PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program

PGY1 Community-Based Info Sessions – 7-8PM CST

  • Monday, October 23
  • Wednesday, November 8
Click here to sign up

 

Mission Statement

The PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy residency program at Northwestern Medicine Specialty Pharmacy builds upon the Doctorate of Pharmacy education to provide a comprehensive post-graduate learning experience to develop community-based pharmacists with diverse patient care, leadership, and education skills who are eligible to pursue advanced training opportunities, including professional certifications and postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

Program Description

Our pharmacy residency program is committed to cultivating exceptional pharmacists through a comprehensive and innovative learning experience. We strive to provide a supportive and collaborative environment, fostering growth in clinical skills, research, and leadership. The purpose is to empower our residents to become confident, patient-centered practitioners whom are dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical care and improving patient outcomes.

The program is 12 months in duration and orientation begins in mid-June. The residency is based at the Northwestern Medicine Specialty Pharmacy (NMSP) of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Downtown Chicago. NMSP holds both URAC and ACHC accreditation.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The residency program is committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion among pharmacy residents. Our program believes that a residency class from a diverse set of backgrounds helps broaden perspectives, leads to creative problem solving, enriches our department, and ultimately fosters excellent patient care. We continually challenge ourselves to work towards an equitable and inclusive program through our recruitment process, policies, and interactions. Our program will always respect the dignity and worth of each resident and celebrate a culture where value is seen in everyone's unique differences.

Learning Experiences:

The residency experience will be individualized based on the resident's interests and goals.

  • Administration and Leadership
  • Allergy/Asthma
  • Cardiology
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Dermatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hematology/Oncology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pharmacy Operations
  • Rheumatology
  • Transplant
  • Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine

Additional Activities

Research: Residents are required to complete an independent research project, with mentorship from clinical pharmacists and support from the departmental research committee. Residents have the freedom to choose any research project, define their own research question, and work with the research advisor of their choice. Residents are expected to present background and methods at the annual Vizient meeting which occurs prior to the ASHP Clinical Meeting. Results of clinical research projects will be presented at a resident-specific spring conference.

Presentations: PGY1 Residents are expected to present two formal and two research 20-minute presentation during resident noon conference. Residents can choose any topic, including patient cases encountered during rotations, pharmacy hot topics, and controversial grey areas of medical practice. Residents receive timely feedback from preceptors and the RPD. All residents will present a 1 hour continuing education presentation for either pharmacists or technicians.

Committee Participation: The resident will serve on the specialty pharmacy’s quality committee and clinical committee, with opportunities for additional committee involvement aligning with the residents’ interest.

Precepting: The resident will be involved in precepting pharmacy students during their learning experiences.

Teaching Certificate: The resident may participate in a teaching certificate program and may present didactic lectures based on available opportunities.

On-call: The resident will be on call throughout the year including holidays providing support for after-hour clinical questions and operational needs.

Staffing: The resident will staff one day per week alternating in the specialty pharmacy and infusion pharmacy.

Longitudinal Clinic: The resident will spend time each week in a longitudinal clinic.

How to Apply:

Eligible applicants include:

  • Be a graduate of a Doctor of Pharmacy program from an ACPE-accredited school or college of pharmacy
  • Legal working status in United States to cover the entire period of residency training (We are unable to sponsor visas for residents)
  • Eligibility for pharmacist licensure in the state of Illinois (Residents matched to our program shall obtain Illinois Pharmacist Licensure prior to September 1st)
  • Hold an Illinois pharmacy technician license if not registered as a pharmacist in the state of Illinois prior to residency program start date

All interested candidates must register with both PhORCAS and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Resident Matching Service.

Additional requirements include:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of intent
  • Three letters of recommendation (the Standard Reference Form in PhORCAS may be utilized for recommendations; a separate letter is not necessary)
  • Pharmacy school transcripts
  • Interview process (All candidates are required to attend an onsite interview)

Number of positions: 2
Start date: Mid-June
Estimated stipend: Approx. $47,000
Application deadline: January 2
Accreditation Status: Pre-candidate
ASHP Program Code: 41933
National Matching Service Code: 308415

Sarah Kjenstad PGY1 Community-Based Program Director 
Program Director: Sarah Kjenstad, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP
Email: sarah.slater@nm.org
Sarah E. Kjenstad, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP is a Clinical Practice Coordinator at Northwestern Medicine Specialty Pharmacy in Chicago, IL and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy. Dr. Kjenstad received her PharmD degree from Midwestern University College of Pharmacy and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Kjenstad has extensive hematology/oncology experience in critical care, medical/surgical inpatient, infusion, ambulatory clinic, and specialty pharmacy practice areas. Dr. Kjenstad loves to spend time with her family, volunteer at church, travel, and try out new restaurants.

Program Coordinator: Andrea Prince, PharmD, BCACP
Email: andrea.prince@nm.org
Andrea Prince, PharmD, BCACP is a Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine Specialty Pharmacy. She earned her PharmD degree from Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and B.S. from the University of Missouri. She went on to complete her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residency at CoxHealth in Springfield, Missouri. Andrea has been at Northwestern Medicine Specialty Pharmacy since 2022 and is currently practicing in the neurology oncology clinic. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys watching sports, boxing, and volunteering.