Zoo Hwang, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Manager, PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director
Learning experience precepted: Medication Safety/Management
Dr. Hwang earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy. Following his graduation, he joined Mission Hospital as a clinical pharmacist, where he contributed across various clinical and operational shifts. Driven by a strong passion for clinical pharmacy and a desire to effect significant improvements, Dr. Hwang advanced to the position of Clinical Pharmacy Manager.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Hwang has spearheaded numerous clinical initiatives, including the implementation of heparin services managed by the pharmacy, and the integration of therapeutic drug monitoring software, such as Precise PK and Insight RX. Additionally, he has actively participated in several collaborative nursing projects. Dr. Hwang is also dedicated to education and mentorship, particularly through his leadership role in the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Mission Hospital.
Beyond his professional commitments, Dr. Hwang enjoys golfing and cherishing time with his family.
Alicia Hadiprodjo, PharmD, BCPS
Pharmacy Program Manager, PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program Co-director
Learning experience precepted: Orientation, Medication Safety/Management, Research/Teaching
Dr. Hadiprodjo is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist currently serving as the Pharmacy Program Manager and Co-Director of the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Providence Mission Hospital. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy. Driven by a passion for acute care in hospital settings, Dr. Hadiprodjo completed her PGY-1 residency training at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Hadiprodjo has worked in various clinical environments, including internal medicine, critical care, anticoagulation, and glycemic management. Her latest role at Mission Hospital encompasses responsibilities in medication safety, care transitions, and the establishment of a new PGY-1 pharmacy residency program.
Dr. Hadiprodjo is committed to quality improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing the safe medication use process and expanding the role of pharmacists within inpatient and transitional care settings. She is equally dedicated to mentoring pharmacy students and residents, ensuring they are practice-ready and equipped to pursue their career aspirations.
On her spare time, she enjoys hiking and watching the whole 7 series of Harry Potter movies or any heart-warming Disney movies.
Deborah Chien, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist
Learning experience precepted: Orientation, Pharmacy Practice
Dr. Deborah Chien earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Loma Linda University and is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist. Driven by her passion for intravenous room processes, she has undertaken the role of designated person for both sterile and non-sterile compounding. In her leisure time, she enjoys providing care for her nephew.
Gary Cartolano, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
Learning experience precepted: Cardiac Intensive Care
Dr. Cartolano has over 30 years of critical care pharmacy practice experience at Providence Mission Hospital and currently serves on the Healthy Work Environment Committee and has recently served as co-chair to the Pharmacy Shared Governance Committee and as APPE student coordinator. He obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of California at San Francisco School of Pharmacy. He completed his PGY-1 residency in clinical pharmacy practice at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach, California. He enjoys making a difference in patient care and finds critical care medicine very exciting. He has a passion for continual learning.
Dr. Cartolano has worked in various clinical environments, including internal medicine, ED, trauma care, surgical ICU, cardiac ICU, and anticoagulation but he has maintained a stronger focus in pharmacokinetics, parental nutrition, infectious diseases and the care of the cardiac and respiratory critically ill patients.
Dr. Cartolano is committed to optimal care of the critically ill patient and the education of APPE students and Providence Mission Hospital residents. He desires to model excellent care, safe and effective decision making, and an efficient work environment to pharmacy students and residents to ensure that they become practice-ready.
In his spare time, he enjoys biking, exercising at 24 Hour Fitness, local travel and watching YouTube repair videos.
Nehal Patel, PharmD, BCPS
Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist
Learning experience precepted: antimicrobial stewardship (infectious disease)
Dr. Patel is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist currently serving as the Antimicrobial Stewardship pharmacist at Providence Mission Hospital. She obtained her Bachelors of Science from the University of California-Irvine and her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. Prior to working at Mission Hospital, she spent 8 years as a clinical pharmacist at Mercy Hospital of Bakersfield where she spent the last 3 years as the pharmacy clinical coordinator and antimicrobial stewardship committee co-chair.
Her current role at Mission Hospital involves, but is not limited to, daily prospective audit and feedback of prescriber antimicrobial stewardship practices, education of providers/ pharmacists/ nurses, collaboration with executive leaders, infection prevention, quality, medical staff, and nursing leaders for various initiatives to improve current practices, performance of medication use evaluations to identify gaps in adherence to hospital policy, review of hospital acquired infections for ASP gaps, and policy development. She works closely with the Medical Director of Infection Prevention who co-chairs the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, which oversees Mission Hospital-Mission Viejo, Mission Hospital-Laguna Beach, and CHOC at Mission. She hopes to expand the program to advance outpatient antimicrobial stewardship as well.
When she is not busy thinking about drugs and bugs, she enjoys singing, painting, baking, photography, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Norah Jiao, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist
Learning experience precepted: Surgical / Neuro Intensive Care
Dr. Norah Jiao is a board-certified critical care pharmacy specialist with over 20 years of experience in critical care and neurocritical care. Over the years she has mentored many pharmacy students and residents and contributed to medical residency education. Dr. Jiao has led and participated in numerous clinical trials and studies, resulting in many posters and publications in neurocritical care. She has also authored and co-authored various clinical protocols and policies and co-authored a book chapter on neuro-pharmacotherapy.
A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Jiao finished her final year of clinical rotations under the mentorship of physicians from Brown Medical School at Rhode Island Hospital and the VA Hospital in Providence. Inspired by their compassion and dedication, she continues to uphold these values in her patient-centered practice.
Following her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Dr. Jiao completed specialized training in critical care, neurocritical care, and pain and sedation management at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. She served as a neuro-ICU pharmacist at Hartford Hospital for 15 years, working alongside some of the nation's leading medical professionals.
Currently, Dr Jiao practices at Mission Hospital in California, where she works with a dedicated and caring team and serves as the primary preceptor for neurocritical care in the hospital’s pharmacy residency program.
A self-proclaimed environmentalist, Dr. Jiao enjoys worm composting and gardening. She plans to travel around the world and aspires to publish a 99-cent novel on Amazon as a lifelong goal.
Sonam Patel, PharmD, BCOP
Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
Learning experience precepted: Hematology/Oncology
Dr. Patel is a board-certified hematology/oncology pharmacotherapy specialist serving patients at Leonard Cancer Institute (LCI) at Providence Mission Hospital. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from University of Illinois at Chicago School of Pharmacy. Upon graduation, she completed her PGY-1 acute care residency at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago followed by PGY-2 Hematology/Oncology residency at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Patel has worked at many different cancer centers around the Southern California region and takes pride in serving her patients. She has several years of experience working in the infusion center setting as well as with investigational medications and is dedicated to providing the best possible patient care to her patients and ensuring safe medication practices.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Sufen Chen, MS, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist
Learning experience precepted: Internal Medicine, Surgical / Neuro Intensive Care
Dr. Sufen Chen is a seasoned clinical pharmacist with over 15 years of experience in acute care, trauma, and academic hospital settings. She currently practices at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA, a regional Level II trauma center, where she provides both distributive and clinical services across various units including the emergency department, intensive care, and surgical floors.
Dr. Chen earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Western University of Health Sciences, a Master of Science in Pharmacology from National Taiwan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Kaohsiung Medical University. She holds board certifications in both Pharmacotherapy and Critical Care.
Her clinical interests include antimicrobial stewardship, medication safety, Bayesian dosing, and emergency response. She has served as an interim informatics and infectious disease pharmacist and was a superuser and educator for Bayesian dosing platforms in the past. Dr. Chen is also actively involved in quality improvement initiatives and regulatory compliance efforts.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Chen precepts APPE students from multiple pharmacy schools and contributes to experiential education as a member of Chapman University’s advisory committee. She is recognized for her mentorship and has received multiple accolades for her teaching and clinical excellence. She also mentors pharmacy technicians and leads educational sessions and competency training.
Outside of the pharmacy, Dr. Chen enjoys exploring new cuisines, traveling, and spending time in a gym. Her passion for lifelong learning and patient-centered care continues to inspire those around her.
Thao Tran, PharmD, BCPS, APh
Clinical Pharmacist
Learning experience precepted: Emergency Medicine
Dr. Thao Tran earned her Doctorate in Pharmacy from Creighton University in Nebraska and is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). Her clinical expertise spans a wide range of areas including internal medicine, critical care, pharmacy operations, quality improvement, oncology, but she has maintained a stronger focus on emergency medicine practice.
Dr. Tran is a staunch advocate for the belief that exceptional patient care is rooted in superior training and education. Her emergency department rotation is designed to offer enriching learning experiences, preparing future pharmacists to thrive in the dynamic environment of the emergency room with a strong emphasis on evidence-based medicine in clinical decision-making.
Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Tran has a passion for traveling and exploring new culinary techniques. She delights in recreating her favorite international dishes to share with friends and family.
