The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the University of Maryland Medical Center provide a one-year, PGY-2 residency training program in oncology pharmacy.

Video Overview: Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program

This four-minute video provides a detailed overview of the PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program available through a partnership between the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the University of Maryland Medical Center, and includes information about what residents can expect to learn during their time in the program.

As part of its accreditation by ASHP, this program is committed to the following general purpose:

Postgraduate Year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. 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.

The purpose of this program is to impart the knowledge and skills necessary for obtaining a position as a clinical pharmacy specialist or non-tenure track faculty member in the area of oncology pharmacy practice.  Through the unique partnership between the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and University of Maryland Medical Center, the resident will interface with experts in the field of oncology, engage in a diverse array of advanced pharmacy practice experiences, conduct collaborative practice-based research, and mentor student and resident trainees in pharmacy and other health disciplines. 

Additionally, our program adheres to the "Goals and Objectives for a Post-Graduate Year Two Program in Oncology Pharmacy" set forth by ASHP. These goals and objectives can be found in the ASHP Residency Accreditation Regulations and Standards.

Description:

The resident will provide patient care services as a member of an interprofessional team for the medical oncology, hematologic malignancies, and transplant and cellular therapy services. These rotations will be spent at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC). The UMGCCC is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer center, nationally known and internationally recognized as a leader in treating cancer. Its integrated, multidisciplinary approach to care combines specialized expertise, cutting-edge clinical research, and extensive support services for patients and their families.

Learning Experiences:

The residency program consists of approximately ten months of core experiences and two months of electives. Longitudinal experiences are also required. All core rotation experiences will occur at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC). 

Core Rotation Experiences (44 weeks)
Orientation/Training 6 weeks
Inpatient Hematologic Malignancies I 5 weeks
Inpatient Hematologic Malignancies II 4 weeks
Inpatient Medical Oncology I 4 weeks
Inpatient Medical Oncology II  5 weeks
Inpatient Transplant and Cellular Therapy (Blood and Marrow Transplant) 4 weeks
Inpatient Pain and Palliative Care  4 weeks
Inpatient/Outpatient Pediatric Oncology 4 weeks
Clinical/Outcomes Research 4 weeks2
Core Clinic Experience 4 weeks3
Core Longitudinal Experiences (12 months)
Clinical and Operational Practice Management  12 months
Teaching 12 months
Clinical/Outcomes Research2 12 months
Core Extended Experiences
Oncology Research Design & Investigational Drugs 12 weeks
Core Clinic Experiences (Extended/Block)4
Lymphoma Clinic 8 weeks
Leukemia Clinic 8 weeks
Breast Clinic 8 weeks
Genitourinary Clinic 8 weeks
Gynecologic Oncology Clinic 4 weeks
Elective Practice Experiences (3 months)
Infectious Disease in Oncology 2-4 weeks
Hematology Consults 2-4 weeks
Elective Clinic 3,4 4 weeks
Academia 4 weeks
Repeat of Core Experience 2-4 weeks

1The following rotation sequences are necessary for resident performance and progression: a) Heme I prior to BMT, b) Clinic I and II prior to Clinic III-VI, c) Heme I prior to Heme II, d) MedOnc I prior to MedOnc II, e) Inpatient BMT prior to Outpatient BMT

2Four dedicated weeks of research will be scheduled throughout the year

3May be offered as an extended clinic rotation (1/2 day per week x 8 weeks) OR as a block rotation (2-2.5  clinic days per week x 4 weeks) depending on rotation scheduling. At least one core clinic experience will be in the form of a block rotation (4 weeks).

4Select from the following: Lung, GI, GI/Melanoma, Lymphoma/Benign Heme, Ambulatory Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, repeat core clinic experience

Other Learning Experiences:

In addition to the pharmacy practice experiences outlined above, the resident will also have the opportunity to participate in the following longitudinal learning experiences:

Teaching

The resident will earn appointment as a Clinical Instructor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.  Teaching responsibilities will include assisting in the preceptorship of student pharmacists completing advanced pharmacy practice experiences and first-year pharmacy practice residents.  The resident will also serve as primary preceptor during one of the core pharmacy practice experiences during the second half of the residency year. Opportunities to participate in didactic lectures and small group discussions will also be provided.  An elective teaching certification program is available for interested residents.  Up to a total of 40 hours of teaching activities will be required per semester.

Research/Scholarship Experiences

The resident will be expected to conduct a research project over the course of the training experience.  A final manuscript of the project must be completed; submitted for publication is strongly encouraged prior to residency year completion.  A poster presentation at a professional conference is required, presentation of interim or final results at a professional meeting is strongly encouraged.

Leadership & Professional Development Experiences

The resident will also participate in the following longitudinal activities:

  • UMMC Committee Participation
  • Professional Development Series
  • Public Health/Community Service Activity

Participation in Pharmacotherapy Rounds, Journal Club, Case Conference, Professional Development lecture series, and staffing responsibilities is a requirement of all University of Maryland residents. For more information about these specific activities, please visit the Residency & Fellowship Requirements webpage.

Core Preceptors:

  • Alison Duffy PharmD BCOP (Oncology Ambulatory Care– Hematologic Malignancies)
  • Justin Lawson PharmD BCOP (Oncology Ambulatory Care - Solid tumor Malignancies)
  • Jennifer Nishioka PharmD BCOP (Transplant & Cellular Therapy)
  • Alexandra Simms, PharmD (Inpatient Medical Oncology)
  • Nina Kottakuzhiyil, PharmD, MBA/MHA (Operational Practice Management)

Application Process:

Applicants must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and have completed an ASHP-accredited residency in pharmacy practice. The resident will be required to become a licensed pharmacist in the state of Maryland by August 31.

Applications for this program will only be accepted through PhORCAS. Reference writers should use the standard reference template in PhORCAS.

Application requirements:

  • Letter of intent
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letters of recommendation (3)
  • Official transcripts

International students and permanent residents should contact P-SHORResidencyandAdministrativeSupport@rx.umaryland.edu before applying.

Residents who match to this program will be required to come to Baltimore in advance of the July 1 start date for campus orientation; these orientation dates are not known until mid-spring. These sessions are typically offered on select Mondays in May and June.

The application deadline is January 2.

Program Director:

Alison P. Duffy, PharmD, BCOP
Director, PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program
Associate Professor
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
20 North Pine Street, Room S411
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 706-3274
Fax: (410) 706-4725
Email: aduffy@rx.umaryland.edu

Program Coordinator:

Alexandra Simms, PharmD, BCOP
Coordinator, PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program
Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
University of Maryland Medical Center
110 S Paca St, Room 04-068
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-328-9060
Email: alexandra.simms@umm.edu