Pharmacy residency training programs offered at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) are affiliated with the Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy and University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System (UI Health). The newly renamed UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy recently celebrated its 55th anniversary of training postgraduate pharmacists in clinical service and research, making its residency and fellowship programs among the largest, oldest, and most comprehensive training programs in the United States. Today, the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy offers 25 residency (first- and second-year) and fellowship programs, providing a total of 38 positions.

UI Health is UIC’s academic health enterprise that provides diverse clinical services to a patient population living in an urban area that is medically underserved. The hospital is a 438-bed tertiary care academic institution located about 2 miles west of downtown Chicago with over 30 on-site outpatient clinics and 11 federally qualified health centers. The UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy has over 150 faculty practitioners in almost all inpatient and primary care clinical and service specialties at UI Health.

The postgraduate year two (PGY2) ambulatory care pharmacy residency program at the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy is designed to prepare pharmacists for impactful roles in ambulatory care. There are 2 ambulatory care resident positions, and the goal of this residency is to build expertise in providing pharmacotherapy to ambulatory care patients through an integration of clinical services and educational and scholarly activities.

Customized Learning Experience

This PGY2 residency year is divided into four 2½-month longitudinal learning experiences. During these learning experiences, residents practice in a combination of required and elective clinics for 4 days per week and are allocated 1 day per week to engage in teaching responsibilities, scholarship, and administrative projects. December is a dedicated research month. In June, residents practice autonomously in the clinics of their choice.

All residents can tailor their training through rotations at the variety of pharmacist-run or physician-run clinics offered below.

Staffing and On-Call

Residents participate in off-hours service coverage throughout the year. This includes weekend staffing in one of the ambulatory care pharmacies, Specialty Care Building Pharmacy, and coverage for the institution’s Opioid Use Disorder Transitions of Care service.

Leadership Training

Residents have the option to participate in the longitudinal Academic Leadership Program designed for all UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy PGY2 residents and fellows to build on their academic and leadership skills. This program includes topic discussions related to emotional intelligence, developing a teaching philosophy, conflict management, negotiation skills, and career advancement.

Teaching and Precepting

All residents hold a clinical instructor position at the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy. This role provides the opportunity to precept pharmacy students on rotations as well as design curricula and lectures for pharmacy students. Residents also have the option to pursue interdisciplinary teaching experiences with medical students and medical residents. If desired or not completed as part of a first-year residency program, residents have the option to participate in a Teaching Certificate Program from the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy to further develop their teaching and precepting skills.

Residents also have the experience of preparing and delivering a 1-hour ACPE-accredited seminar during the first half of the year and are encouraged to attend other continuing education seminars covering a variety of controversial clinical topics offered at the college of pharmacy.

Research and Scholarship

Residents complete a self-directed research project, with the option to either develop their own research question or select one from a variety of research questions proposed by faculty members. Residents select and meet with research project mentors throughout the year and can obtain feedback at multiple stages of their project from their peers and faculty members during sessions hosted by the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy Resident Research Committee. Their research project is presented at the Illinois Pharmacy Resident Conference (ILPRC) or another equivalent meeting in the spring of the residency year. Residents are also encouraged to present their research at Vizient at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Clinical Meeting & Exhibition and at any other interprofessional meetings depending on the resident’s interests.

Reflections from a Current Resident: Carrie Yu, Pharm.D.

• Pharmacy school: University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• PGY1: UIC as a Traditional Pharmacy Practice Resident
• Clinical Interest Areas: Internal medicine, antithrombosis

Having completed my PGY1 residency at UIC, I knew from personal experience that our clinic preceptors were all experts and leaders in their profession, many of whom hold positions in national organizations. As part of an academic institution, our preceptors were also enthusiastic about teaching and created environments conducive to learning at every rotation. I had no doubt I would be continuously challenged and pushed to grow at UIC, so it was an easy decision to continue my training here and early commit to our PGY2 ambulatory care program. In addition, I remain passionate about working with populations that are medically underserved and underinsured, and the mission of UI Health aligns with my professional motivations.

So far, I continue to enjoy the longitudinal nature of my clinical learning experiences, which fosters continuity of care and provides valuable time to build meaningful relationships with my patients. In this second year of residency, I have also found countless opportunities to further shape my own teaching philosophy, engaging with many learners in both didactic and experiential settings. Beyond the clinics and the students, entering the professional world as a new practitioner can be intimidating, but my program has been instrumental in supporting my professional development by supporting my participation in several national conferences, including , the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Annual Meeting, the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists Annual Meeting, the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, and the upcoming ILPRC this spring. My preceptors also encourage and provide avenues for interprofessional collaboration with physicians and medical residents on manuscripts and case reports, as well as the chance to present in-services to clinic providers on topics of mutual interest.

After residency, I plan to obtain my board certification in ambulatory care pharmacy. I am committed to working within communities that are medically underserved, ideally in an academic institution to continue working with learners. Many individuals have shaped and supported my professional and personal journey, and I am eager to pay it forward.

Advice for Future Residents!

Whether you are looking for a PGY1 or a PGY2 program, it is important to remember that residency provides a unique opportunity where you are surrounded by preceptors who are invested in your growth as a pharmacist. Do not hesitate to ask them questions! As with any new journey, it is natural to feel overwhelmed or face difficulties. Thus, it is essential to choose the program that provides the best supportive environment where you can learn and thrive, especially during this vulnerable time of pushing your limits and embracing new challenges. Best of luck on your journey!

Website: https://pharmacy.uic.edu/programs/residency-and-fellowship/pgy2-residency-programs/pgy2-ambulatory-care/

Contacts:

Program Director:

Liz Van Dril, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCACP, CDCES
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
University of Illinois Chicago Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy
Chicago, IL
[email protected]

Assistant Director:

Lauren Cunningham, Pharm.D., BCACP, CDCES
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
University of Illinois Chicago Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy
Chicago, IL
[email protected]

Submitted by:

Carrie Yu, Pharm.D.
PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident
University of Illinois Chicago Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy
Chicago, IL
[email protected]