Board Members

Dr. Tyler Whitehead is a Senior Consultant Pharmacist at HCA Healthcare and serves as Treasurer for the Missouri Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP). He completed his PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency in Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership with HCA HealthTrust – MidAmerica Division in Shawnee, KS, and his PGY1 Residency at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from Regis University in Denver, CO.

His professional interests include regulatory and compliance, medication safety, pharmacy advocacy, and investigational drug services, with a special interest in oncology. Outside of pharmacy, Tyler enjoys painting and spending quality time with his friends and family.

Dr. Price Edmiston is a Perioperative Clinical Pharmacist at The Kansas University Health System in Kansas City, KS specializing in trauma, neurosurgery, orthopedic, and urology services. He obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, MO. Upon graduation, Price completed his PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Research Medical Center. His professional interests include trauma, cardiology, and critical care services. In his free time, Price enjoys spending time with friends, hitting the gym, or finding new TV shows to binge on a Sunday.

Dr. Christine Tafoya is an Emergency Medicine & Critical Care Pharmacist at The University of Kansas Health System - Olathe Hospital in Olathe, KS. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy at Creighton University in Omaha, NE in 2016 and received residency training at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. She then served as an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist in St. Joseph, MO for three years, and then as a Critical Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO until 2023. Dr. Tafoya is board certified in critical care (BCCCP) and emergency medicine (BCEMP). Her professional interests include resuscitation, trauma, ECMO, PK/PD in critical illness, and medication safety. She enjoys precepting and serves as Adjunct Experiential Faculty for Creighton University, University of Missouri-Kansas City and University of Kansas. Dr. Tafoya is actively involved with several pharmacy organizations including Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP), Greater Kansas City Society of Health System Pharmacists (GKCSHP) and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). 

Dr. Samuel Halleck is a critical care and emergency medicine clinical float pharmacist at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri. He completed his PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and his PGY2 in critical care at CoxHealth in Springfield, Missouri. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Pharmacy located in Kansas City, Missouri. During his tenure, he served as President-Elect and President of SSHP and Student Liaison for GKCSHP and MSHP. Additionally he served as Phi Lambda Sigma President his fourth year. He was awarded Student of the Year by GKCSHP in 2021 and Resident of the Year by GKCSHP in 2024.

Dr. Halleck's professional interests include surgical/trauma intensive care, resuscitation, and toxicology. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his husband, Joel, and their two cats, Percy and Poseidon, and playing piano. He is excited to serve as Secretary for GKCSHP and looks forward to giving back to an organization that has personally shaped him into the practitioner he is today.

Dr. Amelia Gooch is a clinical pharmacist at Saint Luke's East Hospital and is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. She completed her pre-pharmacy coursework at University of Missouri - Columbia and graduated pharmacy school from University of Missouri - Kansas City. Afterwards, she completed her PGY1 residency at Olathe Medical Center. Her interests include internal medicine, antimicrobial stewardship, and precepting students.

Ernesta began working the night shift at Research Medical Center Inpatient Pharmacy in October of 1996. She earned her CPhT certification with Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) in November of 2001 and currently works as Lead Technician/Buyer at Research Medical Center. Currently she is the DESO (Department Employee Safety Officer) for the pharmacy and she recently accepted an additional role and now oversees the HD sterile compounding space in the central pharmacy. Ernesta recently earned her PTCB CPhT-Adv certification. Her long-term goals are to continue to earn more certifications and provide support to her pharmacy team members, by training the new technicians, and tutor her peer who have shown an interest in taking the PTCB certification exam. Ernesta is an active member of the department party committee (party patrol), and most recently had a successful planning and supporting, Take Your Child to Work Day. In her spare time Ernesta loves to read, cook, craft and volunteer with various charities. 

Dr. Allison Higgins is a PGY-2 pharmacy resident in critical care at University Health - Truman Medical Center. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in Lawrence, Kansas, and went on to complete her PGY-1 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Her current practice interests include critical care and emergency medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with her friends and family, including her two Boston Terriers.

Matilda Galgan is a fourth-year PharmD candidate at the University of Kansas, currently completing her Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) with a focus on hospital pharmacy. Throughout her time in pharmacy school, she has been actively involved in professional organizations including the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP), the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). Matilda works at The University of Kansas Health System – Olathe Campus, where she serves as the lead intern. She plans to pursue a PGY1 residency to further develop her clinical knowledge, with the long-term goal of practicing in a hospital setting. While she is currently exploring various clinical specialties, she looks forward to gaining broad exposure during her APPE rotations.

Alexandra Privat is a fourth-year pharmacy student at the University of Kansas, currently completing rotations with a strong interest in clinical pharmacy and plans to pursue a residency program. She is passionate about professional development, student advocacy, and strengthening the pharmacy community through digital outreach. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and playing with her two puppies.

Lexi Riggs completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she is currently a third-year (P3) student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. She will serve as the 2025–2026 President of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy and has worked as a pharmacy intern at The University of Kansas Health System since her first year of pharmacy school. Lexi’s professional interests include psychiatric medicine, emergency medicine, and infectious diseases. She aspires to pursue a pharmacy residency and build a career in hospital pharmacy practice.

Dr. Rachel Hilborn completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and her PGY2 in pediatric pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University Health in Richmond, Virginia. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy in Austin and San Antonio, Texas. Prior she received her Bachelor's of Neuroscience from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She joined the GKCSHP Board in 2025. She is a pediatric specialty pharmacist with Children’s Mercy Hospital Specialty Pharmacy in Kansas City, Missouri. Her professional interests include pediatric pharmacotherapy, medication safety, and professional development. Outside of pharmacy, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, getting outside, and needlepoint.

Dr. Jack Roberts is a 2020 graduate of Missouri State University and a 2024 graduate of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He recently completed his PGY-1 residency at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in 2025. He is an avid sports fan and outdoorsman, and enjoys playing as much golf as possible. He currently is a clinical pharmacist at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, Missouri.