Avera McKennan Pharmacy Residency Program

The pharmacy residency programs at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center offer a welcoming and supportive environment where residents are valued as part of the Avera family. Rooted in a culture of compassion and collaboration, our programs help residents grow into confident, skilled pharmacy practitioners through meaningful mentorship, hands-on clinical experience and a strong sense of community.

Residents benefit from a diverse rotation experience that encompasses a wide range of clinical settings, ensuring exposure to complex patient populations and interdisciplinary collaboration. This immersive training cultivates the utmost in patient care excellence and clinical decision-making.

Our programs focus on patience-care excellence and clinical decision making, emphasizing:

  • Direct patient care rotations
  • Critical evaluation and application of current literature
  • Participation in educational programs and teaching opportunities

Whether you're pursuing an internship, PGY1 or PGY2 training, Avera provides a dynamic and supportive environment to advance your clinical expertise and leadership skills.

Avera participates in Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) for all pharmacy residency applicants.

Pharmacy Residency Programs

  • 61%of first-year residents remained at Avera post graduation (PGY2 or employment)
  • 61%of second-year residents did their first year at Avera
  • 62% of Avera Pharmacists at Avera McKennan are board certified in a specialty

*Stats last updated in 2024

Residency Expectations

Each residency program is a 12-month postgraduate curriculum that offers experience in a variety of areas, including acute care, ambulatory care, clinical services and practice leadership. The programs provide each resident an individualized experience based on specific goals, interests and experience.

Our residents are expected to:

  • Provide pharmaceutical care to patients in a variety of settings
  • Educate students, health care providers, and patients.
  • Develop project management and problem-solving skills.
  • Improve drug information skills.
  • Develop independent learning skills in pharmacy practice.
  • Maintain a professional and ethical manner.
  • Utilize medical informatics.
  • Contribute to formulary decisions.
  • Complete and present an original project that contributes to the advancement of pharmaceutical care
  • Actively participate in department educational activities
  • Participate in the Clinical Consultation Service
  • Provide pharmacy operations staffing coverage
A group of young adults that participate in the pharmacy residency program at Avera.

Contact Us

Complete this brief form to inquire about our pharmacy residency programs. For more information, contact:

PGY1 Residency Program Director
Shelby Fideler, PharmD
Email: shelby.fideler@avera.org