Pharmacy Residency Programs
Since 1970, UAB has offered an ASHP-accredited (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) PGY1 residency in pharmacy practice. Fifty-two weeks long, the program inspires, builds confidence, and prepares pharmacists for the challenging world of modern medicine. The comprehensive program includes orientation, required rotations, elective rotations, practice coverage, and a residency project.
We also offer a variety of specialized training opportunities in our PGY2 program, including residencies in oncology, solid organ transplant, infectious diseases, and critical care. Each is a one-year program that provides our residents intensive real-world experience under the leadership of some of the top professionals in their fields.
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency
The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program is a one-year program accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). The program provides a structured learning environment for the resident to gain exposure to all aspects of pharmacy practice, while allowing ample flexibility for the resident to pursue subjects of personal interest. The goal is to develop a highly skilled practitioner that will be successful in any setting they choose to practice after graduation.
The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program at UAB Hospital includes 11 weeks of required learning experiences (rotations), and the rest of the year is comprised of elective learning experiences tailored to the residents’ interest areas.
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director – Tomie Ann Boackle, PharmD
Program Purpose Statement, Description, and Competency Areas
PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program
The PGY2 Oncology Residency Program is a one year program accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) that is designed to provide extensive experience in the treatment of a variety of oncologic and hematologic disorders. This experience will expand on skills developed during a post graduate year one residency and build the skills and confidence needed to provide specialized care to cancer patients.
The PGY2 Oncology Residency Program at UAB Hospital incorporates 9 learning experiences (rotations) throughout the year that gives the resident a wide variety of experiences in oncology.
PGY2 Oncology Residency Program Director – Clay Tynes, PharmD, BCOP
Program Purpose Statement, Description, and Competency Areas
PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Residency Program
A one-year program designed to provide extensive experience in the management of solid organ transplant patients. This experience will expand on skills developed during a postgraduate year one residency and build the skills and confidence needed to provide specialized care to transplant patients.
The PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Residency Program at UAB Hospital includes 28 weeks of required learning experiences (rotations), and the rest of the year is comprised of elective learning experiences tailored to the residents’ interest areas.
PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Residency Program Director – Alexandra James, PharmD, BCPS
Program Purpose Statement, Description, and Competency Areas
PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program
A one-year program designed to provide extensive experience in a variety of intensive care units. This experience will expand on skills developed during a postgraduate year one residency and build the skills and confidence necessary to provide advanced pharmacologic services in acute care situations.
The PGY2 Critical Care Residency Program at UAB Hospital includes 30 weeks of required learning experiences (rotations), and the rest of the year is comprised of elective learning experiences tailored to the residents’ interest areas.
PGY2 Critical Care Residency Program Director – Doug Wylie, PharmD, BCCCP
Program Purpose Statement, Description, and Competency Areas
PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency Program
This one-year program is designed to provide extensive experience in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy and antimicrobial stewardship. It will expand on skills developed during a postgraduate year-one residency, build on the knowledge and confidence needed to provide specialized care to patients with infectious diseases, and help the participant become an integral member of an antimicrobial stewardship program.
The PGY2 Infectious Diseases Residency Program at UAB Hospital incorporates 9 learning opportunities (rotations) throughout the year that give the resident a wide variety of experiences in infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship.
PGY2 Infectious Diseases Residency Program Director – Matthew L. Brown, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Program Purpose Statement, Description, and Competency Areas
Our goal is to develop a highly skilled practitioner who will be successful in any setting they choose to practice after graduation.
Adam Dodson, PharmD, BCPS
Adam Woodson, PharmD, BCPS
Adrienne Darby, PharmD, BCCCP
Alexandra James, PharmD, BCPS
Amber Rasco, PharmD, BCPS
Amy Player, PharmD
Amy Weiss, PharmD, BCPS
Barry Diamond, PharmD
Beth Erwin Varnes, PharmD, BCCCP
Brad Burk, PharmD, BCPP
Brendan Meyer, PharmD, BCPS
Brian Jenkins, PharmD
Charlie Darling, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Chris Allen , PharmD, BCOP
Chris Chapleau, PharmD, PhD
Christian Conley, PharmD, MS
Cindy Holcombe, PharmD
Claire Rummage, PharmD, BCOP
Clay Tynes, PharmD, BCOP
Courtney Hebert, PharmD
Daniel Brackin, PharmD, MSHA, BCCCP
DeAnn Jones, PharmD, BCPS
Doug Wylie, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Elizabeth (Liz) Lafitte, PharmD, BCPS
Elizabeth Truppner, RPh
Emily Green, PharmD, MSHS, BCCCP
Emily Higdon, PharmD, BCCCP
Erica Goff, PharmD, BCPS
Ginny Tyler Meadows, PharmD, BCPS
Glenn Weldon, PharmD
Grant McGuffey, PharmD, BCPS
Janna Wyatt, PharmD
Jarrod Pesactore, PharmD, BCPS
Jed Burroughs, PharmD
Jennifer Chapman, PharmD, BCPS
Jennifer Peterson, PharmD
Jessica Rivera, PharmD, BCPS, DABAT
Jonathan Fowler, PharmD, BCPS, MPH
Josh Banbury, PharmD
Josh Oliver, PharmD, BCOP
Josh Tessin, PharmD, MS, BCPS
Juliana Leedy, PharmD, MS, BCPS
Kaitlin Moulton, PharmD
Kaitlin Nutley, PharmD, BCCCP
Kasy J. Cross, PharmD, BCOP
Katie McIntyre, PharmD
Kelsey Lirette, PharmD, MS
Kimberly Ross, PharmD
Kris Gutierrez, PharmD
Kristen Babakitis, PharmD, BCPS
Kristina Crump, PharmD
Lakeyra Palmer, PharmD
Leah A. Durham, PharmD, BCPS
Lindsey DeLoach Flynn, PharmD
Margaret Pate, PharmD, BCPS
Maria Taylor, PharmD, MS
Matt Brown, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Matt Todd, PharmD
Maury Moody, PharmD
Meagan S. Fowler, PharmD, MHA, BCPS
Michael Denaburg, PharmD, MBA, BCCCP
Michael Peters, PharmD, BCPS
Mike James, PharmD, MBA
Misty Gaddis, PharmD
Mohammad Rahman, PharmD
Morgan Frawley, PharmD, BCCCP
Phillip Steele, PharmD
Rachael Blalock, PharmD, BCPS
Rachel Jones, PharmD, BCPS
Sarah Worth, PharmD, BCPS
Seth Edwards, PharmD, BCIDP
Stephen Lirette, PharmD, BCOP
Steven Lawley, PharmD
Susan Vu, PharmD, BCCCP
Tarana Billups, PharmD, AAHIVP
Taylor Sparkman, PharmD
Tim Lewis, PharmD, BCCCP
Tina Fogel, PharmD
Tomie Ann Boackle, PharmD
Tommie Babakitis, PharmD, BCPS
Tyson Kilpatrick, PharmD, BCCCP
PGY1 Residents
Lauren Cummins, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: Hartselle, Ala.
- Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
- Clinical Interests: critical care, emergency medicine
- Current Research Project: “Evaluation of Dose-Optimized, Extended-Infusion Piperacillin-Tazobactam”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I was fortunate to experience UAB Medicine through multiple clinical rotations during pharmacy school. While here, I met many in administration and leadership, pharmacists and other health care professionals in outpatient settings, and numerous pharmacist preceptors in acute care settings. It was the attention they gave to my education – regardless of how long they’d known me or how busy they were – that left the largest impact on me while here and after leaving. During the residency recruitment process, I was additionally drawn to the extensive experiences UAB offers, the challenging environment that promotes constant learning, and the opportunities within the program to strengthen my practice and knowledge base. And after hearing from previous residents how fantastic the preceptors are, I was sold. I am so excited and grateful to begin my career as a pharmacist at UAB.
Clay Hayes, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
- Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
- Clinical Interests: hematology/oncology, internal medicine, infectious diseases
- Current Research Project: “Impact of Opioid Stewardship on Pain Management After Renal Transplant”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose UAB Medicine for my first year of residency because I felt that the program here was the perfect fit for me to achieve my goals for residency training. As a residency applicant, I had not yet discovered my passion in an area of pharmacy practice, and I viewed residency training as an opportunity to identify the areas of practice where I could best serve patients. I wanted to match with a program that is part of a robust pharmacy department with a progressive practice model and learning experiences in a variety of practice areas. With over 250 pharmacists in the department and 80 resident preceptors, I knew that UAB would provide me with the opportunity to explore all of my practice interests and discover my passion as a pharmacist.
Kyle Humphreys, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: Madison, Miss.
- Pharmacy Education: University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
- Clinical Interests: critical care, emergency medicine
- Current Research Project: “Calcium Supplementation in ED and Trauma ICU Patients”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
During the residency search process, I knew I wanted a program that would offer me the chance to see unique things that I might not get to see at other institutions. UAB Medicine drew me in with the variety of high-acuity patient care environments it offers, the multitude of preceptors to choose from, and the many different rotation options available to residents. Having so many options for critical care, emergency medicine, and other specialty services was a big part of the draw to this program. I was also attracted by the chance to be part of and learn from multidisciplinary care teams in an academic medical center of this size. Getting to hear from preceptors about the relationships they have with residents and the care that goes into our development was also something I knew I was looking for. I wanted a place where I would be challenged every day, and it felt like UAB could offer this opportunity. I knew after talking to current residents and preceptors that UAB had what I was looking for in a residency program.
Michael Miller, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
- Pharmacy Education: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
- Clinical Interests: oncology, infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ health
- Current Research Project: “GO LONG! Comparing Intermittent and Prolonged Infusion Strategies of Cefepime and Meropenem at an Academic Medical Center”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I made a checklist of “must-haves” when applying for residency programs, and UAB Medicine checked off all of the items on my list. I knew that I wanted to be at an academic medical center, to be in a program with a vast array of rotational opportunities, and specifically at an institution with strong opportunities in my primary interest areas of oncology and HIV/AIDS treatment. Further, I was able to get ample firsthand experience at UAB through my time as a pharmacy technician and pharmacy intern. Through these experiences, I was able to solidify my choice that UAB was a place where I’d love to be during my PGY1 year.
PGY2 Residents
Nicole Hall, PharmD
- PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
- Pharmacy Education: Belmont University College of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: University of Louisville Health – Jewish Hospital, Louisville, Ky.
- Clinical Interests: immunocompromised infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, HIV management
- Current Research Project: “Safety and Efficacy of AUC-Guided Vancomycin Therapy Using Single-Level, Model-Informed Precision Dosing”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
After developing an interest in immunocompromised patients with infectious diseases during my PGY1 year, I knew I wanted to train at an institution that would offer me a diverse experience within this unique patient population. While developing my PGY1 continuing education presentation on novel antifungals, I quickly realized that UAB Medicine was a leader in this area of practice. After learning more about the program at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, I knew that training at UAB would enable me to become a well-rounded infectious diseases pharmacist prepared to practice in any area of the field. The opportunity to train under supportive and welcoming preceptors who are truly passionate about their work has been a great experience so far!
Vince Harris, PharmD
- PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: Vero Beach, Fla.
- Pharmacy Education: University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Charlotte, N.C.
- Clinical Interests: hematologic/solid tumor malignancies, bone marrow transplantation, cellular therapy
- Current Research Project: “Evaluation and Assessment of Toxicity With Fixed-Dose Rate Gemcitabine Infusions in Sarcoma Patients”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose UAB Medicine because of the unique rotations available in the outpatient and inpatient settings within my interest areas. I immediately felt welcomed by the leadership team and preceptors at UAB. I know the opportunities afforded will allow me to grow clinically and professionally this year.
Madeleine Tilley, PharmD
- PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: Denver, N.C.
- Pharmacy Education: Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: UAB Medicine
- Clinical Interests: transplant infectious disease, uterus transplantation, women’s health, patient education
- Current Research Project: “Assessment of Post-Transplant Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Bacteria Among Kidney Transplant Recipients”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
When applying for PGY1 programs, I knew I wanted a challenging year with opportunities to explore my wide range of clinical interests. Once I met our outstanding leadership and preceptors at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, I was sold. Birmingham is truly a hidden gem and everyone is so friendly, inside and outside of the hospital! As a PGY1, I could tell how invested our preceptors were in my growth as a practitioner and as a person. With this in mind, I decided early to commit to our PGY2 program in solid organ transplantation (SOT). UAB’s PGY2 SOT program offers rotations for heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, liver, and uterus transplantation. Our uterus transplant program is the first in the southeast and the fourth in the United States. In addition to the range of organs, we also are exposed to high-risk transplant types, such as ABO-incompatible transplants, hepatitis B/C+ donors with negative recipients, and HIV+ recipients. After residency, I hope to obtain a position as an SOT clinical pharmacy specialist and give back to the profession by precepting the next generation of pharmacists.
Annmarie Vallomthail, PharmD
- PGY2 Critical Care 2022-2023
- Hometown: Moultrie, Ga.
- Pharmacy Education: University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas
- Clinical Interests: medical ICU, trauma, cardiovascular ICU
- Current Research Project: “Evaluation of Phenobarbital for Alcohol Withdrawal”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
What attracted me to UAB Medicine was speaking with previous residents who commended their preceptors for the genuine care for residents’ growth and development. UAB offers exactly what I need to succeed as a future leader and as an adaptable critical care pharmacist. Thanks to ICUs of every specialty – along with services such as ECMO, transplantation, and ventricular assist device placement – I will gain exposure to a diverse, complex patient population that will prepare me for any ICU setting that I may practice in. The experiences provided by UAB such as committee involvement, precepting opportunities, and on-call participation will prove invaluable to my development as a clinician.
Fangzheng (Farrah) Yuan, PharmD, BCPS
- PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident 2022-2023
- Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
- Pharmacy Education: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Ascension-St. Joseph Hospital, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Clinical Interests: cardio-oncology, solid tumor malignancies, bone marrow transplantation
- Current Research Project: “Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Intravenous Versus Oral Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Targeted Therapies”
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose UAB Medicine because of the breadth and depth of the learning opportunities available at this institution. UAB is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Alabama. The diversity of the patient populations allows residents to participate in managing a variety of solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. The robust ambulatory care oncology program allows me to build on my previous experience and become a clinical pharmacy specialist in the outpatient setting.
2021-2022 PGY1 Pharmacy Residents
Demi Leara, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Alec Raley, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: Auburn University School of Pharmacy
Andrew Rowe, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy
Madeleine Tilley, PharmD
Pharmacy Education: Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
2021-2022 PGY2 Critical Care Resident
Caitlin Fellers, PharmD
Post Graduate Year 1: West Virginia University Medicine
Pharmacy Education: University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy
2021-2022 PGY2 Infectious Disease Resident
Emily Perez, PharmD
Post Graduate Year 1: Moses Cone Hospital
Pharmacy Education: East Tennessee State University College of Pharmacy
2021-2022 PGY2 Oncology Resident
Jubair Hussain, PharmD
Post Graduate Year 1: Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
Pharmacy Education: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
2021-2022 PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Resident
Leanna Borges, PharmD
Post Graduate Year 1: UAB Hospital
Pharmacy Education: Western New England College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
2020-2021 PGY1 Pharmacy Residents
Aasna Patel
Pharmacy Education: University of Georgia
Chris Thai
Pharmacy Education: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Leanna Borges
Pharmacy Education: Western New England College of Pharmacy
Mary Pat Holder
Pharmacy Education: Auburn University
2020-2021 PGY2 Critical Care Resident
Megan Harlow
Post Graduate Year 1: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Pharmacy Education: University of Mississippi
2020-2021 PGY2 Infectious Disease Resident
Darshan Patel
Post Graduate Year 1: Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital
Pharmacy Education: University of Georgia
2020-2021 PGY2 Oncology Resident
Riya Patel
Post Graduate Year 1: University of Colorado Health
Pharmacy Education: University of Tennessee
2020-2021 PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Resident
Meredith Holt
Post Graduate Year 1: UAB Hospital
Pharmacy Education: Auburn University
UAB Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity, and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans. UAB Medicine is active participant in E-Verify for the I-9 process.
Application Process
The applicant must possess a Pharm.D. degree from an ACPE accredited college or school of pharmacy and be eligible for licensure in Alabama. All PGY2 applicants must have completed (or be a current resident in) an ASHP-accredited PGY1 Residency Program. The deadline to submit application components through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application System (PhORCAS) is January 2nd. The required components of the application include:
- Letter of intent – A one-page letter stating future career goals and explaining how the UAB Pharmacy Residency Program can help with the achievement of these goals
- 3 references (PhORCAS forms required, letters optional)
- At least two of these should be direct patient care rotation preceptors
- Curriculum Vitae
- Pharmacy school transcript
- Please contact the Residency Coordinator, Misty Gaddis, PharmD, (mgaddis@uabmc.edu) for more information.
Salary and Benefits
PGY1 & PGY2 Pharmacy Residents enjoy a highly competitive salary and benefit's package. The Department of Pharmacy at UAB strives to maintain pay programs and benefit structures that attract and reward the best talent in the pharmacy profession.
PGY1 Salary and Benefits
- Time off around the holidays
- Health and accident Insurance
- Support to attend residency related professional conferences
- $50,000
PGY2 Salary and Benefits
- Time off around the holidays
- Health and accident Insurance
- Support to attend residency related professional conferences
- $55,000
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are residents assigned a mentor or advisor?
- Are residents involved in Committees?
- Does UAB Hospital provide funding for national and regional pharmacy meetings?
- Does UAB have a teaching certificate program?
- How are vacation days scheduled?
- Is there an on-call component?
- What does orientation include?
- What is the staffing/practice coverage requirement?
- What projects are residents involved with?
- Development and Implementation of a Pharmacy Student Order Verification Simulation
- Impact of Pharmacist Intervention on Vancomycin Discharge Dosing and Hospital Readmission Rates
- Enoxaparin Prophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolism in the Critically Ill Trauma Population
- Implementation and Evaluation of a Dose Rounding Protocol for Antineoplastic Agents
- Incorporating Medication Safety Technology Data into Prevented Medication Error Rates
- Creation of a Discharge Medication Delivery Service
Are residents assigned a mentor or advisor?
PGY1 residents are assigned a pharmacy director or manager who will act as the resident’s advisor during the year. The PGY2 Residency Program Directors usually serve as the PGY2 residents advisor, but an additional advisor may be assigned. Residents use advisors as sources of guidance, advice, and support.
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Are residents involved in Committees?
Does UAB Hospital provide funding for national and regional pharmacy meetings?
Does UAB have a teaching certificate program?
Yes. The Teaching Certificate Program is a longitudinal requirement for the PGY1 residents and is optional for PGY2 residents. This program consists of numerous teaching requirements that the resident will complete throughout the year. Teaching activities will include development of CPE programs, a formal lecture, journal clubs, inservices, student pharmacotherapy rounds, and co-precepting responsibilities. Additional requirements include the development of a teaching portfolio & teaching philosophy, attendance of pedagogy seminars, and laboratory or simluation teaching opportunties.
How are vacation days scheduled?
Is there an on-call component?
What does orientation include?
During the first six weeks of the program, the resident will complete orientation within the Department of Pharmacy. The Orientation is designed to involve the resident in many aspects of practice to build a foundation for the residency year. The general objective of this time period is for the resident to gain an overview of the pharmacy support units, a thorough knowledge of procedures in the central area to which he or she is assigned, including use of the Automated Medication Management System, and a unit pharmacist security clearance code for the IMPACT/Cerner system. Orientation activities will include the same didactic and area training that all new pharmacist hires receive. In addition, during the orientation period residents will be oriented to resident responsibilities, policies governing the residency, and the Resident Learning System (RLS). The initial customized training plan and resident schedule will also be completed during this time.
What is the staffing/practice coverage requirement?
What projects are residents involved with?
Residents are involved with numerous projects throughout the year while on rotations. Two longitudinal projects that all PGY1 and PGY2 residents are responsible for include one Medication Utilization Evaluation (MUE) and one Major Project.
Medication-Use Evaluation (MUE) - The Department of Pharmacy, in conjunction with the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, develops and monitors the Hospital’s therapeutic policies and practices, particularly with regard to drug utilization within the institution. Each resident participates in this quality assurance activity by performing a medication-use evaluation (MUE) as a longitudinal activity.
Major Project - Early in the residency year, residents are presented with a list of potential topics from which the resident can choose his or her Major Project. Based on the topic, the resident is assigned a pharmacist who will act as the resident’s Project Director. The major project is presented at a regional or national pharmacy meeting.
Here are some examples of these research projects: