Emory University Hospital

Emory University Hospital Post-Graduate
Year Two Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Residency

PGY-2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Residency

Residency Purpose

The 12-month post-graduate year two (PGY-2) solid organ transplant (SOT) pharmacy residency program exposes you to diverse populations of solid organ transplant recipients. The Emory Transplant Center is one of the busiest transplant centers in the country, so you will gain valuable experience managing a broad range of patients.

The residency develops clinicians who function as integral members of multidisciplinary care teams. Through patient data collection and analysis, you will develop knowledge and skills to provide patient-specific and evidence-based pharmacotherapy and function as an independent practitioner.

Goals

Residents gain a strong clinical knowledge base, commitment to teaching and appreciation for clinical research. The SOT residency program at Emory University Hospital utilizes the collective assets of Emory Hospitals and the Emory Transplant Center in the education and training of residents in the following areas:

Clinical practice: Residents become familiar with disease states, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SOT recipients from pre-transplantation to post-transplant and as patients return for routine outpatient follow-up. Residents learn to incorporate their clinical knowledge into day-to-day practice and to function independently as members of the health care team.

Teaching: Residents teach PGY-1 pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, physicians, nurses and other members of the health care team.

Research: Residents develop and conduct a clinical research project, including Institutional Research Board (IRB) approval. Attendance at transplant meetings and possible research presentation is encouraged.

Practice management: Residents utilize practice management skills to promote the rational and safe use of medications. 

Learning Experiences and Rotations

Required Rotations (7) 

  • Kidney/Pancreas transplant (4-6 weeks)
  • Liver transplant (4-6 weeks)
  • Lung transplant (4-6 weeks)
  • Heart transplant (4-6 weeks)
  • Transplant clinic (4-5 weeks)
  • Transplant infectious disease (4-5 weeks)
  • Pediatric transplantation (4-5 weeks at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta)
  • Orientation (2-4 weeks)

Elective Rotations (Choose 2)

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit (4-5 weeks)
  • Surgical Intensive Care Unit (4-5 weeks)
  • Transplant Advanced Practice (4-5 weeks)

Longitudinal Rotations**

  • Transplant service commitment (52 weeks, 22 hours per month)
    • Clinical coverage 1 weekend day every other weekend
    • 1 minor and 1 major holiday
    • Pre-transplant evaluations
    • UGA didactic lecturer
    • Lead core transplant topics throughout the year
    • Co-precept students and residents
    • Transplant quality conference
  • Research (completion phase, 52 weeks, 8 hours per month plus 4 concentrated weeks)*     
    • IRB approved project completed in the fall
    • Submission to ATC or ISHLT
  • Research (development phase, 4 months, 4 hours per month)*
    • Research proposal and IRB submission in the spring
  • Case conference (6 weeks, 10 hours)
    • Interactive presentation
  • Grand rounds (2 blocks of 8 weeks, 20 weeks each block)
    • Pharmacy ACPE accredited presentation
    • Transplant grand rounds
  • Protocol/order set creation or revision (5 months, 2 hours per month)
  • Teaching certificate (if not completed as a PGY1, 52 weeks, 2-4 hours per month)
    • Thru Mercer University

* Allotted 1 research day per month
** Longitudinal rotations required except as indicated

Licensure and Compensation

Licensure: Residents should obtain Georgia pharmacy licensure no later than 120 days after start of the residency year.  It is recommended to begin the reciprocity process by mid-April.

Evaluations: Residents should complete all evaluations, including rotational evaluation and global evaluations, within 7 days of due date.

Compensation: Residents receive a $56,000/year salary plus medical, dental, vision and 401K benefits.

Professional Development 

Residents have the opportunity to participate in a Professional Development Series.  Residents are also encouraged to participate in professional organizations, and attend the Fellows Symposium on Transplantation as well either AST or ISHLT during their residency year.  Travel funds ($1750) and funds for professional dues ($75) are provided.

Contact Info

For more information, please contact the program director.

Erika Meredith, PharmD, BCTXP
1364 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-712-5352
erika.meredith@emoryhealthcare.org