Residency Frequently Asked Questions

How many residents are in the WVU Medicine - WVU Hospitals residency program?

There are currently 23 pharmacy residents in all residency programs.

  • PGY1 Residents (11)
    • Pharmacy (Acute Care/Inpatient-Focused) (7)
    • Community-Based (Specialty-Focused) (1)
    • Health-System Pharmacy Administration & Leadership + MHA Degree (2)
    • Pharmacy at WVU Medicine Children's (Pediatrics-Focused) (1)
  • PGY2 Residents (12)
    • Ambulatory Care (1)
    • Cardiology (1)
    • Critical Care (1)
    • Health-System Pharmacy Administration & Leadership + MHA Degree (2)
    • Infectious Diseases (1)
    • Internal Medicine (1)
    • Oncology (3)
    • Pediatrics (2)

What are the leadership opportunities within the program?

There are a variety of leadership opportunities for residents at WVU Hospitals including: 

  • PGY1 and PGY2 Chief Residents 
  • Residency Coordinator Roles (Recruitment, Interviews, Teaching, Precepting, Community Service and Wellness, MUE and Research, Communications, and Continuing Education) 
  • Mentorship of pharmacy students

How does your program support work-life integration?

  • The program sponsors a variety of wellness/bonding activities, a mentorship program, and monthly meetings with the Residency Program Director.
  • Residents are encouraged to bond with one another and are provided specific days and evenings off for a resident outing.
  • Residents are encouraged to use paid days off while still meeting rotation requirements.

Do residents have parking privileges?

  • Parking is free for all WVU Hospital employees.
  • There are two large parking garages and multiple lots that are approximately a 5-minute walk to the hospital.
  • Shuttle options are available from parking lots to the front of the employee entrance to the building.

Is there a dedicated workspace for the residents?

  • Yes! There is a resident only office for PGY1 and PGY2 residents on the same floor as the cafeteria, main pharmacy, pharmacy administration offices, and pharmacy breakroom. 
  • Each resident is assigned a desk, laptop, desk phone, and double monitors.
  • The office has a mini-fridge, printer/fax machine, Keurig, and water cooler.

How does the early commitment process work at WVU Hospitals?

  • Qualified PGY1 residents currently at WVU Medicine may apply and interview after discussion with the Residency Program Coordinator, PGY1 Residency Program Director, and potential PYG2 Residency Program Director.
  • The Early Commitment process at WVU Hospitals may take place in two phases: 
    • Phase 1 applications, interviews, and decisions will take place in November, prior to ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting 
    • Phase 2 applications, interviews, and decisions will occur one to two weeks after the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting 
  • Each individual PGY2 residency program at WVU Hospitals reserves the right to utilize or not utilize the Early Commitment Process and the two-phase process. 

What are the dining options available to residents at WVU Hospitals?

  • The hospital has two cafeterias: one in the main hospital and the other at the Children’s Hospital.
  • Starbucks is located in the hospital lobby.
  • The WVU Health Sciences Center has a Market that includes Chick-fil-A, Which Which, Burgershop, and Hissho Sushi.

What does the teaching certificate encompass? Is it required?

  • The teaching certificate is conducted through the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy.
  • The teaching certificate is optional for PGY1s and PGY2s
  • It includes a 2-hour class in the fall semester and a journal club series in the spring.
  • It also involves facilitating practicums, presenting at least 1 didactic lecture, and being involved in IPPE and APPE experiences at the WVU School of Pharmacy.
  • By the end of the certificate, residents will create a teaching philosophy and a teaching portfolio
  • Residents are appointed as Adjunct Faculty Members at the WVU School of Pharmacy (independent of teaching certificate).

Can you tell me about the medication use evaluation (MUE) component?

  • The required MUE is finished within the first half of the residency year and presented as completed work at the Vizient Pharmacy Network Meeting
  • A list of high priority projects is developed by the pharmacy department and residents will have the opportunity to discuss projects with potential preceptors and rank projects in order of level of interest. Residents will be assigned an MUE based upon their rankings.

Can you tell me about the research component?

  • We follow a traditional research model where residents complete all steps of a research project with the support of the Research Defense Committee and Research Preceptors.
  • Research will be completed longitudinally and will be presented as a platform presentation in the spring at the Western PA Pharmacy Residency Research Day.
  • A completed manuscript is required.

What is resident committee involvement like?

  • Medication Safety, Enterprise Pharmacy and Therapeutics Subcommittees  
  • Residents are encouraged to actively participate on national committees such as Vizient, ASHP, ACCP, or other pharmacy organizations.