PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

Program Overview

Our site offers a smaller, more intimate setting, a fast-paced clinical learning environment, and the ability to customize your schedule to create an experience that satisfies your personal goals.

• 2 resident positions available
• Required core rotations to facilitate strong clinical skills
• Elective rotations, selected from a wide variety
• Longitudinal rotations to gain mastery and follow patients over time
• Required resident project to improve the quality of care provided to Veterans
• Attend ASHP Midyear and Mountain States Residency (or equivalent) Conferences
• Cheyenne is in close proximity to the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy, offering multiple opportunities for teaching and precepting pharmacy students.

Our Pharmacy services and residency program are continually expanding in response to the needs of our veterans.

We are very excited about the opportunities we are able to create for residents, students, and most importantly our Veterans. Our dedicated preceptors are standing by, ready to help you navigate an exciting year!

The Cheyenne VA Health Care System (CVAHCS) takes a proactive approach to patient care. The pharmacist is a fully integrated member of the multidisciplinary care team and is responsible for supporting patients from multiple angles.

Throughout the residency year you will gain invaluable knowledge in a wide variety of challenging experiences.

Required Rotations

• Pharmacy Informatics
• Outpatient Pharmacy
• Inpatient Pharmacy
• Ambulatory Care
• Anticoagulation
• Internal Medicine
• Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)
• Pain Management
• Mental Health

Elective Rotations

• Population Health & Management
• Oncology
• Advanced experience of a required rotation
• Critical Care at local hospital

Required Longitudinal Rotations

• Management
• Ambulatory Care
• Anticoagulation
• Inpatient & outpatient Staffing
• Process/Quality Improvement Project

Application Requirements

Application Deadline

January 7, 2025. Submit through PhORCAS

Applicant Prerequisites

• Doctor of Pharmacy from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited School of Pharmacy
• U.S. Citizenship
• Successful completion of pre‐employment physical and federal background investigation

Additional Requirements

• Letter of Intent
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship
• Curriculum Vitae
• Official Transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Program Benefits

• Competitive Annual Stipend (& potential for dual appointment)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Annual (13 days) & Sick Leave (13 days)
• Health Care Benefits

Program Contact

Tiffany Jastorff Gillies, PharmD
Residency Program Director
307-778-7550, ext. 14843
Tiffany.JastorffGillies@va.gov

About our Health Care System

Since 1934, the Cheyenne VA Health Care System has been improving the health of men and women who have so proudly served our nation. We are a 76 bed hospital that services about 68,000 Veterans living in the tristate area of Southeastern WY, Northeastern CO and Southwestern NE. Outreach Medical Clinic available in Loveland, CO and a mobile clinic for surrounding rural areas.

Meet the Preceptors

My diverse and exciting career started with a heart for people! The journey began with a degree in Psychology from Lake Superior State University which then lead to me obtaining my PharmD from South Dakota State University. After graduation, I went onto complete my PGY1 residency in Hot Springs, SD at the Black Hills VA Health Care System (VAHCS) as my grandfather was a Veteran and spoke very highly of the care provided to him from the VA. Establishing roots in the VA I hired on as a PACT Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice for South Dakota State University at the Black Hills VAHCS. I was able to utilize my Pharmacy training while combining my love for Veterans and teaching. After my time in the Black Hills an opportunity presented join the Cheyenne VAHCS.

My experience within the VA has afforded me the opportunities to practice in Inpatient, Outpatient, Anticoagulation, PACT, Dialysis, Mental Health, and Home Based Primary Care. And no – I am not 100 years old to get that varied of experience. This is part of my opportunities within the VA. This variety in my career led me to my current role as Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy Services and PGY1 Residency Program Director. I am privileged to work for the VA and care for our Veterans and blessed for the opportunities it affords pharmacists to give EXCEPTIONAL care.

Hi, my name is Caci Boshart and I’m one of the ambulatory care preceptors. I completed my PGY1 Residency at the Denver VA in 2015 and have been with the Cheyenne VA Health Care System since 2016. Outside of work I enjoy live music, tennis, and playing with my 3 dogs.

Dr. Hickox was born and raised in Scottsbluff, NE. He attended the University of Wyoming initially declaring a chemical engineering major that quickly found a better fit in Pharmacy following a girl that later became his wife! After graduation, the Black Hills VA Health Care System in Hot Springs, SD hired the fresh, young Pharmacists couple along with a couple classmates and together our team quickly gained real world expertise while expanding the services our VA Pharmacy provided to Veterans. 

Dr. Hickox has had the opportunity to serve our Veterans needs in Ambulatory Care, Anticoagulation, Inpatient, Outpatient, and Mental Health areas. With a passion to continuously learn, grow, and lead, opportunities presented to join the pharmacy department at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System and becoming a leader to one of the greatest Pharmacy teams. Blessed with a great family and driven by faith he looks forward to continuing to serve.

Aloha! My name is Muriah Gibson and I am located at our Northern Colorado Outpatient Clinic in Loveland, CO. I’m one of the outpatient preceptors, in addition to being a co-preceptor for the management rotation. I have been with the Cheyenne VA HCS since 2016 and have inpatient and outpatient pharmacy experience.

Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy being outdoors, spending time with my family and two dogs, and skating at the ice rink!

Hello, I’m Breanne Bell, thanks for stopping by and reading my bio. I am a dedicated pharmacist who graduated from the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy in 2004. After working at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, I joined the Cheyenne VA in 2010, where I have cultivated lasting relationships with my work family. With 20 years of experience as both a pharmacist and preceptor, I have been recognized as Preceptor of the Year for three consecutive years, a distinction especially meaningful when awarded by my fellow preceptors.

Outside of work, I enjoy watching my kids blossom into beautiful adults. My 18-year-old son is starting a career as an electrician, and my 15-year-old daughter, a student at East High School, enjoys driving, golfing, volleyball, and wrestling. I’m an AVID fan of Duke University Blue Devils college basketball.

I have a passion for helping future pharmacists (many that I continue to work with as colleagues) and my commitment to the VA community has defined my career, while family and sports play a central role in my personal life.

My name is Brett Bowman, and I help precept the ambulatory care rotations at our Northern Colorado Clinic. I completed my PGY1 Residency with the University of Minnesota in 2017, and joined the Cheyenne VA Health Care System later that year.

I like to fish, hike, and cheer on my Ohio – mostly Cleveland – sports teams (although I am a Colorado native).

Hailee Houle, BCGP, is the Specialty Care Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner with the Cheyenne VA, and works out of the Loveland CBOC covering all medical specialty providers in both Cheyenne and Loveland. Hailee graduated from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and went to complete both PGY1 and PGY2 residencies with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, specializing in Geriatrics. Hailee also holds her board certification in Geriatric Pharmacy. While covering numerous medical specialties, Hailee sees many patients for heart failure, migraines, and de-prescribing within her practice.

Whenever she is not at work, you can probably find Hailee in the mountains on a hike with her dog, on her paddleboard at Horsetooth Reservoir, or hitting the ski slopes during the winter.

My name is Tim Finnegan, I am a Colorado native. I went to pharmacy school at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy, completed my PGY-1 residency at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System and was lucky enough to be hired on at the Northern Colorado Outpatient Clinic working in Home Based Primary Care as a Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner.

I am married to my incredible wife Laura and have two great kiddos, Harper and Owen. I love playing board games, cooking, woodworking, and telling dad jokes. I love getting a chance to serve Veteran’s who have served our country.

Hi, my name is Tori Lucas and I’m one of the ambulatory care preceptors. I grew up in Wyoming and obtained my PHARMD from the University of Wyoming. I completed my PGY1 Residency at the Cheyenne VA in 2021 and I am grateful to continue serving Veterans within the Cheyenne VA at the Fort Collins CBOC.

Things I like to do outside of work are boating, reading, completing puzzles, going to concerts and playing with my 3 dogs and 1 cat.

I’m Caitlin Daly, and I specialize in Transitions of Care at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System. I graduated from South Dakota State University in 2022 and completed my PGY1 residency here at the Cheyenne VA. Although I now live in Cheyenne, my roots are in Minnesota, where I love returning to visit family, especially my sisters and my niece, Maggie.

When I’m not working, I spend my time enjoying the outdoors. I’m a mediocre hiker and runner, and I like to hit the slopes for skiing (but stick to green runs only). I also enjoy reading, watching reality TV, and discovering new restaurants and breweries.

Dr. Patrick Cuin, a Wyoming native, earned his undergraduate degree from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, before obtaining his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Wyoming in 2018. He has since been with the Cheyenne VA Medical Center, where he has served as both an Outpatient Pharmacist and currently as a Hematology Oncology Pharmacist. Dr. Cuin is dedicated to continuous professional growth and delivering patient-centered care to Veterans.

Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, spending time with his wife and daughter, exploring the outdoors, and supporting Wyoming sports—“Go Pokes”!

Hi there! My name is Heidi, and I am the pain pharmacist at the Cheyenne VA main campus. I graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2019 and completed a PGY-1 residency at Banner Health in Northern Colorado. Upon residency graduation, I staffed PRN at Banner and provided immunizations PRN with CVS. Later that year, I obtained a job with Centura Health in Colorado Springs, as a Transitions of Care Pharmacist. In 2022, I transitioned my employment to the Cheyenne VA, as a pain pharmacist.

In my spare time I like to hangout with my two dogs, watch football and soccer, go to movies, and hang out with family, especially my niece and nephew.

Hello there, you’ve stumbled across my biography!

My name is Sidney and I’m the Pharmacy Informatics Program Manager at the Cheyenne VA. I precept Informatics I (required) and Informatics II (elective). I’m a 2019 graduate of the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy. I completed my PGY1 Residency at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center in 2020 and later returned to the facility in 2023 to become the pharmacy informaticist.

Informatics is my passion; the creativity and independence of informatics is unrivaled in pharmacy careers. In my rotations, we’ll cover important human factors and behaviors related to interface design, project management, and data visualization. And – if you’re up for it – we can cover the super technical stuff too.

If you ever see me outside of work (I think I’m fairly sly), I love the outdoors, board & video games, reading, and houseplants. Thanks for taking the time to read my bio!

Marcie A. Hunt, PharmD is the Home Based Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Preceptor at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Wyoming and then went on to complete a PGY1 residency at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center. Marcie became a preceptor to help the next generation push the boundaries of their knowledge and grow into exceptional pharmacists. She also enjoys the new challenges and growth in her own practice that come from precepting.

In her free time she likes to spend her time with her husband and three boys who keep her extremely active. She enjoys golf, wake surfing/wake boarding in the summer, and snowboarding in the winter.

Have you ever read “Around the World in 50 Years”? Me either, but I listened to it! I aspire to be more like that guy, to go to every country in the world, I love to travel, experience new things, eat new food, bask in other cultures and climates – did I mention eating new foods? I enjoy that no matter where I am! Particularly after a long day of hiking or exploring the outdoors. I came to pharmacy after trying to teach 8th grade math and science, I still get to teach and indulge my love of math and science. I settled on Mental health because – well it just suits me! I like the grey area where science meets the human experience!

My pharmacy career has taken me places too! From going to school at the University of Wyoming, finishing 2 years of residency with the Salt Lake City VA, starting my career at the residential treatment program with the Black Hills VA, 8+ years at the Phoenix VA and now here!

Hello, I’m Misty Helenbolt, the Medication Safety Officer for the Cheyenne VA Health Care System. A proud Wyoming native, I graduated from the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy in 2016. Since then, my career has taken me across the Mountain West to Montana and Idaho, before I returned to Wyoming in 2021.

I bring a diverse background to my role, with experience in outpatient pharmacy, pharmacy management, and Medicaid formulary management. These experiences have been instrumental in establishing and growing the Medication Safety Program at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System, where I’m committed to improving processes and outcomes for our Veterans.

Beyond my professional life, my love for the outdoors has flourished in the beautiful places I’ve lived. You’ll often find me running or hiking the trails with my husband, two kids, and two dogs—we’re a full crew that takes up the entire path! When I’m not outdoors, I enjoy baking and sharing homemade treats with friends, family, and colleagues.

Residents

Laura Moyer is from Chicago, IL. She completed her undergrad coursework and Doctor of Pharmacy at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. During her time in pharmacy school, she served as a supplemental instruction leader, student ambassador, and secretary for class leadership. She was also an active member of her local ASHP-SSHP, AAPP, and Phi Delta Chi chapters alongside her internship of three years at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her clinical interests include ambulatory care, psychiatry, women’s health and academia.

Outside of residency, she enjoys reading and hiking, as well as the company of her family, friends and two cats. Laura also enjoys personality typing tools, identifying as a 7w8 ENFP with great interest in learning more about the personality types of her peers!

Resident Testimonials

I am so proud to have been a Cheyenne VA Pharmacy Resident! Providing care to today’s Veteran population has been the most rewarding experience of my professional career. The opportunities available, allowed me to tailor my residency experience to my professional and personal interests and goals which led me into accepting a full time position at the CVAHCS where I get to 'Serve those who served.'
- F. Allen Webb, III, PharmD, BCPS 2015 PGY1 Resident, CH

I want to express a most sincere THANK YOU to everyone here at the Cheyenne/Noco VA facilities. You guys have been so amazing and supportive not only during this residency year, but also in the multiple student rotations I had here as a going all the way back to my P1 year! During this last year I have learned so much and gained so much valuable experience and knowledge that I will benefit from throughout my career. I cannot thank you all enough for the time, effort, and kindness you all provided me as preceptors, and as amazing non-preceptor pharmacists and techs. I am not elegant with words, so I won’t say any more, but THANK YOU!
- Christopher Brayton, PharmD 2024 PGY1 Resident

This has been one of the best years of my life & that’s because of the incredible people I have been surrounded with. You all have helped me grow so much not only as a pharmacist but also as a human. I am genuinely so sad to go but hope I can stay in touch throughout the years. I will sincerely cherish all the fun days at work that never felt like “work” & hope you know how big of a blessing you all have been in my life. Your team (CHY & NOCO) is truly one of a kind (in the best way) & I hope you all can take time to appreciate that.
- Madison Styles, PharmD 2024 PGY1 Resident

Resident Destinations

Check out where some of our past residents landed a first job out of residency!

• Christopher Brayton (2024) – Acute care clinical pharmacist at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
• Madison Styles (2024) – Clinical Pharmacist Indian Health
• Caitlin Daly (2023) – Transitions of Care Pharmacist at Cheyenne VA
• Rachel Meier (2022) – PACT CPP at Cheyenne VA
• Timothy Finnegan (2022) – HBPC CPP at Cheyenne VA
• Tori Lucas (2021) – Ambulatory Care Pharmacist in Wisconsin, now back at Cheyenne VA
• Taylor Dwyer (2021) – Inpatient Hospital Pharmacist in North Dakota
• Laurel Ramer (2020) – PGY2 Amb Care Mayo Clinic
• Sidney Ren (2020) – Ivinson Memorial Hospital, now back at Cheyenne VA as an Informatics Pharmacist
• Marcie Hunt (2019) – HBPC CPP at Cheyenne VA