VA Ann Arbor Pharmacy Residency Program

Most of my work this summer has been with the residency program director. We have been gathering ideas for research projects and putting together necessary information for the new residents who started July 1st. They came from the Universities of Nebraska, Connecticut, Maryland, and Purdue. It has been fun getting to know them. Last Friday, I gave them a tour of the University of Michigan Hospital and the College of Pharmacy. During our travels I was able to ask lots of questions about residency and interviews. A residency is a great way to expand your clinical knowledge and abilities as a pharmacist. I have heard it described as “your P4 year on steroids.”

The VA offers four ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy resident positions per year. The program emphasizes ambulatory care opportunities in a largely geriatric, male patient population. The residents engage in monthly rotations, research projects, staff in-services, journal clubs, precepting students, and other teaching activities. The core rotations include ambulatory care (4 months), acute patient care (2 months), distributive skills, drug information, administration, and elective(s) at the VA or the University of Michigan Hospital. There are a variety of ambulatory clinics at the VA, including a Pain Medication (Integrative) Clinic, Geriatrics Clinic, Palliative Care Clinic, Primary Care Clinic, Home Based Primary Care Program, and Anticoagulation clinic. If you like ambulatory care, the VA is the place to be.

My main project this summer has been the creation of an informational residency website. Due to some administrative back log, I will not be able to finish it during the summer so I will be coming back during the fall semester to finish it up. Creating the website has given me a great overall picture of the Ann Arbor VA residency program and its rotations and preceptors.

My summer internship at the VA has been a rewarding educational experience. I have worked with a variety of pharmacists on projects ranging from MUE’s to RCA’s. I would recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their overall knowledge of hospital pharmacy through project work.