Education

Pharmacy Residency Programs at AGH

Welcome to the Web site of the Pharmacy Residency Programs at Allegheny General Hospital

Applications should be sent by January 1, 2012 for enrollment in July 2012.

The Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) Department of Pharmacy offers the following 12-month (July 1 to June 30) postgraduate year one (PGY1 ) and postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs that provide residents with the skills and knowledge required to become competent pharmacy practitioners:

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program - 5 positions
PGY2 Pharmacy Critical Care Residency Program - 1 position
PGY2 Pharmacy Hematology-Oncology Residency Program - 1 position
PGY2 Pharmacy Ambulatory Care Residency Program - 1 position

Our mission is to graduate highly qualified independent practitioners who demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered practice and professional leadership. They shall be highly proficient in managing medication-use processes to optimize medication therapy outcomes in patients with a variety of disease states. Individuals will apply principles of evidence-based medicine within a multidisciplinary care environment. They will also exhibit leadership and practice management skills to promote the profession of pharmacy and facilitate their own professional development. They will effectively educate patients and their professional colleagues and engage in practice-related research to enhance patient care.

To learn more, please click on a topic below or contact us:

Selected Resident Achievements

Publications

Coons JC, McGraw M, Murali S. Pharmacotherapy for acute heart failure syndromes. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2011;68:21-35.
Coons JC, Plauger KM, Seybert AL, Sokos GG. Worsening heart failure in the setting of dronedarone initiation. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:1496-1500.
Miller RC, Brinkman J. No bones about it: the pharmacist’s role in managing cancer therapy-induced bone loss. Pharmacy Times 2009. ACPE Program I.D. Number: 0290-0000-09-015-H01-P.
Coons JC, Battistone S. 2007 guideline update for unstable angina/ non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: focus on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies. Ann Pharmacother 2008;42:989-1001.
Coons JC, Barnes M, Kusick K. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2009;66:562-6.
Gallagher JC, Rouse HM. Tigecycline for the treatment of Acinetobacter infections: a case series. Ann Pharmacother 2008;42:1188-94.
Fullmer AC, Miller R. Retrospective review of hemoglobin and/or hematocrit levels with occurrence of thrombosis in cancer patients treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents. J Oncol Pharm Practice 2009;00:1-7.

Presentations

Conger M, Coons J, Horn E, Sokos G. Utility of a pharmacist service in outpatient heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and transplant clinics. Resident poster presentation at American Heart Association Fellows Research Day. Pittsburgh, PA, 2011.
Martin A, Wanek M, Coons J. Evaluation of appropriateness of dronedarone based on current hospital guidelines. Resident poster presentation at ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Anaheim, CA, 2010. Poster (6-106).
Brinkman JL, Miller RC, Ulhoa-Cintra A, Monga D. Bevacizumab Continued After Progressive Disease (BCAP): An Analysis of Outcomes and Adverse Events. Poster presentation at the 6th Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. March 2010.
Hahn N, Du S, Korczynski M. The Effect on Measurable Target Goals in Patients Enrolled in a Patient Assistance/Disease State Management Clinic. Poster presentation at the 44th American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, December 2009.
McGraw MA, Chan Tompkins NH, Herbert C, Sahud A. Combination Therapy vs. Monotherapy for the Treatment of Nosocomial Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI). Poster presentation at the 47th Infectious Disease Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. October 2009.
Ferrara J, Chan-Tompkins NH, Bhanot N, Herbert C, Sahud A. Efficacy of Vancomycin Therapy for the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) with Vancomycin MICs </= 0.5 vs. Vancomycin MICs >/=1. Poster presentation at the 47th Infectious Disease Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. October 2009.
Christopher TL, Coons JC, Simpson RW. Vasopressin with Epinephrine versus Epinephrine Alone for In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. Poster presentation at the 43rd American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, Orlando, FL, December 2008.
Kelly C, Chan-Tompkins NH, Gallagher S. Skip a step with CPOE: Impact on Antibiotic Ordering. Poster presentation at the 42nd American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, December 2007.
Wochinger KM, Chan-Tompkins NH, Piontkowsky DM. Cidofovir-Induced Renal Failure for Treatment of AIDS-Associated Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). Resident poster presentation at the 41st American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, Anaheim, CA, December 2006.

Resident Projects
2006-07
Erika Brown, ASCO Guidelines for White Blood Cell Growth Factors, PGY2 Oncology, Scott and White Hospital, Temple, TX
Ryan Criste, Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Management, Pharmacokinetics Fellowship, University of North Carolina/ Kansas, Chapel Hill, NC
Amber Fullmer, Tenofovir-Induced Nephrotoxicity, PGY2 Hematology-Oncology, AGH
Lindsay Sakai, Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Warfarin Reversal, PGY2 Transplantation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Krista Wochinger, Thromboembolic Prophylaxis Guidelines in Trauma Patients Patient Care, Pharmacist, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2007-08
Sarah Battistone, Evaluating Aminoglycoside Pharmacokinetics in Adult Obese Patients, Unit-Based Clinical Pharmacist (Cardiology), UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Tiffany Christopher, Should Vasopressin be an Alternative to Epinepherine in the ACLS Guidelines, PGY2 Critical Care, AGH
Christina Kelly, The Impact of Moxifloxacin Use on the Development of Clostridium Difficile-Associated Disease, Unit-Based Clinical Pharmacist, UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Colleen Timlin, Oropharyngeal Toxicities in Head and Neck Cancer, PGY2 Hematology-Oncology, AGH
Lindsay Palkovic,* Appropriate Treatment of Relative Adrenal Insufficiency in Septic Shock, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, University of Sciences in Philadelphia/ Philadelphia College of Pharmacy , Philadelphia, PA
Amber Fullmer,‡ The Influence of Hemoglobin and Hematocrit Levels on the Occurrence of Thrombosis in Patients with Cancer Treated with Erythropoesis-Stimulating Agents, Hematology/Oncology Specialist, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

2008-09
Megan Barnes, Alemtuzumab: Safety and Effectiveness as Induction Therapy for Kidney Transplantation, PGY2 Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Jenna Ferrara, Efficacy of Vancomycin Therapy for the Treatment of MRSA Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia with Vancomycin MICs ≥ 1 vs. Vancomycin MICs ≤ 0.5, PGY2 Infectious Diseases, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Lindsay Kreutzer, An Evaluation of Established Criteria versus Physician Management on Length of Stay in Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism at a Large Tertiary Care Hospital, Anticoagulation Pharmacist, West Penn-Forbes Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Molly McGraw, Combination Therapy versus Monotherapy for the Treatment of Nosocomial Clostridium difficile Infection, PGY2 Critical Care, AGH
Heather Rouse, Impact of Computerized Physician Order Entry on the Use of Levalbuterol at a Tertiary Academic Institution, PGY2 Critical Care, Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia,
Richmond, VA
Tiffany Christopher,* Safety of Enoxaparin for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Elderly Patients with Low Body Weight, Critical Care Pharmacy Specialist, West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Colleen Timlin,‡ Relative Dose Intensity of Chemotherapeutic Regimens Oncology, Pharmacy Specialist, West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

2009-10
Michael Corpman, Colistimethate Use at a Large Teaching Facility: A Ten-Year Experience, 50-50 Clinical Pharmacist, West-Penn Forbes Hospital
Selma Du, Evaluation of Early Goal Directed Therapy at AGH, Pharmacist, Virginia Hospital Center
Arlington, VA
Nicole Hahn, Does the Use of Intermittent Dosing Have an Impact on Total Cumulative Doses of Lorazepam in Patients Receiving Continuous Infusions? PGY2 Ambulatory Care, University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD
Kara Plauger, Vitamin K Supplementation for the Stabilization of International Normalized Ratios, PGY2 Infectious Diseases, VA Health System San Diego
Valerie Vuylsteke Ertapenem vs. Cefotetan/Metronidazole in Colorectal Surgery Patients PGY2 Ambulatory Care/Academia, University of Tennessee Health Science Center Family Medicine Clinic
Memphis, TN
Molly McGraw* Opiate-Induced Respiratory Depression Leading to Medical Emergency Team (MET) Response Critical Care Pharmacy Specialist, UPMC Passavant Hospital
Jenna Brinkman,‡ Bevacizumab Continued After Disease Progression: An Analysis of Outcomes and Adverse Events Oncology Pharmacy Specialist, VA Pittsburgh

2010-11
(*PGY2 Critical Care Resident; ‡ PGY2 Hematology-Oncology Resident; †PGY2 Ambulatory Care Resident)
Louise-Marie Gillis, Evaluating Dosing of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents on Hemoglobin Levels in Bloodless Medicine Patients, PGY2 Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Meghan Groth, Blood Pressure and Intracerebral Hemorrhage after t-PA Administration in Acute Ischemic Stroke, PGY2 Critical Care, AGH
Abby Martin, Evaluation of a Digoxin Nomogram in Patients with Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation Anticoagulation Pharmacist, AGH
Matthew Wanek, Bivalirudin versus Heparin plus a Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, PGY2 Critical Care, AGH
Rachelle Whiteside, Impact of the Propofol Shortage on Patient Outcomes in a Cardiothoracic Surgical Intensive Care Unit, PGY2 Hematology-Oncology, AGH
Aida Rebecca Bickley,* Evaluation of a Standardized Magnesium Sulfate Infusion Protocol in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Critical Care Pharmacy Specialist, Eastern Shore Health System, Easton, MD
Megan Mitchell,‡ Implementing the APPRISE Program and Evaluating the Impact on Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agent (ESA) Prescribing and Blood Transfusion Utilization, Oncology Pharmacy Specialist, West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Marguerite Conger,† Effects of a Pharmacist-Provided Medication Therapy Evaluation and Education on Advanced Heart Failure Patients’ Knowledge Ambulatory Care, Pharmacy Specialist, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD

PGY1 Recognition
The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program was selected as one of the recipients of the Amgen 2009 Pharmacy Residency Stipend Support Program. The intent of this award is to promote post-graduate training opportunities and to help cover direct costs associated with the Program.

Initial Position after Residency
Following are examples of our residents' next step after an AGH residency:

PGY2 Oncology, Scott and White Hospital, Temple Texas
Pharmacokinetics Fellowship, University of North Carolina
PGY2 Hematology-Oncology, AGH
PGY2 Transplantation, Vanderbilt University
Patient Care Pharmacist, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia
PGY2 Critical Care, AGH
Clinical Pharmacist (Cardiology), UPMC Shadyside Hospital, PIttsburgh
Asst. Professor of Pharmacy, University of Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Hematology/Oncology Specialist, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
PGY2 Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
PGY2 Infectious Diseases, Temple University, Philadelphia
Anticoagulation Center, Forbes Regional Hospital, Pittsburgh
PGY2 Critical Care, Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia, Richmond
Critical Care Pharmacy Specialist, West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh
Oncology Pharmacy Specialist, West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh
Clinical Pharmacist, Forbes Regional Hospital, Pittsburgh
Pharmacist, Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington
PGY2 Ambulatory Care, University of Maryland, Baltimore
PGY2 Infectious Diseases, VA Health System, San Diego
PGY2 Ambulatory Care, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
Critical Care Pharmacy Specialist, UPMC Passavant Hospital, Pittsburgh
Oncology Pharmacy Specialist, VA Pittsburgh
PGY2 Infectious Diseases, UPMC, Pittsburgh
Anticoagulation Pharmacist, AGH
Critical Care Pharmacy Specialist, Eastern Shore Health System, Easton, MD
Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Specialist, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. How many residents will be admitted into the AGH residency program?
A. We offer 5 positions for the post-graduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy practice residency, 1
position for the PGY2 critical care residency, 1 position for the PGY2 hematology- oncology residency, and 1 position for the PGY2 ambulatory care residency for a total of 8 residents.

Q. When was the program established?
A. The PGY1 residency was first accredited by the American Society of Health-
System Pharmacists in 1980 and most recently reaccredited in 2008. The PGY2 critical care program was established in 1996 and reaccredited in 2008. The PGY2 hematology-oncology program was established in 2007 and is pending accreditation. The PGY2 ambulatory care program was just added in 2010.

Q. Where are former residents practicing now?
A. Graduates of our residency programs have frequently sought further post-graduate training
(PGY2 specialty residencies or fellowships) and gone on to take clinical specialist and/or academic positions. Others have taken general clinical pharmacist positions after completion of the PGY1 year. Other tracks pursued by our graduates include: research, management, and industry.

Q. What clinical and specialized services does your Department offer?
A. Experienced pharmacists provide advanced clinical services in a variety of areas, including:
critical care, infectious diseases, drug information, internal medicine, hematology/oncology,
cardiology, ambulatory care, pharmacokinetics, transplantation, and emergency medicine.

Q. What rotations are required to complete your program?
A. Core rotations for the PGY1 residency include: cardiology, medical ICU, hematology/oncology, infectious diseases, internal medicine (2 months), practice management, and electives (4 rotations). The longitudinal rotations include: ambulatory care, drug use and policy development, pharmacokinetics, and staffing.

The PGY2 critical care residency includes the following required rotations: medical ICU
(2 months), trauma ICU (2 months), coronary ICU (1 month), cardiothoracic surgical ICU (1 month), neurosurgery/neurology ICU (1 month), infectious diseases, and
pharmacokinetics (longitudinal).

The PGY2 hematology-oncology residency includes the following required rotations: medical oncology-inpatient (2 months), medical oncology-outpatient (2 months), hematology, blood and marrow transplant, infectious diseases, nutrition support, research, and pharmacokinetics (longitudinal).

The PGY2 ambulatory care residency includes the following required rotations: anticoagulation, internal medicine/diabetes management, heart failure, advanced heart failure (pulmonary hypertension/ventricular assist device/transplant), infectious diseases (Positive Health Clinic/HIV), hematology/oncology, and electives.

Q. What elective rotations are available?
A. Elective rotations offered to residents include: ambulatory care, cardiothoracic surgical
ICU/transplantation, emergency medicine, toxicology, HIV clinic, nephrology, neurosurgery/neurology ICU, nutrition support, pain management, trauma ICU, and advanced heart failure. Residents may also choose to complete an elective in one or more of the core rotation areas as well.

Q. What teaching opportunities are available for residents?
A. Residents will gain experience in presenting formal lectures through the residency seminar
and ACPE-accredited lecture. Additionally, residents will also take an active role in coordinating the Resident-Student Teaching Conference which involves practice-based teaching for Doctor of Pharmacy students on rotation at AGH. Affiliations with multiple schools of pharmacy exist, including: Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Ohio Northern University. Through the variety of clinical rotations offered, residents will have opportunities to present multiple inservices to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals. Finally, the Residency Program affords opportunities for platform and poster presentations at local and national meetings.

Q. What research opportunities are available for residents?
A. Residents are required to complete a formal research project. Fundamental of practice-based
research are taught followed by selection of an appropriate topic. Depending on the project selected, each resident will work with the content expert (Research Project Mentor) for that area to help facilitate project development. Residents will present a proposal of their project in the Fall prior to submission to the IRB and will have the opportunity to work with a statistician to help enhance the quality of their work. Ultimately, residents will present their results at the Eastern States Conference and will submit a manuscript to a biomedical journal for consideration of publication.

Q. What types of presentations are required?
A. The following presentations are required for the Residency Program: Seminar, Journal Club,
Research Project Proposal, Resident-Student Teaching Conference sessions, platform presentation for Eastern States Conference, and a Pharmacist CE Program. The PGY2 hematology-oncology resident will also present monthly Oncology Forums

Q. Is staffing required?
A. PGY1 residents are required to staff three shifts per three-week period. Basically, every 3rd
weekend in addition to one evening shift prior to the scheduled staffing weekend. PGY2 residents are required to staff two (12-hour) shifts every three weeks (Saturday and Sunday only). Residents will staff on a rotating basis (days and evenings) as well as in different locations throughout the hospital. The pharmacy is decentralized with various satellite locations and uses a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system.

Q. What meetings are the residents expected to attend?
A. Residents are expected to attend the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
(ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting and the Eastern States Conference for Pharmacy
Residents and Preceptors (Baltimore, MD).

Q. What is the resident’s salary?
A. The PGY1 resident is provided an annual stipend of $38,000. The PGY2 residents have a
stipend of $40,000.

Q. How many days off are residents provided?
A. The resident is provided 13 paid days off, which includes vacation, personal, sick time, and
interview days. This is in addition to days off for professional meetings.

Q. How many holidays do residents work?
A. The resident is required to work two holidays per year. When the residents works a holiday,
another day off will be granted. The compensation day must be used 60 days prior to or after the holiday worked.

Q. Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?
A. The Residency Programs provides time off with pay as well as appropriate reimbursement for
travel, hotel accommodations, and meals.

Q. Is insurance available?
A. Residents are entitled to full employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision,
prescription drug, disability, and life insurance from the first day of employment.

Q. What resources are available to the residents?
A. Each resident is provided with a notebook computer which serves as a desktop replacement
and can be used during the course of patient care/rounding activities. Residents have full
access to all electronic resources of the health sciences library, photocopying, and other
pharmacy department and AGH resources available to full-time employees.

Q. Is office space available?
A. Residents have dedicated office space with a personal desk, computer, and phone.
Additional office resources are also provided, including: printer, file cabinets, and
references.

Q. Do residents have parking privileges?
A. Residents are entitled to free on-site parking in the Hemlock Street Garage.

Contact Us

Please contact the AGH Department of Pharmacy or the applicable Program Director (list follows) with any questions:

Allegheny General Hospital

Department of Pharmacy

320 East North Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4772

Telephone: 412.359.3500

Fax: 412.359.8332

Program Directors:

James Coons, PharmD, BCPS (AQ Cardiology) PGY1 Program Director
Edward Seidl, PharmD, PGY2 Critical Care Program Director
Rickey Miller, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP PGY2 Hematology-Oncology Program Director
Michael Korczynski, PharmD PGY2 Ambulatory Care Program Director

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