Pharmacy Residency Preceptors

Photo of Mario E. Varela, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Mario E. Varela, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Pharmacy Residency Preceptors

Dr. Varela is currently Director of Pharmacy at Valley Baptist – Brownsville where he previously served as Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead, and Infectious Disease (ID) Pharmacy Specialist. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy with Honors and is now holds board certified specialties in pharmacotherapy and ID. He is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP). Dr. Varela began his career at a rural community hospital where he was entrusted with their clinical and critical care pharmacy services. He practiced as a clinical specialist for over 11 years improving the quality of pharmaceutical care for both community and academic institutions.

Current PGY1 Pharmacy Resident


Photo of Mario E. Varela, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Mario E. Varela, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Pharmacy Residency Preceptors

Dr. Varela is currently Director of Pharmacy at Valley Baptist – Brownsville where he previously served as Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead, and Infectious Disease (ID) Pharmacy Specialist. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy with Honors and is now holds board certified specialties in pharmacotherapy and ID. He is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP). Dr. Varela began his career at a rural community hospital where he was entrusted with their clinical and critical care pharmacy services. He practiced as a clinical specialist for over 11 years improving the quality of pharmaceutical care for both community and academic institutions.

Past Residents

Class of 2022-2023

  • Jesse Canales, PharmD: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Jesse accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Valley Baptist, Brownsville, TX.

Class of 2021-2022

  • Alberto Matamoros, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Alberto accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Valley Baptist, Brownsville, TX.
  • Tu Le PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Tu enrolled in the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of Texas at Arlington

Class of 2020-2021

  • Marielisa Huerta, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Marielisa accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Valley Baptist, Brownsville, TX.
  • Daisy Madrigal, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Daisy accepted a position as a clinical pharmacist at DHR Medical Center, Brownsville, TX. Daisy then accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at University Hospital, San Antonio, TX.

Class of 2019–2020

  • Daniel Hurtado, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Daniel accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Valley Baptist, Brownsville, TX.
  • Ayesha Araya, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Ayesha accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Valley Baptist, Brownsville, TX. Ayesha then accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist Medical City Arlington, Arlington, TX.

Class of 2018–2019

  • Diem Ho, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Diem accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.
  • Norbert Rosario, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency at Valley Baptist Medical Center – Brownsville and the PGY2 Ambulatory Care at University Health System, San Antonio, TX, Nobert accepted the position as an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist practitioner at Magenta Health, San Antonio, TX.

Class of 2017–2018

  • Pinhui (Judy) Chen, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency at Valley Baptist Medical Center – Brownsville and the PGY2 Psychiatry at the VA North Texas Health Care System – Dallas, TX, Judy accepted the position as a clinical pharmacy specialist at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX.
  • Lauren Olsen, PharmD: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Lauren accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Medical City Plano, Plano, TX.

Class of 2016–2017

  • Khiet Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Khiet accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital, San Antonio, TX.
  • Nathalie Quach, PharmD, BCPS: Upon completion of the PGY1 residency, Nathalie accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at Valley Baptist, Brownsville, TX. Nathalie then accepted the position as a clinical pharmacist at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital, San Antonio, TX.

Current PGY1 Pharmacy Resident

Photo of Mario E. Varela, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Mario E. Varela, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Pharmacy Residency Preceptors

Dr. Varela is currently Director of Pharmacy at Valley Baptist – Brownsville where he previously served as Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead, and Infectious Disease (ID) Pharmacy Specialist. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy with Honors and is now holds board certified specialties in pharmacotherapy and ID. He is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP). Dr. Varela began his career at a rural community hospital where he was entrusted with their clinical and critical care pharmacy services. He practiced as a clinical specialist for over 11 years improving the quality of pharmaceutical care for both community and academic institutions.