PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

Tilyn Digiacomo, PharmD, MSHIA

• PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2023-2024
• Hometown: Springville, Ala.
• Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
• Clinical Interests: critical care, psychiatry, informatics
• Current Research Project: Outcomes and Time to Administration Comparison of Andexxa vs PCC for DOAC-Associated Life-Threatening Bleeding

Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I have had the privilege of completing multiple student rotations at UAB Medicine and was able to witness firsthand the dedication to teaching and mentorship that the preceptors here share. I was thrilled to be met with pharmacists looking to expand my professional skill set through research opportunities and clinical experiences to help reach my goals. During the recruitment process, UAB Medicine stood out with its many rotation electives and ability to tailor your schedule to specific clinical interests. Being an academic medical center, UAB offers unique experiences in areas that I otherwise would not have the same exposure to, such as transplant, oncology, and HIV/AIDS treatment. It was apparent to me that UAB Medicine would provide the rigorous and supportive environment needed as a PGY1 pharmacy resident. I am beyond grateful that I chose to begin my pharmacy career at UAB Medicine.

Christa Kooser, PharmD

• PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2023-2024
• Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
• Pharmacy Education: University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy
• Clinical Interests: critical care, infectious disease
• Current Research Project: Low-Dose Insulin Infusion for Hyperkalemia Prevention

Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose UAB Medicine for my first year of residency due to its supportive atmosphere as well as the comprehensive training that I would receive. After speaking to current residents and reaching out to past residents, I have learned that the support provided by the program to help residents become excellent clinical pharmacists is outstanding. UAB offers numerous electives that cover extensive areas of pharmacy practice, providing a diverse and well-rounded experience. Going through residency applications, I had not known what exact area of pharmacy I was passionate about. I knew that UAB would provide me the opportunity to see different practice areas and challenge me every day.

J.D. Olivet, PharmD

• PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2023-2024
• Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
• Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
• Clinical Interests: infectious diseases (HIV and antimicrobial stewardship) and critical care
• Current Research Project: Evaluation of Early IV to PO Stepdown for the Treatment of Invasive Infections

Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
Being the largest academic medical center in the state, UAB Medicine sees the broadest spectrum of patients of any hospital in the region. UAB fosters a culture of continuous learning and is always of the forefront of major medical advances. Personally, I chose UAB because of its stellar antimicrobial stewardship program and the world-renowned 1917 clinic for HIV+ patients. I intend to continue my education by pursuing a PGY2 in infectious diseases with the team here at UAB.

Alana Shunnarah, PharmD

• PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2023-2024
• Hometown: Hoover, Ala.
• Pharmacy Education: Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
• Clinical Interests: cardiology, internal medicine, transplant 
• Current Research Project: Evaluating the Impact of an Antibiotic Allergy Service

Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I had the pleasure of experiencing UAB Hospital Pharmacy, working as a technician and as an APPE student. I witnessed firsthand how this institution was dedicated to the success of its pharmacy residents, which attracted my attention to this residency program. The amount of guidance, support, and encouragement my pharmacists and preceptors poured into me was endless, and I was positive that they would provide a supportive environment during my PGY1 year. I wanted to match with a program where I could engage, learn, and grow from several multidisciplinary care teams and a prosperous pharmacy department. UAB Medicine fulfilled my expectations by providing a wealth of opportunities to expand my clinical knowledge and skills through the numerous rotations offered. The passion for patient care and camaraderie among the various departments were two of the many aspects that I admired during my interview. I am forever grateful that I have this amazing opportunity to practice my profession at this exceptional hospital!

Stephanie Waldrep, PharmD

• PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2023-2024
• Hometown: Anniston, Ala.
• Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy 
• Clinical Interests: critical care, emergency medicine, transplant
• Current Research Project: Clinical Outcomes With Different Micafungin Dosing Strategies in Obese/Morbidly Obese Patients With Culture-Proven Invasive Candidiasis

Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose UAB Medicine for my first year of residency because it is at the forefront of pharmacist integration in patient care. Coming in, I knew that the unique experiences and disease states available at UAB would provide me with the most diverse and challenging training possible. While my main focus is critical care, UAB provides a wide variety of electives such as solid organ transplant, trauma and burn ICU, and emergency medicine. In addition to its opportunities and challenging program, I knew UAB was the site for me after rotating through various areas within the hospital and working alongside pharmacists who supported me as a person as well as my learning.

2022-2023 PGY1 Pharmacy Residents

Lauren Cummins, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Clay Hayes, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Kyle Humphreys, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy

Michael Miller, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Our goal is to develop a highly skilled practitioner who will be successful in any setting they choose to practice after graduation.

The applicant must possess a PharmD degree from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy and be eligible for licensure in Alabama. All applications must be submitted through PhORCAS (Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application System) by January 2. The required components of the application include a letter of intent, three references, curriculum vitae, and a pharmacy school transcript. For the letter of intent, the applicant should state his or her future career goals and explain how the UAB Pharmacy Residency Program can help with the achievement of these goals. For references, it is encouraged that at least two of these be from clinical rotation preceptors. The reference forms in PhORCAS must be completed by all three references. An interview is required.