This unique PGY1 Residency in an acute care setting is a collaborative program between Western University of Health Sciences, and St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC). SMMC is a 389-bed acute care teaching facility located in Long Beach, CA. The hospital is a Level 2 Trauma Center and provides an array of comprehensive services. The resident will primarily rotate through various inpatient practice settings at SMMC and will have the opportunity to select two elective rotations based on the resident’s interest. The PGY1 residency programs will provide an accelerated growth that will progress beyond an entry-level professional competency in patient-centered care and in pharmacy operational services. In addition, development of leadership skills will be emphasized throughout the residency experience.

The PGY1 residents will develop and master problem solving skills and decision-making skills under the guidance of a model practitioner. The training will enhance the resident clinical judgments, professional values, and sense of responsibilities toward the pharmacy profession. To assess these skills and values, the following competencies must be met: managing and improving the medication-use process; providing evidence-based patient-centered medication therapy management with the interdisciplinary team; exercising leadership and practice management; demonstrating project management skills; providing medication and practice-related education/training; and utilizing medical informatics.