Dr. Springer received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in 2015. After graduating, she completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and a PYG2 Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) St. Margaret Hospital. During her two years at UPMC St. Margaret she also completed a Faculty Development Fellowship alongside physician colleagues, an alternative to a teaching certificate that focused on effective presentation design and skills; interprofessional communication, teaching and precepting; as well as clinical research and professional development. After residency sparked her interest in geriatric pharmacotherapy research, she subsequently completed a Fellowship in Medication Safety and Pharmacy Outcomes at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, under the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) and the VA Center for Medication Safety (VA MedSAFE). During this time, she practiced as a clinical geriatric pharmacist in the Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) clinic and created and implemented a polypharmacy consult service for primary care patients. She also completed her Master’s of Science in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in 2019, where she completed her thesis on the prevalence and factors predicting aspirin discontinuation at end-of-life amongst VA nursing home residents with an indication for aspirin for secondary cardiovascular prevention.
Throughout residency and fellowship training, Dr. Springer worked closely with faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and began broadening her research in deprescribing of chronic medications at end-of-life. She continues to conduct outcomes research and quality improvement projects in the area of deprescribing, polypharmacy, and appropriate geriatric pharmacotherapy management. She is also interested in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and women’s health. Dr. Springer is board certified as a pharmacotherapy specialist (2016), and a geriatric pharmacist (2017).
Education
Doctor of Pharmacy
University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy
2015
Master's of Science, Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
2019
Board Certifications and Licenses
Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)
Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP)
Registered Pharmacist, Pennsylvania
Residency
PGY1 Pharmacy Practice
UPMC St. Margaret
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
Residency
PGY2 Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
UPMC St. Margaret
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
Fellowship
Faculty Development
UPMC St. Margaret
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
Fellowship
Medication Safety and Pharmacy Outcomes
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
Expertise
geriatrics
pharmacotherapy
deprescribing
pharmacy outcomes
polypharmacy
Complementary alternative medicines
Research
Current Research
Prevalence of, and factors predicting, discontinuation of chronic medications at end-of-life (limited life expectancy and/or advanced dementia). Evaluating quality-of-life in deprescribing literature.
Selected Publications
2018
Aspinall SL, Springer SP, Zhao X, Cunningham FE, Thorpe CT, Semla TP, Shorr RI, Hanlon JT. CNS medication burden and risk of recurrent serious falls and hip fractures in VA nursing home residents. J Am Geriatr Soc. 11 Oct 2018. PMID: 30306541. DOI: 10/1111/jgs.15603.
2018
Niznik J, Zhang S, Mor MK, Zhao X, Ersek M, Aspinall SL, Gellad W, Thorpe J, Hanlon JT, Schleiden L, Springer SP, Thorpe CT. Adaptation and initial validation of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) mortality risk index to MDS version 3.0. J Am Geriatr Soc. 18 Oct 2018. PMID: 30335184. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15579.
2018
Springer SP, Payette NP, Wilson S, Haugh A. Probiotics to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea [EMS1070]. HDA. Evidence-Based Practice. Sep 2018; 21(8):34-36.
2018
Copenhaver AM, DiPlacido AJ, Springer SP. Is acupuncture better than prophylactic pharmacotherapy for reducing the frequency and intensity of episodic and chronic migraines? HDA. Evidence-Based Practice. May 2018; 21(5): E21.
2017
Aspinall SL, Hanlon JT, Niznik JD, Springer SP, Thorpe CT. Deprescribing in older nursing home patients: focus on innovative composite measures for dosage deintensification. Innovation in Aging. 1 Sep 2017; 1(2): 1-8.
2017
Niedermier V, Ayers G, Springer SP. Lixisenatide (Adlyxin) for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am Fam Physician. 15 Aug 2017; 96(4): 257-8.
2017
Ie K, Felton M, Springer SP, Wilson SA, Albert SM. Multimorbidity and Polypharmacy in Family Medicine Residency Practices. J Pharm Technol. 11 Aug 2017; 33(6): 219-24.
2017
Ie K, Felton M, Springer SP, Wilson SA, Albert SM. Physician Factors Associated with Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use. J Am Board Fam Med. Jul-Aug 2017; 30(4): 528-36. PMID: 28720634. DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2014.04.170121.
Invited Plenary Presentation
Springer SP. AGS Beers Criteria 2019: Updates and Clinical Pearls. 46th Annual Refresher Course in Family Medicine. Pittsburgh, PA. 14 March 2019.