PCHC’s Community Pharmacy Residency Program Accredited

PCHC is pleased to announce the accreditation of its Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Community Pharmacy Residency Program by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Pharmacists Association. The accreditation process is a rigorous review of all aspects of the program to ensure it is able to meet the very highest of standards. PCHC is the first accredited Community Pharmacy Residency Program in Maine. The program began in 2011 with one resident and has expanded to four residents this year. PCHC also offers a Postgraduate Year Two (PGY2) Pharmacy Practice Residency in Health Systems Administration which is up for Accreditation this fall.

Noah Nesin, MD, FAAFP, PCHC’s Chief Medical Officer, states, “This is the culmination of a great deal of planning and very hard work on the part of our entire team. We’re very pleased to have achieved this recognition, which is validation of the quality of our residency. Most importantly, it helps to assure that we will continue to attract high quality pharmacists to the residency and have the opportunity to provide advanced education and training to help them better serve the people of Maine.”

Felicity Homsted, PharmD, BCPS, PCHC Director of Pharmacy, states, “The world of health care is evolving and we are training pharmacists to innovatively meet the new challenges we face. Move pharmacists from behind the counter to the front line, side-by-side with the other members of the health care team, serving as the medication experts, educating patients and assisting providers in the management of complex medication regimens.”

The Pharmacy Residency Program’s goal is to develop a professional maturity through compassionate direct patient care, project management, communication, and leadership skills. They work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe and effective medication usage in a cost-effective manner. After completion of the residency program, residents are well prepared to pursue a PGY2 residency program or clinical pharmacist position.