Evan Facer, DO
SLCH Antimicrobial Stewardship Medical Director
Dr. Evan Facer is a pediatric infectious diseases physician and antibiotic steward. She completed her undergraduate education at Indiana University, where she obtained a B.A. in Philosophy with a particular interest in logic, cognitive biases and ethics. Driven by her desire to apply her studies to practical healthcare challenges, she decided to pursue a career in medicine.
She obtained her medical degree in 2016 from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school, she completed her residency in 2019 and subsequently served as Chief Resident at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for pediatric infectious diseases and the critical importance of evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, particularly as it relates to antibiotic use.
She then completed her fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. During her fellowship, she was the proud recipient of a T32 award to study the predictive value of the MRSA nasal PCR. This opportunity also allowed her to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Research degree with a focus on comparative effectiveness. This has enabled her to explore innovative ways to evaluate and ensure children receive the most effective and responsible care, preserving the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations.
Christine Lockowitz, PharmD, BCIDP
SLCH Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacy Director
Dr. Christine Lockowitz is an infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship clinical pharmacist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She grew up in the St. Louis area and received her Doctor of Pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2016. Subsequently, Dr. Lockowitz completed a first-year pharmacy practice residency and second-year pharmacy residency specialized in infectious diseases at West Virginia University Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV.
Following the completion of her residency, Dr. Lockowitz served as an infectious diseases clinical pharmacist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The James Cancer Hospital where she participated in patient care and research while developing antimicrobial stewardship initiatives primarily for the hematology/oncology population.
Making the transition from adult to pediatric infectious diseases, Dr. Lockowitz joined the team at St. Louis Children's Hospital in late 2020, and imparts the importance of education and application of evidence-based medicine. She enjoys being involved in pharmacy and infectious diseases organizations, and just a few of her interests include the use of rapid diagnostic testing paired with real-time ASP interventions, antifungal and antiviral pharmacology, and immunocompromised infectious diseases.
Valerie Yuenger, PharmD, BCIDP
Dr. Valerie Yuenger is an infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship clinical pharmacist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She is from Columbus, OH and received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University before moving to Austin, TX to pursue her PharmD from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. Her interests in clinical pharmacy practice and infectious diseases led her to complete two years of post-graduate residency training at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, specializing in infectious diseases.
Prior to joining the St. Louis Children’s Hospital team, Dr. Yuenger served as a regional antimicrobial stewardship coordinator for SSM Health, where she supported daily stewardship activities at Saint Louis University Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. She also led several stewardship initiatives at the health-system level, including implementation of rapid diagnostic testing with pharmacist-driven protocols, processes for restricted antimicrobials, and cascade susceptibility reporting.
Dr. Yuenger brings experience and interest in rapid diagnostic tests, pharmacist-driven stewardship interventions, and resistant gram-negative infections. She enjoys teaching, precepting students and residents, and participating in research, with particular interest in diagnostic stewardship.
