Focus on practice partner Kayla Leidenbor, PharmD

Kayla Leidenbor, PharmD is a 2013 alumna of the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and works as a Transitions of Care Pharmacist at UC Health’s West Chester Hospital. Her practice allows her to focus on optimizing medication therapy for patients as they transition into the hospital and back into the community setting. Leidenbor co-precepts a combined Transitions of Care/Emergency Department rotation that takes approximately 20 students each year.

My educational background includes attending Eastern Kentucky University, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. I then went on to complete my Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy ('13). Following graduation, I completed a PGY1 residency at West Chester Hospital. 

Upon completion of my residency program in 2014, I accepted a clinical staffing position at West Chester Hospital focusing on the care of post-surgical patients. After working in that position for 2 years, I moved into a new role as the Transitions of Care Pharmacist. My initial role was to develop a pharmacy service line focused on enhancing the medication reconciliation process at my practice site. We incorporated both pharmacist and pharmacy technician staff to achieve this goal. As the medication reconciliation process became more proficient, I expanded my service line to focus on improving medication transitions for patients presenting with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease exacerbations. 

Starting in high school and continuing into my undergraduate years, I really developed an interest in biology and biochemistry. Further, I knew that I wanted to have a career in the medical field. After completing many shadowing experiences I decided to get a summer job working at a community pharmacy. From that first pharmacy technician position I was hooked. I enjoyed listening to the pharmacist counseling patients and loved learning about the medications. After discussing with my pharmacy manager and college advisor, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career as a pharmacist after completion of my undergraduate degree.  

Currently, I co-precept a four and eight week Transitions of Care/Emergency Department learning experience for fourth-year advance practice pharmacy students with clinical pharmacy specialist Caitlin Pfaff, PharmD. This experience provides students opportunities to optimize medication therapy in patients transitioning through the health care system, in addition to developing the student's knowledge and skill in management of medical emergencies. Further, I serve as a residency preceptor and offer a Transitions of Care elective rotation.

 Photo credit: Grant Wentzel, UC Health