expenses.

She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan, Masters in Health-System Pharmacy from The Ohio State University and ASHP-accredited PGY1 residency training from Grant Medical Center, part of OhioHealth.

Brook served on the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Section of Practice Managers workgroup of the Advisory Group for Multi-Hospital Pharmacy Executives to identify opportunities and was previously Residency Program Director lead for the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin Pharmacy Advancement Leadership Team. She was the 2018 Bowl of Hygeia Award Recipient for Wisconsin.

Christopher Dykstra, PharmD, MBA graduated with his PharmD from Drake University in Des Moines, IA. He completed a post graduate MBA from Lakeland University in 2012. Chris is currently the Regional Director of Pharmacy for Milwaukee South covering the following facilities: All Saints Hospital, Franklin Hospital, St Francis Hospital, Elmbrook Hospital and the St Joseph Outpatient Center. Chris is an active member of the Ascension WI Institutional Review Board currently serving as Vice Chair of the committee. Chris precepts the finance rotation for the PGY1 and 2 Health System Administration and Leadership residency program.

Ginny Mendoza, BPharm is the pharmacy manager for Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s in Milwaukee. She completed her BS in pharmacy from Butler University. Over the last 25+ years, she has precepted many clinical rotations, served as a RPD/RPC, and been a preceptor/mentor to many students and residents interested in pharmacy leadership. Ginny is one of the preceptors for the PGY1 pharmacy administration rotation and the primary staffing preceptor for the PGY2 section of the PGY1/2 HSPL residency. Her professional interests include regulatory, daily operations, change management and the human resources components of leadership. Outside of work you will find Ginny outdoors (fishing, gardening and hiking) or inside reading or quilting.

Liz Laubach, PharmD, BCPS is the Regional Director of Pharmacy for the North Milwaukee area covering Columbia St. Mary's Milwaukee, Columbia St. Mary's Ozaukee, and St. Joseph's Hospitals. Liz earned her Bachelor's of Science from Cornell University and her Doctor of Pharmacy from Concordia University Wisconsin. Liz precepts rotations in Operations and Emergency Management. Liz's professional interests include change management, education, toxicology, and disaster response. A former EMT, Liz is active in protocol development and training for local emergency medical services. In her free time, you can find Liz hiking with her dog or on the back of her horse.

Michael Torhorst, RPh is the Area Director of Pharmacy Continuity of Care for Wisconsin. Mike's direct operational oversight includes our 18 outpatient pharmacy sites across the entire footprint in WI, as well as additional responsibilities within the oversight of our integrated ambulatory & specialty medication programs. Mike's oversight includes operations and finance policy development & standardization, oversight & integration of national directives, regulatory compliance, adherence to budgetary and productivity goals, and identification and implementation of processes that improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of pharmacy services. Mike received his bachelor’s in pharmaceutical sciences of Pharmacy degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mike precepts our supply chain rotation & helps with our finance rotation. Mike's professional interests include improving medication access opportunities, oversight & standardization of pharmacy finances, improving operations through the integration of technology, and developing and coordinating community impact initiatives.

Mike Gillard, PharmD, BCPS received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993, completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in 1994, and earned his Pharm.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996. He became board certified as a Pharmacotherapy Specialist in 1997 and currently holds that distinction through 2025.

Mike has worked in both clinical and leadership pharmacy positions, most recently as the Inpatient Pharmacy Manager for Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – Franklin Campus since 2008. From 1999 to 2002, Mike served as a preceptor, primary preceptor and Residency Program Coordinator for the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Aurora Health Care. Mike also served as acting Pharmacy Residency Program Director for the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph’s Campus from 2011 to 2013. Mike was a United States lead in the Medication Reconciliation project, a component of the High 5s initiative; a project sponsored by the World Health Organization, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, The Joint Commission, and Joint Commission International which seeks to improve patient safety around the world.

Mike is a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, serving on the board as Region F Director from September 2014-2018, and most recently elected as President of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin. His areas of interest include medication policy and safety, pharmacy informatics, and advancement of hospital pharmacy practice through leadership, staff development, and pharmacy resident and student education. To date, Mike has been a preceptor to over 900 students and residents.

Natalie Carleton, PharmD, BCPS is the Manager of Clinical Initiatives and Drug utilization for Ascension Wisconsin. This entails oversight in clinical pharmacy activities and drug utilization, along with being chair of the AW P&T committee. Natalie also has a strong connection with the national Ascension health pharmacy team and other Ascension ministries across the United States. Most of her role includes identification and implementation of processes that improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of medication utilization. Natalie received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from University of Wisconsin and became board certified in pharmacotherapy in 2011. Natalie is the primary preceptor for the PGY1/2 clinical management rotation, but supports year long and P&T projects as well. Her professional interests include internal medicine and project management along with informatics. Outside of work, you can find her enjoying anything outside including running, boating, and playing with her children.