PGY-2 Geriatric Pharmacy Residency

About the Program

Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale offers one post-graduate year two (PGY2) geriatrics residency program position in the Phoenix metro valley: PGY2 Geriatric Ambulatory Care (Match ID# 642854). This program is unique in that it provides both inpatient and outpatient geriatric learning experiences, provides an extensive learning experience in academia beyond a teaching certificate, and partners with the Banner Geriatric Medical Fellowship program.   

OUR VISION:

We will prepare the resident to provide high quality, person-centered care directed by geriatrics principles, integrate geriatric concepts into health professional education, and develop an individual's geriatric practice management. 

STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING OUR VISION:

• Seeking prospective residents that are passionate about geriatric patient care, eager to take initiative, and interested in teaching.
• Providing a resident-centered learning environment.
• Engaging and supporting residents in all aspects of professional development, including service, leadership, and scholarly activity.
• Exposing residents to key elements of academia beyond precepting and lecturing.
• Recruiting and retaining preceptors that are passionate about geriatric patient care, engaged in personal preceptor development, and contributing to the geriatric body of knowledge.
• Maintaining and developing a variety of experiences in diverse geriatric patient care settings.

The program participates in the following showcases annually: 

American Society of Consultant Pharmacy's (ASCP) Residdcny Showcase at the annualy meeting in November.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists  (ASHP)'s  Midyear Clinical Meeting  Personnel Placement Service (PPS) in December by appointment.

The purpose of this program is to use and build upon the competencies achieved in a post-graduate year one (PGY1) residency to promote the development of proficient, independent clinicians with an expertise in geriatrics pharmacotherapy. Upon completion of the program, graduates will possess the knowledge and skills to function as independent practitioners and members of a multidisciplinary team to provide patient-centered care for geriatric patients in a variety of inpatient and outpatient care settings. The dual focus of the program on geriatrics and academia is designed to prepare graduates to become effective educators of pharmacotherapeutic topics in the practice area of geriatrics in the clinical and/or academic setting.   Midwestern University and the faculty highly value teaching and are recognized for service and outreach. Established in 1998, the College has an innovative three-year curriculum that emphasizes the integration of science and practice in the development and application of professional skills. We are housed in modern facilities, including a Clinical Skills & Simulation Center, on a scenic 140-acre campus in the northwest Phoenix Valley. The University's location provides easy access to the red rocks of Sedona, the alpine amenities of Flagstaff, and the beautiful Grand Canyon.

Applicant information (each applicant must):

1. Be participating in, or have completed, an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency program. Applicants that are participating in, or have completed a PGY1 residency with candidate accreditation status, or have completed an ASHP PGY1 waiver  are not eligible for interview.

2. Be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited degree program or have a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

3. Be licensed or eligible for pharmacist licensure in the Arizona. See Arizona Board of Pharmacy webpage ( http://www.azpharmacy.gov/) for more details.  

4. Use PHORCAS to apply to program.

Residency Program Director

Nicole K. Early, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
nearly@midwestern.edu 
Associate Professor, Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale 

Residency Coordinator
Dawn Knudsen Gerber, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP
dknuds@midwestern.edu 
Associate Professor, Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale

Past Residents 

2011-2012:  Laura Hanson, Pharm.D.,BCGP, Independent LTC Consultant Pharmacist and College of Pharmacy - Glendale Site Quality Monitor, Arizona

2012-2013:  Nicole Kitts Early, Pharm.D, BCPS, BCGP, Assistant Professor at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale, Arizona

2012-2013:  Amanda (Reeve) Horoho, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP Geriatric Clinical Pharmacist at JPS Health Network, Texas

2013-2014:  Kacey Carroll, Pharm.D., BCACP, BCGP, Assistant Professor, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana

2014-2015:  Danielle Backus, Pharm.D., BCGP, Assistant Professor at Pacific University, Oregon

2015-2016:  Thu Nguyen, Pharm.D., BCGP, Clinical Pharmacist (Geriatric Telemetry/Internal Medicine) at Banner Health Baywood, Arizona

2017-2018:  Jacki Hagarty, Pharm.D.,BCGP, Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, Banner Health, Phoenix

2018-2019:  Danielle Thomas, Pharm.D., BCGP, Clinical Pharmacist, Community Health Network, Indianapolis, IN

2019-2020: Taylor Naberhaus, Pharm.D., current resident

For More Information:

Residency program benefits

Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale, Glendale, Arizona

Dr. Danielle Backus, 2014-2015 resident: "I knew I wanted to complete a PGY-1 fairly early on in pharmacy school, but I started my PGY-1 with very little intention of completing a PGY-2.  However, my favorite experiences during my PGY-1 year were those I spent teaching.  I decided that a clinical faculty position was my desired career path, and when I spent time looking into how to make that happen, I realized that completing a PGY-2 would be the best move for me.  I also confirmed for myself how interesting geriatric patients are: one pharmacist intervention can make a huge impact on a patient's quality of life.  Geriatric patients are often having huge health status changes and are transitioning from different housing/medical environments, leaving them vulnerable to medication errors, adverse events from medications, or excess medications given their goals of therapy.  Midwestern's PGY-2 in Geriatrics and Academia was a perfect fit for me.  The available rotations cover geriatric patients at Banner Boswell (in the ICU, ED, and rehab center, as well as working with patients in cardiology and internal medicine), and additional rotations to work with patients in the nursing home and ambulatory care settings, with state/national organizations, and with attending physicians, medical fellows, and medical residents associated with the Banner Health Family Medicine Geriatric Fellowship Program. In addition, working with the faculty at Midwestern (including the program director), there are advisors for how to complete research projects, presentations, publications, precepting, and everything else faced during the PGY-2 year and in a future career in academia.   Advice and guidance is given concerning didactic lectures, exam questions, and in interactions as a preceptor for pharmacy students.  The opportunities available through this program are many, and can be tailored to the resident's needs and desires, with the goal of giving him or her the tools needed to succeed in whatever comes next."

Dr. Laura Hanson, 2011-2012:  "I was looking for a residency in which I'd  have lots of variety and learning opportunities-  this program was a perfect fit! I had the chance to work in multiple practice settings (acute care, ambulatory care, research and academia) all while focusing on my passion-Caring for geriatric patients"

Dr. Kacey Carroll, 2013-2014: Why did you decide to complete this residency:  I was interested in and chose this residency because of the resident's opportunity to practice in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.  The practice settings were ones that I knew I would encounter in my practice beyond residency.  I also loved how involved the resident could be at the college, as academia was my career goal.  What your favorite part of the residency program: My favorite part of the residency was working with the geriatric medical fellowship team.  I learned so much from them during our weekly rounds and felt that I was a highly valued member of the team.  Why someone should choose this residency program?  This program set me up to be successful as an academician and helped me grow as a teacher and as a practitioner.  I am better equipped now to take care of geriatric patients, which will be extremely important in the upcoming years as our elderly population continues to grow!

Residents' perspectives: Weighing your options in pursuing a postgraduate year 2 pharmacy residency Am J Health Syst Pharm  September 1, 2014 71:1438-1441.

Managing the logistics of transitioning between PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residencies.   Am J Health Syst Pharm March 1, 2012 69:374-375.