Kathie Le
Contact:
kphle@ucdavis.edu

Titles:

  • Senior Pharmacist, UCD Health, Internal Medicine
  • Associate Clinical Professor
  • California Northstate University College of Pharmacy
  • University of CA Davis Medical Center. University of San Francisco, School of Pharmacy

Education and Residency Training:

  • 9/05-now
    Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)
    American College of Clinical Pharmacy
  • 7/00-7/01
    ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency
    Fairview University Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN
  • 9/96-5/00
    Doctor of Pharmacy
    University of Minnesota – College of Pharmacy Minneapolis, MN (graduated 05/13/00)
  • 1/94-6/96
    Bachelor of Science in Biological Science-Physiology
    University of California Davis (UC Davis) Davis, CA (graduated 06/30/96)
  • 9/91-12/94
    Pre-pharmacy education
    Sacramento City College
    Sacramento, CA; Major: Biochemistry

Research Interests:
Our general medicine patients inevitably present with multiple medical issues. I am most interested in renal therapy, diabetic care, infectious disease and how their inevitable interaction affects the overall progression of illness.

Practice Philosophy:
As with people, each patient is unique and therefore, each approach must be uniquely catered to that patient’s needs. The role of a healthcare provider is truly a calling and I believe its highest moral obligation to be twofold: To have the highest expectation of oneself as a provider, and to subsequently provide the best care possible. Today’s comprehensive approach to medicine is multifaceted. Its complexities require one to be a lifelong learner individually, as well as being able to collaborate with others effectively.  This is synergy at its very best.  I truly believe that when we work together to ensure the safest, most efficacious, and financially reasonable therapies possible, what results is the finest practice of medicine available today.

Rotation Precepted:

  • Critical care medicine Pharmacy (PGY1 and PGY1): prior to September 2015
  • Internal medicine Pharmacy (PGY1 and PGY2):  since September 2015

Bio:
Dr. Kathie Le is board certified in pharmacology (BCPS) and is a Senior Clinical Pharmacist at UC Davis Medical Center. She serves as an Associate Clinical Professor for UCSF School of Pharmacy, as a guest lecturer/speaker at CNU School of Pharmacy, and for the UC Davis Internal Medicine department.

Dr. Kathie Le was born in Vietnam. She speaks English (well… the English as a second language version) and Vietnamese fluently.  She graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science: ‘Biology- Emphasis on Physiology,’ in 1996. She received her PharmD and subsequently completed her pharmacy residency with the University of Minnesota, Fairview Medical Center. Yes . . . that is one very cold place (remember, she was born in a tropical area!). To keep both warm and sane amidst the constant snow and marathon-studying, often with the help of a dictionary, she took up ballroom dancing.  She trained with many instructors and schools, and eventually took to competing on the amateur circuit with one constant dance partner as her lead. They later married and now have two young boys . . . and no time to dance anymore. Modern parenting is its own form of an all-encompassing lifestyle, but she wouldn't change a thing.  Nowadays, any time not otherwise spent working, is spent teaching her oldest son to play classical guitar and helping her youngest with his drum lessons (he’s no Ringo Starr yet…)

Dr. Kathie Le has spent roughly 13 years as an ICU pharmacist and a backup transplant pharmacist. However, in 2015, she became the lead pharmacist for the internal medicine pharmacy group.  Dr. Le is actively involved with the interdisciplinary internal medicine department and has contributed to the creation/implementation of several institution protocols. She pioneered the concept of precepting multiple pharmacy students and residents at the same time, hence the term “General Medicine Army.” She has earned several service and team-player awards, good catch medication safety awards, several ‘Apples for Excellent Preceptor’ awards, and the ‘Long Award for Excellence in Teaching.’ Her highest privilege though was becoming the recipient of the 2015 ‘Jeff King Pharmacy Leadership Award.’

Dr. Le has every intention of continuing to help the General Medicine Army grow ever more awesome through her remaining years in practice. That is, if her kids (or that aforementioned dance partner) don’t drive her completely over the edge first. She’d be the first to agree with the concept of a balanced life as one’s ultimate goal.