MCW School of Pharmacy Recognizes 2026 Preceptors of the Year
The MCW School of Pharmacy recognizes the recipients of the 2025-2026 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
Brian Domack, PharmD, BCPS
Pharmacist, Clinical Coordinator
Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Center
Pharmacy was not Dr. Domack’s first profession. He started in television production editing reels, directing newscasts and producing commercials for ABC and CBS affiliates in Madison, WI; San Diego, CA; and Omaha, NE. However, he was curious to learn the secrets of medicine and its power to improve people’s lives.
Dr. Domack earned his PharmD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in 2009, then moved to Milwaukee with his wife, Alicia. He has held a variety of roles in pharmacy, including a clinical pharmacist in the emergency department, intensive care unit, medicine/surgery and central pharmacy at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s. In April 2017, he joined the pharmacy surgery team at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital and then became pharmacy clinical coordinator at Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Center.
“Pharmacy students come from various backgrounds and cultures, and they each have unique career goals,” said Dr. Domack. “I enjoy learning what motivated them to join this great profession, and I try to incorporate their career interests into the rotation. It’s also great to learn about their interests outside of pharmacy.”
Dr. Domack often tells students he is precepting that pharmacy is a career full of lifelong learning opportunities that will benefit your patients.
Faculty Preceptor of the Year
Rachel Kavanaugh, PharmD, BCACP
Associate Professor, Director of Professional Labs – Year 2
MCW School of Pharmacy
Dr. Kavanaugh focuses on refining student skills and critical thinking to ensure they are fully prepared and competent to begin Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations. She is passionate about developing interprofessional events and creating serious learning games, which have educational objectives that go beyond entertainment.
When precepting students, she often encourages them to first try – then ask questions.
"Searching through a patient’s chart trying to find that key information or struggling to create a complex patient case to discuss in class is more meaningful to students, compared to a teacher sitting over their shoulder telling them exactly what to do,” said Dr. Kavanaugh. “Students learn more by trying and failing, then refining their approach based on what they have learned. Their confidence grows by learning from these mistakes – and that confidence is important for future healthcare professionals,” she added.
In addition to her academia position at the MCW School of Pharmacy, Dr. Kavanaugh works at Froedtert Hospital with weight loss medications.
Her favorite part of precepting is watching students build a sense of autonomy as they care for patients. She added it is rewarding to watch students develop a sense of pride while they experience the real impact they have on patients.
Interdisciplinary Colleague of the Year
Tamara Ahmad, RN, ADN
Community Nursing Senior Manager
Hayat Pharmacy
“Trust your training, embrace each experience, reflect and grow,” is a common piece of advice Tamara Ahmad, RN, ADN gives to students she precepts.
Since beginning her nursing career in 2016, she has been dedicated to advancing the clinical standards of care for vulnerable populations. Since joining Hayat Pharmacy in 2021, she has played an instrumental role in the development and growth of the community and long-acting injectable behavioral health programs. These initiatives create sustainable pathways for long-term recovery and medication adherence.
A gratifying part of being a preceptor, she said, is helping students see the person behind the diagnosis.
“One of the most important things I teach is how to recognize the real-world stigma our patients deal with every day,” said Ahmad. “It’s rewarding to show students that successful treatment isn’t just about hitting clinical goals – it’s about giving someone the tools to integrate back into society and live a full life. Watching a student understand that connection and realize they’re helping someone reclaim their place in the world is exactly why I do this.”
The APPE Preceptor of the Year, Faculty Preceptor of the Year and Interdisciplinary Colleague of the Year all accepted their respective awards at the Hooding and Awards Ceremony on May 14.
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) Preceptor of the Year
Grace Mortrude, PharmD, BCIDP
Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center
Dr. Mortrude has always enjoyed mentoring others – from high school to pharmacy school and now as a preceptor and residency program director.
“I take great pride in instilling the next generation of pharmacists with the skills to be successful, as well as taking a personal interest in each learner’s goals and aspirations,” said Dr. Mortrude.
In addition to her role as an infectious diseases clinical pharmacy specialist at the Zablocki VA, Dr. Mortrude manages the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) program, is the HIV/PrEP liaison and sits on infection control and antimicrobial stewardship committees. She rounds with the infectious diseases consult team, manages OPAT patients and assists providers in the infectious diseases clinic. She precepts students and residents in all these areas.
A love of science made Dr. Mortrude choose a career path in pharmacy. She values how pharmacists take complex topics and explain them to people in a simple and understandable way. She said a role model at her local CVS pharmacy was excellent at this and inspired her to become a pharmacist.
Dr. Mortrude was recognized at the Pinning Ceremony, held on June 17, to commemorate the Class of 2027 moving on to their APPE rotations in their third and final year of the MCW PharmD program.