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PGY2 Oncology

Welcome

Welcome and thank you for your interest in our PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency program at the University of Rochester Medical Center. As a program, we aim to provide the resident with a diverse clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient oncology, and provide quality educational opportunities, in a supportive working environment. Our residency program has highly qualified and dedicated preceptors, many of which are board certified. As our PGY-2 resident you will be integrated into our multidisciplinary teams and will have the opportunity to work with passionate and devoted professionals.

On behalf of all of our preceptors, we truly appreciate your interest in our program at URMC and we look forward to meeting you!

Our Program By the Numbers

7

Residents Trained

*Program Established in 2015

5

Unique Elective Rotations

*Generally can fit in 2 electives

14

Preceptors for Core Rotations

*13 are board-certified

85 +

Inpatient Oncology Beds

At a Glance

Program Curriculum

Our full-time curriculum provides the essential elements needed to mold a well-rounded clinical pharmacist.

Resident Well-Being

Burnout is real. Our longitudinal programming on building resilience, finding work-life balance, and managing stress is one of the reasons residents recommend URMC.

Life of a Resident

Our emphasis on work/life balance is an important reason fellows choose URMC. A focus on trainees' well-being enables you to learn and thrive in Rochester.

Program Details

Meet our PGY2 Oncology Resident, Deidra, and Go on a Tour of the Inpatient Oncology Areas!

 *Last updated 2020-2021

Tour Additional Oncology Areas of the Hospital

 *Last updated 2020-2021

The PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency at UR Strong Memorial Hospital Wilmot Cancer Institute is a 12-month, full-time curriculum that provides the essential elements needed to shape a successful pharmacy specialist. This intensive training involves activities in a wide variety of practice settings.

  • Rounding with multidisciplinary malignant hematology, medical oncology and blood/marrow transplant clinical teams
  • Providing ambulatory pharmacy services to both solid and liquid tumor patients in the outpatient Wilmot Cancer Institute clinics
  • Providing direct pharmaceutical care to patients enrolled in clinical research studies
  • Participating in the oral chemotherapy program by providing patient education, clinical follow-up and drug information services
  • Applying appropriate sterile compounding technique for chemotherapy preparation
  • Precepting, counseling, and teaching patients, students, residents, pharmacists, advanced practice providers and oncologists, serving as an integral part of the healthcare team

Rotation Schedules

The schedule for the residency year is outlined below and is tailored to meet the needs and interests of the individual resident.

Required Rotations

  • Orientation (2 weeks)
  • Investigation Drug Service (3 weeks)*
  • Chemotherapy Drug Preparation & Outpatient Infusion Center (MTC)*
  • Inpatient Solid Tumor Oncology (5 weeks)*
  • Inpatient Malignant Hematology (7 weeks)*
  • Inpatient Blood and Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapy (6 weeks)*
  • Outpatient Oncology - Breast and Gynecologic Oncology (4 weeks)*
  • Outpatient Oncology - Gastrointestinal and Neuro-Oncology (5 weeks)*
  • Outpatient Oncology - Genitourinary Oncology, Thoracic Oncology, Melanoma, and Sarcoma (4 weeks)*
  • Outpatient Oncology - Hematologic Malignancies and Pediatrics (7 weeks)*

Longitudinal Rotations (Required)

  • Presentations/Preceptorship/Projects/Management
  • Geriatric Oncology Clinic
  • Research
  • Pharmacy Practice
  • Oncology Leadership and Management Part I and Part II

Advanced Clinical Practice (Longitudinal)

Following the completion of the orientation period, the resident will be required to provide comprehensive clinical pharmacokinetics and oncology pharmacy services to the Wilmot Cancer Institute every 3rd weekend. Shift hours may vary but typically run from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Elective Rotations

Elective rotations are designed to customize the oncology residency experience in order to fit the needs and desires of each resident.

  • Benign Hematology
  • Management
  • Oral Oncology/Specialty Pharmacy
  • Pain and Palliative Care
  • Pediatric Oncology

*Core rotations that may be repeated for a 2 week elective learning experience.

Additional Opportunities and Research

Residents will also have opportunities to develop teaching skills by providing presentations to the pharmacy staff, as well as faculty, residents and students in other healthcare professions. Completion of a research project related to oncology pharmacy is required – and the results will be presented at the Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) annual conference.

Resident Well-Being

We place tremendous value on resident well-being and offer a longitudinal series which helps our residents achieve a better work-life balance. We strive to provide our residents with the skills they need to manage their stress and build resilience, not only for residency training, but for their professional careers.

Sessions incorporate guest speakers, various icebreaker activities, events such as preceptor-resident get-togethers, and lots of fun!

Topics covered include:

  • Understanding Wellness, Resilience, and Burnout
  • Developing Self-Care Strategies as a Resident
  • Understand Factors That Can Contribute to Burnout
  • Handling Conflict and Difficult Conversations
  • Creating a Culture of Resident Well-Being

Life of a Resident

Here is a typical inpatient day:

  • 6:30 a.m. Arrive to the hospital to work-up patients for rounds.
  • 8:00 a.m. Pre-round with preceptor to discuss recommendations and plan for patients.
  • 8:30 a.m. Round on inpatients with interdisciplinary team.
  • 12:00 p.m. Grab lunch with co-residents and follow-up with any patient care needed.
  • 1:00 p.m. Meet with preceptor for topic discussion/literature review or attend any meetings/conferences.
  • 2:00 p.m. Ensure chemotherapy admissions’ orders are completed and ready to begin if not started in the morning.
  • 3:00 p.m. Follow-up with team regarding patient care.
  • 4:00 p.m. Update preceptor about any changes in patient care.
  • 5:30 p.m. Head home and enjoy Rochester!

*Schedule will vary depending on the rotation the resident is on during the year.

ASHP Accredited

Purpose Statement

PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification.

This PGY2 advanced pharmacy practice residency program in oncology is intended to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of a qualified pharmacist that are necessary to be an expert clinical pharmacy practitioner in oncology. It is intended that a graduate of this program will be fully qualified to develop and sustain an independent and successful clinical pharmacy practice in any oncology setting.

What Our Graduates Are Saying...

"I strongly value the importance of training in a different town/state than where someone pursues his/her degree, so I knew I wanted to leave Pennsylvania for PGY2. Not only would this strengthen my pharmacy knowledge, but hopefully I would be able to extend some things I have learned throughout my schooling/PGY1 to ultimately provide the best care for patients! Ultimately, I chose URMC for the diverse opportunities in hematology/oncology in both the inpatient and outpatient/specialty settings. During my interview, I immediately felt the inviting atmosphere within the Pharmacy Department. There was a true sense of community and support that radiated from the strong leadership that solidified my desire to be a member of this incredible team! It is also a plus that I am really loving the Rochester area as well!"

Deidra Smith, PharmD

PGY2 Oncology
Class of 2020-2021

Contact Us

Wilmot Cancer Institute
University of Rochester Medical Center
601 Elmwood Ave, Box 638
Rochester, NY 14642

Phone: (585) 273-4931

The information contained herein is subject to change. Please feel free to contact the residency program directly for the most up-to-date information and/or other residency related questions.

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