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 – Nicole Watts, 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
Ashleigh Durbin, PharmD
Barry Diamond, PharmD
Beth Erwin Varnes, PharmD, BCCCP
Brad Burk, PharmD, BCPP
Brian Jenkins, PharmD
Christian Conley, PharmD, MS
Christopher Allen, PharmD, BCOP
Christopher Chapleau, PharmD, PhD, MBA
Cindy Holcombe, PharmD
Claire Rummage, PharmD, BCOP
Clay Tynes, PharmD, BCOP
Courtney Hebert, PharmD
Daniel Brackin, PharmD, BCCCP
David South, PharmD, MS, BCPS
DeAnn Jones, PharmD, BCPS
Doug Wylie, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Elizabeth Truppner, RPh
Emily Higdon, PharmD, BCCCP
Emily Vance, PharmD, BCCCP
Erica Goff, PharmD, BCPS
Ginny Tyler Meadows, PharmD, BCPS
Glenn Weldon, PharmD
Janna Wyatt, PharmD
Jarrod Pescatore, PharmD, BCPS
Jed Burroughs, PharmD
Jennifer Chapman, PharmD, BCPS
Jennifer Peterson, PharmD
Jessica Rivera, PharmD, BCPS, DABAT
Jonathan Fowler, PharmD, MPH, BCPS
Josh Babury, PharmD
Josh Oliver, PharmD, BCOP
Kasy J. Cross, PharmD, BCOP
Katie McIntyre, PharmD
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
Mark Todd, PharmD, MSHA, FASHP
Matt Brown, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Maury Moody, PharmD
Meagan S. Fowler, PharmD, MHA, BCPS
Michael Denaburg, PharmD, MBA, BCCCP
Michael Peters, PharmD
Misty Gaddis, PharmD
Mohammad Rahman, PharmD
Nicole Watts, PharmD, BCOP
Phillip Steele, PharmD
Rachael Blalock, PharmD, BCPS
Sarah Worth, PharmD, BCPS
Seth Edwards, PharmD, BCIDP
Stephen Lirette, PharmD, BCOP
Steven Lawley, PharmD
Susan Vu, PharmD
Tarana Billups, PharmD, AAHIVP
Taylor Loosier, PharmD
Thomas Babakitis, PharmD, BCPS
Tim Lewis, PharmD, BCCCP
Tina Fogel, PharmD
Tomie Ann Boackle, PharmD
Tyson Kilpatrick, PharmD, BCCCP
PGY1 Residents
Demi Leara, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
- Pharmacy Education: University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
- Clinical Interests: Ambulatory Care, Internal Medicine
- Current Research Project: Treatment outcomes in a multidisciplinary hepatitis clinic utilizing a simplified hepatitis C monitoring strategy
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
When I was going through the recruitment process last year, I didn’t realize that I would love so many of the residency programs. I knew I wanted to train at a hospital that would challenge me and help me become a well-rounded clinical pharmacist. Although I could see myself at all of those programs, UAB’s PGY1 Residency Program consistently stood out as my favorite. There is a wealth of opportunity at UAB Hospital. The residency program here at UAB offered more elective rotations than any other program I applied to, so I knew I would be challenged to expand my clinical skills. When I met the preceptors during my interview, I was sold. Not only were they down to earth, but you could tell how invested they are in the residents, and I wanted to be part of that fellowship.
Alec Raley, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Dothan, Alabama
- Pharmacy Education: Auburn University School of Pharmacy
- Clinical Interests: Infectious Disease, Critical Care, Academia
- Current Research Project: Impact of vancomycin loading doses in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
When considering potential residency programs, I knew that I wanted to pursue a PGY1 program that offers a welcoming work environment, provides a robust selection of clinical rotations, and would facilitate personal and professional growth to align with my career goals. After completing residency interviews, my decision to choose UAB remained explicitly clear. From my first interactions with the program directors, residents, and clinical preceptors, it was evident that the supportive culture, devoted preceptors, and passion to serve patients were the hallmark features embodied by this program. Not only did UAB offer everything on my residency checklist – including a flexible schedule with a multitude of clinical rotations, avenues to teach and precept, and a supportive atmosphere – it also demonstrates a standard for excellence that will challenge me to become the best practitioner that I can be. Since beginning this program, I continue to be more impressed by my pharmacy colleagues, and my initial expectations are consistently exceeded. I am honored to be a part of UAB, and I now realize that it is truly the individuals involved with this program who make it so special.
Andrew Rowe, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Pharmacy Education: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy
- Clinical interests: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
- Current Research Project: Evaluate warfarin initiation and concomitant INR levels in the cardiovascular surgery population who underwent cardiac valve replacement
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
When searching for PGY1 programs, I ultimately wanted to train at an academic medical center that had plenty of clinical opportunities and great preceptors. Luckily, after one of the most comfortable virtual interviews I had, I was fortunate enough to match at UAB Hospital. All of the incoming PGY1s were told by the previous residents how amazing the preceptors were and that there are so many elective rotations to choose from. I believe that UAB has some of the best clinical minds to learn from, and I couldn’t be happier that I chose to head to Birmingham to start this next part of my pharmacy journey.
Madeleine Tilley, PharmD
- PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Denver, North Carolina
- Pharmacy Education: Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
- Clinical Interests: Solid Organ Transplant, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, infectious diseases in immunocompromised populations
- Current Research Project: Utilization of hepatitis B immune globulin as post-exposure prophylaxis in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplant
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I’m originally from Denver, N.C., which is on Lake Norman and about 45 minutes north of Charlotte. I attended college and pharmacy school at Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy in Clinton, S.C. I selected UAB due to our outstanding preceptors and diverse educational opportunities. My main goal was to find a residency program where I would be challenged yet supported, which I have found here at UAB. Birmingham is truly a hidden gem, and I've enjoyed living here! My career goals include serving as a clinical pharmacy specialist in solid organ transplant at a major academic medical center and serving as a preceptor/guest lecturer for a variety of health care programs. My professional interests include solid organ transplant, immunocompromised populations, and emergency medicine.
PGY2 Residents
Leanna Borges, PharmD
- PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
- Pharmacy Education: Western New England College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, Birmingham, AL
- Clinical Interests: Cytomegalovirus in solid organ transplant, post-transplant diabetes, and patient education
- Current Research Project: Assessment of letermovir as universal prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus infection in lung transplant recipients
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
When applying for residencies, I decided that I wanted to see a different part of the country and applied (and matched) at UAB Medicine for my PGY1 in Pharmacy Practice. I sought out PGY1 programs at hospitals that had an established PGY2 in SOT, and when I spoke to UAB Medicine at the ASHP midyear meeting, I loved how friendly and welcoming the residents and staff were and the diversity of the clinical experiences. When it came time to apply for early commitment, I felt that I wasn’t ready for my time at UAB Medicine to be over, and I ended up staying for my PGY2 in SOT!
The PGY2 in SOT at UAB Medicine offers rotations in all of the major organ groups and has allowed me to gain invaluable experience with both abdominal and cardiothoracic transplant. Additionally, I’ve gained experience with high-risk transplant groups including ABO-incompatible, HCV+ donors to HCV- recipients, and HIV+ recipients. UAB Medicine is continually expanding its programs, most recently with the addition of the uterine transplant program, which is only the fourth in the United States. After residency, I hope to apply for a SOT pharmacist position at an academic medical center, ideally with a mix of inpatient and outpatient responsibilities. I also hope to be involved in precepting students and pharmacy residents, as well as contributing to process improvement and protocol development for my institution.
Caitlin Fellers, PharmD
- PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
- Pharmacy Education: University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: West Virginia University Medicine, Morgantown, WV
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic, Trauma, Toxicology
- Current Research Project: Evaluation of the effect of angiotensin II in patients with vasoplegia post-cardiac surgery
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose UAB Medicine because of the expansive options available for all things critical care, including various electives, intensive care units, and disease states seen. The experiences I have already gained in my short time at UAB cannot be rivaled anywhere else. This is coupled with the people at UAB who care about you both professionally and personally, which was evident from day one during my interview. All opportunities offered at UAB Medicine are what make this PGY2 Critical Care program exceptional.
Jubair Hussain, PharmD
- PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Los Angeles, California
- Pharmacy Education: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Clinical Interests: Hematologic Malignancies, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Pediatric Oncology
- Current Research Project: Pneumocystis jiroveci prophylaxis in adjuvant radiotherapy plus concomitant temozolomide among glioma patients
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose to pursue my PGY-2 Hematology/Oncology pharmacy residency training at UAB due to its association with a the nationally ranked NCI O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. The program at UAB offered a wide variety of inpatient and ambulatory clinical services, experience with contemporary oncology therapies, opportunities to work with distinguished clinicians, and relevant longitudinal experiences in leadership, academics, and clinical practice. My professional interests within oncology include hematologic malignancies, bone marrow transplant, and pediatric oncology.
Emily Perez, PharmD
- PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Resident 2021-2022
- Hometown: Montgomery, West Virginia
- Pharmacy Education: East Tennessee State University College of Pharmacy
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, NC
- Clinical Interests: Infectious diseases in immunocompromised populations, antimicrobial stewardship, research and board certification
- Current Research Project: Impact of antimicrobial stewardship intervention on rapid molecular identification of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteremia
Why did you choose UAB Medicine?
I chose UAB Medicine for my second year of residency to train at one of the top institutions in the nation for antimicrobial stewardship. UAB offers the experiences of a large, academic medical center while also maintaining a welcoming, approachable environment. The Infectious Diseases pharmacists and physicians here are the best of the best, and I had no doubt that my training to be an infectious diseases specialist would be a reflection of that. Although these things were important to me, what was most important was having the opportunity to work alongside pharmacists who shared my passion for infectious diseases!
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: University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital
Pharmacy Education: Auburn University
2019-2020 PGY1 Pharmacy Residents
Ashley Barahona
Theresa El-Murr
Meredith Holt
2019-2020 PGY2 Critical Care Resident
Morgan Frawley
Marisa Pasquale
2019-2020 PGY2 Oncology Resident
Pamiz Alibhai
2019-2020 PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Resident
Josh Banbury
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 1st. 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: