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United Hospital

United Pharmacy Residency

United Pharmacy Residency Program

The purpose of our PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency program is "to provide experience and knowledge that fosters the development of skills to fulfill the challenges of evolving roles in pharmacy practice."

For more information, call the Residency Program Director at
651-241-8879 or
Email us.

Our program goals include:

  • developing leadership skills
  • providing effective care
  • collaborating with other health care providers to achieve positive patient outcomes
  • developing effective self-evaluation and self-learning skills
  • gaining an appreciation of the interrelationship of clinical systems, technology and distribution systems to provide an effective medication-use system.

Pharmacy residents develop advanced practice skills in managing drug therapy for a variety of diseases, as well as build proficiency in communicating daily with physicians, nurses and pharmacists. Resident goals and objectives are taught and evaluated using the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Residency Learning System (RLS). Four one-year resident positions are available beginning July 1.

Contact information

Lisa Gersema, PharmD, BCPS, Residency Program Director
651-241-8879
Email us

Required experience

  • five to six weeks of orientation and pharmacy services training
  • four- to five-week rotations in core areas such as cardiology, surgery, internal medicine, critical care, oncology and practice management
  • residents plan, design and implement one major residency project.

Opportunities

There are 45 pharmacists, many of whom have completed residency programs, and 45 support personnel on staff at United Pharmacy. The department is open 24 hours a day and provides decentralized services 16 hours a day. Clinical pharmacy services include:

  • participation at codes
  • multidisciplinary care rounds
  • in-service education to medical/nursing staff
  • patient education programs
  • pharmacokinetic monitoring
  • parenteral nutrition monitoring
  • antibiotic advisory service
  • computerized provider order entry.

Use of computer technology and technical support staff allows pharmacists more time to provide clinical services to each patient. Our pharmacists also serve as preceptors for PharmD students from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

Conferences

Additional opportunities

  • "Current Pharmacy Topics" discussion group with other Allina pharmacy residents and leaders
  • active participation in the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
  • journal club presentations
  • adverse drug reaction review 
  • in-service presentations
  • DUE activities
  • formulary drug evaluation
  • involvement in drug-policy initiatives
  • projects specific to each rotation.

Staffing responsibilities

Each resident serves as a central and decentralized pharmacist, which will help the resident master practice skills, as well as increase confidence by accepting total responsibility for safe and effective pharmaceutical care. This is usually scheduled for every third weekend and an occasional evening shift. 

Benefits

Residents are eligible for health insurance, paid time off and free on-site parking. Residents are supported to attend professional meetings, such as the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Resources include resident office space, use of a personal computer and email and Internet access.

Stipend

Salaries are competitive and updated annually. Contact the program director for the most current information. 

United Hospital

United Hospital is a 556-bed acute care regional medical center, located in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. United provides comprehensive medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, psychiatry, epilepsy, gastroenterology, oncology, family practice and obstetrics and gynecology. United has an automated medical record and computerized physician order entry system. 

United Hospital is part of Allina Health, a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics and other health care services. 

Twin Cities

The Twin Cities, located in the heart of Minnesota, is a large metropolitan area with a growing population of ethnically diverse groups. Local attractions range from shopping at the Mall of America shopping to shows at the Ordway Theater, Minnesota Orchestra and Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

The opportunities for outdoor recreation are limitless, with an abundance of parks, lakes and cross-country ski and bike trails within the Twin-City limits. Even sports fans are able to enjoy professional major league sports with the Minnesota Twins baseball, Saint Paul Saints baseball, Vikings football, Timberwolves basketball and Wild hockey, among others. 

Admission prerequisites

  • Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of pharmacy
  • eligible for licensure in Minnesota.

Residency application requirements

Register with ASHP Residency Matching Program before January 11, 2013.

Eligible for Minnesota pharmacy license.

Submit the following on or before January 11, 2013:

  • letter of intent
  • current, official transcript of all pharmacy-related coursework/clerkships
  • three letters of recommendation
  • curriculum vitae.

All materials for the application process should be submitted via ASHP's Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service, or PHORCAS. Instructions on how to use this service can be found at www.ashp.org/phorcas#.

For any questions regarding our application materials, please contact:
Lisa Gersema, Residency Program Director 
United Pharmacy Residency Program 
651-241-8879

Applicants considered for a position will be invited for an on-site interview with the program director and selected pharmacy staff in January or February.

This residency site agrees that no person at this site will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any residency applicant.

Meet the current residents

David Gurda

David Gurda

David is originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, followed by his PharmD at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. His current practice interests include critical care, cardiology, and emergency medicine.

Upon completion of his residency, David plans on working as a clinical pharmacist at an acute care hospital, becoming BCPS certified, and serving as a preceptor and mentor for pharmacy students.

When not at United, David enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, camping, and playing soccer.

Phone: 651-241-8838 | Email: david.gurda@allina.com


Jocelyn Stromberg

Jocelyn Stromberg

Jocelyn completed her pre-pharmacy coursework at Montana State University - Northern and earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Montana - Skaggs School of Pharmacy in 2012. Her practice interests include internal medicine, psychiatry, and emergency medicine. Jocelyn is looking forward to enhancing her clinical knowledge in her areas of interest as well as exploring other areas of practice throughout the year. After residency, Jocelyn hopes to become BCPS certified and work as a clinical pharmacist in a large, acute care hospital.

Outside of pharmacy, Jocelyn enjoys reading, playing with her dog, and cheering on the Grizzlies. Go Griz!

Phone: 651-241-8509 | Email: jocelyn.stromberg@allina.com


Karen Shin

Karen Shin

Karen is from Torrance, California, a coastal city in Southern California. She completed undergraduate studies at the University of California Los Angeles, her M.S. degree at the University of California Irvine, and a PharmD at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Her clinical interests include critical care, cardiology, and infectious diseases.

After completion of her residency, Karen would like to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist and become a preceptor for pharmacy students.

Away from work, Karen enjoys playing piano, fishing and camping.

Phone: 651-241-8841 | Email: jung.shin@allina.com



Derek Labar

Derek Labar

Derek is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire for his undergraduate coursework and completed his PharmD at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. His current practice interests include cardiology, critical care, and leadership development. After completion of his residency, Derek would like to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist while actively taking on a role as a preceptor and mentor for students.

Outside of work, Derek enjoys bowling, playing softball and cheering for the Green Bay Packers!

Phone: 651-241-8840 | Email: Derek.LaBar@allina.com