Pharmacy Residency Program

PGY-1 Program

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. 

Residents are exposed to a variety of experiences including adult medicine, pediatrics, critical care, administration, ambulatory care, and pharmacy practice. Optional learning experiences include emergency medicine, teaching and learning certification, and experiences in surgical trauma and pediatric intensive care units. The program will also prepare residents to conduct research in practical areas of institutional pharmacy and establish rapport between multidisciplinary teams to execute strong, publishable research design.

PGY-2 Program

The ambulatory care PGY-2 program at the USA Health Family Medicine Center will help the resident develop expert-level, evidence-based knowledge in the area of chronic disease management. Residents are exposed to a variety of disease states including diabetes, weight loss and nutrition, hypertension, dyslipidemia, anticoagulation, respiratory disease, heart failure and transitions of care practice. This program will also prepare residents to conduct research in practical areas of the ambulatory care pharmacy practice and foster relationships between multiple health care disciplines to carry out robust research design. We strive to develop the knowledge, attitudes, training and skills necessary to cultivate pharmacists who are competent and compassionate practitioners capable of working on an interdisciplinary team within a large healthcare system and serving as a leader in the field. Residents, who successfully complete our residency program, are well prepared for an advanced patient care practice or an academic position to pursue board certification in ambulatory care. 

PGY-1 Overview

Learning Experiences (5 weeks Duration)

Required:

1. Orientation
2. Acute Care Medicine I
3. Acute Care Medicine II
4. Pharmacy Administration
5. General Pediatrics
6. Surgical Trauma ICU 

Elective (Choose 3):

1. Pharmacy Informatics
2. Emergency Medicine
3. Pediatric ICU
4. Ambulatory Care Intensive 

Longitudinal  Experiences (>/= 12 weeks duration)

Required:

1. Ambulatory Care – Two (2) half clinic days per month (August-June)
2. Research Project and Medication Use Evaluation (August-May)
3. Institutional Pharmacy Practice (August-June)
   1. ONE (1) 5-hour shift every other Tuesday
   2. Every fourth weekend
   3. One holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas) 

Elective:

4. Teaching certificate (OPTIONAL) – Provided by Auburn HCOP Resident Teaching and Learning Program 

Incoming Residents

• Kathryn Dorsten
• Julia Goudeau

2022-2023
Amanda Sweat, PharmD    University of Georgia COP
Linda Tran, PharmD        Auburn University HCOP

2021-2022
Leah Croft, PharmD         Auburn University HCOP
Macy Wigginton, PharmD    Samford University COP

PGY-1 Contact Information:

ShaRhonda Watkins, Pharm.D., M.B.A., B.C.P.S. 
PGY-1 Program Director
USA Health University Hospital
2451 University Hospital Drive, Mobile, AL 36617
P: (251) 445-8228  
Email: smwatkins@health.southalabama.edu 

PGY-2 Contact Information:

Sean Smithgall, Pharm.D.
PGY-2 Program Director
P: (251) 445-9313
Email: ssmithgall@health.southalabama.edu