Claire Leocha, PharmD, has joined the Shore Health System Antithrombosis Services Clinic as a clinical pharmacist specializing in antithrombosis therapy management. She will be working full time with Tom Sisca, PharmD, in assisting the management of over 1,000 patients currently enrolled in Shore Health System’s antithrombosis program.
The Antithrombosis Services Clinic located at The Memorial Hospital at Easton is a valuable resource for patients who must be closely monitored while taking anticoagulants. The clinic provides clinical evaluation, management and consultation for individuals who are long term users of drugs such as Warfarin (Coumadin®), Enoxaparin (Lovenox®), aspirin and Clopidogrel (Plavix®) and for people who need Coumadin® or Lovenox ® for short periods such as after joint replacements to prevent blood clots.
Patient education and management are important services provided by clinic staff. Studies have shown that patients monitored by an antithrombosis clinic were less likely to experience bleeding, clotting and other complications.
Leocha earned a bachelor of science in life sciences with a minor in psychology at Penn State University, where she was a research intern in the Department of Pharmacology and Psychiatry in the College of Medicine. Following graduation, she was named as research fellow with the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. She earned a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy with academic honors. As a graduate student Leocha received the Beardsley Scholarship for Outstanding Student Leaders, the Bennett Bozman Scholarship for leadership in pharmacy advocacy and the Student Government Leadership award.
Leocha was a student member, board member and officer of the Maryland Pharmacy Coalition, the Maryland Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacy Association.
During her pharmacy training, Leocha completed two clinical rotations at Shore Health System. Under the direction of Sisca and Kevin Callahan, PharmD, she was actively involved in the inpatient clinical pharmacy and outpatient antithrombosis services.