Purpose statement

Cardiology PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build on doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in cardiology. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available. 

Program description

From the experiences and opportunities provided during the PGY2 cardiology residency, the pharmacist will develop expert knowledge and skills necessary to practice independently as a cardiology specialist. The pharmacist will apply evidenced-based medication-related information to clinical practice through clinical recommendations and also understand the principles behind clinical research. Upon completion, the pharmacist will be equipped to participate as an integral member of an interdisciplinary team caring for patients with cardiovascular diseases, assuming responsibility for medication-related care of these patients. They will demonstrate the knowledge and application of formulary management, pharmacy and therapeutics committee involvement, and policy development and compliance. Throughout the program, the resident will demonstrate professionalism and professional growth in organizational involvement, communicating, educating and practice leadership.

Rotation experiences

Required experiences

• Abbott Northwestern Hospital, residency and CVICU orientation
• Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock I
• Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock II
• Ambulatory Cardiology I
• Electrophysiology
• General Cardiovascular Intensive Care I
• General Heart Failure I
• Inpatient General Cardiology I
• Inpatient General Cardiology II

Elective experiences

• Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock III
• Ambulatory Cardiology II
• General Heart Failure II
• Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care (at Children’s Hospital and Clinics- Minneapolis)
• Anticoagulation Stewardship
• Infectious Diseases- Cardiology Focus
• Other opportunities for rotation development based on resident interest

Required Longitudinal experiences

• Clinical Pharmacy Management - Cardiology
• Didactic Teaching and Precepting
• Major Residency Project Experience
• Medication Use Evaluation Experience

Didactic educational opportunities

• Minneapolis Heart Institute Grand Rounds
• Transplant Grand Rounds
• Pharmacy Grand Rounds
• Medical fellow and APP lectures
• Local pharmacy conferences
• Local cardiology conferences
• National cardiology conference (1)
• National pharmacy conference(s)

The above descriptions are highlights and not all inclusive. Please contact the residency program director for more details. Additional rotations may be available based on the resident's interests and career goals.

Staffing

The resident will staff the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit on average every third weekend following completion of introductory training through the end of the

The resident will staff the cardiovascular intensive care unit on average every third weekend starting after introductory training is completed through the end of residency year. Each resident will work two of six observed holidays.

Positions, Stipend, and Benefits

• One PGY2 Cardiology Specialty Pharmacy Resident position
• Stipend: Competitive – contact site
• Personal office space, personal computer, telephone and pager
• Health, dental and life insurance
• Paid time off
• Financial support for approved national, state and local pharmacy and cardiology meetings
• Access to online resources through the University of Minnesota

Application process

Prerequisites

• Completion of an ASHP-Accredited PGY1 Residency
• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy
• Licensure as pharmacist in Minnesota no later than August 1st
• Licensure information: Minnesota Board of Pharmacy and DEA

Application materials

• Enrollment in ASHP National Matching Service (match number 641867)
• Submit all application materials through the ASHP PhORCAS system. Contact RPD for deadlines as they change each year.
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Official college of pharmacy transcript(s)
  • Letter of intent
  • PhORCAS references (3)

Previous residents

• Addy Schoening, PharmD: Clinical Pharmacist, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
• Paige Skelton, PharmD- Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator- Ambulatory Cardiology, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
• Brandon Martinez, PharmD, BCPS- Clinical Pharmacy Specialist-Cardiology, Banner University Medical Center-Phoenix, Ariz.
• Theodore Berei, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCCP- Clinical Pharmacist- Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
• Laura Halder, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP- Clinical Pharmacy Specialist- Cardiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
• Ashley Nitzkowski, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP- Pharmacy Supervisor- Adult Cardiology and Solid Organ Transplant, University of Minnesota Medical Center
• Sampaguita Wright, PharmD BCPS- Clinical Pharmacist-Cardiology, University of Tennessee Medical Center - Knoxville
• Matthew Lillyblad, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS-AQ Cardiology- Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator- Cardiology/Critical Care, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
• Keith Behrend, PharmD: Clinical Pharmacist, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis