The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging offers a two-year Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Fellowship that provides advanced training for Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) graduates interested in pursuing a career in the field of geriatric pharmacotherapy.

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline to submit an application for this fellowship is January 24.

Program Description

The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in conjunction with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) offers a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in senior care pharmacotherapy. The purposes of the program are to: (1) develop competency and expertise in health services and pharmacotherapy research processes, (2) advance senior care pharmacy through education as well as (3) increase awareness of older adults and caregivers on the importance of medication safety. 

The goals of the Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Fellowship are to:

  1. provide a minimum of 3,000 hours of mentored research, advocacy and clinical experience by established faculty and preceptors in preparation for a career in health policy and drug therapy research, service and academia;
  2. develop and refine research skills such as grantsmanship, abstract preparation and presentation at professional meetings, and manuscript critiquing, preparation and submission;
  3. enhance didactic and experiential teaching skills and
  4. promote and advocate for the value of senior care pharmacist directed services.

Fellows undergo a highly individualized experience guided by an initial joint evaluation with the Fellowship Co-Directors. A structured, formal self-evaluation and discussion with the Fellowship Co-Directors occurs at regular intervals (i.e., no less frequently than every 6 months) throughout the program. The Fellow’s progress is evaluated based on the individualized program objectives established at the beginning of the fellowship.   Evaluation of the Fellow’s performance is based on competency related to: posters and/or oral presentations at national meetings, seminars, research projects executed, manuscripts submitted or published, presentation skills, communication skills, professionalism, ability to evaluate scientific literature, research skills, and time management. Provision of services (i.e., clinical, advocacy) is evaluated by patient and colleague satisfaction and reported outcomes. The Fellow has the opportunity to provide feedback to the Fellowship Program and Co-Directors every 6 months to assure that the program is meeting the Fellow’s needs for successful skill development.

Training Environments

A. The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging

The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging of the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, is dedicated to improving medication therapy for aging adults through innovative research, education and clinical initiatives. The Lamy Center has a legacy of training pharmacy and other health profession’s students to meet the needs of an aging population. The Lamy Center promotes safe medication use through education (e.g., outreach programs, caregiver and patient educational materials, continuing education and clinical programs (e.g., high risk medication assessments and monitoring)).  Research initiatives aim to produce new scientific knowledge using state-of-the-art data and methods that have practical applications in improving access to and achieving optimal medication outcomes older adults. Educational programs prepare trainees to function as part of an interprofessional geriatrics care team and be adept at managing a broad range of health and medication issues that impact older adults at home and in a variety of care settings. Clinical initiatives advance the role of pharmacists as part of the interprofessional geriatrics care team through the provision of sustainable clinical services that improve the lives of older adults.

Resource programs available through the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy provide innovative care, education and research advances that make a difference in the lives of citizens in the state of Maryland and beyond. Faculty in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research improve health care through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy in pharmacy education, practice, and research.

The department’s 40 faculty members have raised over $14.9 million in grants and contracts and have exceeded 35,000 patient encounters providing clinical services in specialties areas such as cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, HIV/AIDS, mental health, diabetes, geriatrics, and palliative care in community and acute care settings. These practitioners have pioneered new roles for pharmacists in advanced clinical practice roles by supporting and teaching patients, students, residents, and health care practitioners regarding the best use of medicines. The department’s research initiatives address clinical studies for unmet needs and the development of clinical tools to maximize therapeutic success, health disparities, medication use, and best practices to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. In addition, clinical science research activities focus on gaining a better understanding of drug efficacy and delivery to support policy development. Access to the University of Maryland medical library and computer facilities is provided.

B. The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists

ASCP is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older adults. Founded in 1969, ASCP is a non-profit membership organization based in Alexandria, VA.

ASCP members provide a range of services in a variety of settings for older adults with diverse underlying comorbidities and levels of cognitive and functional performance.

Fellowship Preceptor Qualifications

A clinical scientist with an established and on-going record of independent research accomplishments and geriatric pharmacotherapy expertise is the principal preceptor and Fellowship Director. Other Fellowship Preceptors include established clinical scientists and preceptors with advanced clinical research and practice skills and a focus in geriatric practice.

Fellowship Co-Directors

Nicole Brandt, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, FASCP is the Executive Director of The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging and Professor of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research.  Dr. Brandt obtained her doctor of pharmacy degree at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and her Master in Business Administration at the Towson University, University of Baltimore. She was named the 2019 recipient of the American Geriatrics Society’s (AGS) Dennis W. Jahnigen Memorial Award for her leadership in geriatrics education. She has worked on various interdisciplinary teams across numerous practice settings and is currently leading initiatives to integrate sustainable pharmacist-directed services to help older adults with multiple co-morbidities at the MedStar Center for Successful Aging. Dr. Brandt has been active in promoting optimal care for older adults and has affected this through her educational, clinical, as well as health care policy work. She co-led an initiative that led to the University of Maryland, Baltimore and University of Maryland, Baltimore County to become the first universities in the state of Maryland to receive Age-Friendly University distinction. She has directed projects with multiple stakeholders focusing on Medicare Part D Medication Therapy Management programs, high risk medications, and medication stewardship. Her public policy advocacy occurs on both a state and national level. She is one of the authors of the 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beer’s Criteria and the past president and board chairman of ASCP.

Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP is the executive director and chief operating officer of ASCP. Dr. Worz says ASCP’s highest priority is to provide pharmacists practicing in the older adult population the superlative resources and education, vigorous advocacy to solidify the pharmacist’s place in the health system, and innovative experiences to unlock opportunities for members to participate where their experienced medication management skills are needed. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati School of Pharmacy, Dr. Worz developed an innovative clinical practice in a long-term care setting in Ohio and directed the pharmacy practice of a regional, independent pharmacy serving 10,000 long-term care residents. Chad established his geriatric-based practice, Medication Managers, LLC, to educate and serve nursing facility residents, nursing facility administration, long-term care pharmacies, and the public through a comprehensive knowledge of medication use. Previously, Dr. Worz was the chief executive officer of RxConcile, a telepharmacy application that connects nursing facility discharge patients with a live pharmacist for education and consultation on their medications.

Collaborating Preceptors

Linda Wastila, BSPharm, MSPH, PhD is Professor and Parke-Davis Chair of geriatric Pharmacotherapy in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (SOP). She also serves as Director of Policy and Research in the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging. Dr. Wastila earned her BS (Pharmacy) and Master of Science in Public Health (Health Policy) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her PhD in Health Policy from the Heller Graduate School at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she was also a Pew Health Policy Fellow. Her current research focuses on the quality and outcomes associated with prescription medications utilized by vulnerable populations: older adults, the disabled, and those with mental and/or substance use disorders. In particular, she focuses on clinical, policy, and health services aspects of prescription drug use, misuse, and abuse, as well as psychopharmacological medication use. For over twenty years, Dr. Wastila has conducted health services research with a focus on pharmaceutical health policy.

Barbara Zarowitz, PharmD, FCCP, FCCM, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP MSW, self-employed as an independent consultant striving to advance geriatric pharmacotherapy solutions.  In her current capacity, she is a Senior Advisor to the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging and an Affiliate Professor at the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy where she participates in research and clinical program development for aging adults and their families. Previously, Dr. Zarowitz was Vice-President, Pharmacy Care Management at Henry Ford Health System; Vice-President and Chief Clinical Office at Omnicare, Inc; Chief Clinical Officer, Long-term Care for CVS Health. She is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) and Geriatric Pharmacotherapy (BCGP) and is a Fellow of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and ASCP, and past president of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Catherine Cooke, PharmD, MS, BCPS, PAHM, is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy with experience in the clinical, business and research arenas of healthcare.  She completed a one-year Residency in Ambulatory Care/Managed Care through the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA, and HealthCore, and received a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.  As a board-certified pharmacist, she has provided direct patient care in ambulatory care environments for patients with chronic medically managed diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and other prevalent conditions found in primary care populations. She has also provided medication therapy management (MTM), completing comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Her research focuses on policy related to improving medication use. As part of the collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Cooke has been involved with refining the Standardized Format (i.e., summary document that a patient receives after a CMR), and evaluating it in real-world settings.

Fellowship Experiences

Over the course of the two-year fellowship program, the Fellow will participate in and lead research and educational projects.  The Lamy Center and ASCP collaborate to identify, design, and mentor the fellow through research and educational projects. Ideally, the Fellow will initiate and complete at least one original research project, one grant submission and can pursue projects of their interest. However, the focus of the fellow’s research is to empower pharmacists to promote healthy aging through diversity, equity and inclusion. Research designed to evaluate the impact of educational programs and clinical resources developed either individually or co-jointly by ASCP and the Lamy Center may be an impactful focus of potential projects.

Participation in several projects in various stages of completion can allow the Fellow to obtain extensive experience in:

  • development of at least one scientific hypothesis;
  • development of experimental methods to test the developed hypothesis;
  • preparation of a protocol and submission of the protocol to the appropriate institutional review committee, (i.e., Human Rights’, Animal Rights’);
  • grantsmanship, including identification of appropriate funding sources for a specific project – and the preparation and submission of a grant for extramural funding consideration;
  • study design and coordination including data collection;
  • development of the statistical plan of analysis;
  • data analysis and interpretation;
  • development of clinical, laboratory, and/or computer-based research skills as appropriate to the specific project and geriatric pharmacotherapy;
  • abstract preparation and submission to a national, peer-reviewed meeting;
  • presentation of research at peer-reviewed scientific meetings;
  • manuscript preparation and submission for publication in peer-reviewed journals appropriate for geriatric pharmacotherapy;
  • participation in journal clubs, research workshops and seminar series;
  • instruction in biomedical science ethics;
  • preparation and delivery of at least one didactic lecture;
  • precepting pharmacy students during their geriatric clinical experience;
  • evaluating the impact of pharmacist-directed services or program offered through the Lamy Center or ASCP (e.g., Antimicrobial Stewardship, Collaborative Practice in the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Setting).

Demonstration of research knowledge and skills will be a necessary component of successful fellowship completion.

Program Peer Review

The intent is to apply for program peer review through ACCP and can be found at: https://www.accp.com/resandfel/guidelines.aspx

Fellowship Applicant Criteria

Applicants should possess a PharmD degree and ideally have prior residency or equivalent experience in geriatric pharmacotherapy. Through a written essay, fellowship applicants will be required to demonstrate interest in and an aptitude for a career in senior care and public policy research. All applicants must submit the following materials:

  • Curriculum Vitae*
  • Letter of Intent*
  • Essay Demonstrating Focus in and Aptitude for Senior Care (limit of 500 words)*
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation*
  • Official transcript

*Electronic submissions are accepted

Research, Grant Writing, Clinical and Educational Responsibilities, Experience and Goals

Training schedule

The training schedule is flexible and will be determined by joint agreement between the fellow and the program co-directors, according to the fellow’s specific background, clinical and research career goals.  See scheduling options in tables below.

Approximately 75% of time will be allocated to the University of Maryland and the Lamy Center. The other 25% will be allocated to ASCP. Fulfillment of program goals will occur through activities both at the University of Maryland and ASCP.

The overall objective for the fellowship is to provide the knowledge, skills and attitudes most conducive to meet the following goals:

  1. work effectively with multidisciplinary teams oriented to develop, establish and publish novel research that improves the quality of life and cost effectiveness of medication management strategies in older adults;
  2. develop and apply grant writing skills and use those skills to further the science of medication management in older adults;
  3. provide high quality educational programming suited to the needs of senior care pharmacists who provide medication management services to older adults; and
  4. become a leader in an education, research, and clinical career.

Goal 1: Work effectively with interprofessional teams oriented to develop, establish and publish novel research that improves the quality of life and cost effectiveness of medication management strategies in older adults

  • The Fellow will participate in research meetings with other fellows, graduate students and faculty to identify opportunities to improve quality of life and cost effectiveness of medication management in older adults.
  • Participation as a presenter in journal clubs, research workshops and seminar series will occur to foster interprofessional collaborative research skills and knowledge.
  • Collaborating with national advocacy groups on public health related research work to provide insight to medication management strategies in older adults

Goal 2: Learn and apply grant writing skills and use those skills to further the science of medication management in older adults.

  • The Fellow will identify potentially appropriate granting agencies to fund innovative approaches to medication management in older adults.
  • The Fellow will acquire enhanced grantsmanship skills through participation in the development and submission of a research grant application.
  • The Fellow will continue and advance ongoing research initiatives aligned with the mission and vision of the Lamy Center.

Goal 3: Provide high quality educational programming suited to the needs of senior care pharmacists who provide medication management services to older adults

  • The Fellow will participate in didactic and clinical experiential teaching at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
  • The Fellow will assist in the design of interprofessional continuing education programs for the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging that can be co-produced with ASCP.

Goal 4: Become a leader in an Academic/Research Career

The fellowship should provide adequate time, resources and opportunities for the fellow to develop the research skills. The faculty must be actively involved in research relevant to aging and medication management, and have demonstrated the ability to obtain funding competitively, perform scientifically credible research whose results are published in peer reviewed journals.

  • The Fellow will participate in manuscript writing and publication following completion of a research project.
  • The Fellow will select appropriate venues for submission of research abstracts and prepare presentations for dissemination of results.

Activities and Experiences

Over the course of the two-year fellowship program, the Fellow will participate in and lead research and educational projects. The Lamy Center and ASCP will collaborate to identify, design, and mentor the fellow through research projects. Ideally, the Fellow will complete at least one original research project, participate in one grant submission, and can pursue projects of their interest. However, the focus of the fellow’s research is to empower pharmacists to promote healthy aging through the appropriate use of medications. Research designed to evaluate the impact of educational programs and clinical resources developed either individually or co-jointly by the Lamy Center and ASCP may be an impactful focus of potential projects.

Post-graduate education consists of an individualized plan of development tailored to meet the scholar’s goals for achieving their professional career aspirations. At the beginning of the Fellow’s program, the program co-directors will work with the Fellow, through a process of self-assessment, to delineate the Fellow’s activities for achieving the scholar’s goals and fulfilling the requirements of the fellowship. The self-assessment is conducted using an Individualized Development Plan (IDP) appropriate for post-graduate trainees (attached). The IDP is completed by the Fellow every 4 months in conjunction with the program co-directors to facilitate re-alignment of activities as needed to fulfill the scholar’s goals and fellowship requirements.

Performance Measures for Research and Education

Upon completion of the baseline self-assessment (IDP), the fellow will have defined an individualized approach to fulfill their developmental needs in the areas of research and education.  These areas of focus should have time allotted sufficient to achieve the performance measures outlined in Table 1, and will vary between individuals based on their personalized needs assessment. The performance measures attainment should be revisited during each fellowship performance review.

Table 1: Annual Performance Measures for Pre-specified Research and Education Activities

Areas

Performance Measures                                   

Research

Participation in the conduct of at least one research project

Grant Writing

Participation in the development of at least one grant for funding research project(s)

Attending research-related seminars/journal clubs

Critical analytical thinking exhibited during presentations

Asynchronous Learning

Completion of guided self-study designed to build research and academic qualifications

Presentation at professional meetings

Research abstract written and presented at a minimum of one professional conference

Writing for Publication

Development of one research manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication

Course Development

Adaptation of a component of the geriatrics, interprofessional curriculum

Teaching

Delivery of at least one classroom lecture and experiential supervision of students at Lamy

PharmD Pathway Student advising

Mentorship of at least one undergraduate pharmacy student through their capstone project

Attending career development workshops

Attendance at and participation in the ASCP, PQA, or ACCP meeting

Fellowship Support

A competitive stipend with benefits and travel support is provided.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Dr. Nicole Brandt at The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 220 Arch Street, SGO 01-125, Baltimore, MD 21201.  410-706-1491   nbrandt@rx.umaryland.edu  or lamycenter@rx.umaryland.edu