PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

Martinsburg VA Clinical Pharmacy Services

Patient care is provided by a staff of approximately 48 pharmacists and 27 pharmacy technicians. In addition to distributive functions, a wide variety of clinical services are maintained to ensure our Veterans receive optimal care.  Clinical Pharmacy Practitioners play an integral role by enhancing care to patients in all settings at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center including primary and acute care, both at the medical center and in community based clinics.  These pharmacists function as licensed independent practitioners and work under a scope of practice to provide medication therapy management services.

Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Services

Clinical pharmacy services for primary care are provided by both pharmacists at the main campus, at outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC).  Clinical pharmacist practitioners provide care in multiple other specialty areas including long term care, psychiatry, substance use disorder, pain management, and anticoagulation. The clinical pharmacy practitioners manage a wide variety of disease states, provide patient education, and run their own clinics.

Acute Care Pharmacy Services

In addition to centralized pharmacists supporting the 24 hour operational hospital pharmacy, four clinical pharmacist practitioners are aligned with inpatient care teams including psychiatry, internal medicine, critical care, and infectious diseases/antimicrobial stewardship. 

Additionally, our pharmacists promote the pharmacy profession through involvement in multidisciplinary committees and work groups throughout the medical center.

Purpose

PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) 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.

Program Overview

The ASHP Accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program is at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV and offers training opportunities to develop clinical competency in both acute and ambulatory care settings. This residency is a 12 month appointment. The training program offers a variety learning  experiences designed to build the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide personalized pharmaceutical care services and enhance patient outcomes in all care settings.

Residency Structure

There an orientation period, then the residency is divided into month-long rotations with a mix of staffing, core, and elective rotations.  The rotations are arranged to combine required experiences along with electives in the resident’s identified area of interest to allow for growth of skills throughout the year.  Simultaneously, the resident is expected to prioritize and work on ongoing requirements in longitudinal, didactic, management, research, and residency project rotations.

In each experience, the resident works closely with the residency director, residency coordinator, and the rotation preceptor to develop goals and objectives that will assist the resident in expanding skills for current and future practice.  Regular meetings with the residency director ensure that long-term goals are met.

Position Details

Duration: 12 months
Position(s): 3
Starting Date: ~June 16, 2025
Estimated Stipend: ~$53,650 
Application Deadline: January 1, 2025
Interview Required: Yes

Benefits

Benefits include health insurance, annual leave (vacation), time off for illness/appointments/family care and 11 paid federal holidays.

Residency Program Director

Allison Lizer, Pharm.D., BCPS

PGY1 Residency Program Director, Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Martinsburg Veterans Affairs

Phone: 

Email: allison.lizer@va.gov

Current Residents

Aurora Guynn, Pharm.D., Shenandoah University

I completed my pharmacy education at Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy. While in my sophomore year of high school, it became clear to me that I was meant to be a pharmacist and I have been working towards that goal ever since. I have always been fascinated with how medications work. Additionally, I love direct patient care and getting to work collaboratively with patients and other members of the healthcare team to improve outcomes. I decided to pursue a residency at the Martinsburg VAMC for several reasons. I had the distinct privilege of having two incredible APPE rotations at the Martinsburg VAMC during my fourth year. It was obvious to me that the people at the Martinsburg VAMC truly care for the veterans and each other. Also, the mission of caring for our nation’s veterans resonates with me on a personal level. My professional interests include infectious disease, ambulatory care, psychiatry, and academia. Outside of residency, I like to spend time with my fiancé and our three cats, read fantasy books, run, and eat spicy food (the spicier the better)!

Patricia Ramos-Gonzalez, Pharm.D., Shenandoah University

I completed my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in Winchester, VA. I chose to pursue a career in pharmacy since it allows me to combine my interest in the scientific field with ensuring individuals receive the best possible medication therapy and guidance for their health. My time at the Martinsburg VAMC allowed me to witness firsthand the dedication of the staff in teaching and providing invaluable guidance to residents. Their commitment to patient care and professional development inspired me to pursue a PGY-1 residency. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and dog, enjoying watching movies, and listening to music.

Richie Robertson, Pharm.D., Shenandoah University

I graduated from the Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy. I always loved science and learning how medications worked, which is what led me to choose a career in pharmacy. My professional goal is to work as an inpatient clinical pharmacist, which is why residency appealed to me at the VA. This program is very broad and covers many topics that interest me such as infectious diseases and critical care. I also loved the fact that I would get to work with our nation’s veterans and positively impact their care. Outside of residency I enjoy spending time with friends and family, pickleball/tennis, and playing piano for my church.

Residency Preceptors and Their Positions

Melinda Albritton, PharmD, BCGP, Inpatient Psychiatric Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Patricia Callahan, PharmD, Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Robert Cyparksi, PharmD, PACT Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Danielle Davis, PharmD, Anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Trisha Exline, PharmD, Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy

Gary Flowers, PharmD, BCPP, Outpatient Psychiatric Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Miranda Godfrey-Wilfer, Women’s Health Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Kelly Gray, PharmD, Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Ashley Herlihy, PharmD, BCACP, PACT Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Angel Jordan, PharmD, Informatics/Pharmacoeconomics Pharmacist

Timothy Kefauver, PharmD, Long Term Care Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Brigit Kirwan, PharmD, BCPP, Substance Use Disorder Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Seth Lilly, PharmD, BCPS, Long Term Care Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Allison Lizer, PharmD, BCPS, Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, RPD

Sarah Mickanis, PharmD, BCPS, Chief of Pharmacy

Justin Miller, PharmD, PACT Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Jennifer Sequera, PharmD, Academic Detailer

Beth Sheldon, PharmD, Home Based Primary Care Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Douglas Smith, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Tessa Twigg, PharmD, CACP, Anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Andre Watson, PharmD, Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor

How to Apply

MVAMC Pharmacy Residency Programs participate in the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS).  To apply,  the following must be submitted through PhORCAS by the deadline to be considered for an on-site interview:

• Letter of Intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Pharmacy school transcripts
• Three completed references in PhORCAS

Past Residents

If you are a graduated resident, please feel encouraged to reach out and keep the program updated on your accomplishments! You can contact the RPD at any time to catch up and share your professional journey.