Pharmacy Residency Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Pharmacy Residency Program Overview
The Department of Pharmacy at Iowa Methodist Medical Center includes a team of over 90 pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, support staff and interns. The Department of Pharmacy utilizes a decentralized model to ensure that pharmacists are readily accessible to patients and other members of the health care team. The pharmacy staff is well integrated within the health care team, participating in patient care rounds, providing pharmacy consult services, educating patients, performing medication reconciliation activities and offering experiential education opportunities to many central Iowa students. Pharmacists within the Department of Pharmacy at Iowa Methodist Medical Center are highly qualified and well respected within the institution. These pharmacists and technicians are committed to providing a great learning environment for both our students and residents.
PGY-1 Residency
Upon completion of this PGY1 residency, the pharmacist will:
- Demonstrate proficiency, confidence and compassion in providing medication related care, including drug provision, distribution and pharmacy management to a variety of patient populations.
- Design, conduct and evaluate investigations of pharmacy practice-related issues.
- Display professionalism and maturity in all aspects of practice.
- Exhibit proficiency and confidence in all areas of pharmacy practice, including drug provision, distribution and pharmacy management.
- Educate patients and health care providers on effective and safe medication use.
- Manage the medication use process including programs to promote patient safety.
- Competently and efficiently teach pharmacy students in both didactic and experiential settings.
Curriculum Structure
The resident's training will be conducted primarily at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. However, nearby clinics and hospitals (all in Des Moines) may serve as practice sites depending on the goals of the resident and the program. Travel to Drake University will be required for academic activities.
Pharmacy Residency Teaching
The resident will receive an appointment as a Clinical Instructor at the Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. This will allow the resident the opportunity to complete a series of seminars for new faculty at Drake and develop their experiential teaching skills by co-precepting Doctor of Pharmacy students from Drake on rotation at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. This will include day-to-day instruction in patient care rounds, participation in Journal Club, Pharmacy rounds and other activities. Additionally, residents will have several opportunities for didactic teaching at Drake including completely co-teaching an elective course in the College of Pharmacy that will give residents the opportunity to design and deliver lectures, active learning exercises, examination question development and grading coursework. At the end of the year graduating residents will receive a teaching certificate.
Drake University is a mid-sized, private university located in Des Moines, Iowa. The university strives to provide students with an exceptional learning environment through collaborative learning, research opportunities and community service. The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a variety of programs in pharmacy, health sciences, occupational therapy and athletic training. Iowa Methodist Medical Center partners with Drake University.
- Resident candidates must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (or equivalent) from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited degree program (or one in process of pursuing accreditation) or have a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
- Resident candidates shall be licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of Iowa or be eligible to obtain licensure by August 1 of the residency year.
- Resident candidates shall adhere to the rules of the resident matching program process.
- Resident candidates shall meet all other pre-employment requirements for UnityPoint Health-Des Moines including, but not limited to, a pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check.
- Hospital Pharmacy Practice/Staffing (orientation for 5 weeks, then longitudinal throughout residency year)
- Internal Medicine (4 weeks)
- Infectious Disease (4 weeks)
- Medical Intensive Care (4 weeks)
- General Pediatrics (4 weeks)
- Parenteral Nutrition (1 week)
- Pharmacy Management (4 weeks)
- Clinical Management (longitudinal - 11 months)
- Teaching (longitudinal - 5 months)
- IV Sterile Compounding (3 days)
- Oncology (4 weeks)
- Surgery/Trauma (4 weeks)
- Pediatric Intensive Care (4 weeks)
- Pediatric Infectious Disease (2-4 weeks)
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (2-4 weeks)
- Renal/Transplant (2-4 weeks)
- Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
- Cardiology (4 weeks)
- Ambulatory Care (2-4 weeks)
- Pediatric Palliative Care (2-4 weeks)
- Adult Palliative Care (2-4 weeks)
- Mental Health (2-4 weeks)
During the residency year, residents will complete a longitudinal staffing rotation. Residents will be required to staff every third weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Residents will also be required to work a half-shift in the evening from 3:30-9 p.m. once a week except the week following weekend staffing. Residents will also be required to work a half-shift in the evening beginning at 3:30 p.m. and lasting until 9-11 p.m. (depending on coverage area) once a week except the week following the weekend staffing.
- Major holidays include: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
- Shift (day or evening) will be determined based on schedule needs.
While staffing, residents will be covering assigned floors and activities will include: order verification, clinical consults (vancomycin dosing, warfarin dosing, etc.), medication reconciliation and answering drug information questions from nurses and physicians. Residents will be thoroughly trained their first month of residency, so they feel fully confident staffing. Typically, residents will cover internal medicine and surgical floors with the option to staff more specialized areas later in the year. If desired, residents will also have the opportunity to pick up extra shifts moonlighting for additional pay later in the residency year.
- One clinical/practice research project to be presented at regional resident's conference
- Medication usage evaluation and present to appropriate forum
- Two formulary reviews/class reviews (monograph and summary) presentations
- Completion of two Pharmacy Grand Rounds presentations
- Completion of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Resident Course
- Various practice management projects
- Other activities as determined by the program and the resident
- Journal Club in conjunction with medical residents
- Completion of the teaching certificate program through Drake University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Eighty-five percent (85%) of goals and objectives scored as achieved for residency
- Accreditation: ASHP Accredited
- Program Code: 61500
- ASHP Match #: 153813
- Number of Residents: 3
- Hospital Size: 450 beds
- Number of Preceptors: 20
- Salary: $48,505
- Paid Vacation Days: 15 days of PTO. Residents have PTO available for illness, personal days, and extended weekend for travel to home or personal or family events.
- Leave: Professional Leave Attendance at professional meetings is considered part of professional responsibilities, not PTO. Medical and Personal Leave of Absence Residents may apply for a leave of absence for medical reasons, personal reasons, military service and jury duty per UnityPoint Health HR policy.
- Travel: Reimbursement for all reasonable trainee expenses including meeting registration, travel, hotel (double occupancy) and meals. Residents typically attend two meetings, the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and a regional residency conference.
- Health Benefits: dental, vision, prescription drug, life insurance, disability
- Staffing: Two eight hour shifts every third weekend, ½ evening shift/week
- Other: Professional meeting attendance (ASHP Midyear and regional residency conference), convenient underground parking, paid holidays, designated resident office, reference material stipend, access to Health Sciences Library, BCLS/ACLS Certification (ACLS optional), free on-site fitness facilities access, one comp day for every 4-week learning experience and UnityPoint Health team members may present their ID badge to ride any Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority - DART bus for free.
Application Process
Candidates must complete the Phorcas residency application before the deadline listed on the ASHP residency site, and include the following:
- Personal statement/letter of intent
- Curriculum vitae
- Verified pharmacy education transcripts
In person interviews will be scheduled in February. As part of each interview, candidates will participate in a clinical case workup. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. The UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Pharmacy Residency Program is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visas at this time. The deadline for receipt of all application materials via PhORCAS is January 1st.
Key Faculty
Kristi Adams
Brian Bensen
Taylor Boorn
Matthew Boyd
Amanda Bushman
Amanda received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Drake University in 2003. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa, City, Iowa and is board certified in pharmacotherapy with added qualifications in Infectious Disease (BCPS - AQ ID) and a board certified infectious diseases pharmacist (BCIDP). Dr. Bushman joined UnityPoint Health - Des Moines in 2012. She was elected as a Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America (FIDSA) in 2023. She precepts the Infectious Disease rotation and the research rotation. Dr. Bushman's areas of interest include antimicrobial stewardship, multi-drug resistant organisms, antimicrobial dosing in obesity, and advancements in microbiological technology
Meagan Caligiuri
Darla Eastman
Jillian Ginger
Anisa Hansen
Jessi Henter
Katie Higgins
Katy Juhl
Carrie Koenigsfeld
Natalie Lappe
Megan Lewis
Megan received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Drake University in 2005. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Megan joined UnityPoint Health - Des Moines in 2006. She precepts the emergency medicine rotation. She is involved in several committees at the regional and system level at UnityPoint Health. Her areas of interest include emergency medicine, optimizing stroke management, and infectious disease. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Kayla Myers
Kelly Shea
Allie Schlicher
Nicole Schneider
Nicole received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Drake University in 2015. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at UnityPoint Health Des Moines – Iowa Methodist. She precepts the cardiology rotation. Her professional areas of interest include cardiology, critical care and parenteral nutrition.
Jennifer Toliver
Geoff Wall
Current Residents
Dr. Sydney Day
PharmD
Dr. Zoey Sjogren
PharmD
Dr. Danira Suljic
PharmD
Past Resident Bios
Dr. Alexis Clouse, PharmD - Dr. Alexis Clouse is originally from Winterset, Iowa. She graduated from The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in May of 2022. Alexis's current practice interests include infectious disease, pediatric and adult hematology/oncology and palliative care. Upon completion of her PGY1 residency, she would like to either complete a PGY2 residency or pursue board certification in pharmacotherapy with the goal to practice as a clinical pharmacist. Outside of residency, she enjoys interior design, playing softball, cycling and watching Hawkeye sports.
Dr. Ashley DeSmet, PharmD - Dr. Ashley DeSmet is originally from Brookings, South Dakota. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from South Dakota State University in May of 2022. Ashley's current practice interests include pediatrics and cardiology. Upon completion of her PGY1 residency, she would like to either complete a PGY2 residency or pursue board certification in pharmacotherapy and a career as a clinical pharmacist. Outside of residency, Ashley loves to travel to new places, spend time with family and friends, and spend time outside with her puppy, Leo.
Dr. Liz Harvey, PharmD - Dr. Liz Harvey is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She graduated from Drake University with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Minor in Psychology. Liz's current interests include mental health, pain management, and emergency/trauma medicine. Upon completion of her PGY1 residency, she would like to pursue board certification in pharmacotherapy with the goal to practice as a clinical pharmacist. Outside of residency, Liz enjoys walking with her dog, exploring new coffee shops, and learning how to golf!
Dr. Brittni Gerdts, PharmD - Dr. Brittni Gerdts is originally from Clarinda, Iowa. She graduated from Creighton University with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in May 2021. Brittni's current practice interests include critical care, emergency medicine, cardiology, and behavioral health. Her residency project evaluated the impact of pharmacist-facilitated discharge medication reconciliation on preventing adverse drug events and consequential re-admissions. Upon completion of her pharmacy practice residency, she will be a clinical patient care pharmacist with Nebraska Methodist Health System. Her favorite things about completing a residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center was the collaborative practice model working with the medical residents, attendings, preceptors, and clinical staff. There was a healthy balance of mutual respect and peer-based learning which provided a very positive and memorable experience during residency. She also enjoyed the opportunities to co-precept and mentor pharmacy students, providing professional guidance and promoting self-confidence as residents grow simultaneously in their own pharmacy practice.
Dr. Kimberly Owen, PharmD - Dr. Kimberly Owen is originally from Reedley, California. She attended California State University, Fresno, for her undergraduate degree in mathematics and earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Creighton University in May 2021. Kimberly's current areas of interest include infectious diseases and pediatrics. Her residency project evaluated the time to optimal antibiotics utilizing the expanded pathogen identification of the Biofire Blood Culture Identification 2 panel compared to the first generation Biofire Blood Culture Identification panel. Upon completion of her residency, Kimberly is excited to be continuing her career as a pharmacist at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Her favorite aspects of the residency were the incredible relationships she developed, both within the pharmacy team and through interprofessional collaboration. The variety of learning experiences offered during her residency provided Kimberly with a broad knowledge base and the opportunity to learn from dedicated, experienced, and engaged pharmacy preceptors.
Dr. Karlie Seiler, PharmD - Dr. Karlie Seiler is originally from West Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Certificate of Palliative Care in May of 2021. Karlie's current practice interests include pediatric and adult hematology/oncology and palliative and supportive care. Her residency project evaluated the current management of urinary tract infections in term infants < 60 days of age and effects following the implementation of a standardized approach. Upon completion of her PGY1 residency, Karlie will be completing a PGY-2 in oncology at M Health Fairview – University of Minnesota Medical Center. What she enjoyed most about her time at Iowa Methodist Medical Center were the relationships she was able to form with her co-residents, pharmacy staff, and providers while advancing her clinical knowledge in a wide range of clinical settings.
Dr. Haley Noeldner, PharmD - Dr. Haley Noeldner is originally from Waconia, Minnesota. She graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy on the Duluth campus in May of 2020. Haley's current practice interests include infectious diseases, transplant and oncology. Her residency project evaluated the clinical utility of MRSA nasal PCR assays beyond respiratory infections. The results of her study will be used to expand the local pharmacy Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) to allow pharmacists to order MRSA nasal swabs for patients outside of pneumonias in order to help guide and improve antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Upon completion of residency, Haley will be moving back to Minnesota where she has accepted a clinical pharmacist position at a critical access hospital. What she enjoyed most about residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center was the wide variety of opportunities she was able to experience on rotations and the amazing relationships she was able to establish with not only pharmacy preceptors/staff, but also medical residents and providers.
Dr. Saidee Oberlander, PharmD - Dr. Saidee Oberlander is originally from Valley City, North Dakota. She graduated from North Dakota State University with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in May of 2020. Her current practice interests include internal medicine, critical care, infectious disease, and cardiology. Saidee's residency project evaluated the effect of intravenous azithromycin on the QTc interval of ICU patients. Upon completion of her pharmacy practice residency, she will begin her new role as an inpatient pharmacist at Sanford Health in Bismarck, North Dakota and is working towards completion of Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy. Saidee's favorite things about her residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center were the wide variety of rotational experiences and the opportunity to get to know and work closely with providers, medical residents, pharmacists and her co-residents.
Dr. Victoria Smith, PharmD - Dr. Victoria Smith is originally from Rochester, MN. She attended the University of Minnesota for her undergraduate degree in biochemistry as well as her PharmD, graduating in 2020. Her current practice interests include internal medicine, nephrology, pain management and antibiotic stewardship. Her residency project was Impact of Pharmacist Medication Assessment in Patients with High Fall Risk at a Community Teaching Hospital. Upon completion of her residency, Victoria will be a PRN clinical pharmacist at UnityPoint Health - Des Moines. Her favorite aspects of residency were building relationships with residents and students across professions and the flexibility to adapt the residency to her evolving interests. In her free time, Victoria enjoys trying new recipes, going to farmer's markets and cheering on the Golden Gophers.
Dr. Jillian Ginger, PharmD - Dr. Jillian Ginger is originally from Pleasantville, Iowa. She completed her undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Iowa and went on to obtain her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) with a certificate in palliative care from the University of Iowa in May of 2019. Her current practice interests include pain management and palliative care, infectious diseases and pediatric hematology/oncology. Jillian's residency project evaluated the impact of adding a pharmacist to the palliative care team. The results of her study will be used to create a business proposal for the addition of a Pain, Palliative Care and Opioid Stewardship Pharmacist position at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines as well as the ability to continue to offer Adult and Pediatric Palliative Care Learning Experiences for future pharmacy residents. Upon completion of her residency, Jillian will start as a PRN clinical pharmacist at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines. The things she enjoyed most about the residency were establishing rapport and working alongside many different providers, the ability to make the residency what she wanted and learning from the dedicated residency preceptors.
Dr. Jenna Manatrey-Lancaster, PharmD - Dr. Jenna Manatrey-Lancaster is originally from Norwalk, Iowa. She graduated from Drake University with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and concentration in Diabetes Medication Management in May of 2019. Jenna's current practice interests include nuclear pharmacy, trauma and surgery, critical care and internal medicine. Her residency project evaluated impact of BioFire FilmArray respiratory panel results on antibiotic days of therapy and clinical decision making. Results of her project will be used to identify and implement a strategy to improve judicious ordering of respiratory panels and increase result utilization in an effort to promote antimicrobial stewardship, improve quality of care and reduce healthcare costs. Upon completion of her pharmacy practice residency, she will be a nuclear pharmacist with Cardinal Health and stay on part-time as a clinical pharmacist at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Her favorite things about completing a residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center included the advanced pharmacy practice model and the opportunity to get to know and work closely with providers, medical residents and pharmacists.
Dr. Kylie Markovich, PharmD - Dr. Kylie Markovich is originally from Niles, Illinois and she graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in May of 2019. Her current practice interests are infectious diseases, transplant and critical care. Her residency project was Implementation and Assessment of Pharmacist Driven Procalcitonin Collaborative Practice Agreement to Aid in Antimicrobial Stewardship. Since completing her PGY1 residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in June of 2020, Kylie is now at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi completing her PGY2 residency in Infectious Diseases. Upon completion of her clinical training, she plans to become board certified in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy and work as an infectious disease pharmacist. What she enjoyed most about her residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center was the great relationships with providers and preceptors.
Dr. Nicholas Kayser, PharmD - Dr. Nicholas Kayser is originally from Lake Mills, IA. He graduated from The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in May of 2018. His current practice interests include pediatrics and critical care. His residency project evaluated NICU gentamicin trough levels based on Blank Children's Hospital unique dosing algorithm. Upon completion of his pharmacy practice residency, he will be a clinical pharmacist at Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City, IA. His favorite things about completing a residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center were the close relationships with providers and the advanced pharmacy practice model.
Dr. Vilailack Kheuakham, PharmD - Dr. Vilailack Kheuakham is originally from Des Moines, Iowa. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Biology and Healthcare Administration at Grand View University and Mercy College of Health Sciences. She went on to receive her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Iowa in May of 2018. Ve's current practice interests include infectious disease, internal medicine, cardiology and critical care. Her residency project involved comparing and evaluating the impact on 30-day mortality rates in patients with Gram-negative bacteremia treated with definitive intravenous therapy versus those de-escalated to oral therapy. After completion of this residency, Ve will continue her career as a PRN clinical pharmacist at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and has accepted a position at the Veterans Affairs Health Systems in Des Moines. Her favorite things about completing a residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center were experiencing the advanced pharmacy practice, establishing a positive pharmacist-provider-patient relationship and having the opportunity to precept pharmacy students.
Dr. Mackenzie Leal, PharmD - Dr. Mackenzie Leal is originally from Blue Grass, Iowa. She completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry with a minor in Zoology at Western Illinois University. She went on to receive her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Drake University in May 2018. Her residency project evaluated vancomycin dosing in the neonatal intensive care unit and developed a new vancomycin-dosing algorithm. Upon completion of her pharmacy practice residency, Mackenzie will be a clinical pharmacist at the Central Iowa VA Health Care System. The things that she enjoyed most about completing her residency at Iowa Methodist was learning from the preceptors and staff pharmacists and the advanced pharmacy practice.
FAQs
Jillian Ginger: A list of ideas are submitted to the residents during orientation. The projects are discussed, and residents are given the opportunity to ask questions during an informational session (and additionally encouraged to engage the project mentor with additional questions and to gain additional information). If a resident has additional ideas for a research project of interest that is not included on the proposed project list, then the resident is encouraged to ask the RPD/RAC preceptors to determine if the project could be arranged.
Katy Juhl: Across the hospital, pharmacists are active participants in patient rounding and on a wide assortment of multidisciplinary committees. We have close working relationships with both physician and nursing staff and have been welcomed into several inpatient and outpatient care teams.
Jennifer Toliver: We have a lot of preceptors that are the "system wide experts" in their specific areas. This allows for the possibility for residents to observe and collaborate in system wide initiatives without having to be the sole owner. Having these preceptors serve as historical references on past successes and failures also adds to the overall learning experience.