Meet Cyndi, our Clinical Pharmacist/Health Coach at WMC!
Meet Cyndi, not only a Clinical Pharmacist and Health Coach at WMC, but also a Golden High School graduate, who loves smothered burritos, folk music, and windsurfing!
Jack: Good morning Cyndi. Let’s start by you telling us a bit about yourself.
Cyndi: I am a Mom and I have two adult daughters. They are 20 and 22. I have been married for 26 years and am a native of Colorado but have done lots of travel. Pharmacy is actually my 2nd career, my first being a special education teacher. I graduated from pharmacy school in 2018 from the University of Colorado.
Jack: What is the most challenging part of your job as a pharmacist at WMC?
Cyndi: The most challenging part of my job is helping patients navigate prescription insurance and helping patients find affordable options for their medications.
Jack: Where is your location at WMC and where could I or other patients locate you and the pharmacy?
Cyndi: We don’t have a dispensing pharmacy at WMC. I’m a clinical pharmacist, which means I’m part of the integrated care team at the clinic. Call the main number and ask to talk with me. I’m always happy to answer drug-related questions. You can also call and request an appointment with me, and sometimes your provider may schedule a longer visit so that I can join and help address medicine-related questions and concerns. I am also a certified health coach and do a lot of coaching along with Stacey.
Jack: Tell us a bit more about your education.
Cyndi: I graduated from Golden High School in 1987. I did my undergraduate work at the University of Virginia. I earned my M.A. in Elementary Education from John Hopkins University. After graduating from pharmacy school, I did a year long residency in pharmacy with the University of Colorado and King Soopers and in 2019, I joined Westminster Medical.
Jack: Now for some good stuff. What is your favorite meal?
Cyndi: A smothered green chili burrito. (yum!)
Jack: How about a favorite dessert?
Cyndi: I am not really a dessert person. I prefer the more salty snack items, but I would choose mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.
Jack: And your favorite movie?
Cyndi: The Right Stuff. Growing up I probably watched it at least 40 times and can quote you any line you want from the movie!
Jack: Wow, I am surprised you didn’t choose to be an astronaut.
Cyndi: No, but my husband is an aero-space engineer and works in Boulder.
Jack: Tell us about your musical tastes.
Cyndi: I love folk music, bluegrass and B-bop jazz.
Jack: Do you play any musical instruments?
Cyndi: As a kid I played piano but I am not the musician in the family. The rest of the family are the talented ones when it comes to music.
Jack: It is that time when Halloween is just around the corner. Did you have a favorite costume growing up?
Cyndi: I made my own jack-in-the-box costume.
Jack: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Cyndi: After graduating from UVA, I lived on the island of Saipan for a year teaching windsurfing, leading snorkel tours, and exploring every inch of the island in a beat-up Toyota pick-up truck.
Jack: Good morning Cyndi. Let’s start by you telling us a bit about yourself.
Cyndi: I am a Mom and I have two adult daughters. They are 20 and 22. I have been married for 26 years and am a native of Colorado but have done lots of travel. Pharmacy is actually my 2nd career, my first being a special education teacher. I graduated from pharmacy school in 2018 from the University of Colorado.
Jack: What is the most challenging part of your job as a pharmacist at WMC?
Cyndi: The most challenging part of my job is helping patients navigate prescription insurance and helping patients find affordable options for their medications.
Jack: Where is your location at WMC and where could I or other patients locate you and the pharmacy?
Cyndi: We don’t have a dispensing pharmacy at WMC. I’m a clinical pharmacist, which means I’m part of the integrated care team at the clinic. Call the main number and ask to talk with me. I’m always happy to answer drug-related questions. You can also call and request an appointment with me, and sometimes your provider may schedule a longer visit so that I can join and help address medicine-related questions and concerns. I am also a certified health coach and do a lot of coaching along with Stacey.
Jack: Tell us a bit more about your education.
Cyndi: I graduated from Golden High School in 1987. I did my undergraduate work at the University of Virginia. I earned my M.A. in Elementary Education from John Hopkins University. After graduating from pharmacy school, I did a year long residency in pharmacy with the University of Colorado and King Soopers and in 2019, I joined Westminster Medical.
Jack: Now for some good stuff. What is your favorite meal?
Cyndi: A smothered green chili burrito. (yum!)
Jack: How about a favorite dessert?
Cyndi: I am not really a dessert person. I prefer the more salty snack items, but I would choose mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.
Jack: And your favorite movie?
Cyndi: The Right Stuff. Growing up I probably watched it at least 40 times and can quote you any line you want from the movie!
Jack: Wow, I am surprised you didn’t choose to be an astronaut.
Cyndi: No, but my husband is an aero-space engineer and works in Boulder.
Jack: Tell us about your musical tastes.
Cyndi: I love folk music, bluegrass and B-bop jazz.
Jack: Do you play any musical instruments?
Cyndi: As a kid I played piano but I am not the musician in the family. The rest of the family are the talented ones when it comes to music.
Jack: It is that time when Halloween is just around the corner. Did you have a favorite costume growing up?
Cyndi: I made my own jack-in-the-box costume.
Jack: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Cyndi: After graduating from UVA, I lived on the island of Saipan for a year teaching windsurfing, leading snorkel tours, and exploring every inch of the island in a beat-up Toyota pick-up truck.
Welcome Ellen, our new MA!
Ellen, who is originally from Chicago, joined our WMC family just a few weeks ago as a Medical Assistant. Jack from WMC's Patient Advisory Council sat down with her to learn about her love for camping and fishing, swing dancing and country music.
Jack: What is your position at Westminster?
Ellen: I am a Medical Assistant.
Jack: As a new member of the WMC staff, would you share a little bit about yourself for us.
Ellen: I come from a large Irish Catholic family. My Dad had 9 siblings and I have 27 1st cousins. We are a tight knit family and that is one of the main reasons I was drawn to WMC. It is also a tight knit group and feels a lot like family. I am from Chicago but came to Colorado and did my schooling at the University of Northern Colorado. My husband works in the oil industry, but also does photography on the side. We have a 2 year old son who keeps me busy. An additional important part of our family are our 3 dogs (2 golden retrievers and an Aussie mix).
Jack: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Ellen: We love to go fishing and camping. We have a small boat and we like to go to a special spot North of the Fort Collins area in the Poudre canyon.
Jack: Other hobbies/interests?
Ellen: I enjoy horseback riding and we also love to go swing dancing. In fact that is how my husband and I met. (You just might run in to Ellen and her husband on occasion at the Grizzly Rose).
Jack: Do you have a favorite movie?
Ellen: Yes, I have two: Practical Magic and Top Gun.
Jack: I think I can guess, but tell us, what is your taste in music?
Ellen: My favorite is Country but I also enjoy 90’s alternative.
Jack: If you got a free ticket and could travel anywhere in the world, where would you like to visit?
Ellen: Ireland! That is where we had planned to go on our honeymoon, but that didn’t work out. My Grandmother is first generation from Ireland and it would be great to visit family, see the culture and all the amazing scenery in that beautiful country.
Jack: What is your favorite food?
Ellen: Sushi and anything fried. I tell my husband I can make a meal just out of appetizers!
Jack: How about a favorite dessert?
Ellen: I love to make grilled peaches layered with a homemade raspberry sauce. (yum!)
Jack: One of our PAC members, Barbara, started a new feature in the Pulse this issue. She will be featuring an inspirational quote for us. What a positive addition! What inspires you, Ellen?
Ellen: My family. Growing up in a big family that is close, but spread out (a brother in New York and family in-between there and here) can be challenging. So we get together in a group chat and do everything together. My family is what inspires me.
Jack: What is your position at Westminster?
Ellen: I am a Medical Assistant.
Jack: As a new member of the WMC staff, would you share a little bit about yourself for us.
Ellen: I come from a large Irish Catholic family. My Dad had 9 siblings and I have 27 1st cousins. We are a tight knit family and that is one of the main reasons I was drawn to WMC. It is also a tight knit group and feels a lot like family. I am from Chicago but came to Colorado and did my schooling at the University of Northern Colorado. My husband works in the oil industry, but also does photography on the side. We have a 2 year old son who keeps me busy. An additional important part of our family are our 3 dogs (2 golden retrievers and an Aussie mix).
Jack: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Ellen: We love to go fishing and camping. We have a small boat and we like to go to a special spot North of the Fort Collins area in the Poudre canyon.
Jack: Other hobbies/interests?
Ellen: I enjoy horseback riding and we also love to go swing dancing. In fact that is how my husband and I met. (You just might run in to Ellen and her husband on occasion at the Grizzly Rose).
Jack: Do you have a favorite movie?
Ellen: Yes, I have two: Practical Magic and Top Gun.
Jack: I think I can guess, but tell us, what is your taste in music?
Ellen: My favorite is Country but I also enjoy 90’s alternative.
Jack: If you got a free ticket and could travel anywhere in the world, where would you like to visit?
Ellen: Ireland! That is where we had planned to go on our honeymoon, but that didn’t work out. My Grandmother is first generation from Ireland and it would be great to visit family, see the culture and all the amazing scenery in that beautiful country.
Jack: What is your favorite food?
Ellen: Sushi and anything fried. I tell my husband I can make a meal just out of appetizers!
Jack: How about a favorite dessert?
Ellen: I love to make grilled peaches layered with a homemade raspberry sauce. (yum!)
Jack: One of our PAC members, Barbara, started a new feature in the Pulse this issue. She will be featuring an inspirational quote for us. What a positive addition! What inspires you, Ellen?
Ellen: My family. Growing up in a big family that is close, but spread out (a brother in New York and family in-between there and here) can be challenging. So we get together in a group chat and do everything together. My family is what inspires me.
Welcome to our newest team member, Briana!
Briana who is originally from San Jose, California, joined our WMC family just a few weeks ago as a Medical Assistant. Jack from WMC's Patient Advisory Council sat down with her to learn about her first job, favorite food and movies and more. Welcome Briana!
Jack: How long have you been on the WMC staff?
Briana: I am brand new. I have been at WMC for one week.
Jack: Where were you born and raised?
Briana: San Jose, California.
Jack: Tell us about your family.
Briana: My dad and sister are in San Jose. My mom passed away when I was young. My sister is married with two children. I am also married and have two daughters. One daughter has graduated and will be going to Mesa College this fall and will study to become a nurse! My other daughter is 15 and I am teaching her to cook.
Jack: Where did you go to school?
Briana: I went to Sawyer in San Jose and studied Medical Assisting and graduated in June of 1998. My favorite subject was/is Anatomy. I have been working in the medical field for over 20 years.
Jack: What was your very first job?
Briana: I worked at the Great American Amusement Park and started at the age of 15. My area was miniature golf and it was way out in the park. I am small in stature and because it was my job to attract patrons, I developed a booming voice...what it takes to attract that crowd. I was there for several years and it proved to be a great learning experience.
Jack: What are your hobbies and interests outside the medical world?
Briana: I love to read, spend time with my family, go camping, and watch movies.
Jack: What is your favorite movie?
Briana: The Jason Bourne series. My all-time favorite movie is Fast and Furious. I enjoyed watching a lot of these movies with my dad. I like the Die Hard series and Lethal Weapon. It is safe to say I like action movies!
Jack: How about your taste in music?
Briana: It is kind of eclectic. Country is probably my favorite, but I also enjoy rock and old 80’s music as well.
Jack: Do you have a favorite food?
Briana: YES! Green chili chicken enchiladas! I taught my younger daughter how to create them for her dad this past week.
Jack: Do you have a favorite summer treat?
Briana: Yes, strawberry shortcake.
Jack: What else would you like to share with us?
Briana: Westminster Medical Clinic is a great practice. I have only been here a week, but I am already thoroughly enjoying it.
Jack: How long have you been on the WMC staff?
Briana: I am brand new. I have been at WMC for one week.
Jack: Where were you born and raised?
Briana: San Jose, California.
Jack: Tell us about your family.
Briana: My dad and sister are in San Jose. My mom passed away when I was young. My sister is married with two children. I am also married and have two daughters. One daughter has graduated and will be going to Mesa College this fall and will study to become a nurse! My other daughter is 15 and I am teaching her to cook.
Jack: Where did you go to school?
Briana: I went to Sawyer in San Jose and studied Medical Assisting and graduated in June of 1998. My favorite subject was/is Anatomy. I have been working in the medical field for over 20 years.
Jack: What was your very first job?
Briana: I worked at the Great American Amusement Park and started at the age of 15. My area was miniature golf and it was way out in the park. I am small in stature and because it was my job to attract patrons, I developed a booming voice...what it takes to attract that crowd. I was there for several years and it proved to be a great learning experience.
Jack: What are your hobbies and interests outside the medical world?
Briana: I love to read, spend time with my family, go camping, and watch movies.
Jack: What is your favorite movie?
Briana: The Jason Bourne series. My all-time favorite movie is Fast and Furious. I enjoyed watching a lot of these movies with my dad. I like the Die Hard series and Lethal Weapon. It is safe to say I like action movies!
Jack: How about your taste in music?
Briana: It is kind of eclectic. Country is probably my favorite, but I also enjoy rock and old 80’s music as well.
Jack: Do you have a favorite food?
Briana: YES! Green chili chicken enchiladas! I taught my younger daughter how to create them for her dad this past week.
Jack: Do you have a favorite summer treat?
Briana: Yes, strawberry shortcake.
Jack: What else would you like to share with us?
Briana: Westminster Medical Clinic is a great practice. I have only been here a week, but I am already thoroughly enjoying it.
Meet Ebony Villareal, PA!
Jack, from WMC's Patient Advisory Council, sat down with Ebony, one of WMC's newest providers, to learn about her family, interest in music, and her healthcare background.
Jack: Where were you born & raised?
Ebony: I am a Colorado native! I was born and raised here in Denver.
Jack: Tell us about your family.
Ebony: My husband, Jean and I have a wonderful family. I have a stepdaughter who is seven and we also have two golden doodle dogs. I also have a brother and sister and one is in the medical field. My parents are actually from Pueblo, Colorado. My dad is a retired welder who likes restoring old cars and also plays as a jazz-soul musician around town. My mom was a nurse, which inspired me to enter the medical field.
Jack: How did you get started in the medical field?
Ebony: My mom was my inspiration. She worked on a trauma team and helped give support when we went through the Columbine High School tragedy. I did a lot of shadowing in the medical field and found the right niche as a physician’s assistant. I went to CU and was involved in the undergraduate pre-health program. Any student could be in the program, but they really did a lot to support minority students. I feel that this played an important part of my career.
Jack: What do you do in your free time? Any special hobbies or interests?
Ebony: I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy hiking and taking walks with my dogs. I enjoy gardening with Jean when we can find time. I also am into jewelry making.
Jack: Did you play any sports in school (position) or have a favorite sport you like to follow?
Ebony: I played basketball and did cheerleading in high school. I am a Broncos and Nuggets fan and when we don’t have the COVID thing going on, I like going to the games.
Jack: What would be your favorite meal?
Ebony: It is hard to pick one specific meal, but I really enjoy Italian and Mexican food.
Jack: And for dessert?
Ebony: Key lime pie!
Jack: How about your taste in music?
Ebony: I like a bit of most kinds of music. I do like the soulful music I heard growing up.
Jack: Any other interesting thing of note you would like to share with us?
Ebony: I spent a bit of time in Guatemala and provided medical care in rural areas. I love the people and still reach out to the family I lived with. This experience really helped me become bilingual, which has proven to be an asset for me.
Jack: Where were you born & raised?
Ebony: I am a Colorado native! I was born and raised here in Denver.
Jack: Tell us about your family.
Ebony: My husband, Jean and I have a wonderful family. I have a stepdaughter who is seven and we also have two golden doodle dogs. I also have a brother and sister and one is in the medical field. My parents are actually from Pueblo, Colorado. My dad is a retired welder who likes restoring old cars and also plays as a jazz-soul musician around town. My mom was a nurse, which inspired me to enter the medical field.
Jack: How did you get started in the medical field?
Ebony: My mom was my inspiration. She worked on a trauma team and helped give support when we went through the Columbine High School tragedy. I did a lot of shadowing in the medical field and found the right niche as a physician’s assistant. I went to CU and was involved in the undergraduate pre-health program. Any student could be in the program, but they really did a lot to support minority students. I feel that this played an important part of my career.
Jack: What do you do in your free time? Any special hobbies or interests?
Ebony: I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy hiking and taking walks with my dogs. I enjoy gardening with Jean when we can find time. I also am into jewelry making.
Jack: Did you play any sports in school (position) or have a favorite sport you like to follow?
Ebony: I played basketball and did cheerleading in high school. I am a Broncos and Nuggets fan and when we don’t have the COVID thing going on, I like going to the games.
Jack: What would be your favorite meal?
Ebony: It is hard to pick one specific meal, but I really enjoy Italian and Mexican food.
Jack: And for dessert?
Ebony: Key lime pie!
Jack: How about your taste in music?
Ebony: I like a bit of most kinds of music. I do like the soulful music I heard growing up.
Jack: Any other interesting thing of note you would like to share with us?
Ebony: I spent a bit of time in Guatemala and provided medical care in rural areas. I love the people and still reach out to the family I lived with. This experience really helped me become bilingual, which has proven to be an asset for me.
Meet Samantha Dreher, PA!
Jack, from WMC's Patient Advisory Council, sat down with Samantha to learn about growing up in Indiana, life with twins and her interest in cardiovascular health.
Jack: Where were you born and raised?
Samantha: I am from a small town in Indiana called Evansville. Indiana is in the shape of a boot and Evansville is in the toe of the boot very close to Kentucky, some call it Kentuckiana.
Jack: What would you like us to know about your family?
Samantha: My husband and I have an active pair of twins (one girl and one boy) who were born in October of 2018. Interestingly they were born 55 minutes apart which fell on different days, so they are twins with different birthdays! Our Rhodesian Ridgeback named Bosco is really our first baby.
Jack: Where did you go to school?
Samantha: I did my undergraduate schooling at Indiana University. I then went east and attended Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) to get my Master’s Degree and become a Physician Assistant. This was an important time in my life as this is also where I met my husband.
Jack: What was your favorite subject in school?
Samantha: I really liked science classes, especially biology. In addition, I also enjoyed art classes. I enjoy painting with oils and acrylics.
Jack: What does Sam like to do with her free time?
Samantha: With young twins, I do not have a lot of free time as parenting takes up a lot of my schedule. When I do have time, my husband and I have ongoing remodeling projects. But it is not all work, I also enjoy outdoor activities. We live close to an open space, so we love hiking and going for walks (Bosco loves this too!). My parents have a lake house in Kentucky and we love to spend some of our summer time there as well.
Jack: What kind of music do you like?
Samantha: I grew up on country music. My dad loves rock n’ roll so this is another favorite and I pretty much like any music in-between. With active twins, we have dance parties in the evenings. We also enjoy live music but one thing we have not had a chance to do yet is take in a concert at Red Rocks. That is a definite on the bucket list.
Jack: What is Sam’s favorite food?
Samantha: I love the grilling season. I enjoy anything in the summer on the grill! I like it all but especially sweet corn /corn on the cob. I also love fresh strawberries and my dad’s chili.
Jack: What else would she like us to know?
Samantha: I am pretty active in learning more and more about advanced cardiovascular testing and pretty excited that we have that available for our patient’s here at the clinic. I think Westminster Medical Center is a “real gem” and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this team.
Jack: Where were you born and raised?
Samantha: I am from a small town in Indiana called Evansville. Indiana is in the shape of a boot and Evansville is in the toe of the boot very close to Kentucky, some call it Kentuckiana.
Jack: What would you like us to know about your family?
Samantha: My husband and I have an active pair of twins (one girl and one boy) who were born in October of 2018. Interestingly they were born 55 minutes apart which fell on different days, so they are twins with different birthdays! Our Rhodesian Ridgeback named Bosco is really our first baby.
Jack: Where did you go to school?
Samantha: I did my undergraduate schooling at Indiana University. I then went east and attended Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) to get my Master’s Degree and become a Physician Assistant. This was an important time in my life as this is also where I met my husband.
Jack: What was your favorite subject in school?
Samantha: I really liked science classes, especially biology. In addition, I also enjoyed art classes. I enjoy painting with oils and acrylics.
Jack: What does Sam like to do with her free time?
Samantha: With young twins, I do not have a lot of free time as parenting takes up a lot of my schedule. When I do have time, my husband and I have ongoing remodeling projects. But it is not all work, I also enjoy outdoor activities. We live close to an open space, so we love hiking and going for walks (Bosco loves this too!). My parents have a lake house in Kentucky and we love to spend some of our summer time there as well.
Jack: What kind of music do you like?
Samantha: I grew up on country music. My dad loves rock n’ roll so this is another favorite and I pretty much like any music in-between. With active twins, we have dance parties in the evenings. We also enjoy live music but one thing we have not had a chance to do yet is take in a concert at Red Rocks. That is a definite on the bucket list.
Jack: What is Sam’s favorite food?
Samantha: I love the grilling season. I enjoy anything in the summer on the grill! I like it all but especially sweet corn /corn on the cob. I also love fresh strawberries and my dad’s chili.
Jack: What else would she like us to know?
Samantha: I am pretty active in learning more and more about advanced cardiovascular testing and pretty excited that we have that available for our patient’s here at the clinic. I think Westminster Medical Center is a “real gem” and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this team.
Meet Dr. Petti!
Jack from WMC's Patient Advisory Council sat down with Dr. Petti to learn more about the newest provider at WMC.
Jack: Where were you born / raised?
Dr. Petti: I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. I moved here this past fall and started working at Westminster Medical Center on February 3rd.
Jack: Family?
Dr. Petti: I moved here with my girlfriend and our dog, Hank, a beagle border collie mix. We live in the Evergreen area.
Jack: Where did you go to school?
Dr. Petti: I went to Ithaca College for undergraduate school and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine for Medical School.
Jack: In a nutshell, can you tell us what osteopathic means in the medical world?
Dr. Petti: It is a form of manual medical skills with a focus or emphasis on the body’s innate ability to heal itself. There is no difference in medical licenses and there are the same opportunities for specialty training.
Jack: What do you like to do in your free time?
Dr. Petti: I like to ski, play golf, CrossFit train, lift weights, and go on adventures with Hank.
Jack: What kind of music do you like?
Dr. Petti: Country!
Jack: What is your favorite food/meal?
Dr. Petti: Pizza!
Jack: We know that you have a military background, what branch did you serve?
Dr. Petti: I served our country in the Army for seven years. During this time of service, I did two terms in Afghanistan where I spent time in both Cabal and Kandahar.
Jack: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Dr. Petti: I have a strong passion for serving patients of all ages, from the very youngest to the senior members among us. I am here to serve everyone!
Jack: Where were you born / raised?
Dr. Petti: I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. I moved here this past fall and started working at Westminster Medical Center on February 3rd.
Jack: Family?
Dr. Petti: I moved here with my girlfriend and our dog, Hank, a beagle border collie mix. We live in the Evergreen area.
Jack: Where did you go to school?
Dr. Petti: I went to Ithaca College for undergraduate school and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine for Medical School.
Jack: In a nutshell, can you tell us what osteopathic means in the medical world?
Dr. Petti: It is a form of manual medical skills with a focus or emphasis on the body’s innate ability to heal itself. There is no difference in medical licenses and there are the same opportunities for specialty training.
Jack: What do you like to do in your free time?
Dr. Petti: I like to ski, play golf, CrossFit train, lift weights, and go on adventures with Hank.
Jack: What kind of music do you like?
Dr. Petti: Country!
Jack: What is your favorite food/meal?
Dr. Petti: Pizza!
Jack: We know that you have a military background, what branch did you serve?
Dr. Petti: I served our country in the Army for seven years. During this time of service, I did two terms in Afghanistan where I spent time in both Cabal and Kandahar.
Jack: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Dr. Petti: I have a strong passion for serving patients of all ages, from the very youngest to the senior members among us. I am here to serve everyone!