Overview
Join leaders in pharmacy practice and innovation by pursuing a pharmacy residency with the Indian Health Service (IHS). IHS programs offer excellent opportunities to learn and improve the health care of American Indians. IHS pharmacy residency programs also provide the opportunity to live and work in some of the most beautiful regions of the country.
What’s Unique About IHS Residency Programs?
IHS offers 24 postgraduate year one (PGY1) residency programs, five postgraduate year two (PGY2) residency programs, and one combined PGY1/PGY2 program throughout the United States. Each program provides unique experiences including hospital-based care, ambulatory care, long-term care, health system leadership/administration, medication use safety, and policy. Career pathways include civil service, direct tribal hire, or commissioning as an officer within the U.S. Public Health Service.
Why Train with IHS?
In addition to training within a progressive practice setting, residents can experience immersion in cultural diversity and recreational opportunities. IHS programs offer:
- Pharmacy-managed clinics
- Opportunities for the application of clinical skills
- Quality relationships with patients and providers
- Opportunities to positively influence patient care
- Use of technology (electronic health record, dispensing automation) to provide quality pharmaceutical care
- Diverse practice settings
Current Resident Experiences
I have the ability to work independently in a health care setting that really values the contributions pharmacy can have on patient care. Pharmacists can provide direct patient care in a plethora of disease states, including diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction, and anticoagulation. Additionally, pharmacists have important roles in the Specialty Clinic, which services oncology, dermatology, optometry, and several other specialties.
–LT Brandon Montz, Pharm.D.
PGY1, Phoenix Indian Medical Center
I obtained better clinical knowledge and an understanding of health disparities, and how to apply these aspects to our patients to ensure they receive appropriate care. I was able to run our ambulatory care clinic independently after becoming licensed. It gave me the confidence and realization that I want to move forward in an ambulatory care setting.
–Katie Griffin, Pharm.D.
PGY1, Chickasaw Nation Medical Center
Program Leadership
Residency program directors (RPDs) for each program and their contact information can be found at https://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/resident/residentdirectors/. To schedule a site visit, contact the RPD or the chief pharmacist of the site you are interested in visiting. The IHS residency programs are also represented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting during the Residency Showcase each December.
Eligibility
To apply to the IHS residency program, applicants must be U.S. citizens and must have earned a degree from an accredited U.S. college of pharmacy.
For more information, please visit https://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/resident.
Submitted by:
LCDR Katherine Vodovoz, Pharm.D., BCACP, CDCES, NCPS
LCDR Leah (Weiss) Satlak, Pharm.D., BCPS