
Visit our program at midyear on Tuesday, December 6th and virtually through ASHP on Thursday, December 15th.
Please reach out to Sara at sara.krusenoski@uchicagomedicine.org with questions.
PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program
UChicago Medicine - Ingalls Memorial
Dear PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency training program at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital. As one of the lead institutions for offering community-based services in Chicago’s Southland region, we are pleased you have taken time to learn more about our residency program.
Our department’s mission is to ensure our patients achieve the best medication-related outcomes possible, and our residents are integral to our pursuit of this mission. The residency program at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital offers an opportunity for the candidates to develop critical thinking skills as well as clinical skills in a wide variety of practice settings. At the completion of the PGY1 training, the resident will have the tools necessary to be a valuable asset to a hospital pharmacy clinical program. The skills learned at Ingalls will help the resident integrate into that clinical program and function as a practical, confident clinical pharmacist.
At Ingalls, residents play a significant role in our patient-centered practice model obtaining experience in a wide variety of practice settings under the mentorship of seasoned and caring preceptors. This experience is strengthened through our recent partnership with The University of Chicago Hyde Park campus through the design and execution of external professional development opportunities.
Again, thank you for your interest in Ingalls. We look forward to the possibility of meeting with you!
Negin Kiyavash, PharmD, MBA, CPPS
Director of Inpatient Pharmacy Services / Residency Program Director
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital
Residency Program Detailed Information
Department of Pharmacy Services
Over the years, Ingalls has grown to become a 478-bed, nationally recognized health system that spans over 22 acres, offering a full array of health care services. Ingalls has earned a national reputation and commendations for cancer, stroke, neurosciences and orthopedics. Clinical pharmacy services have been well embedded into patient care at Ingalls for decades, allowing the department to provide innovative and advanced care. Our recent partnership with UChicago Medicine has accelerated the scope and level of care provided to our surrounding community. Our pharmacy team consists of central and decentralized pharmacists focused on optimizing safe and effective medication management. We pride ourselves on our team-based approach to providing patient-centered care
PGY-1 Statement of Purpose
The PGY1 program is focused on developing a critically thinking clinical pharmacist that can easily integrate into a hospital pharmacy clinical program and add value to that program by virtue of the tools and techniques learned at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital.
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency
Our program aims to train residents to become dynamic, collaborative practitioners providing safe and effective patient care to a diverse range of patients from varying socioeconomic and disease state backgrounds following a consistent patient care process. Throughout the training year, residents will meet with the program director to design development plans focused on enhancing their skills. Every effort will be made to tailor resident learning experiences based on the learner’s personal career goals and interests. Residents will be afforded opportunities to demonstrate leadership and management skills, the ability to evaluate and investigate practice, review data and assimilate scientific evidence to improve patient care and/or the medication-use system, and effectively disseminate knowledge to other health-care providers and patients.
Position & Application Requirements
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Doctor of Pharmacy degree
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Eligible for licensure in Illinois
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Application materials must be submitted through PhORCAS by December 30th, 2022
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Completed application
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Formal letter of intent
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Curriculum vitae
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Official university/college transcripts
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PhORCAS standard recommendation form submitted by 3 references
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Onsite interview for qualified applicants in Jan/Feb
General Expectations
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Provide integrated care to patients of all ages and a variety of clinical conditions
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Promote the safe, appropriate, and effective use of drugs and improve the long-term health of patients
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Serve as a resource person and a clinical liaison to physicians, nurses, hospital leaders, students, and pharmacy personnel
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Deliver optimal care to all patients via integration of all department resources and programs including computer systems, operational services, and clinical initiatives
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Communicate daily with patients, medical staff, healthcare professionals, and pharmacy peers
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Balance rotational responsibilities with other clinical, operational, and administrative duties
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Embody best practice in all activities
Benefits
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Competitive salary ~ $47,800
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Paid time off (15 days)
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Paid holidays (6 days)
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Health insurance, dental, vision
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Uniforms (lab coats)
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Office space, computer, phone, fax, and pager
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Travel reimbursement for professional meetings
Resident Expectations
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Completion of Department of Pharmacy credentialing and competencies including clinical certifications (ACLS, PALS, etc.)
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Successful completion of core and elective rotations
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Timely submission of all learning experience assessments as assigned in PharmAcademic
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Documentation of learning activities (research, teaching, etc.) uploaded to PharmAcademic
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Centralized weeknight and rotating weekend staffing (including clinical coverage)
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Formal longitudinal practice-related projects
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Learning Experiences
Required Learning experiences
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Orientation
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Integrated Care Medicine
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Critical Care
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Infectious Disease/Stewardship
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Oncology
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Emergency Medicine
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Clinical Administration
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Pharmacy Administration
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Psychiatry/Rehab
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Research
Current Residents

Blanche Danecek, PharmD
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Pharmacy School: University of Illinois at Chicago
Professional Interests: Ambulatory Care, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases
Favorite things to do in Chicago: Trying all the amazing food, exploring all the unique neighborhoods, and playing volleyball at North Avenue
PGY1 research: Comparing the safety and efficacy of biosimilar insulin glargine-yfgn vs insulin glargine
Value of University of Chicago Medicine - Ingalls Residency: Since my first day starting as a PGY-1 resident at Ingalls, I have seen myself grow in confidence and abilities every day. The warm and welcoming pharmacy staff has made me feel incredibly valued, empowered, and has made the entire experience better than I could’ve imagined. The program is very well-rounded and perfect for anyone looking to advance their clinical skills alongside a team of highly supportive and knowledgeable clinicians.

Caroline Bao, PharmD
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Pharmacy School: The Ohio State University
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Critical Care
Favorite things to do in Chicago: Go to museums, spend time with friends, explore the city, and try new restaurants
PGY1 research: Evaluation of time to levetiracetam administration as an undiluted intravenous push compared to intravenous infusion
Value of University of Chicago Medicine - Ingalls Residency: During my time at Ingalls, I have learned so much about pharmacy practice and built so many great relationships, not just with my preceptors but also with the staff pharmacists and techs. Everyone is willing to step up and help with any questions or issues I might have, and I know that I only have more growth and learning to look forward to. I truly appreciate the close-knit environment in the pharmacy and among the clinical specialists and pharmacists, and the opportunities to build my clinical skills and self-confidence here at Ingalls.

Sara Krusenoski, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Critical Care
Rotation offered: Critical Care, Advanced Critical Care
Education: Butler University College of Pharmacy
PGY1: Indiana University Health
PGY2: Critical Care: The University of Chicago Medicine
Practice Interests: Sepsis, septic shock, and vasoactive medications; Pain, sedation, and delirium in the ICU
Professional Organization Affiliation and Leadership: Society of Critical Care Medicine, ASHP
Hobbies: Running, biking, traveling
Preceptors

Emily Limberg, PharmD, BCIDP
Rotation Offered: Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship
Education: Ohio Northern University
PGY1: Cleveland Clinic
Fellowship: Infectious Diseases; Loma Linda University
Practice Interests: MRSA, antimicrobial resistance, pharmacokinetics, research
Professional Organization Affiliation: ASHP, IDSA
Hobbies: reading, puzzles

Al Fisher, BS, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Oncology/Nutrition Support, Investigational Drug Service/Institutional Review Board, Pain Management
Rotation Offered: Oncology, Investigational Drug/Infusion
Education: University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
Fellowship: Oncology; University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
Practice Interests: Oncology, Pain Management, Clinical Trials/Research
Professional Organizations Affiliations: ASHP, ISHP, HOPA
Publications:
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Phase II Open Label Pilot Trial of Aprepitant and Palonosetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving moderately emetogenic FOLFOX Chemotherapy for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer Vol 26: pp1273-79; 2017
Hobbies: Running, Bicycling, Hiking, Canoeing, Water Gardening

Nicole Banks, BS, PharmD, AE-C
Clinical Pharmacist, Psychiatry/Rehab
Rotations offered: Psychiatry/Rehab
Education: Chicago State University College of Pharmacy
Residency:
PGY1: Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
PGY2: BronxCare Health Center, Bronx, NY

Nicole Ruzich, PharmD
Clinical Staff Pharmacist
Infusion Center Coverage Pharmacist
Rotations offered: Integrated Care, Infusion Center
Education: Chicago State University
Practice Interests: General Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology
Professional Organization Affiliation and Leadership: ASHP
Hobbies: Scrapbooking, listening to music, cooking/baking

Erin Little, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Staff Pharmacist
Rotation offered: Integrated Care
Education: Purdue University College of Pharmacy
Practice Interests: Medication Safety, Informatics, Diabetes
Professional Organization Affiliation and Leadership: ASHP
Hobbies: Working out, traveling

Negin Kiyavash, PharmD, MBA
Director of Inpatient Pharmacy Services / Residency Program Director
Rotation offered: Management/Leadership
Education: PharmD, MBA
Practice Interests: Pharmacy management and Medication Safety/Quality
Professional Organization Affiliation and Leadership: ASHP, Midwestern University Alumni
Hobbies: Travel, reading books and painting

Joshua Tyler, PharmD, BCPS
Rotation offered: Pharmacy Informatics
Education: Nova Southeasten University
PGY1: AdventHealth Orlando, Orlando, FL
PGY2: New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
Practice Interests: Pharmacy Informatics, Data Management
Professional Organization Affiliation: ASHP

Armando Cortes, PharmD
Rotation offered: Pharmacy Administration
Education: Keck Graduate Institute School of Pharmacy; California State University San Bernardino Bachelor in Biochemistry; New England College Masters in Business Administration
PGY1: University of Chicago Medicine
PGY2: University of Chicago Medicine, Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership
Practice Interests: Operations management, IV room management, Regulatory, critical care
Professional Organization Affiliation and Leadership: ASHP
Hobbies: Huge foodie! Love watching movies (new and old). Playing and watching basketball.

Nicole Stephen, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
Rotation offered: Integrated Care
Education: Feik School of Pharmacy (San Antonio, TX)
PGY1: UCM- Ingalls Memorial Hospital
Practice interests: Pharmacy Education, Critical Care
Professional organization affiliation and leadership: ASHP
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, baking

Paul Fitzpatrick, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Emergency Medicine
Rotation offered: Emergency Medicine
Education: BA in chemistry – Depaul University; PharmD- Rosalind Franklin University
PGY1: Ingalls Memorial Hospital
Practice interests: Emergency Med, Critical Care, Toxicology, Pediatrics
Professional organization affiliation and leadership: ASHP, ICHP
Hobbies: Exercise/Weightlifting, Crafting, Cooking/baking

Gina Cherniawski, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Emergency Medicine
Rotation offered: Emergency Medicine
Education: University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
PGY1: Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center
PGY2: Emergency Medicine: St. Joseph's/Candler Health System
Practice interests: resuscitation, stroke, sepsis, trauma, antibiotic stewardship
Professional organization affiliation and leadership: ASHP
Hobbies: eating, traveling, watching and playing sports
Contact Us
Negin Kiyavash, PharmD, MBA, CPPS
Director of Inpatient Pharmacy Services / Residency Program Director
Email: negin.kiyavash@ingalls.org
To learn more about the hospital click here