The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and MedStar Health PGY2 Pain Management and Palliative Care Residency Program is a structured post-graduate education and training program intended to help the resident develop advanced knowledge and skills in the practice of pharmacy, specializing in pain management and palliative care (PMPC).

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited PMPC PGY2 residency program is designed to transition PGY1 residency graduates from generalist practice to specialized practice focused on the pain management and palliative care needs of patients. Residents will learn to provide pharmaceutical care to patients with acute pain, chronic cancer, and chronic non-cancer pain. Additionally, residents will be prepared to meet the specialized pharmaceutical care needs of patients with advanced and terminal illnesses, including pain and non-pain symptom management.

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.

Because this residency program is accredited by ASHP, the resident will complete the following ASHP-established outcomes:

  • In collaboration with the health care team, provide comprehensive medication management to patients requiring pain management and palliative care following a consistent patient care process.
  • Ensure continuity of care during patient transitions between care settings for patients requiring pain management and palliative care.
  • Demonstrate ability to manage formulary and medication-use processes for patients requiring pain and palliative care, as applicable to the organization.
  • Demonstrate ability to conduct a quality improvement or research project.
  • Demonstrate leadership and management skills for successful self-development in the provision of care for pain management and palliative care patients.
  • Demonstrate management skills in the provision of care for pain management and palliative care patients.
  • Provide effective medication and practice-related education to patients requiring pain management and palliative care, caregivers, health care professionals, students, and the public (individuals and groups).
  • Effectively employ appropriate preceptor roles when engaged in teaching students, pharmacy technicians, or fellow health care professionals in pain management and palliative care.

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

Follow this link for an introduction video to the Pain and Palliative Care Residency Program. Passcode is qV4Pa!%B

There are opportunities to combine this residency with a fellowship, or with a master of science degree in several fields including instructional systems development, health care outcomes, or palliative care.

Purpose Statement:

Graduates of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and MedStar Health PGY2 Pain Management and Palliative Care Residency Program are equipped to participate as essential members of interdisciplinary pain management and palliative care teams and are able to make complex therapeutic recommendations in different practice settings. Training focuses on developing the resident's capabilities to deal with a range of pain syndromes, including chronic malignant and non-malignant pain, neuropathic pain, and pain related to neurologic, orthopedic, and rheumatologic conditions. Palliative care emphasis is placed on symptom management throughout the patient's illness and at the end of life.

In addition to these direct patient care responsibilities, graduates are trained to serve as an authoritative resource in their health systems for the optimal use of medications. In that role, they can be relied upon to lead the development and implementation of medication-related guidelines and protocols for pain management and palliative care, and the development of pain management and palliative care related service. Graduates are also highly skilled in the design and delivery of education and training related to pain management and palliative care for patients and/or caregivers as well as health care professionals and health care professionals in training. Graduates are also skilled in both clinical practice research and in outcomes analyses.

Program Goals:

Upon completion of this residency, the graduate will be able to:

  • Practice in a professional and ethical manner, and exhibit accountability for personal excellence in the provision of patient care in pain management and palliative care.
  • Provide patient care through direct interaction with interdisciplinary teams and maintain accountability for drug therapy outcomes in pain and palliative care patients.
  • Develop and implement systems/processes or clinical guidelines to improve medication use processes.
  • Develop leadership skills.
  • Perform practice-related research, in the area of pain management or palliative care.
  • Provide education to patients and other health care providers regarding optimal pharmacotherapy.

Residents will also have the opportunity to participate in numerous elective rotations.

In addition to these unique experiences, the resident is expected to participate in Pharmacotherapy Rounds, the Professional Development Seminar Series, teaching activities and Journal Club. For more information about these specific activities, please visit the Residency and Fellowship requirements webpage.

Number of Available Positions: 1

Qualifications: The resident must be a graduate of an accredited college of pharmacy with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (requirement waived if completed a pass/fail curriculum). The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and Maryland Pharmacy licensure are required. Residents must complete a PGY1 residency prior to starting.

Program Partners:

MedStar Health MedStar Health strives to provide the highest quality care for people in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., with compassion and respect. We know that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. Our 30,000 associates and 5,400 affiliated physicians are committed to living our core SPIRIT values — Service, Patient first, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork — no matter where they work across our diverse health system.
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Established in 1841, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is ranked as one of the top ten schools of pharmacy in the United States. The School is a thriving center for professional and graduate education, pharmaceutical care, research, and community service. Its faculty create the future of pharmacy by pioneering new roles for pharmacists in advanced clinical practice and conducting cutting-edge research in drug discovery and development, comparative effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes, and disease management.

Application Process:

Applicants must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) 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.

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

The application deadline is January 2.

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.

Program Director:

Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, PhD, BCPS
Coordinator, PGY-2 Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
20 North Pine Street, Room S405
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 706-3682
Fax: (410) 706-4158
Email: mmcphers@rx.umaryland.edu

Program Coordinator:

Kathryn A. Walker, PharmD, BCPS, CPE
Director, PGY-2 Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
20 North Pine Street, Room S340
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 706-5820
Fax: (410) 706-4725
Email: kwalker@rx.umaryland.edu