PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program — Aberdeen, SD

The Postgraduate Year One Pharmacy Residency (PGY1) program at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital is a new program in pre-candidate status with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accreditation.

This program is uniquely designed to offer residents exposure to the challenges and rewards of pharmacy practice in a rural healthcare environment. Different from the longstanding residency program based at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, this is based in Aberdeen, SD.

The Avera St. Luke's PGY1 will build on pharmacy education to develop clinical pharmacists who are:

  • Skilled in providing patient-centered, evidence-based medication therapy management across a wide range of conditions
  • Eligible for board certification
  • Equipped for postgraduate employment within rural or critical access facilities
  • Eligible for postgraduate pharmacy residency training or fellowship training

Residents will gain experience in acute and ambulatory pharmacy services, with opportunities to engage in interprofessional collaboration, quality improvement initiatives and leadership development.

Want to learn more? Complete this brief form to request more information.

Residency Program Details

Program Code

ASHP Program Code: 67105

Program Requirements

  • Completion of Residency Orientation
  • Weekend and evening staffing of one 4 hour shift per week and every 3 weekend
    • Must meet 90% of all scheduled shifts
  • Precepting and mentoring pharmacy students through completion of the Teaching Certificate Program and as assigned by preceptors
  • Participation in pharmacy department education including (but not limited to) completion of the following presentations:
    • One Pharmacy Department topic discussion
    • One Morbidity & Mortality Educational presentation
    • One Pharmacy Grand Rounds presentation
  • One presentation for continuing education credit
  • Completion of one pharmacy research project and the following:
    • Completion of one manuscript due by June 1 of the residency year
    • Presentation of research data at Midwest Pharmacy Residency Conference
    • Presentation at one national meeting
  • Obtain 85% “achieved for residency” for all required goals and objectives for the program
  • Completion of one medication safety project
  • Completion of one formulary medication review
  • Completion of one medication use evaluation

Program Goals

  • Provide pharmaceutical care to patients in a variety of settings
  • Educate students, healthcare providers and patients
  • Develop project management and problem-solving skills
  • Improve drug information skills
  • Plan, initiate and document pharmaceutical care services
  • Maintain a professional and ethical manner
  • Develop leadership skills in pharmacy practice
  • Utilize medical informatics
  • Contribute to formulary decisions

Completion of the PGY1 residency will prepare the resident for general clinical practice, a PGY2 residency or a fellowship program.

Residency Goals

  • Demonstrate professional autonomy
  • Gain well-rounded understanding of pharmacy services in all areas of the facility
  • Frequently self-evaluate
  • Exhibit a commitment to excellent pharmaceutical care
  • Exercise leadership in improving the safety of the medication use system

Completion of the PGY1 residency will prepare the resident for board certification, general clinical practice, a PGY2 residency or a fellowship program.

Learning Experiences

Longitudinal (Required)

  • Project Management (48 weeks)
  • Hospital Pharmacy Practice (48 weeks)
  • Leadership, Finance, Operation, & Patient Safety (48 weeks)
  • Formulary Management (48 weeks)

Rotations (required)

  • Orientation (4weeks)
  • Acute Care
  • Ambulatory Care (6 weeks)
  • Pharmacy Administration (6 weeks)
  • Oncology (6 weeks)
  • Research (2 weeks)

Rotations (Elective – Up to 6 weeks total)

  • Ambulatory Care II
  • Behavioral Health/Psychiatry
  • Cardiology
  • Critical Care
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Oncology II
  • Rural Health Care
  • Other specialty electives as available/requested

Some elective rotations may include off-site rotation or split rotation options.

Residency Application Process

Applications for one residency position are currently being accepted. Qualifications for candidacy are a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and licensure or eligibility for licensure in South Dakota within 90 days of beginning the program.

Qualifications and Requirements for candidacy

  • Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited degree program
  • Licensed or eligible to apply for a license to practice pharmacy in the state of South Dakota and Minnesota.
  • Participation in the ASHP Residency Matching Program (“The Match”)
  • A copy of transcripts: Undergraduate or non-pharmacy transcripts are not required. Only pharmacy school-related coursework must be submitted.
  • Three professional references using the Standardized Reference Template in the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS)
  • Copy of curriculum vitae
  • Letter of intent describing reasons for seeking residency and reasons for pursuing residency at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital.
  • Completed application submitted in PhORCAS - See PhORCAS for due date.

Apply on PhORCAS

Apply online on the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) site.

Submit Application

Contact Us

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

PGY1 Residency Program Director
Avera St. Luke’s Hospital
Danita Hoffman, PharmD
Email: danita.hoffman@avera.org

Pharmacy Director | Assistant VP of Regional Hospital Pharmacy
Avera St. Luke’s Hospital
Alvin Haugen, PharmD
Email: alvin.haugen@avera.org

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