Completing a residency isn’t mandatory for pharmacy students—but graduates of NEOMED’s College of Pharmacy often choose to apply for one. Why? They see the opportunity to obtain more training and launch their career. For patients, the benefit is health professionals who are more highly educated and attuned to their needs.
This year, 83 percent of the NEOMED pharmacy graduates who chose to apply were successful. That’s 16 percentage points higher than the national placement rate of 67 percent. Results were announced at NEOMED on April 12.
“Residency training will give me the opportunity to transition into practice as a licensed pharmacist within a supportive and accelerated learning environment,’’ says fourth-year pharmacy student Angela L. Goodhart. “I'll be able to build clinical skills and fuel my professional development, becoming a more confident and caring practitioner.’’
Residency training can last for one to two years after graduation. The first year, called postgraduate year one, typically offers more general training and exposure to a broad range of clinical scenarios, while postgraduate year two allows students to explore a specific area of interest or specialization within the field.
Of the 19 NEOMED students who will serve in residencies upon graduating, 15 will do so at pharmacy practices in Northeast Ohio. Timothy Ulbrich, Pharm.D., R.Ph., associate dean of workforce development and practice advancement as well as director of pharmacy resident education at NEOMED, explained that these local residencies allow students valuable opportunities to expand their professional networks. Completing a residency in Northeast Ohio exposes a new graduate to future opportunities to live and serve in this region after residency—which also fulfills NEOMED’s mission of improving community health.
“I look forward to working with Ann and Barry Klein at Klein's Pharmacy,” says Melanie A. Rozum, a fourth-year pharmacy student. “They are both well-known leaders in the NEOMED and local community. The Kleins have already contributed so much to my education by providing rotational experiences for students, working on the foundation board and providing scholarship opportunities. I am excited to continue my training with them!”