Preceptors

Mike Akers, PharmD, Transitions of Care Pharmacist

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (2011)
• Residency: PGY1, University of Minnesota – Essentia Health (Ambulatory Care), Duluth MN (2012)
• Practice Philosophy: By providing a comprehensive medication review, my ultimate goal is to optimize patients' heart failure medications in order to help them live longer, feel better, and stay out of the hospital.
• Practice Location: Heart and Vascular Center, St. Cloud
• Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family, hunting, fishing and taking on do-it-yourself projects at home.

Nathan Beckman, PharmD, Ambulatory Care and Inpatient Pharmacist

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University (2015)
• Practice Philosophy: I strive to provide quality care using a patient-centered approach. I enjoy getting to know my patients and forming a relationship with them that makes my job more rewarding, and also helps me to better serve them. The goal is to provide information and then work with the patient to make the choices that will work best for them.
• Practice Location: Family Medicine, Paynesville
• Personal Interests: I enjoy playing and watching sports, fishing in the summer AND winter, smoking various meats, and especially spending time with my family.

Briana Gray, PharmD, BCACP, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (2017)
• Residency: PGY1, University of Minnesota – St. Cloud VA Medical Center (Ambulatory Care), St. Cloud, MN (2018)
• Professional Memberships: ASHP, MPhA
• Practice Philosophy: I enjoy working with people who have complex medical issues to find ways to keep them healthy and hopefully simplify their care. I have experience with most primary care issues and I am especially interested in diabetes care. It’s an important aspect of care to me to find a solution that works with a patient’s situation and meets their needs, along with building a relationship where patients feel comfortable entrusting their care with me.
• Practice Location: River Campus Internal Medicine, St. Cloud
• Personal Interests: I enjoy fishing and spending time outside, along with reading and hanging out with my dog, Tank.

Jennifer Hiemenz, PharmD, Program Director- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency (Ambulatory Clinics)

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University (2016)
• Residency: PGY1, University of Minnesota – Coborn’s Pharmacy/Family Medical Center Clinic (Ambulatory Care), Little Falls, MN (2017)
• Professional Memberships: ASHP, MPhA, MSHP
• Practice Philosophy: My role is all about medication safety and monitoring. We talk about your pain symptoms, what you’ve tried, and what you might benefit from changing in order to feel better.
• Practice Location: River Campus Pain Center, St. Cloud
• Personal Interests: I enjoy baking cakes and cookies, craft projects - especially crochet and Cricut, golf, Beyoncé and exploring local farmer’s markets.

Keith Karsky, BSPharm, Director of Outpatient and Specialty Pharmacy Services

• Education: BSPharm, North Dakota State University (1987)
• Professional Memberships: ASHP
• Practice Philosophy: My emphasis is on retail and specialty pharmacy services growth and pharmacist and technician development, including the use of technology and automation, to foster pharmacists’ ability to practice at the top of their licenses.
• Practice Location: Retail pharmacies at CentraCare Northway and St. Cloud Hospital, and retail and specialty pharmacies at CentraCare Plaza.
• Personal Interests: I enjoy time at the lake with family, golf, and watching Minnesota professional sports.

Jennifer Klocker, PharmD, Ambulatory Care and Inpatient Pharmacist

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota Twin Cities (2007)
• Practice Philosophy: I enjoy serving as part of the health care team to solve medication problems and appropriately manage medication regimens for both clinic and hospital patients. Medications can be overwhelming, costly, and have potential side effects; however, when used appropriately can be lifechanging. I’m looking forward to being part of your team.
• Practice Location: Family Medicine, Paynesville
• Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends especially in the boundary waters.

Todd Lemke, PharmD, DPLA, Director of Regional Pharmacy Services

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1999)
• Residency: PGY1, University of Minnesota – Paynesville Area HealthCare System (Ambulatory Care), Paynesville, MN (2000)
• Professional Memberships: ASHP, NRHA, MSHP, MPhA
• Practice Philosophy: Patients deserve the same access to a pharmacist's care no matter if they are in an urban or rural setting. My work is securing resources so we can provide high level pharmacist access in all settings.
• Practice Location: CentraCare Paynesville, CentraCare Melrose and Rice Memorial Hospital
• Personal Interests: Hobby farming, beekeeping and competitive carrot growing.

Jason Lind, PharmD, MBA, Pharmacist-In-Charge (CentraCare Northway Pharmacy)

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University (2012); Masters of Business Administration, Capella University (2024)
• Practice Philosophy: Provide safe medications, proper counseling, and effective vaccinations from a retail setting.
• Practice Location: CentraCare Northway Pharmacy, Saint Cloud MN
• Personal Interests: Hiking, camping, hunting, attending concerts, and working on home improvement projects.

Jessica Lind, PharmD, BCACP, Director of Clinical Ambulatory Pharmacy (MTM) and Anticoagulation

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy (2011)
• Residencies: PGY1, University of Minnesota – First Light Health System (Ambulatory Care), Mora, MN (2012); PGY2, Ambulatory Care, Hennepin County Medical Center (2013)
• Professional Memberships: MPhA, ASHP
• Practice Philosophy: Ambulatory pharmacy practice development and rural pharmacy practice
• Personal Interests:Being outdoors - hiking, biking, gardening, quality family time, Taylor Swift, attempting to improve my archery skills.

Nicole Lind, PharmD, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University (2016)
• Practice Philosophy: I’m able to provide in depth education to the patient about their medications and optimize their current regimen through medication management. Both of which can make a positive impact on helping patients achieve their health care goals.
• Practice Location: Family Health Center, St. Cloud
• Personal Interests: I enjoy shopping at Target, visiting my parents’ farm, arts and crafts with my kids and vacations with my husband.

Lauren Schluenz, PharmD, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist

• Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (2020)
• Residency: PGY1, University of Minnesota – CentraCare (Ambulatory Care), St. Cloud, MN (2021)
• Professional Memberships: MPhA
• Practice Philosophy: As a medication therapy management pharmacist, I strive to put the patient at the center of all that I do. I enjoy building relationships with my patients and helping them find the most appropriate and effective medications to optimize their health.
• Practice Location: Southway Family Medicine, St. Cloud
• Personal Interests: Spending time at the lake with family and friends, traveling and spending time with my golden retriever, Gus,. And I recently joined a book club so looking forward to doing more reading.