Ayesha Ather

Ayesha Ather, PharmD, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science at the University of Kentucky. She serves as a Clinical Pharmacist in Cardiothoracic Surgery at University of Kentucky HealthCare and directs the PGY2 Cardiology Pharmacy Residency Program. Her clinical practice focuses on the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), with expertise in anticoagulation management for mechanical circulatory support patients, cardiogenic shock, right heart failure, and postoperative bleeding strategies.

Dr. Ather holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Montana, followed by a PGY1 pharmacy residency at UPMC Presbyterian and a PGY2 cardiology specialty residency at the University of Maryland. Her research emphasizes optimizing anticoagulation protocols for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), ECMO management, and bleeding reduction strategies. She has contributed to studies evaluating bivalirudin versus heparin in ECMO settings, propofol effects during oxygenator exchanges, and metoprolol’s role in improving oxygenation in critically ill patients.

Her work bridges clinical pharmacy practice with cutting-edge critical care, including innovative approaches to managing complex patients undergoing cardiac surgery or ECMO support. She actively contributes to residency education, shaping future clinical pharmacists specializing in cardiology.