The PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Residency at UAB Hospital is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). This one-year program is designed to provide extensive experience with adult abdominal and cardiothoracic patients in both acute care and ambulatory environments, which builds upon skills developed as a clinical pharmacist during a post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) residency. It focuses on developing the skills and confidence necessary to autonomously provide advanced pharmacotherapy management to patients in solid organ transplant settings, qualify the resident for clinical pharmacy specialist positions in transplantation, and prepare the graduate to attain board certification in transplant pharmacy (BCTXP).
The PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Residency Program at UAB Hospital includes a combination of required learning experiences (rotations) and elective learning experiences tailored to the residents’ interest areas.
Orientation provides a general overview of the departmental organization, support units, and resident responsibilities. Benefits include health and accident insurance, holiday time off, and support to attend residency related professional conference(s).
Laura Ramirez, PharmD, MA
- PGY2 solid organ transplant pharmacy resident 2025-2026
- Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
- Pharmacy education: University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
- PGY1: Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.
- Clinical interests: Kidney transplantation, transplant infectious diseases, pediatric transplantation
- Current research project: Evaluation of Long-Term Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim for Prophylaxis Against Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Patients
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
When searching for a PGY2 program, I wanted to find a program that not only matched my transplant interest but also a program that would challenge and support me. My program wants included a high volume of patients, a pediatric component, and a program that serves underserved and diverse communities. UAB checked all those boxes, having multiple transplant opportunities that offer residents the opportunity to rotate through kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pediatric transplant services, as well as treating high-risk transplant patients, such as those with hepatitis C or HIV.
During my interview, one of the things that stood out most to me was the kindness and warmth my program director and preceptors demonstrated. The majority of the people I interviewed with have been with the UAB transplant program for multiple years, and it is evident that they are all heavily invested in challenging and pushing me as a resident to become a better practitioner and a better human being. I look forward to seeing the type of transplant pharmacist I get to become this year.
Our goal is to develop a highly skilled practitioner who will be successful in any setting they choose to practice after graduation.
Alexandra James, PharmD, BCPS
Courtney Hebert, PharmD
Deidra Schmidt, PharmD, AAHIVP
Josh Banbury, PharmD
Kris Gutierrez, PharmD, BCTXP
Madison Oxley, PharmD, BCCCP
Matt Brown, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Meredith Johnson, PharmD, BCTXP
Michael Miller, PharmD, MPH, MEd, BCPS
Seth Edwards, PharmD, BCIDP
Tim Lewis, PharmD, BCCCP
The applicant must possess a PharmD degree and have completed an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency. All applications must be submitted through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application System (PhORCAS) by January 2. The required components of the application include a letter of intent, three references, curriculum vitae, and a pharmacy school transcript. An interview is required.
Kris Gutierrez, PharmD, BCTXP
Program Director
Meredith Holt Johnson, PharmD, BCTXP
Program Coordinator
Required rotations
- Ambulatory Transplant Clinic I & II
- Heart Transplantation I & II
- Kidney / Pancreas Transplantation I & II
- Liver Transplantation I & II
- Lung Transplantation I & II
Longitudinal requirements
- Major Project
- Medication Use Evaluation
- Oral Presentations and Academics
- Practice Coverage
- Research / Project Time
Elective rotations
- Cardiac Surgery Critical Care / Mechanical Circulatory Support
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Pediatric Transplantation
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Contact UAB Pharmacy Residency
Alexandra James, PharmD, BCPS
Manager, Residency Programs and Student Training
JT 1745, 619 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35249
205-934-3603