Program Purpose

PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build upon PGY1 objectives and experiences, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and patient outcomes to develop pharmacist leaders with specialization in the areas of medication-use safety, policy and regulation. The PGY2 pharmacy program provides residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners through conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents successfully completing this program are prepared for specialized positions.

At Memorial Hermann Health System, experienced teams provide training to create well-rounded leaders who are prepared to advance the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the care of patients. These leaders will be equipped with both clinical and administrative experience, and with leadership skills that will prepare them to accept increasingly greater roles of responsibility within a health system and related areas of pharmacy practice.

Program Goal

The overarching goal of the Memorial Hermann Pharmacy Medication-Use Safety and Policy (MUSP) Residency Program is to cultivate pharmacists who are not only proficient practitioners but are also well-prepared for diverse roles: medication safety officers, medication-use policy specialists, medication safety experts, formulary managers or academic faculty members.

About Our Program

Memorial Hermann is one of the largest, nonprofit health systems in Texas and serves the Greater Houston community through 17 hospitals and specialty programming in the tertiary, community and ambulatory settings. Within this unique integrated care delivery network, residents will have access to health system leadership at all levels within the division of pharmacy, the quality/patient safety/infection control team and throughout the enterprise. Memorial Hermann prides itself on offering pharmacy services on the leading edge of technology, with extensive clinical programs, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative pharmacy practice models.

The PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Pharmacy Residency is a one-year specialized training opportunity designed to transition PGY1 residency graduates from generalist practice to a leadership role in medication-use safety, medication-use policies and formulary management. This residency offers diverse experiences designed to develop the resident’s skills in medication safety principles, leadership, process improvement, policy development, regulatory compliance and research. This residency is designed to promote project management skills and experiences at both system and site levels. The resident will further hone their role as a medication safety leader by participating in event investigations, championing preventive interventions and promoting a culture of safety across the system.

Program Type

The PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Pharmacy Residency at Memorial Hermann Health System is an applicant for accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Learning Experiences

PGY2 Required Learning Experiences

MUSP residents are required to complete 10 (ten) core learning experiences, longitudinal experiences and 1 (one) elective during the residency year.

Core Learning Experiences

  • Orientation/Operations
  • Medication Safety Overview & Regulatory Compliance
  • Small & Midsize Hospital Support
  • Large & Specialty Hospital Support
  • Leapfrog & CHIRP Readiness
  • Clinical Informatics for Data Management
  • Automation/Technology
  • High-risk Population (Pediatrics) Medication Safety
  • Medication Safety Focused
  • Ambulatory Medication Safety

Longitudinal Learning Experiences

  • Leadership and Medication Policy
  • Stewardship Committee Management
  • Clinical Programs Committee Support
  • The Joint Commission/Texas State Board of Pharmacy Mock Survey Participation
  • Staffing the Pharmacy Wellness Clinic (an ambulatory clinic for disease statement management and medication therapy management responsibilities)
  • Projects
    • Major research project (including written manuscript for submission to an appropriate journal)
    • Proactive risk assessment (FMEA, ISMP gap analysis, etc.)
    • Subcommittee or taskforce agenda (preparation and minutes complication)
    • Written summary of literature evaluation
    • Policy or procedure development
    • Medication Use Evaluation (MUE) with Executive Summary
    • Completed project PDSA/PDCA learner storyboard
    • Quarterly Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) summary report
  • Professional Development
    • One 60-minute CE presentation
    • One 45-minute presentation
    • Poster presentation of research
    • Book/journal club presentations (minimum of three)
    • Presentation of project at designated conference (SW Residency Conference—Alcalde or equivalent)
    • Presentation of agenda item at P&T committee/subcommittee meeting
    • Completion of IHI Open School Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety
    • Mentorship for PGY1 residents/APPE students

Elective Learning Experiences

  • Academia
  • Drug Diversion
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Financial Analysis
  • Formulary Management
  • High-risk Populations
  • Informatics
  • Infusion Pumps
  • Investigational Drug Services
  • Pediatric Informatics
  • Pharmacy Operations/Pharmacy Supply Chain
  • Procedural Areas
  • Quality Improvement

Benefits

Office: This residency is structured as a hybrid program with responsibilities split between onsite and remote activities
Stipend: Competitive with similar programs
Time Off: 14 days of PTO (vacation and sick time combined) + 1 spiritual holiday. PGY2 resident is expected to work one major holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day) and one minor holiday (Labor Day, Memorial Day or Martin Luther King Day)
Meetings: Financial support is offered to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and a regional pharmacy conference
Health Insurance: Health, dental and vision plans are available.
Taxes: Texas has no state income tax.

Application Requirements

  • A strong academic record and demonstrated desire for professional accomplishment and leadership skills
  • Graduation from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy with a PharmD degree
  • Completion of a one-year ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency by the start of the residency year or equivalent work experience
  • Eligibility for licensure as a pharmacist in Texas:
    • All residents MUST pass their licensure exams within 60 days of the residency start date
  • Registration with PhORCAS and ASHP Residency Matching Program

Application Process

To apply for this program, you must submit the following through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS):

  • Letter of Intent
    • Length of 1 to 2 pages, using a 12-point font and 1-inch margins
    • The letter of intent should address all the following points:
      • Explain why you want to pursue a PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency
      • Discuss your long-term career goals and why you believe this program will help you achieve these goals
  • Curriculum Vitae
    • Please include a list of all completed and anticipated PGY1 rotations and completed APPE rotations
  • Three Letters of Reference
    • Only the PhORCAS standardized reference form is required
  • College of Pharmacy Transcripts
    • Submit transcripts directly to PhORCAS
  • Applications must be submitted on PhORCAS site by January 9, 2026:
    • Program Code: 74813
    • NMS Code: 701977

Applicants considered for a position will be invited for a formal interview with Memorial Hermann during January or February.

Memorial Hermann recognizes the health benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle as well as the special duty to maintain and promote a healthy and safe environment for our patients, visitors, physicians and employees. To further this goal, Memorial Hermann will no longer hire individuals who use tobacco products in any form.

Contacts

Sarah Lake-Wallace, PharmD, MS, FTSHP
Program Director, PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency
Memorial Hermann Pharmacy Services
Email: Sarah.Lake-Wallace@memorialhermann.org

Jahnavi Madhavaram, PharmD, BCPS
Program Coordinator, PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency
Memorial Hermann Pharmacy Services
Email: Jahnavi.Madhavaram@memorialhermann.org

For Pharmacy Residents