About Avendi Rx
Locally owned, customer service centered, and safety focused
“Take care of the resident, and everything else will take care of itself.”
At Avendi Rx, we live and work by the motto, “Take care of the resident, everything else will take care of itself.” This means putting resident safety and customer service at the forefront of every decision we make. We are passionate about Long Term Care because it’s all we do! The facilities we service feel safe knowing their residents are receiving top notch care while simultaneously having a reliable support system for their own needs.
Avendi Rx is committed to accuracy and efficiency, all while leading the industry by utilizing:
• Paperless management systems
• A seamless delivery system
• Pharmacogenetic technology
• Prescription-filling robotics
• Easy-to-use emergency systems
• 24/7 on-call services
Diti Shah, PharmD, BCGP
Director of Consulting Services
Diti received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston in 2009. Her relocation to NC gave her an opportunity to work as a Clinical Review Pharmacist before taking a position at Avendi Rx as a Consultant Pharmacist. Recently, Diti received her Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP) Certification which allows her to continue working towards providing the best resident care. In her free time, Diti enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Jacob L. Hollar, PharmD, BCGP
Consultant Pharmacist
Jacob graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002 and was sought out by Avendi Rx in 2016. Jacob never hesitates to go the extra mile in helping with medication issues, insurance rejections, and staff education. Lastly, Jacob attained his Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP) from the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties in 2018 to better himself in the geriatric healthcare industry. Jake likes hiking, biking, listening to music, and spending time with family.
Brad Deal, PharmD
Consultant Pharmacist
Brad graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of South Carolina in 2014. Upon attaining his position at Avendi Rx in 2017, Brad underwent training to understand how consulting applies to the relationship between the pharmacy and the facility. He enjoys collaborating in various disciplines regarding residents’ health and the opportunities to see residents thriving, whether they are able to return home or live happily as a long term care resident. In his free time, Brad enjoys working out, playing softball, and watching sports.
Katie M Howard, RPh
Consultant Pharmacist
Katie received her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995. Her extensive geriatric healthcare experience allows her to collaborate with facilities to ensure that they remain compliant with federal and state regulations while assuring residents have safe and effective medication therapy. In Katie’s free time, she enjoys spending time in the mountains, scrapbooking family memories, and visiting national parks (11 so far!).
Ashley Lail, BSN, RN
Nurse Consultant
Ashley graduated with an associate degree in Nursing in 2012 from Catawba Valley Community College. She continued her studies by attaining a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 2015 from Appalachian State University. Ashley has spent her entire nursing career in long-term care and is passionate about educating the nursing staff in Avendi Rx communities. She likes to spend time with family and three dogs and enjoys playing disc golf.
Anson Clark, BS, RN
Nurse Consultant
Anson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Appalachian State University in 2004. He earned his associates of nursing in 2012 from Wake Technical Community College and spent the next 8 years working as an ICU RN at a level 1 trauma hospital and stroke center. In his off hours, Anson enjoys time with his family in the great outdoors, coaching soccer, and being involved at his local church.
Ed Salyards, RPh, MS
Owner/ Director
After pharmacy and graduate school, Ed spent the majority of his career in hospital administration. In 2016, he opened Avendi Rx with a new approach to long term care pharmacy. Ed enjoys pulling for the Tarheels, fishing, golfing, and spending time with his daughters.
Dana Anderson
Operations Manager
Dana joined Avendi Rx in 2016 where she was tasked with taking the lead on business and pharmaceutical operations. The extent of Dana’s duties is vast; on any given day she can be found staying on top of contracting, audits, credentialing, and licensures. Dana is always willing to go the extra mile and enjoys working closely with facilities and their staff to provide support. Dana spends her free time with her husband and two children traveling to the beach and the mountains in their Jeep.
Isabella Zaliagiris
Director of Marketing
Isabella graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Media and Journalism and creative writing. She joined the Avendi Rx team in 2019 to focus on expanding pharmacy operations by bringing top-tier service to residents and facilities throughout the southeast. As a people person by nature, Isabella enjoys meeting new individuals at business functions and supporting current partners through ongoing relationships. Outside of work, you can find her hanging with her dog, Lady Lovette Reese’s Puppycups, cheering on Carolina basketball (Go Heels!), or laughing with friends and family.
Kristen Stamey
Administrative Assistant
Kristen joined the Avendi Rx team in 2019 to support leadership personnel in day-to-day functions. She keeps the administrative team on track by juggling the many tasks that go along with running a large-scale long term care pharmacy operation. Kristen is a mom to three children and enjoys hiking, attending her kids activities, and spontaneous adventures.
Julie Rasmussen, CPhT
Customer Service Supervisor
Julie graduated from SUNY Brockport with a BS in psychology in 2000. Julie works as the Customer Service Supervisor of Avendi Rx. She focuses specifically on STAT deliveries, back up medications, and cost outs. With over 18 years of long term care pharmacy experience, Julie plays an integral role in day-to-day business functions. Julie became a Certified Pharmacy Technician in 2002. Julie spends her time hanging out with her kids, reading, and taking care of her multiple pets, including two snakes and a lizard.
Karrie Lee, CPhT
Pharmacy Technician Manager
Karrie became the lead Pharmacy Technician Manager at Avendi Rx in 2020. She began working in long term care pharmacy at the age of 18 and was able to develop the base knowledge as a floor pharmacy technician. In 2016, Ms. Lee was able to go back to school to attain an associate degree in science while accepting a job offer at Avendi Rx. Karrie feels fulfilled knowing she works together with each department to create the unified image that represents Avendi Rx.
Jody Butler, CPhT
Automated Dispensing Coordinator
Jody has been a pharmacy technician since 2007 and joined Avendi Rx in October 2016. Jody manages the automated dispensing cabinets for our partner homes. She spends her down time reading, shooting pool, volunteering with a local cat rescue, and being a fur mom to several cats and her dog.
Rhonda Rodriguez, CPhT
Returns Coordinator
Rhonda started with Avendi Rx in April of 2016. Her main job function is to process items returned from partner homes. She then determines if these items should be credited or destroyed—complying with DEA guidelines. Rhonda also keeps track of delivery and manifest sheets. Finally, she helps fill prescriptions and provide backup support for the E-kits. Rhonda is a mother of three. She likes watching movies (her favorite being Troy) and sleeping in when she gets the chance.