Pharmacy residency program draws top-ranked candidates

Alice Robbins (center), Community's pharmacy residency program director, is joined by first-year residents Sofia Jimenez (left) and Lili Zhao (right) at a recent regional conference. Community's other postgraduate year 1 resident, Krista Preckel, is not pictured.

Established six years ago, Community Medical Centers’ pharmacy residency program has brought top-notch candidates to the Central Valley, many of which came from some of the nation’s top 25 schools of pharmacy. 

“My professor from USC [University of Southern California], Maria Rudis, recommended the Central Valley because of its strong clinical program and the affiliation of great teaching that UCSF [University of California, San Francisco] has,” said Dr. Gillian Pineda, Community emergency medicine clinical pharmacist.

When Community’s American Society of Health-System Pharmacists accredited postgraduate year 1 residency program first began, residency staff had a difficult time recruiting because of a lack of awareness. But by participating in national seminars and meetings, the interest of potential pharmacy resident candidates has increased, said Dr. Alice Robbins, Community's pharmacy residency program director. Dr. Robbins said the number of candidates showing interest is up 22% this year.

“Many are not aware of our program here in the Central Valley,” Dr. Robbins said. “I moved here from New Jersey for a unique employment opportunity to help start clinical pharmacy services at the former University Medical Center, and I truly believe this is a great place to live and work.”

The pharmacy residency program was developed and designed to be clinical in nature, meaning residents work hands-on with patients in a variety of critical services, including the only burn and Level I trauma centers from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Residents are able to focus on the treatment of patients using the staff’s expertise in medications and specific disease states.

“Our strengths as a Level I trauma center and regional burn center allow us to provide an exceptional and unique experience to our pharmacy residents,” Dr. Robbins said. “The goal of our program is to educate and provide broad experiences to allow the residents to pursue a career path and be better prepared in their field.”  

Since its inception in 2002, 14 residents have successfully completed the program, including six who decided to stay and practice in the Central Valley, making Clovis Community Medical Center and Community Regional Medical Center their homes.  

Dr. Sofia Jimenez, chief resident and alumna of UCSF, interviewed at five other hospitals before deciding on Community.

“Compared to other programs, this program is very established and there is tremendous support not only within the pharmacy but also from nursing and physician staff,” Dr. Jimenez said.

The Central Valley currently has a shortage of medical professionals in different specialties, including pharmacists. With the ASHP Midyear Clinical meeting in Orlando this December, Community looks to recruit more people. The meeting is the largest gathering of pharmacists in the world attended by more than 20,000 pharmacy professionals from 86 countries. 

Community’s residents will participate in the residency showcase as well as present research projects. Topics have ranged from implementation of a point-of-care pharmacy service in a cardiovascular progressive care unit to reimbursement for inpatient pharmacy cognitive services. 

Each year, three candidates are accepted into the pharmacy residency program. The 2008-2009 residents will be chosen after the Jan. 15 application deadline.

This story was reported by Joann Mercado. She can be reached at: MedWatchToday@communitymedical.org.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008