Pharmacy Residency Programs

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC)  has over a 30-year tradition of collaborative practice relations between our clinical pharmacy specialists and our physician colleagues, we have an excellent reputation for advanced practice opportunities for pharmacists, we are always seeking to expand and advance practice and be innovative in the services we offer.  Our department is clearly valued in our medical center and our expertise in medications, disease state management and drug utilization is sought after in all patient care areas.  The focus of VHA and the Cincinnati VA is to ensure we provide all of our patients with safe and effective care and improve their disease state outcomes.  Our clinical pharmacists work in well-defined multidisciplinary teams to help ensure we achieve these outcomes for our veterans. We are very proud of our mission to serve the men and women who have served our country.   Additionally, the VA offers an exceptional environment for learning as the second mission of the VHA is providing education for healthcare providers.

 

All our clinical pharmacy staff, as well as many of our physician colleagues, hold faculty positions at one or more professional colleges and we share a love of teaching, scholarship, learning and giving back to our students and patients.   Our clinical staff relate well to the challenges and pressures facing residents and they are always there to provide guidance and support for our residents as they go through their year.  In addition, we have a wonderful pharmacy department and all of our pharmacists, technicians and administrative staff supports our residency program and work hard to ensure our residents have a successful and happy year with us at the Cincinnati VA.  In 2014, we added a PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Program in Mental Health and currently have one residency position in this area. Dr. Matthew Brown is the Residency Program Director for this ASHP accredited Program.

 

We have four PGY1 residents and have been very successful at recruiting residents from many different areas and colleges of pharmacy over the years leading to a wonderful diversity among our residents and ultimately our clinical staff.   We currently have over fifteen of our former residents on staff.  Overall, a significant number of graduating residents have opted to practice in the VA, which speaks volumes about the wonderful practice available to pharmacists within the VA.

Purpose

The purpose of a PGY1 pharmacy residency program is to build on the Doctor of Pharmacy education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

 

We have four PGY1 residents and have been very successful at recruiting residents since 1995 from many different areas and colleges of pharmacy.  This has led to a wonderful diversity among our residents and ultimately our clinical staff since we currently have sixteen of our former residents on staff.  Overall, about 60% of our graduating residents have opted to stay in VA practice for their careers which speaks volumes about the wonderful practice available to pharmacists within the VHA family. 

 

General Information

Number of Positions: 4

Duration: 12 months

Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

Starting Date: Late June/Early July

Estimated Stipend:  $43,000+ plus Dual Appointment

Interview Requirement: On-Site

 

Residency Experiences

 

Required Experiences

• Primary Care (3 MONTHS)
• Acute Care (3 MONTHS- IM, SICU/MICU, Elective)
• Practice Management
• Pharmacy Administration
• Precepting APPE Pharmacy Students
• Teaching Certificate through University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy

 

Longitudinal Experiences

• Practice Management
• Quality Improvement Project
• Medication Use Evaluation
• Staffing

Elective Experiences (Four Months)

• Emergency department
• Geriatrics
• Home-based primary care (HBPC)
• Antimicrobial stewardship/Infectious disease
• Hematology/Oncology
• Inpatient psychiatry
• Residential psychiatry
• Outpatient Psychiatry
• Infectious Disease
• Administration
• Practice management
• Advanced Internal Medicine
• Primary Care Longitudinal
• Primary Care Specialty
• Pain Management

 

Required Presentations

• One Journal Clubs
• Precept a Journal Club
• Two Topic Discussions
• One Virtual VA Regional CE Topic Discussion
• Platform Presentation of Quality improvement project
• Poster Presentation at ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting
• Poster Presentation at GCSHP Best Practices and Research Symposium

 

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Free parking

• BLS and ACLS certification
• Home computer access
• Designated office space, supplies and support
• Paid leave
  • 13 Vacation days
  • 13 Sick days
  • 10 National holidays

Purpose

The PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency program at the Cincinnati VAMC builds upon general clinical skills learned during a PGY1 residency to provide specialized experience delivering pharmacy care to individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions.

Graduating residents will be well prepared to initiate psychiatric pharmacy specialty services within inpatient psychiatric facilities, patient centered ambulatory care teams, and residential rehab programs.  The residency is designed to develop accountability; practice patterns and habits; expert knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities in the mental health area of pharmacy practice.

 

General Information

Number of Positions: 1

Duration: 12 months

Application Deadline: January 5th  Starting Date: Early July

Estimated Stipend:  ~$46,000+ plus Dual Appointment

Interview Requirement: On-Site

 

Residency Experiences

Required Experiences

• Orientation (2-4 weeks)
• Inpatient Psychiatry (10-12 weeks)
• Residential Rehabilitation (10-12 weeks)

• (Substance Use, PTSD, DOM) 

• Inpatient Psychiatry (non-VA) (5-6 weeks)

 

Longitudinal Experiences

• Pharmacy PTSD Clinic
• Pain Management Clinic
• Clozapine Management
• Tobacco Treatment Clinic (elective)
• Quality Improvement or Research Project
• Clinical Services and Practice Management

 

Elective Experiences (Two Months)

• Substance use disorders 
• Psychiatric Emergency / Consult Liaison
• Eating Disorders (non-VA site)
• Neurology Consult Team
• Inpatient Detox
• Outpatient MH BHIP/PCMHI

 

Required Presentations

• Two formal presentations (lecture, seminar, grandrounds etc.)
• Two Journal Clubs
• Poster presentation of major project at the CPNP meeting or other regional pharmacy meeting
• Poster Presentation at GCSHP Best Practices and Research Symposium

 

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Free parking

• BLS and ACLS certification
• Home computer access
• Designated office space, supplies and support
• Paid leave
  • 13 Vacation days
  • 13 Sick days
  • 10 National holidays

PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program

Requirements:

• PharmD Degree from and accredited (ACPE) school of pharmacy
• Eligibility for licensure
• U.S. Citizenship
• Letter of Intent
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Three letters of recommendation using the standardized PhORCAS form
• College of Pharmacy Transcripts
• Interview

 

Application Deadline:

Complete application is due via PhORCAS January 3rd

ASHP Program Number:

PGY1: 44900

National Matching Service Code:

132813

 

PGY-2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program

Requirements:

• PharmD Degree from and accredited (ACPE) school of pharmacy
• Active Pharmacy Licensure
• PGY-1 Completion
• U.S. Citizenship
• Letter of Intent
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Three letters of recommendation using the standardized PhORCAS form
• College of Pharmacy Transcripts
• Interview

 

Application Deadline:

Complete application is due via PhORCAS January 5th

ASHP Program Number:

44062

National Matching Service Code:

706466

 

Considerations:

• Minimum GPA requirement of 2.75
• Recommend entering Information in Phorcas (Leadership, presentation, ect.)
• Ensure Curriculum Vitae covers the following topics:

                * Work experience and Leadership

                * Extra curriculars (presentations, publications, volunteering,  research, etc.)

Quotes from previous Residents:

We have asked our former residents to share with you their thoughts on what they valued most from their residency as we have always believed our residents are our best ambassadors so we hope you enjoy hearing what they have to say!


"This Cincinnati VAMC PGY-1 residency program far exceeded my expectations!  I was able to tailor my experiences to better prepare me in areas of my future career interests.  I was impressed with how encouraging, helpful, and flexible the preceptors were, especially since we were thrown many curveballs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  And finally, there is no better patient population to serve than our Veterans.  I will always be grateful for my PGY-1 residency experience!"
~Leah Philipp 2021


"After spending a couple months as an APPE at the Cincinnati VA, I knew I wanted to pursue a PGY-1 here.  The exceptional preceptors and rotation experiences create truly unparalled learning opportunities.  Throughout my residency year, I grew clinically and professionally while working amongst interdisciplinary teams in various inpatient and outpatient settings.  The diversity in experiences and boundless support from preceptors increased my confidence in starting my pharmacy career.  The meaningfulness of the year is difficult to condense into words - you really need to experience it yourself"
~Annie Tam, 2021


"This residency program was an amazing place to grow as a clinical pharmacist and as a person.  I explored multiple inpatient and outpatient pharmacy fields, worked in interdisciplinary teams, practiced at the top of my license, while having a comfortable work-life balance.  The RPD, preceptors, and staff provided a great education and support system while getting to know you at a personal level.  This program made me feel prepared to go into any pharmacy setting, and I would do it all over again if I had to."
~Ann Collett 2020


  “My residency year was amazing! Transitioning from a APPE student to resident was a smooth transition. I had a challenging year during residency and received the best support from my mentors and other preceptors. Choosing the Cincinnati VAMC for my residency training was extremely rewarding and a great decision!”
~Toebben Bolte 2020


 “My PGY2 residency experience at Cincinnati VAMC was very different than my PGY1 [at another VA]. It was a big learning curve to focus on a specialty (psychiatric pharmacy) and become a more independent clinician, particularly in a variety of settings that were different than anything I had experienced. The mental health pharmacy preceptors really helped guide me in this, and all the other pharmacists, preceptors, and members of various healthcare teams (social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, etc.) were very supportive throughout the year. I am grateful for this year of growth and career preparation.”
~Mervan Newbold  2020


“My residency at the Cincinnati VA was so uniquely beneficial to me due to the variety of both inpatient and outpatient experiences offered. While I thought that I wanted to pursue a career in ambulatory care, my inpatient experiences gave me more working knowledge of what happens while a patient is admitted--which ultimately impacts my care now working with transitions of care as a Home-Based Primary Care pharmacist.”
~ Andrea Finger 2019


“My residency year taught me how to actually practice pharmacy. Pharmacists can learn clinical facts anywhere. The support system at CVAMC showed me how to interact with other disciplines, make patient-centered decisions, and most importantly, how to be independent.”  
~ Rebekah Wahking 2019


“The Cincinnati VA Residency Program offered numerous opportunities to pursue any passion in pharmacy. I was able to tailor my residency selections to my future aspirations and upon completion, felt confident to practice independently as a clinical pharmacist. However, I was most impressed how the entire Cincinnati VA pharmacy staff: preceptors, technicians, staff pharmacists, and administration provided invaluable learning experiences to support my growth and development. I am grateful to the residency program for providing me the skills and knowledge  to continue to serve our Veterans in my current position.”
~ Andrew Dennis 2018


"Completing my residency at Cincinnati VA was life changing. First and foremost, because of the smaller residency class and committed preceptors, I was treated as a unique individual and provided feedback and opportunities that catered to my growth personally and professionally. All the preceptors knew me not only as just a resident, but as a person, and I was able to pursue my personal interests with the opportunity of an informatics rotation and informatics-focused residency project. Through these experiences at the Cincinnati VA, I was well equipped for my PGY2 in informatics, and I continue pulling the knowledge I gained into my practice every day.
~ Mei Lin 2014


“Everyone talks about how much residency is important but you truly don’t realize the depth of that statement until you actually do it yourself. The Cincinnati VA program provided me with an experience I will use for the stretch of my career. With the wide range of exposure in outpatient, acute care and administration, I gained an eclectic variety of experience that I would later use in my career without knowing it at that time. The learning experience is filled to the brim, preceptors are heavily involved in resident teaching and the program is fully invested in its residents!“
~ Alaa Minkara 2013


 “If I had to choose one word to describe the program, it would be BALANCED. I was able to gain knowledge and experience in so many areas (internal medicine, ICU, primary care, administration, research, etc.) Not only were there many opportunities, but the preceptors were fantastic teachers and always supportive. I felt very well prepared for my PGY-2 internal medicine residency this year!”
~ Christie Mock 2010


"The Cincinnati VA Pharmacy Residency Program provided me with the opportunity to work in depth in many settings: outpatient, inpatient, and administration. This wide variety of experiences helped me determine what aspects of pharmacy I enjoyed the most. Ultimately, the program enabled me to pinpoint exactly where I wanted to take my pharmacy career."             
~ Michael Hirsch 2010


“Without a doubt, the preceptors’ encouragement and active involvement with the residents makes the Cincinnati VAMC an exceptional place to complete a residency.”  
~ Jacqui Gates 2010


"It was challenging and it was tough. Would I do it again? Absolutely!"
~ Natalie O'Toole 2008


“When I look back at my residency experience, I think of it as a year of breaking down, rebuilding, and molding into the foundation of a strong pharmacy career.  I wouldn't be where I am today without it!”
~ Suzanne Chau 2004


“The Cincinnati VA residency program, with its well-rounded caring preceptors, learning experiences, and established collaborative practices afforded me the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and abilities for lifelong learning and providing quality pharmaceutical care to our Veteran population. “
~ Todd Hanson 2002


"I am thankful, and ultimately delighted, to have completed my general pharmacy practice residency at the Cincinnati VA.  Residency work and supervision prepared me for clinical pharmacy in ways unsurmountable by entering the work-force immediately after college.  My ambitious preceptors and attendings instilled in me an unceasing passion for the work of clinical pharmacy, to better our profession and the health of our patients.  For this strong foundation, these experiences and memories, and the knowledge gained, I am grateful."        
~ Rebecca Helbus 2000

2021-2022

Larissa Clark: Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist

Brianne Potter: Anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Christopher Smedley: Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist

Ian Villaluz: Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist

Delaney Wright (PGY2): Outpatient Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

 

2020-2021

Alexandra Nugent: Family and Community Medicine Clinical Pharmacist at University of Kentucky

Leah Philipp: Indianapolis VA PGY2 Ambulatory Care/

Annie Tam:  Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Coordinator Danville VAMC

Delaney Wright: Cincinnati VA PGY2 Psychiatric Residency

Quyen Mellado (PGY2): Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist

 

2019-2020

Toebben Bolt: Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist

Anna Collett: Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist

Quyen Mellado: Cincinnati VA PGY2 Psychiatric Residency

Nathan Sexton: Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist

Mervan Newbold (PGY2): Outpatient Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

 

2018-2019

Andrea Finger: Home Based Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Ann Arbor VA 

Katelyn McBride: Specialty Pharmacist at BioPlus

Jeremy Patton: Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Mercy Health

Rebekah Wahking: Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the University of Kentucky

Lauren Yates (PGY2): Pediatric Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus, OH

 

2017-2018

Malorie Deakins: Clinical Pharmacist, Cincinnati VA Outpatient Pharmacy

Andrew Dennis: Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Inpatient/Outpatient Lexington VAMC

Karla Peters: Clinical Staff Pharmacist Inpatient, Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest

Shayla Siefker: Clinical Staff Pharmacist Inpatient, Jewish Hospital Mercy Health

Meredith McCauley (PGY2): Pediatric Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus, OH

 

 

2016-2017

Tyler Dickerson: PGY2 in Oncology at Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital

Julianne Mazzola: Clinical Pharmacist and the Cleveland Clinic

Kathryn Schmidt: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Anticoagulation Service Cincinnati VAMC

Kristine Voon: Rotating Acute Care Clinical Pharmacist at Mount Carmel East

Christina Bonanno (PGY2): Outpatient Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Northern Indiana VAMC

 

2015-2016

Leann Cape: Clinical Pharmacist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Yan Cui: Clinical Pharmacist, Cincinnati VA Outpatient Pharmacy

Aaron Ernstberger: Clinical Pharmacy, St Vincent Hospital

Courtney Schultz: Clinical Pharmacist, Cincinnati VA Outpatient Pharmacy

Nicole Vaughn Fioravaniti (PGY2): Substance Use Disorder Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Cincinnati VAMC

 

2014-2015

Crystal Boykin: PGY2 Geriatrics at Cleveland VAMC

Dana Short: Clinical Pharmacist, St Elizabeth’s Hospital

Angela Hwang: Clinical Pharmacist, East Orange New Jersey VAMC

Jeremy Klein: Clinical Pharmacist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Kari Angwin Christy (PGY2) Clinical Administration Pharmacist Naval Hospital Guam

 

2013-2014

Emily Lin: PGY2 Informatics Residency at Aurora Health in Milwaukee, WI

Alyssa McCann: PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residency at University Hospital of Cincinnati

Justin Roberts: Clinical Pharmacist, Inpatient Pharmacy, Dayton VAMC

Emily Salzman: Clinical Pharmacist, Outpatient Pharmacy, Dayton VA

 

2012-2013

Alaa Minkara: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cincinnati VAMC

Rupal Kasudia: Clinical Pharmacist, Bay Pines Florida VAMC

Andrew Shulan: PGY2 in psychiatry at Palo Alto VAMC in California

Brittany Tomlin: Clinical Pharmacist, Inpatient Pharmacy Cincinnati VA

 

2011-2012

Bonnie Clark: Emergency Department Clinical Pharmacist at Fort Hamilton Hospital

Jeremy Hilty: Emergency Department Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cincinnati VAMC

Saji Kurian: Pharmacist, Clinical Services Shands Hospital

Joori Noh: Acute Care Clinical Pharmacist

 

2010-2011

Stacy Coffee: Acute Care Clinical Pharmacist at James H. Quillen VA

Senala Lekic: Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist at Elkhart General Hospital

Alyssa Wanner: Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the West Texas VA

Wen-Song Yue: Pharmacy Manager at Promise Hospital

 

2009-2010

Jennifer Curtis: Clinical Pharmacist, Dayton VAMC Outpatient Services

Jacqui Dages: Clinical Pharmacist, Dayton VAMC Outpatient Services

Christie Davis: PGY2 Internal Med, Residency at Carl T. Hayden VAMC

Michael Hirsch: PGY2 Pharmacy Administration Residency at Jesse Brown VAMC

 

2008-2009

Susan Drees: Clinical Pharmacist, Medication Reconciliation at Cincinnati VA

Elizabeth Frede: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for the Residential Mental Health Program at Cincinnati VA

Samantha Record: Clinical Pharmacist, Outpatient Pharmacy at Cincinnati VA

Gabrielle Sawyer: Clinical Pharmacist, Medication Reconciliation at Cincinnati VA

 

2007-2008

Daniel Knight: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Anticoagulation at Mercy Hospital

Natalie O’Toole: Clinical Pharmacist Medication Reconciliation at Cincinnati VA

Heather Yates: Clinical Pharmacist Inpatient/Outpatient Jewish Hospital

 

2006-2007

Kristina Freed: Clinical Pharmacist, Bay Pines VA

Amaka Moka: Clinical Pharmacist, Medication Reconciliation at Cincinnati VA

2005-2006

Dustin Dickerson Clinical Pharmacist, Grant Hospital in Columbus, OH

Sapna Kamdar: Consultant Pharmacist, Kindred Nursing Home Consulting

Joseph Kramer: Clinical Pharmacist, Anthem Prescription in Mason, OH

 

2004-2005

Michael Denne: Medical Liaison for Procter and Gamble

Jodie Malhotra: Specialty Residency in Psychiatry in San Antonio, TX

Amy Pfeifer: Specialty Residency in Managed Care with Walgreens

 

2003-2004

Suzanne Chau: Clinical Pharmacist at Hines VAMC

Shannon Malaney: Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Cincinnati VA

Monica Hess: Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Cincinnati VA

 

2002-2003

Anthony Ishak: Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Palo Alto VA

Tanvi Shah: : Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist  at the Tacoma Washington VA

 

2001-2002

Stephen Todd Hanson: Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Cincinnati VA

Oanh Nguyen: Clinical Pharmacist in Hospital Practice in Tulsa, OK

Megan Lotito: Substance Abuse  Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Cincinnati VA

 

2000-2001

Katherine Hiett: Clinical Pharmacist at Jewish Medical Center

Elaine Metzger: Clinical Pharmacist/Captain in the United States Army

Andrea Worz: Drug Information Specialist at Procter and Gamble

 

1999-2000

Rebecca Helbus: Substance Abuse  Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Cincinnati VA

Aimee Chevalier: Anticoagulant Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Chicago Medical Center

Kristen Schmitt: Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Cincinnati VA

 

1998-1999

Robert Goodwille: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Hospital Practice in Henderson, NV

 

1997-1998

Rene Vandenberg: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Hospital Practice in Memphis, TN