Emory University Hospital

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

PGY-2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Residency

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.

Practice management: Residents utilize practice management skills to promote the rational and safe use of medications; residents master personal development skills for life-long learning and professional growth.

Learning Experiences and Rotations

Required Learning Experiences

  • Renal transplantation (6-7 weeks)
  • Liver transplantation (6-7 weeks)
  • Lung transplantation (6-7 weeks)
  • Heart transplantation (6-7 weeks)
  • Transplant clinic (All organs)
  • Transplant infectious diseases
  • Pediatric transplantation (Children's Healthcare of Atlanta)
  • Research

Elective Learning Experiences (1)

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit
  • Internal medicine
  • Nutrition support
  • Medical Intensive Care Unit
  • Surgical Intensive Care Unit 

Projects and Responsibilities

Year-long research project: Residents participate in a "flipped" research project model. In the fall, residents complete the data collection and analysis of an IRB-approved research project initiated by the prior SOT resident. The resident submits the results for presentation at the American Transplant Congress or International Society for Heart and Lung Transplant in December. In the spring, the resident designs, develops and submits a research proposal to IRB for approval.

Pharmacy Grand Rounds presentation: Residents prepare 60-minute presentations for Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) credit on SOT approved topics.

Emory Transplant Center Noon Conference: Residents present a 60-minute presentation at Emory Transplant Center Noon Conference. Physicians, nurses, coordinators, mid-level practitioners, researchers, etc. from across all areas of the transplant center attend the conference.

Teaching: Residents complete the Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Teaching Certificate Program (unless similar certification was obtained during the PGY-1 year.) Residents receive the title of "Adjunct Clinical Instructor." Residents provide formal and informal teaching through a didactic lecture at Mercer University, Grand Rounds and rotation in-services.

Precepting: Residents co-preceptor fourth-year PharmD students and Emory PGY-1 residents

Leadership: Residents serve on a multidisciplinary solid organ transplant committee.

Journal club: Residents and preceptors present new literature or primary literature review for topics related to current PGY-2 rotation at the weekly meeting.

Staffing: Residents provide pharmaceutical care by staffing one weekend day every other weekend. The resident also provides pharmacokinetic monitoring for all transplant patients and may also provide medication discharge teaching or other clinical activities as directed by transplant pharmacists.

Licensure and Compensation

Licensure: Residents should obtain Georgia pharmacy licensure by the beginning of the first clinical rotation in August. Residents are required to be licensed by Sept. 30 to complete the residency.

Evaluations: Residents should complete all evaluations, including rotational evaluation and global evaluations, in a timely manner.

Compensation: Residents receive a $58,000/year salary plus medical, dental, vision and 401K benefits.

Professional Development 

Residents are encouraged to participate in professional organizations during their residency year and will receive $75 to pay professional dues. Residents are encouraged to present research findings at a national meeting.

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