UC Davis Health
UC Davis Health Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Services
Achieve your health care goals with the support of our clinical pharmacists.
At UC Davis Health, our primary care pharmacists are dedicated to helping you achieve your personal health goals. We understand that everyone’s journey to well-being is unique, and we are committed to providing individualized support that empowers you to lead your healthiest life. Services are provided at no cost, by referral by your UC Davis Health primary care provider.
Primary care pharmacists are specialists in health and wellness strategies that support you with managing chronic health conditions like:
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- High Blood Sugar (Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes)
- Chronic Pain
Additionally, if medications are needed in your care plan our pharmacists will help you choose medications that are:
- Effective
- Safe
- Affordable (Including helping you apply for medication financial assistance if you are eligible)
If you are looking for trusted partners on your path to better health, ask your doctor about working with a primary care pharmacist. With a shared commitment to your well-being, we are here to help you achieve your health goals.
Primary Care Clinical Services
Hypertension Management
We work closely with you to control and manage hypertension effectively. Our expert guidance and personalized care plans help you maintain healthy blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Diabetes Care
Living with diabetes is a lifelong journey. Our pharmacists are here to support you in managing your diabetes. You have many options (medications, lifestyle changes, monitoring) to lower blood sugars and improve well-being.
Chronic Pain Management
Our primary care pharmacists collaborate closely with your healthcare team to create tailored pain management plans. Our goal is to help improve your quality of life by minimizing pain discomfort and maximizing medication safety.
Medication Financial Assistance
We understand that medication costs can be a significant barrier to healthcare. Our team can help you navigate options for financial assistance so you can access the medications you need without undue financial stress.
Meet Our Pharmacists
Rory C. Okasaki Gutierrez, Pharm.D., B.C.-A.D.M.
Residency: Ambulatory Care/HIV, UC Davis Medical Center, 2012
Pharmacy School: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, 2011
Philosophy of Care: I believe in medication education. In my experience, taking the time to provide people with education about their medications, including, how they work, when they will work, and what to expect can improve outcomes. This is often the most powerful ways we help as pharmacists.
Clinical Interests: My current interests are safer medication options (buprenorphine) for chronic pain and technology (continuous glucose monitors) for improving diabetes outcomes, including improving blood sugar control and minimizing low blood sugar events.
Simarjit Sandher, Pharm.D., B.C.A.C.P.
Residency: Ambulatory Care Residency, UC Davis Medical Center, 2016
Pharmacy School: Pacific University School of Pharmacy 2015
Philosophy of Care: I strive to build a collaborative relationship with my patients and their families by practicing shared decision making when deciding a treatment plan.
Clinical Interests: As a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist my interests are in primary care and managing chronic health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Julie Dang, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S, A.Ph.
Residency: Veteran’s Affairs San Francisco PGY1 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice, 2007
Pharmacy School: University of California San Francisco, 2006
Philosophy of Care: My goal is to partner with people to determine their healthcare goals and develop a person-centered plan that includes effective medication management to achieve these goals together.
Clinical Interests: Chronic health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol management.
Simarjit Sandher, Pharm.D., B.C.A.C.P.
Residency: Ambulatory Care Residency, UC Davis Medical Center, 2016
Pharmacy School: Pacific University School of Pharmacy 2015
Philosophy of Care: I strive to build a collaborative relationship with my patients and their families by practicing shared decision making when deciding a treatment plan.
Clinical Interests: As a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist my interests are in primary care and managing chronic health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Tanya Shepard, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S, A.Ph.
Residency: Pharmacy Practice Residency, Catholic Healthcare West, Mercy San Juan PGY1, 2010
Pharmacy School: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, 2009
Philosophy of Care: I believe in team collaboration between patients and their medical providers to improve health outcomes. My goal is to assure every person I work with has the knowledge make optimal health decisions for themselves and access to the medications or resources they need for their health.
Clinical Interests: Opioid stewardship, improving access to medications, and chronic disease state management, including hypertension and diabetes.
Jennifer Branch, Pharm.D.
Residency: Pharmacy Practice, UC Davis Medical Center, 1993
University of California San Francisco, 1992
Philosophy of Care: Good medical care is best achieved through a partnership. I pride myself on being a patient advocate. As a strong advocate, I strive to establish a patient relationship based on mutual respect, open communication, and shared decision-making. My goal is to optimize medication regimens to support therapeutic goal attainment, improve medication adherence, prevent potential adverse drug events, and ensure access to prescribed medications.
Clinical Interests: Chronic disease state management such as hypertension and diabetes.
Teresa Kwong, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S., B.C.A.C.P.
Residency: Pharmacy Practice, UC Davis Medical Center, 2006
Pharmacy School: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, 2005
Philosophy of Care: I strive to understand each person’s journey and what is important to them.
Clinical Interests: Chronic disease and medication management in the primary care setting.
Jennifer Branch, Pharm.D.
Residency: Pharmacy Practice, UC Davis Medical Center, 1993
University of California San Francisco, 1992
Philosophy of Care: Good medical care is best achieved through a partnership. I pride myself on being a patient advocate. As a strong advocate, I strive to establish a patient relationship based on mutual respect, open communication, and shared decision-making. My goal is to optimize medication regimens to support therapeutic goal attainment, improve medication adherence, prevent potential adverse drug events, and ensure access to prescribed medications.
Clinical Interests: Chronic disease state management such as hypertension and diabetes.
Janeane Giannini, Pharm.D.
Residency: Pharmacy Practice Residency, San Joaquin General Hospital, 2007
Pharmacy School: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, 2006
Philosophy of Care: I am a patient advocate who enjoys building relationships with my patients and spending the extra time with them so they can better understand their medications. I work to educate both patients and providers on safe, effective medication use. I strongly believe in empowering people to become more involved in their care to help lead to better health outcomes.
Clinical Interests: Preventative Health, Medication Therapy Management, Geriatrics, Anticoagulation.
Christina Putnam, Pharm.D.
Residency: Ambulatory Care at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center/ Family Medicine of Southwest Washington, 2021
Pharmacy Practice, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, 2020
Pharmacy School: University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy, 2019
Philosophy of Care: Providing person-centered care by partnering with people to help them achieve their individualized healthcare goals.
Clinical Interests: Chronic disease state management (including hypertension and diabetes), continuous glucose monitoring, asthma, COPD, and smoking cessation.
Linda Phan, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S., B.C.A.C.P., B.C.G.P.
Residency: Geriatric Pharmacy Practice, VA West Los Angeles, 1999
Pharmacy School: University of the Pacific Long School of Pharmacy, 1998
Philosophy of Care: I believe that health care choices extend beyond the clinic visit and these are a vital component to better health outcomes. I find significant satisfaction in helping patients navigate and overcome the day-to-day struggles that may come with managing a chronic disease.
Clinical Interests: Health care access and closing gaps in care, Geriatrics.
Family Medicine
Sorosh Kherghehpoush, Pharm.D., A.A.H.I.V.P.
Residency: Research & Academia, Washington State University, Department of Pharmacotherapy, 2019-2021
Pharmacy School: Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2019
Philosophy of Care: Providing person-centered care is grounded in respecting individual autonomy, mindfulness of socioeconomic status, and meeting people where they are at. Comprehensive education at every opportunity promotes engagement and understanding, empowering people to take a proactive leadership role in their own health.
Internal Medicine
CJ Squires, Pharm.D., A.A.H.I.V.P.
Residency: Ambulatory Care/HIV, UC Davis Medical Center, 2023
Pharmacy School: University of Washington, 2022
Philosophy of Care: Providing person-centered care through listening with empathy. Helping people build toolkits to allow them to achieve their individualized health goals. Ensuring care is mindful of a person’s unique social determinants of health.
Clinical Interests: Chronic disease state management (diabetes, hypertension), HIV care, LGBTQIA+ care, closing health disparity gaps.
