Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Community-Based Pharmacy Practice Residency

Overview of King Soopers, Good Day Pharmacy and Sheridan Health Services with the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy

These three PGY1 programs are jointly sponsored by King Soopers, Good Day Pharmacy, Sheridan Health Services and the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The residency program director (RPD) and preceptors are appointed from among a highly qualified team of pharmacists and university faculty. We have collaborated in providing PGY1 residency training for 12 years.

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is ranked among the top twenty schools of pharmacy in the nation. In addition to providing outstanding education in our Doctor of Pharmacy and graduate programs, the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy is among the nation’s leaders in research concerning drug discovery, clinical and translational sciences, and pharmaceutical outcomes research. Clinical faculty are nationally and internationally recognized as exceptional leaders, clinicians, and scholars. Our PGY1 programs are administratively housed in the school’s Department of Clinical Pharmacy.

Application Information

Our PGY1 Program is ASHP accredited and uses the required process through PHARMCAS, which require three references, academic transcripts, a letter of intent and curriculum vitae. Of note, if matched to either of our programs, successful passing of a background check is required for employment.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 1.

Interested applicants should provide a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and three letters of reference. Applications should be submitted through the PhorCAS System.

Philosophy

This one-year, post-PharmD residency focuses on the development, implementation, and management of innovative pharmaceutical patient care services in a community pharmacy. The position allows the resident to contribute in the areas of clinical service, scholarship and professional service. King Soopers pharmacy care centers in metropolitan Denver provide education and management to patients with diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and other disease states. Further, the resident assists in the design and implementation of similar patient-care services at additional pharmacy sites. The resident is expected to develop and present a research project, and has opportunities to contribute scholarly writing for publication. Clinical and didactic teaching experiences are also available to the resident. Active involvement in community service and pharmacy organizations is encouraged. The residency provides elective experiences and flexibility to satisfy the specific interests of the resident. 

In addition to King Soopers and University of Colorado, the resident will spend time in an ambulatory care setting at Sheridan Health Services and at University Hospital. The resident will provide, educate, and manage patients with for dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and other disease states in the ambulatory care site. The resident will also help with a transition of care program at University Hospital.

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences partners with grocery store chain, King Soopers, to offer this residency position. King Soopers, a division of Dillon Companies and a subsidiary of the Kroger Company, operates about 140 pharmacies in Colorado and has received recognition for initiatives in community health screening, pharmacy-based immunization services, and diabetes management. A University of Colorado School of Pharmacy adjoint-faculty member serves as the primary residency preceptor and is actively engaged in the provision of clinical services and scholarship related to community pharmacy practice. The resident should be creative, highly motivated, and passionate about the provision of pharmaceutical care services in community pharmacies.

The School of Pharmacy is part of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, and is located just outside Denver in Aurora, Colorado. In addition to clinical responsibilities, the resident will be involved in teaching efforts focused towards didactic and clerkship teaching of Doctor of Pharmacy candidates. Residents will also gain experience in medical writing and publishing. A research project of publishable and presentable quality is required.

The residency position is generously supported by a grant awarded from King Soopers and fully accredited by ASHP.

Preceptors

University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences:

Randy Knutsen, RPH, Residency Program Director
Kelsey Schwander, PharmD, Residency Program Director 2022-2023
Rebecca Petrik, PharmD, University of Colorado Hospital
Connie Valdez, PharmD, MSEd, BCPS, Sheridan Health Services
Peter Rice, PharmD, PhD, BCPS Research Mentor
Hilda Ndikum, PharmD, MPH University of Colorado

King Soopers:

Ryan Leyland, PharmD, Pharmacy Manager

Michael Hinnenkamp, PharmD, Pharmacy Manager

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 1.

Interested applicants should provide a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and three letters of reference. Applications should be submitted through the PhorCAS System.

Current Resident

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 1.

Interested applicants should provide a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and three letters of reference. Applications should be submitted through the PhorCAS System.

Philosophy

This one-year, post-PharmD residency focuses on the development, implementation, and management of innovative pharmaceutical patient care services in an independent community pharmacy chain. The position allows the resident to contribute in the areas of advanced clinical pharmacy services, scholarship, business strategy and professional service.

Good Day Pharmacy has nine locations in northern Colorado, providing patient care to larger cities, such as Fort Collins, as well as rural areas, such as Wellington. The resident will gain clinical experience with existing programs as well as assisting and implementing new programs. Good Day Pharmacy has unique focuses the resident will get to experience: compounding, vaccinations, long-term care, community education outreach, statewide protocols, breast care center, and many other specialties. The resident will also be actively involved in business management, marketing, and generate a business plan for a pharmacy program. The residency provides diverse experiences and flexibility to satisfy the specific interests of the resident.

In addition to Good Day Pharmacy and University of Colorado, the resident will spend time in an ambulatory care setting at Clinica and at University Hospital. The resident will provide, educate, and manage patients with for anticoagulation, diabetes, hypertension, and other disease states in the ambulatory care site. The resident will also help with a transition of care program at University Hospital.

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences partners with Good Day Pharmacy to offer this residency position. A University of Colorado School of Pharmacy adjoint-faculty member serves as the primary residency preceptor, and is actively engaged in the provision of clinical services and scholarship related to community pharmacy practice. The resident should be creative, highly motivated, and passionate about the provision of pharmaceutical care services in community pharmacies.

In addition to Good Day Pharmacy and University of Colorado, the resident will spend time in an ambulatory care setting and at University Hospital. The resident will provide, educate, and manage patients with for anticoagulation, diabetes, hypertension, and other disease states in the ambulatory care site. The resident will also help with a transition of care program at University Hospital.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, the resident will be involved in teaching efforts focused towards didactic and clerkship teaching of Doctor of Pharmacy candidates. Residents will also gain experience in medical writing and publishing. A research project of publishable and presentable quality is required.

Preceptors

University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences:

Good Day Pharmacy Preceptors

Whitney Osborn, Pharm D, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Joseph Poling, Pharm D, President & COO

Vickilee Einhellig, RPh, CEO

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 1.

Interested applicants should provide a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and three letters of reference. Applications should be submitted through the PhorCAS System.

Philosophy

This one-year, post-PharmD residency focuses on the development, implementation, and management of innovative pharmaceutical patient care services in a clinic-based community pharmacy. The position allows the resident to contribute in the areas of advanced clinical pharmacy services, scholarship, business strategy and professional service. 

CU Pharmacy is a clinic-based pharmacy within CU Family Health Clinic Sheridan (a Federally Qualified Health Center), which provides clinical services to uninsured and underserved patients and access to low-cost medications utilizing the 340B program.  Residents will directly collaborate with providers in primary care, behavioral health, dental, and pediatrics. They will provide drug information, utilize and design clinic-based protocols to provide direct patient care, provide patient education and clinical consultation. Residents will also assist with many of the expanded services that CU Pharmacy offers: immunizations, Vivitrol injections, smoking cessation, and medication therapy management, etc. 

Residents will work directly with the Pharmacy Manager, Dr. Alex Versackas, PharmD, MBA.  This will allow a unique opportunity to understand the background of developing services in a clinic-based community pharmacy, including experience with pharmacy insurance contracts, marketing strategies, and expansion of pharmacy services.  Residents will become experts in the benefits and restrictions of the 340B medication program with an expectation that they can relay this information effectively to patients.

In addition to CU Pharmacy and the University of Colorado, the resident will spend time in an ambulatory care setting at Denver Indian Health and Family Services which also provides clinical services to the Native American population. The resident will provide, educate, and manage patients with for various chronic disease states (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, substance abuse, etc.). The resident will also help with a transition of care program at University Hospital. The School of Pharmacy is part of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, and is located just outside Denver in Aurora, Colorado. In addition to clinical responsibilities, the resident will be involved in teaching efforts focused towards didactic and clerkship teaching of Doctor of Pharmacy candidates. Residents will also gain experience in medical writing and publishing. A research project of publishable and presentable quality is required.

Strong communication skills and Spanish language skills will be especially useful during the PGY-1. In addition, pharmacists who are highly motivated and interested in independent learning and working closely with providers will likely perform well in this residency.

Preceptors

University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences:

Sheridan Health and Denver Indian Health and Family Services Preceptors

M. Alex Versackas, PharmD, MBA, Sheridan Health Services

Leah Fitzgerald, PharmD, BCACP, Denver Indian Health and Family Services

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