MCW School of Pharmacy Recognizes 2025 Preceptors of the Year
The MCW School of Pharmacy recognizes the recipients of the 2024-2025 Preceptor of the Year Awards, who each embody the qualities, skills and values of the ideal preceptor and exhibit a commitment to excellence in teaching and practice.
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Preceptor of the Year
Jill Schwartz, RPh
Dr. Schwartz is the outpatient pharmacy coordinator at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital. At 16 years old, she became a pharmacy technician working alongside her father at the pharmacy he owned. She graduated from Creighton University Pharmacy School and worked at several community pharmacies before joining Froedtert in 2010. "After 38 years as a pharmacist, I am still very happy with my career choice,” she said.
As a preceptor, Dr. Schwartz often tells students to “know your patient.” This includes asking questions and listening carefully to responses, using terms the patient can understand and finally, having patience. She enjoys precepting because it gives her the chance to communicate with students about their experiences in pharmacy school and on various rotations. She enjoys asking questions about their career goals and their plans to achieve them.
A pharmacy student who nominated Dr. Schwartz wrote that she is an exceptional preceptor whose dedication to experiential education and patient-centered care is unmatched.
“Her unwavering commitment to patients is evident in how she treats each individual as her own family, ensuring that no financial, logistical, or clinical barrier prevents them from receiving the best possible care. A testament to her dedication is the time she spent outside of work meticulously developing a medication synchronization plan to ease the burden on a patient’s daughter, demonstrating her deep sense of responsibility and compassion.”
Faculty Preceptor of the Year
Jacob Dyer, PharmD
Dr. Dyer is an assistant professor of pharmacy and ambulatory care pharmacist who practices at the outpatient Heart Failure Clinic at Froedtert Hospital. He also practices at Bread of Healing and the Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured, serving priority populations in the Milwaukee area. He was part of the inaugural class of MCW School of Pharmacy (2020) and completed a post-graduate fellowship within the MCW Department of Family and Community Medicine in Academic and Primary Care Research.
In his role as a preceptor, Dr. Dyer loves demonstrating to learners how impactful interactions with a patient can be. He utilizes motivational interviewing to build relationships with patients and is grateful when he witnesses students utilizing these soft skills in practice.
Dr. Dyer advises students to be genuine. “It’s easy to get caught up in robotic repetitions as a student, and I occasionally observe professionals doing the same. Everyone, both students and patients, can easily identify someone who is genuine and someone who is just playing the role,” he said.
A pharmacy student who nominated Dr. Dyer wrote that he is clearly invested in making a significant impact on the lives of his students.
“Throughout my rotation he demonstrated strong clinical knowledge and deep empathy towards patients, which taught me numerous interpersonal skills. He regularly went above and beyond to help patients in ways such as following up on patient assistance programs or providing in-depth drug education.
Interdisciplinary Colleague of the Year
Michael Potnek, DNP, AAHIVS, AGPCNP-BC
Michael F. Potnek, DNP, AAHIVS, AGPCNP-BC, is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and HIV Specialist who serves as Medical Lead at the Beloit Community Health Center. With a focus on primary care, chronic disease management and infectious disease, he integrates clinical excellence with a strong commitment to interprofessional collaboration and education. Dr. Potnek precepts pharmacy, physician assistant and nurse practitioner students in his clinic and teaches undergraduate nursing clinicals in community health settings, fostering hands-on, team-based learning across disciplines. He holds adjunct faculty appointments at Marquette University and Edgewood College.
The student who nominated Dr. Potnek for the award writes that as the medical lead and provider at a federally qualified health center, he “plays a vital role in providing care to underserved populations and ensuring there is health equity and patient-centered care.” They also highlighted his dedication to student learning and professional development.
“I tell pharmacy students to trust their training and not be afraid to step into the conversation,” said Dr. Potnek. “Don’t underestimate your clinical voice. You're not just dispensing medications – you’re part of the decision-making team. Speak up, ask questions and share what you know, especially when something doesn’t look right. You’re often the one in the room who has the deepest understanding of the medications, and your insight can make a real difference.”
Drs. Schwartz, Dyer and Potnek accepted their respective awards at the Class of 2025 Hooding & Awards Ceremony on May 15.
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) Preceptor of the Year
Yiannis Glavas, PharmD
Yiannis Glavas, PharmD is the pharmacy manager at Costco in Menomonee Falls. He has been a preceptor with MCW since July 2021 and describes his career trajectory as “non-traditional.” His parents immigrated to the U.S. from Greece and the family worked together running several Greek restaurants. He says this experience helped him grow an appreciation for his parents’ work ethic, and the lessons they taught him in the restaurant business helped shape his pharmacy career. After graduating with a business degree, Dr. Glavas opened another restaurant and hotel operation with his family.
“My entire life, I was waiting on people and serving them. I grew attached to the community we served, saw families grow and came to celebrate all their milestones,” recalled Dr. Glavas.
One day while playing basketball at church with several medical professionals, one asked if he had ever thought about a career change. After shadowing several professions, he decided becoming a pharmacist was the right path. His mentor told him, “if you take what you’re doing here every day at the restaurant and apply it to the medical field, you will have a great impact on the community and be trusted for the services you provide.”
“Dr. Glavas opened my eyes to the intricacies of community pharmacy,” a student wrote in the nomination statement. “I believe he takes every IPPE student under his wing during their time at his pharmacy and had in-depth discussions about all aspects, including the patient care and business sides.”
Dr. Glavas was recognized at the Pinning Ceremony, held on June 18, to commemorate the Class of 2026 moving on to their APPE rotations in their third and final year of the MCW PharmD program.
“School can prepare you for all the didactic material, but practicing empathy and being consistent is key to having a rewarding career,” said Dr. Glavas. “You will be shocked at how far simple acts of kindness and caring for others will take you in your journey.”