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Postgraduate Year One Acute Care Pharmacy Residency

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics offers an accredited PGY1 Acute Care Pharmacy Residency and was one of the first institutions in the nation accredited for residency training in the 1960s.

This one-year program offers individualized training and exposure to a variety of experiences in a large academic health care system. The program is designed to develop well-rounded practitioners who are competent in solving complex medication-related problems. A total of seven resident position are offered each year. Residents completing the program will be prepared to pursue PGY2 residency training or clinical positions in a variety of settings.

About the Program

The overall purpose of this residency training program is to provide the resident with the knowledge, abilities, experience, attitude, and critical thinking skills to become a competent and confident practitioner. Through rotations in a variety of areas based upon the resident’s individual needs and preferences, the resident will develop practice skills that are necessary to obtain a clinical pharmacist position or postgraduate year two pharmacy residency. At the completion of the PGY1 acute care pharmacy residency, the resident will be able to do the following in addition to achieving the outcomes established by ASHP:

  • Establish a collaborative working relationship within a multidisciplinary practice setting
  • Provide effective, efficient, and evidence-based patient care
  • Use leadership and management skills to modify practice, develop policy, and optimize medication use
  • Provide education and teaching to other health care professionals in a practice site or training
  • Pursue board certification as a pharmacotherapy specialist

Rotation Experiences

The residency year will be spent in a variety of rotational experiences, both blocked and longitudinal. The residency year begins with orientation and continues with a schedule that is designed based upon the resident’s interests and needs. 

Residents will spend approximately ten weeks at the start of the residency year in orientation. During orientation, the majority of time will be spent learning clinical pharmacist responsibilities and the responsibilities of the staffing component of the residency. Rotations are designed to enhance the expertise of the resident in management of drug therapy for acute and ambulatory patients, drug information services, management of pharmacy services, population based drug therapy, and drug policy. 

During each rotation, the resident participates in all aspects of patient medication use therapy including selection, assessment, monitoring, reconciliation, safety, and adherence. The resident will work as part of the multidisciplinary team, advising physicians, nurses, and patients about appropriate medication use. Residents will also attend rounds and conferences, and provide lectures on drug therapy to medical, pharmacy, and nursing staff. Rotations are typically four weeks in length, but some may be longer. No more than one-third of the year may be in a single area of specialty practice.

Core Experiences

Residents are required to complete core rotations in each of the following inpatient clinical areas: adult medicine, pediatrics, and adult critical care. Additionally, each resident is required to complete a core rotation in management and ambulatory care.  

This core group of rotations is intended to provide a well-rounded learning experience for the resident. The specific patient care services in, either general or specialty areas, will be tailored to each resident’s previous experience, interest, and needs. Residents will have time to complete approximately three to four additional/elective rotations during the course of the year. Residents will have time to complete four additional/elective rotations during the course of the year.

Rotation options:

Adult Medicine

  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Cardiology–general
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Hematology/oncology
  • Internal medicine
  • Solid organ transplant

Adult Critical Care

  • Cardiology intensive care–medical
  • Cardiology intensive care–surgical
  • Medical intensive care
  • Surgical and neurosciences intensive care

Pediatrics

  • General pediatrics
  • Neonatal intensive care
  • Pediatric hematology/oncology
  • Pediatric intensive care

Ambulatory Care

  • Anticoagulation Case Management Service
  • Family medicine/geriatrics
  • Pharmacotherapy
  • Specialty clinics:
    • Clinical Cancer Center
    • GI/hepatology
    • Heart transplant
    • HIV
    • Neurology
    • Lung transplant

Electives

  • Burn/trauma
  • Drug information
  • Emergency medicine
  • General neurology/stroke
  • Infectious disease
  • Informatics
  • Lung transplant
  • Medication use evaluation
  • Pain management
  • Practice management
  • Psychiatry
  • Others may be available as applicable

Sample resident schedule

Teaching

All residents are appointed to adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, with access to informational, clinical, professional, and educational resources provided to UI College of Pharmacy preceptors. Throughout the course of the year, residents are provided with multiple opportunities to teach and develop presentation skills. Residents will have the opportunity to participate in the Pharmacy Educator Preparation Program for Residents and Fellows (PEPPR) in conjunction with the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. At the end of the year, residents who satisfy program requirements will receive a certificate of participation and will have a completed teaching portfolio of activities from the year.

Learn more about the Pharmacy Educators Preparation Program for Residents and Fellows (PEPPR).

Research

PGY1 residents are required to complete a yearlong research project, as well as a medication use evaluation. Residents will gain experience conducting research and presenting project findings in poster format. The Residency Research Committee will be available to guide in the process.

Selection of a project is based on the resident’s interests and presentation of project ideas by residency preceptors. Residents will present their research project, or other applicable project, at the Vizient® meeting during the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, the University of Iowa Research week, and as a platform presentation in the spring. Residents may also be expected to present their research at UI Hospitals & Clinics to members of the health care team who are vested in the project findings. The resident will provide a final manuscript write up prior to residency graduation. Publication in the medical literature is strongly encouraged.

Staffing

Residents are required to fulfill the service commitment (staffing) designed to ensure that residents gain experience and can function as competent clinical practitioners.

Residents have the opportunity to staff as decentralized clinical pharmacists for the majority of their service commitment requirement. Residents will also gain operational pharmacy experience by staffing select shifts in the Adult Satellite Pharmacy. This service commitment is crucial to the development of professional practice skills and allows the resident to gain proficiency in clinical practice, interdisciplinary communication, leadership, and distribution skills. Residents have the opportunity to staff in one of the following patient care areas:

  • Critical care
  • Cardiology
  • Internal medicine
  • Oncology
  • Solid organ transplant and surgery

Staffing requirements are as follows:

  • Upon completion of orientation, residents will staff a total of 400 hours over the residency year.
  • Residents will work one major holiday, either Thanksgiving or winter holiday (including additional days around these holidays), and two minor holidays, either New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Labor Day, or Memorial Day.
  • Staffing requirements are subject to change.

How to Apply

Candidates will need to complete an application through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS).

Materials required:

  • PhORCAS application form
  • Letter of intent
  • Three reference submissions within PhORCAS
  • Official college of pharmacy transcripts
  • Curriculum vitae
  • A minimum of one letter of recommendation must be from a clinical preceptor

Application materials must be received by January 2. An on-site interview is required and will be granted based on the review of application materials. Applicants must register for the ASHP matching program handled by the National Matching Services, Inc. Rankings must be submitted by the deadline.

  • Acute Care Setting NMS code: 180413

Candidate Qualifications

  • Graduate of an ACPE-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy degree program or have equivalent educational qualification as determined by the residency program director with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Licensed or eligible for licensure in Iowa by the residency start date. Please see the Iowa Board of Pharmacy website for complete qualifications.
  • Adhere to the rules of the resident matching program process.
  • Candidates who require a Visa will not be considered. Pharmacy Residency positions are not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Contact Us

Kate Gaspar, PharmD​, BCOP
Clinical Manager, Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director
[email protected]

Katie Ganz, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Solid Organ Transplant
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Coordinator
[email protected]

Hayley Heller, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cardiology
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Coordinator
[email protected]

Current Residents

Zachary
Dougherty
PharmD

Pharmacy Resident

Hometown

Columbus, Ohio

Research Project

Comparison of Steroid Use for Stress Dose Steroids Amidst Shortages

Professional Interests

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Academia
  • Investigational Drugs

Personal Interests

  • Baseball
  • Coffee shops
  • Live music
  • Exploring new parks with my dog

Why University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics has all the experiences I was looking for in a residency program. As an academic medical center, UIHC has a variety of learning experiences that helps you advance your practice. There are also opportunities for teaching, precepting, research, and leadership, helping you become a well-rounded pharmacy leader. Ultimately, UIHC is a great residency program because of the staff and preceptors that create a supportive learning environment to help you get the most out of residency.

Favorite Part of Iowa City

Exploring new breweries and restaurants with my co-residents

Kimberly
Gollhofer
PharmD

Pharmacy Resident

Hometown

Omaha, NE

Research Project

Revise, Implement, and Assess Adult Argatroban Dosing and Monitoring Protocols

Professional Interests

  • Critical Care
  • Transplant
  • Cardiology

Personal Interests

  • Reading
  • Baking
  • Completing puzzles
  • Traveling
  • Spending time with family and friends

Why University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

I chose the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics because of their strong network of pharmacists who are a well-established part of the interdisciplinary team. I also chose UIHC because of the wide variety of clinical rotations that would allow me to serve a diverse patient population. I was also looking for a challenging yet supportive learning environment which UIHC has along with preceptors who are dedicated to helping learners succeed. Additionally, I was drawn to the many opportunities to develop as a practitioner such as staffing in decentralized patient care areas. Lastly, UIHC's close relationship with the University of Iowa's College of Pharmacy allows residents to gain didactic education and precepting skills as well.

Favorite Part of Iowa City

Favorite thing to do in Iowa city so far:  Wilson's Orchard and exploring new restaurants.

Ellie
Hodapp
PharmD

Pharmacy Resident

Hometown

Mankato, MN

Research Project

Impact of Microbiology Reporting on Treatment of Less Likely/Common AmpC Organisms

Professional Interests

  • Critical Care
  • Infectious Disease
  • Internal Medicine

Personal Interests

  • Reading
  • Lake days
  • Exploring new restaurants and breweries
  • Spending time with family and friends

Why University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

I was looking to complete my residency at a large academic medical center that offered a wide variety of clinical experiences and the opportunity to be surrounded by other learners. I also wanted a program that gave me the chance to teach and precept younger pharmacy students. I found all of these things at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. After the interview process, I knew that the strong multidisciplinary work environment and deep integration of pharmacy within the care team would help me accomplish all my career goals. Finally, the large number of pharmacy residents and amazing preceptor support systems made me excited to join a new pharmacy family!

Favorite Part of Iowa City

Exploring new restaurants with my coresidents and biking on all the trails

Dane
Johnson
PharmD

Pharmacy Resident

Hometown

Overland Park, KS

Research Project

Assessment of Safety and Efficacy with the Continuation of Dofetilide on Admission at UI Hospitals & Clinics 

Professional Interests

  • Emergency medicine 
  • Cardiology
  • Infectious disease

Personal Interests

  • Ice hockey
  • Golf
  • The mountains
  • Breweries

Why University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

UI Hospitals & Clinics offers a wide array of experiences beyond just your primary interests that challenges you to become a well-rounded, entrusted healthcare professional. Being a highly touted academic medical center with a variety of learners makes for an environment of constant learning and teaching with individuals that truly care about your professional and personal development. The partnership with the PEPPR teaching program also allows residents additional opportunities to improve on our teaching, precepting, and communication skills that isn’t experienced in other places. Lastly, the incredible leadership and mentorship practiced at this institution makes this a place that better pushes you to reach your full potential.

Favorite Part of Iowa City

Going to Joe's Place with my coresidents

Morgan
Koenen
PharmD

Pharmacy Resident

Hometown

Marion, IA

Research Project

Evaluation of Carnitine Levels and Supplementation in Pediatric Patients Receiving Valproate

Professional Interests

  • Pediatrics
  • Critical Care

Personal Interests

  • Running
  • Watching sports
  • Exploring new restaurants in Iowa City
  • Spending time with friends, family, and my dog

Why University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

I chose the University of Iowa because of all the unique opportunities offered in a variety of different clinical pharmacy settings. As a pharmacy student at the University of Iowa, I was able to see how valued pharmacists are by other members of the healthcare team UIHC. Between the Stead Family Children's Hospital and all of the critical care units, I knew Iowa would be the perfect place for me to explore my interests and grow as a pharmacist!

Favorite Part of Iowa City

Iowa City has so many great restaurants to offer and it's fun to grab dinner or drinks with co-residents. I also love attending Hawkeye sporting events like football and basketball games!

Josh
Lechner
PharmD

Pharmacy Resident

Hometown

Redwood Falls, MN

Research Project

Evaluation of Salvage MRSA Bacteremia Treatment

Professional Interests

  • Infectious Diseases
  • LVAD
  • ECMO
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care

Personal Interests

  • Outdoor activities
  • Grilling
  • Being active

Why University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

I had the opportunity to do several rotations as a P4 at UI Hospitals & Clinics, and many of the preceptors I trained with were outstanding and passionate about teaching learners which was important to me when choosing a program.

Favorite Part of Iowa City

Checking out breweries or hitting a trail

Vanessa
Vincent
PharmD

Pharmacy Resident

Hometown

Magna, UT

Research Project

Review of Institutional Occurrence and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Lung Transplant Recipients

Professional Interests

  • Oncology
  • Transplant
  • Internal Medicine

Personal Interests

  • Spending time with my family/cats
  • Cooking
  • Traveling
  • Watching new TV shows

Why University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics initially drew me in with the vast opportunities for growth and exploration during residency. I love this institution’s devotion to the progression and development of pharmacy. I was ultimately won over by the welcoming environment provided by the pharmacy team and other staff members. UIHC is an amazing place to learn and grow and I genuinely could not be happier with where I am starting my pharmacy career.

Favorite Part of Iowa City

I have really enjoyed all of the summertime festivals in the city as well as exploring new restaurants with my co-residents.

Sidebar content

  • Pharmacy Residency
    • About the Pharmacy Residency Programs
      • PGY1 Pharmacy Residency—Acute Care
      • PGY1 Pharmacy Residency—Ambulatory Care
      • PGY1/PGY2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration
      • PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy
      • PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy
      • PGY2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy
      • PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy
      • PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy
    • Our Current Resident Class
    • Pharmacy Residency Preceptors - Last names A through D
    • Pharmacy Residency Preceptors - Last names E through I
    • Pharmacy Residency Preceptors - Last names J through M
    • Pharmacy Residency Preceptors - Last names N through R
    • Pharmacy Residency Preceptors - Last names S through T
    • Pharmacy Residency Preceptors - Last names U through Z

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1-319-356-2577
[email protected]
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