Program Overview

The Community Health Network (CHNw) pharmacy residency program offers both postgraduate year one and postgraduate year two (PGY1 and PGY2) training opportunities designed to prepare pharmacists for impactful roles in a community hospital–based health care system. CHNw consists of 6 hospitals in central Indiana, providing convenient and continuous care to the people of Indiana. By integrating advanced clinical practice, teaching, and research opportunities, the program offers residents the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to provide exceptional patient care and contribute to the advancement of pharmacy practice.

PGY1 Programs

The PGY1 pharmacy residency programs provide a solid foundation in clinical pharmacy practice, preparing residents for diverse roles in health care settings. Residents gain hands-on experience in acute care hospitals, specialty clinics, and primary care settings. The program emphasizes the development of clinical skills, patient care management, and professional growth. Graduates of this program are prepared to directly enter the workforce as a generalist or to pursue further PGY2 training.

PGY2 Programs

The PGY2 residency programs offer specialized training in various areas of pharmacy practice, including:

• Ambulatory Care: Focuses on managing chronic diseases and providing care in outpatient settings
• Cardiology: Specializes in the care of patients with cardiovascular diseases
• Oncology*: Concentrates on the treatment of patients with cancer
• Pharmacotherapy: Provides in-depth knowledge of drug therapy management
• Psychiatry: Focuses on the treatment of mental health disorders
• Specialty Pharmacy Administration and Leadership*: Prepares residents for leadership roles in specialty pharmacy practice

Residents in these programs have the opportunity to pursue individual professional interests through elective rotations, teaching certificates, and board certification preparation. Graduates of the program are well positioned for careers in ambulatory care, clinical specialist roles, academia, and health system leadership.
*New programs for the 2024-2025 residency year

Key Features of the Residency

• Customized Learning Experience
  Upon matching, leadership sent out an in-depth survey for us to fill in to gauge our interests and career goals. This information is used to help design residents’ schedules to allow them to explore their interests and passions earlier in the year. This information is also used to help pair residents with mentors.
• Clinical Skill Development
  Residents have the unique opportunity to work within a network. Residents rotate through multiple hospitals and clinic locations. This gives residents the distinct experience of interacting with multiple types of patient populations and encourages residents’ development.
• Staffing
  Currently, PGY1 residents work every other weekend. They staff at 2 of the flagship hospitals during the year. PGY1 residents staff 1 weekend doing distribution, gaining experience with pharmacy operations, and the next weekend, they staff clinically, where they handle pharmacy consults for the hospital. Acute care PGY2s staff clinically every fourth weekend. The ambulatory care PGY2s do not have weekend staffing but have a weekday staffing component.
• Leadership Training
  Community Health Network has formal and informal leadership opportunities. Formally, residents can apply for Chief Resident and Social Chair positions. Both positions offer the ability to interact with leadership as well as develop the resident’s leadership abilities. Informally, this year, the chief pharmacy officer, Dawn M. Moore, Pharm.D., MS, FACHE, CPEL, implemented a leadership development course. These sessions provide residents one-on-one facetime with upper management. Residents are not only learning valuable leadership skills, but also establishing lifelong connections with leadership and residents.
• Teaching and Precepting
  PGY1 residents are required to complete the Indiana Pharmacy Resident Teaching Certificate (IPTeC) program. To complete IPTeC requirements, residents are appointed as associate adjunct faculty and assist in facilitating the Therapeutics and Case Studies course series at Butler University College of Pharmacy. Additional opportunities for precepting/mentoring students are available for residents.
• Research
  All residents currently complete research in a traditional model. Residents get to rank pre-vetted research projects and then get matched according to interests. By the end of the year, residents will have submitted a completed manuscript and are encouraged to seek publication. Residents present “Research-in-Progress” at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and complete manuscripts at the Great Lakes Pharmacy Resident Conference. Many PGY2s can present and attend specialty-related conferences.
• Presentation Opportunities
  Residents have many opportunities for presentations. Notably, all residents will complete a pharmacy continuing education “Grand Rounds” presentation. Other opportunities include formal/informal topic discussions, journal clubs, and patient presentations.
• Professional Development Support and Mentorship
  Community Health Network has a resident advisory team (RAT) that is responsible for the resident’s professional development series. The series is aimed at helping residents grow professionally as well as personally. Residents with CHNw will have 2 or 3 dedicated mentors to help facilitate their growth. All residents will have personal mentors assigned by the RAT as well as an experienced research mentor to help break down any barriers regarding the research process. If residents are enrolled in the IPTeC program, they have the ability to choose a teaching mentor as well.

Reflections from a Current PGY1 Resident

Maggie Kauffeld, Pharm.D., MBA

• Pharmacy School: The Ohio State College of Pharmacy
• Clinical Interest Areas: Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Transitions of Care
• Why did you choose this residency program?
  I have several family members who work as caregivers with CHNw. They all spoke highly of the Network and of the pharmacy department. It has been a wonderful opportunity to move to a new area with the support of extended family and with the knowledge that pharmacists are a respected member of the health care team.
• What have you enjoyed the most about the experience?
  I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the pharmacy teams within CHNw. I have had the opportunity to see many different practice sites with different staff members. Everyone has made me feel welcome and part of the team. This has extended to my preceptors as well; every one of my preceptors has clearly been invested in my development. All feedback I have received has come across as care and support for my development. In addition, I have loved getting to know my co-residents. While I might not see them every day, we are still a collective and support one another.
• How has the program helped you develop professionally?
  The program has been very cognizant of my interests and desires post-PGY1. Before I arrived at CHNw, I expressed my interest in infectious diseases (ID), and I have had the ability to pair my projects/rotation schedule accordingly. My medication use evaluation and research project are both ID-related projects. And I had the opportunity to have my ID rotation immediately after my General Medicine rotation. In addition, the RAT has a professional development series that we attend throughout the year. The sessions vary in topics, including CV/interview prep as well as self-care topics.
• What are your career aspirations following residency?
  Currently, I am applying to PGY2 infectious diseases programs. The team here at CHNw has been supportive and helpful in my aspirations of applying to programs outside the Network. I greatly appreciate all the support and guidance I have been given throughout the process so far.

Current Resident Project Examples

The Evaluation of Risk Factors & Treatment of Gonorrhea & Chlamydia in Community East’s Emergency Department

• Performed a retrospective and prospective chart review of patients screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia in the ED
• Aim of research is to address current limitations in differentiating genitourinary symptoms in the ED.
• Goal is to correlate specific risk factors with confirmed gonorrhea and chlamydia infections to enhance the accuracy of empiric treatment and optimize antibiotic use.
• Present research-in-progress poster at ASHP Midyear

Medication Use Evaluation—“Ceftazidime and Avibactam (AVYCAZ®)”

• Analyze the efficacy, safety, and adherence to clinical guidelines in treating complicated infections, leading to optimized antibiotic stewardship practices

Drug Monograph—“Xanomeline & Trospium Chloride (COBENFY®)”

• Presentation of literature evaluation and update of inpatient schizophrenia treatment options on CHNw’s formulary

Protocol Review—“Overwrap and Oral Liquid Best-Used Dates”

• Review of internal documents for updates regarding best-if-used-by dates

Advice for Future Residents!

• What should candidates look for in a residency program?
  I was always told to look at how many PGY2 positions a program has. This gives a good look into how the hospital/network values residents. Having just as many PGY2s as PGY1s is great not only for networking but also for having a great group of people to look out for you throughout the year.
• How can they make the most of their residency experience?
  Everything you do in residency is a learning process (including me writing this for you all). Try to remember that ultimately all of the experiences you have in residency are actively building the pharmacist you will be for your whole career. It is easy to get bogged down in topics/rotations that might not be your personal favorites, but try to remember there are skills you are learning that you will pull over into areas that you do enjoy.
• What skills or qualities are important for success during residency?
  This year, I have gained a greater appreciation for flexibility. Throughout residency, you are often at the mercy of others. You often have little control over your schedule, whether it be day to day with your preceptor or with its large-scale commitments. Understanding that it is part of the process and taking things in stride has helped me reduce stress. But also make sure that you communicate your thoughts, feelings, and other commitments to your RPD/preceptor so that everyone is on the same page. I know it’s easier said than done, but remembering to take a breath and looking at the 3000-ft view is often helpful.

Contact Information

Program Director: Sarah Lackey, Pharm.D., BCPS
Email: [email protected]
Website: Pharmacy Residency Programs | Community Health Network
Instagram: @chnwrxresidency