PGY-1 Ambulatory Care Residency | Department of Pharmacy Services | UC Davis Health

Residency Program Director

Teresa Kwong, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP  
Clinical Pharmacist, Ambulatory Care Services
UC Davis Health
Assistant Clinical Professor
UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy
Assistant Clinical Professor
University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy

Residency Program Coordinator

Shannan Takhar, PharmD, BCACP
Clinical Pharmacist, Ambulatory Care Services
UC Davis Health
Assistant Clinical Professor
UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy
Contact information: sktakhar@ucdavis.edu

2023-2024 Residents
Jennifer Chang, PharmD
Emily Huang, PharmD
Kashfi Khan, PharmD
Sarah Setoudeh, PharmD
Jazmin Valencia Chavez, PharmD
Tori Wiley, PharmD

ASHP Residency Listing

Program Purpose

PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

Resident Testimonials

UC Davis Health has the most amazing group of fellow coresidents, preceptors, and multidisciplinary colleagues who support the dynamic, life-long learning environment. It is an incredible place to train, with clinical pharmacists embedded throughout our 10 primary care clinics and across 12 different specialty areas. The diversity, flexibility, and clinical complexity of the 4-week rotations during PGY1 year allowed me to gain a deep foundational understanding to enable piloting new clinical pharmacy services as a PGY2 resident.
– Ellen Berkley, 2021-2022 PGY1 Resident

What sets this residency apart from others are the opportunities and flexibility that it offers – you truly have the ability to mold your year into the ideal residency. I am so honored to have worked with such enthusiastic, invested preceptors that practice at the top of their license. I would not have been able to start off my PGY2 so smoothly without the well-rounded clinical foundation built by my PGY1.
– Amber Tang, 2019-2020 PGY1 Resident

Being a resident with UC Davis Health allowed me to grow and develop confidence in myself as a leader, preceptor, and clinician. The diversity in rotation experiences and patient population really taught me to be adaptable and practice efficiently. With the many opportunities to work closely with other providers, I truly felt like a valuable part of the healthcare team!
– Anh-Thu Truong, 2019-2020 PGY1 Resident

Program Overview

The UC Davis Health PGY1 Pharmacy Residency is a one-year postgraduate educational program. This residency is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and participates in the ASHP matching program.

Pharmacy residents are integral members of a multi-disciplinary team of clinical pharmacists, physicians, nurses, dietitians, respiratory and physical therapists. The resident is directly involved in making clinical decisions through activities such as providing patient care services, participating in management operations, and working on assigned projects. Throughout the year, the resident learns how these activities interrelate and are best coordinated with other disciplines involved with medication use management.

The pharmacy residency program at UC Davis Health is supported by the Department of Pharmacy. UC Davis Health is the major teaching facility for the UC Davis School of Medicine, and serves as a clerkship site for several affiliated professional programs, including UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy and University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy The UC Davis Health ambulatory care clinical pharmacy services are provided throughout the UC Davis Health Primary Care, Refill, Specialty and One Community Health Clinics.

Day in the Life of an Ambulatory Care Resident

PGY-1 resident Kathie Tran on rotation at the Poison Control Center

During a typical day in the Anticoagulation clinic, the pharmacy resident is in charge of assessing patients and creating individualized warfarin therapy plans based on INR values, including for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The resident is also involved with reviewing new referrals and establishing these patients with our clinic, determining bridging therapy for those undergoing procedures, and transitioning patients to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as appropriate. This clinic has a great team and there is ample opportunity lead student learning.

As a pharmacy resident rotating through Poison Control, I have to constantly be my toes. As a call center, you never know who will be calling from the other line. Our cases have ranged from accidental ingestions, to animal or insect bites, to even more severe and urgent matters. I've been able to experience a great mix of inpatient cases by ensuring patient stabilization after a critically toxic event, as well as outpatient experience when triaging calls from the public. It has also been rewarding seeing the impact pharmacists' play at Poison Control.

I had a great experience in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Clinic. It provided invaluable experience in navigating difficult conversations/situations and provided ample of opportunity for motivational interviewing for chronic pain and SUD patients. It was a rewarding experience to assist in the management of such a difficult patient population. Additionally the experience you gain during your 4 weeks will assist in your career as an ambulatory care pharmacist. You won’t regret picking this as your elective rotation!

UC Davis Health and Pharmacy Services

UC Davis Health is a major academic health center located in Sacramento, California. More information about the department can be found on our webpage

Program Design

The UC Davis Health PGY1 Pharmacy Residency is designed to meet the educational goals and objectives as outlined by the ASHP Accreditation Standard for PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Programs.

Educational Outcomes Required by the Accreditation Standard:

R1. Patient Care
R2. Advancing Practice and Improving Patient Care
R3. Leadership and Management
R4. Teaching, Education, and Dissemination of Knowledge
Electives may be added based on available resources and resident interest

A majority of the year will consist of ambulatory care experiences. The resident has the option to take select acute care experiences as well. The learning experiences are scheduled in block rotations. The resident will complete required learning experiences and can choose electives based on their personal interests. Selected activities run longitudinally throughout the year and must be coordinated with the learning experience activities.

Program Structure

The residency is a full-time, one year commitment that begins in mid-June and ends on June 30. Clearance to start work by UC Davis Health Employee Health and a Human Resources orientation meeting must be completed prior to July 1.

Proposed Calendar of Activities

Quarter 1	Quarter 2	Quarter 3	Quarter 4
July Orientation/Training Competencies Develop goals and development plan Project: develop ideas, lit review, complete proposal Grand Rounds: topic assigned	October Required or Elective learning experience Pharmacy Week Events	January Required or Elective learning experience Review residency candidate packets Project: initial results	April Required or Elective learning experience Project: present to staff
August Required or Elective learning experience Project: submit IRB	November Required or Elective learning experience	February Required or Elective learning experience Residency candidate interviews Project: data analysis	May Required or Elective learning experience UC Collaborative Annual Pharmacy Leadership Conference Program improvement evaluation
September Required or Elective learning experience Quarterly Review of longitudinal experiences and development plan	December Required or Elective learning experience ASHP Midyear Meeting Quarterly Review of longitudinal experiences and development plan	March Required or Elective learning experience Project: prepare presentation Quarterly Review of longitudinal experiences and development plan	June Required or Elective learning experience Orientation for incoming residents Final review, end of residency closeout and program improvement evaluation Residency Grad Requirements checklist completed
Longitudinal Experiences
Teaching/Administrative Projects/Research Grand Rounds Presentation P&T Drug Monograph or Protocol Development Journal Clubs Drug Information Review Self-evaluation reflection Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (STLP) meetings and lectures Pharmacy Mentorship Program Chief Resident Responsibilities Research project MUE Staffing: Inpatient clinical pharmacy transitions of care services Anticoagulation Clinic, Primary Care Clinic, Centralized Refill Pharmacy Services

Learning Experiences

The resident is provided an opportunity to learn fundamental clinical, operational and management skills while participating in the provision of exemplary pharmacy practice. The resident will participate in a variety of ambulatory care experiences, required experiences, and elective rotations. The learning experiences will be divided into block rotations and longitudinal learning experiences. The majority of block rotations will be 4 weeks in duration. Scheduling will be based on availability and the residents’ interests.

Resident’s Role in Teaching:
UC Davis Health offers many opportunities for both clinical and didactic teaching. The resident will be responsible for assisting preceptors with clerkship teaching for University of California, San Francisco and University of the Pacific pharmacy students. 

The resident will be required to prepare an ACPE accredited pharmacy grand rounds presentation on a topic approved by the Continuing Pharmacy Education Oversight Committee based on the resident’s interests and a department needs assessment.  The PGY1 Resident will also be required to participate in the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Program throughout the year. In addition, the PGY1 Resident may choose to participate in academic teaching, as requested by regional schools of pharmacy, with the approval of the PGY1 Residency Director.

Residency Research Project:
All UC Davis Health residents are required to complete a research project during their residency and present their research at the UC Collaborative Annual Pharmacy Leadership Forum.  In preparation for conducting their research project, the resident will complete UC Davis Health IRB-required training and certification.  The resident will prepare a project proposal, which will be reviewed and approved by the UC Davis Health Pharmacy Research Oversite Council.  The resident will also submit their project to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, applicable subcommittees, and the IRB for approval before embarking on their research.  Upon completion of the project, the resident will be required to summarize their research project in a manuscript and prepare an abstract and professional poster for submission.

Medication Use Evaluation:
All residents are required to complete a medication utilization evaluation during their residency.   The resident will prepare a MUE proposal, which will be reviewed and approved by the UC Davis Health Pharmacy Research Oversite Council. The resident will also submit their MUE to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, applicable subcommittees, and the IRB for approval  before embarking on their research.  Upon completion of the project, the resident will be required to summarize their MUE findings in a manuscript and prepare an abstract and professional poster for submission.

Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee Activity:
The resident will be required to complete a drug formulary review, as assigned by the UC Davis Health P&T Committee coordinator.  The RPD will work with the P&T Committee coordinator and the resident to determine the assignment, based on the resident’s interests and the needs of the department. If there are no formulary requests available, the resident may develop a treatment guideline or protocol. This will be assigned by the RPD based on department need.

Committee Assignments:
The resident will participate in various committee activities, as assigned by the RPD.  Assignments will be determined based on current department initiatives.  The purpose of the resident’s committee involvement is to ensure the resident gains exposure to the pharmacist’s role in activities related to quality-improvement, medication safety, safe handling of hazardous drugs, guideline development and assessment/implementation of technology and automation within the institution and pharmacy department.

Professional Development:
The resident is encouraged to maintain an active role in pharmacy and professional organizations.  The resident is strongly encouraged to become a member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and attend their annual Midyear meeting in early December.  The resident may be provided with some financial support from the institution and professional leave time to facilitate participation in professional development activities.

Pharmacy Department Service:
The resident will be required to provide service to the department during evening and weekend shifts throughout the year. It is mandatory for the resident to complete as least one shift on a major holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year Day). Shifts will be divided between inpatient clinical pharmacy services, Anticoagulation and Specialty Clinics, and One Community Health Clinic. A licensed pharmacist will work alongside the resident or will be available on-call as backup.

Required Competencies:
Residents function as licensed pharmacist’s in patient care activities.  As such, minimum knowledge in a variety of areas must be assured.  Within one month of starting the Residency, the resident must complete competencies required of all clinical pharmacists. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is a prerequisite. In addition, each resident will become certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). 

Resident Portfolio:
Each resident must maintain an electronic portfolio containing all information from the residency year including yet not limited to: copies of papers or projects done during rotations, lectures given, research project manuscript, P&T drug monograph, and MUE. The portfolio shall be maintained in Pharm Academic.

Salary/Benefits:
Residents will receive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance for themselves and dependents,  15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), 14 holidays, 12 days Sick Leave, and 4 days for Professional Development.  Travel funds (approximately $2500) are included in the base salary. There is a stipend for scrubs.

Resident Personnel Policies:
The following policies can be located in the Pharmacy Resident Personnel Manual

• Resident Qualifications
• Early Commitment Policy
• Pre-employment drug testing
• Health insurance and Benefits
• Licensure requirements
• Moonlighting
• Duty hours
• Tracking of duty hours
• Professional, family, and extended leave policies
• Dismissal policy and consequences of failure to progress

Requirements for successful completion of the residency:

• California Pharmacist Licensure per Pharmacy Resident Manual Policy
• Drug Monograph, Protocol or Guideline
• Medication utilization evaluation (plus poster)
• Grand rounds (CE activity)
• Residency research project and presentation
• Quarterly resident progress meetings with assigned mentor and RPD
• Teaching certificate (STLP)
• Monthly Case Conference Attendance (Primary Care, Anticoagulation)
• Regional research conference presentation
• Manuscript, suitable for publication
• Completion of staffing contributions as outlined by the program description
• Achieved 80% of residency learning experience goals and objectives (100% of Patient Care Competency Area R1)
• Active participation in the residency close out & annual program
• Resident closeout completed in Pharm Academic with portfolio attachments uploaded
• A minimum of 52 weeks of training inclusive of vacation, professional and sick leave

Deliverables:

Design or redesign safe and effective patient-centered therapeutic regimens and monitoring plans (care plans) (R1.1.5) - Complete at least once in each learning experience

• Propose medication regimens that considers patient specific information (Anticoagulation Clinic)
• Choose appropriate DM, BP, and cardiovascular risk reduction drug therapy options based on current guidelines (Primary Care 2)
• Formulate care plans that optimize medication therapy and address medication related problems (Staffing)
  
  

Document direct patient care activities appropriately in the medical record or where appropriate. (R1.1.7) - Complete at least once in each learning experience

• Employ appropriate Epic smartphrases for new and follow up visits (Primary Care 1)
• Organize thoughts and document in an efficient and thorough manner (Primary Care 2)
• Document therapy adjustments and patient encounters in the electronic medical record (Staffing)
  
  

Prepare a drug class review, monograph, treatment guideline, or protocol (R2.1.1) - complete at least once during Monograph/Protocol learning experience

Participate in a medication-use evaluation (R2.1.2) - complete at least once during Medication-Use Evaluation learning experience

Identify opportunities for improvement of the medication-use system (R2.1.3) - complete at least once during learning experience

• Analyze current state when reviewing an incident report and compare to best practice or expected practice (Medication Safety)
  
  

Effectively develop and present, orally and in writing, a final project report (R2.2.5) - complete at least once during learning experience

• Create and complete a final presentation, manuscript and or poster of the research project to be submitted to a pharmacy conference and academic journals for publishing (Research)
• Present assigned drug class review/monograph or protocol for presentation at the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee or other authorized entity (Monograph) 
• Utilize a standard format to summarize the QI project or MUE and present in writing and orally to the appropriate stakeholders (Medication Use Evaluation)
  
  

Contribute to departmental management (R3.2.3) - complete at least once during learning experience

• identify departmental needs and develop a plan to address the identified need (Operations Management)
  
  

Use effective presentation and teaching skills to deliver education (R4.1.2) - complete at least once during learning experience

• Present a grand rounds presentation to the department of pharmacy (Grand Rounds)
• Teach in various didactic and professional settings (STLP 1 and STLP 2) 
  
  

Use effective written communication to disseminate knowledge. (R4.1.3) - complete at least once during learning experience

• Prepare a written formal monograph, guideline, or protocol (Monograph/Protocol)
• Create an abstract summarizing research as well as a finalized manuscript to be submitted for publication by the end of residency (Research)
  
  

Appropriately assess effectiveness of education (R4.1.4) - complete at least once during learning experience

• Document self-evaluation and reflection on teaching activities (STLP 1 and STLP 2)

Pharmacy Residency training programs at UC Davis Health are conducted under the licensed entity within UC Davis Health which is UC Davis Medical Center.