PGY2 Critical Care Residency

Important announcement: Due to the current state brought by the Coronavirus pandemic, Memorial-Hermann – TMC PGY2 residency programs will not be participating in the ASHP Midyear Personnel Placement Service (PPS) virtual events in December 2020. If you are interested in applying to any of our PGY2 programs please contact the residency program director via email listed on this page.

Program Goals

The PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is an ASHP-accredited, one-year postgraduate training program. The program consists of rotations throughout a variety of critical care specialty areas designed to develop advanced skills and competencies necessary to be competent and confident practitioners of pharmaceutical care in the critical care specialty.

Upon completion of this residency, pharmacists will be able to optimize therapeutic outcomes by functioning as integral members of a critical care practice. They will be able to effectively conduct and/or participate in clinical research to improve the pharmacotherapeutic management and outcomes of critically ill patients. Leadership and interpersonal skills will enable them to be effective contributors to any team, group, or committee of which they are a member. They will be able to skillfully educate other pharmacy and critical care practitioners.

About Our Program

With the world-renown Memorial Hermann Life Flight® air medical transport service flying more than 3,000 critically-ill patients per year into one of the country's busiest Level I Trauma Centers at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. As the primary teaching hospital for the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School, PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residents have the opportunity to work with leading physicians who have defined practice in a variety of fields through innovative research. Within the Department of Pharmacy, 15 clinical pharmacist-specialists are dedicated to caring for critically ill patients in 8 specialized intensive care units. Residents at our institution have one of the best resident to preceptor ratios for critical care residencies in the country.

PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residents will rotate though areas such as the Texas Trauma Institute, Misher Neuroscience Institute, and the Heart & Vascular Institute, which make up the backbone of this unique learning environment. During rotations, residents work with teams who have a long history of close partnership with clinical pharmacist-specialists, allowing the residents to integrate seamlessly with attending physicians, fellows, medical residents and interns. Within this teaching environment, PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residents will have the opportunity to provide education across all disciplines including medical staff, nursing, respiratory care, dietitians, and other pharmacists.

Rotations and Experiences

PGY2 Critical Care Residents will be exposed to a broad range of experiences and activities intended to build the skills necessary to practice as a clinical pharmacist in the critical care setting. Residents are required to complete an orientation month, along with 8 month-long rotations. The remaining months will consist of a research project month and 2 month-long elective rotations.

Residents will conduct a longitudinal research project throughout their residency year that includes presenting the results at a regional residency conference and preparing a written manuscript. Presentation skills will be enhanced by giving an ACPE-accredited seminar presentation along with other formal presentations throughout the year. Residents will also gain experience with teaching and precepting through the completion of a Teaching Certificate program and co-precepting pharmacy students on clinical rotations.

Required Rotations

• Cardiac Transplant / Mechanical Circulatory Support OR Cardiovascular Surgery (CVICU)
• Cardiology (CCU)
• Emergency Medicine
• Medical Intensive Care (MICU)
• Neuroscience Intensive Care (NSICU): Cerebrovascular Service
• Neuroscience Intensive Care (NSICU): Trauma Service
• Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU)
• Shock-Trauma Intensive Care (STICU)

Elective Rotations

• Any Core Rotation
• Burn Unit
• Nutrition Support

Other Experiences

• Drug Information
  • Drug Monograph
  • Review Article
• Education
  • Journal Club
  • PGY2 Critical Care Lecture Series
  • Seminar Presentation (ACPE-accredited)
  • Short Topic Presentation
  • Teaching Certificate (if not previously completed)
• Pharmacy Operations
  • Clinical On-Call
  • Code Team
• Major Project
  • Poster Presentation
  • Platform Presentation
  • Manuscript

Benefits

Application Requirements

• A strong academic record and demonstrate a desire for professional accomplishment.
• Graduated from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy with a Pharm.D.
• Completed a one-year ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency.
• Eligibility for licensure as a pharmacist in Texas
  • See the Texas State Board of Pharmacy website for licensure requirements.
  • All residents MUST be licensed within 60 days of the residency start date.
• Registered with PhORCAS and the 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
    • Should be 1 to 2 pages, using a 12-point font and 1 inch margins.
    • The letter should address all of the following:
      • Explain why you want to pursue a PGY2 critical care 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
    • Should be submitted directly to PhORCAS
• Application deadline is January 2nd

Applicants considered for a position will be interviewed during January or February.  At this time, we are weighing options for the interview season and have not yet determined if interviews will be on-site or virtual.

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. In an effort to further this goal, Memorial Hermann does not hire individuals who use tobacco products in any form

For further information, contact:

Teresa A. Allison, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, FCCM
Program Director, PGY2 Critical Care Residency
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
Phone: (713) 704-6225
E-mail: Teresa.Allison@memorialhermann.org