The PGY2-Geriatric Pharmacy Residency at UPMC Presby-Shadyside collaborates with experienced geriatric practitioners in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings. The resident gains skills providing direct patient care in diversified geriatric care environments.
The University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Health System have a strong commitment to the development of future pharmacy professionals. One area of need that has been nationally recognized is for additional well-trained health care professionals, including pharmacists, to optimize care for older adults. In response to this call for action and need, our PGY2 program was developed. This residency includes sites located on the Oakland and Shadyside campuses.
The PGY2-Geriatric Pharmacy Residency at UPMC Presby-Shadyside collaborates with experienced geriatric practitioners in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings. The resident gains skills providing direct patient care in diversified geriatric care environments. The resident also designs and conducts a research project which will be presented at regional and national conferences. Moreover, the resident has the opportunity to hone teaching skills with pharmacy learners as well as interprofessional educational opportunities.
The mission of the Geriatric Pharmacy residency is to foster the development of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue an advanced practice for direct patient care of older adults, educate current and future practitioners, and become leaders in the development of geriatric pharmacy practice. Improving care transitions for older adults in an interprofessional environment is a focus of this residency program and the resident will have learning experiences in the hospital, outpatient clinics, and long term care settings to achieve these goals.
NMS Code: 675054
Appointment Period: July 1 – June 30
Number Positions: 1
Starting Date: July 1
Salary: $52,290
Paid Time Off: 20 days
Insurance: Health, dental, eye care, life, and disability available.
Eligible candidates will have :
All interested applicants should send a letter of intent indicating why the candidate desires to complete a PGY2 Residency in Geriatrics, curriculum vitae, and three recommendations. Materials submission via the PHORCAS system is preferred. Letters of recommendation may be emailed directly from the recommender; however, a hard copy of the letter with signature must be also received.
- Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited school of pharmacy
- Current enrollment in or completion of a PGY1 residency in pharmacy or community pharmacy
- Licensure or eligibility for licensure within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Registered for the ASHP Residency Matching Program
- Submitted a completed application via PhORCAS by January 10th deadline to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center PGY2 Geriatric Pharmacy- Presbyterian Shadyside (6750) -Verify program number as there are multiple programs.
Christine M. Ruby, PharmD, BCPS, FASCP
Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics and Division of Geriatric Medicine;
University of Pittsburgh Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine;
Director, Geriatric Pharmacy Residency Program, and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Geriatrics, Shadyside Senior Care
Mailing Address:
Metanthi (Vicky) Tzanakos
Pharmacy Administration Bldg
3507 Victoria Street
Mailcode: PFG 01-01-01
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Reference Guide
We request a minimum of 3 references and ask that at least two of the three references come from preceptors with whom the applicant has worked in a direct patient care setting. The preceptor should be able to comment on the applicant’s responsibilities, patient workload, clinical problem-solving abilities, and time management skills. All reference writers must use the standard PhORCAS reference template and provide comments on a minimum of 7 of the 15 characteristics in the spaces provided.
The residency site agrees that no person at the site will solicit, accept, or use any ranking related informing from any residency candidate.
2022-23 Interviews
Interviews will be conducted virtually. We understand the time and financial constraints of travel and want to provide a platform that is most accessible. Those in proximity or visiting may arrange a tour of the facility at another time with our team members, that will not be part of the interview process.
Required Experiences
- Shadyside Senior Care
- Benedum Geriatric Center
- Inpatient Geriatrics
- Palliative Care
- Long-term Care
Required Longitudinal Experiences
- Outpatient Geriatrics
- Teaching
- Research and Scholarship
Elective Experiences
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Mastery of Teaching Certificate
- And/or additional time in required sites depending on the resident’s career goals
Preceptors
Christine M. Ruby, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP (Director)
Erin Suhrie, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
Scott Stephens, RPh
Marc Gutowski, PharmD
Monica Aspinall, PharmD, BCGP
Cameron Carlock, PharmD
Paula Carlock, PharmD
Sites
Sites include: UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside Hospital; MUH and SHY campuses; Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC); RX Partners and UPMC-affiliated Nursing Home sites
Rotation sites include the following:
- Senior Care Institute- UPMC-SHY
- Benedum Geriatric Center- UPMC-MUH
- Long term Care- RX Partners (block and longitudinal experience)
- Long term Care- Asbury Heights, Heritage-Shadyside, Cantebury (or other UPMC-affiliated Nursing Home sites)
Cindy Van, PharmD
Program graduates and first positions obtained
2021-2022
Sharon Zhu, PharmD – Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, Mineola, New York
2020-2021
Cori Shope, PharmD, BCACP, CPP - Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist/Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, North Carolina
2017-2018
Michelle Howerton, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP - Transitions of Care / Anticoagulation, West Virginia University
2016-2017
Kristin Hart, PharmD, BCACP - Clinical Pharmacist, Family Medicine, Legacy Health, Portland, Oregon
2013-2014
Madhavi Gavini, PharmD, BCPS - Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
2012-2013
Stephanie Seaton, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP - Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Saint Louis, MO.
Dr. Ruby
Faculty Preceptor of the Year, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy (2009)
Faculty Honoree, 34th Annual Honors Convocation, University of Pittsburgh (2010)
Faculty Mentor, Wal-Mart Scholars, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (2012)
Leadership in Education Award, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (2012)
ASCP Top Research Poster (2023) “The Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist-Driven Admission Drug Regimen Review in the Skilled Nursing Facility” - Camryn M. Vecera, PharmD; Matthew Bruno, PharmD; Monica Aspinall, PharmD, BCGP; and Christine M. Ruby, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP
Shope CJ*, Bruno M, Ruby CM, Naumovski J, Iasella CJ, Aspinall M. Evaluating the Effects of a Medication Adherence Packaging Program on Outcomes in Older People. Sr Care Pharm 2022;37:73-81.
Hart KM*, Gennari AS, Ruby CM. A Geriatric Pharmacy Resident's Clinical and Educational Activities During Weekly interprofessional Team Meetings. Sr Care Pharm. 2020 Mar 1;35(3):136-144.
Howerton MA*, Suhrie EM, Gennari AS, Jones N, Ruby CM. Evaluation of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Dosing and Monitoring in Two Geriatric Outpatient Clinics. Sr Care Pharm. 2019 Mar 1;34(3):192-205.
Patel RS*, Marcum ZA, Peron EP, Ruby CM. Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Therapeutic Failure-Related Hospitalizations in the Elderly. Consult Pharm 2014;29:376-386.
Gavini M*, Gennari AS, Ruby CM. Perceptions of care among high-risk geriatric patients, families or caregivers in a patient-centered medical home. Consult Pharm 2015;29:153-62.