PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program

Cowell Family Cancer Center, Traverse City, MI

Residency Program Overview

The PGY-2 oncology pharmacy residency was established in 2020 and is fully accredited by ASHP. The residency is conducted primarily at the Cowell Family Cancer Center and Munson Medical Center. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared to confidently practice as a successful oncology pharmacist in direct-patient care, research, or operational settings, as well as equipped with the knowledge and skills to sit for and obtain board certification.

The oncology service line has ample opportunities for exposure to nearly all required patient care activities and those that are not available here, specifically blood and marrow transplant, are coordinated with an outside facility.

Residents participate in both direct and indirect patient care activities as determined by the program with guidance from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). They gain exposure and experience in required disease states to practice comprehensive medication management related to malignancies, associated symptoms, and supportive care. 

PGY-2 Program Purpose

PGY-2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and PGY-1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY-2 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 PGY-2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.

About the Cancer Program

The cancer program at Munson is well-established with a large team of healthcare professionals from many disciplines working together to provide comprehensive patient care.  Cancer services have expanded greatly in recent years, leading to the construction of a new, state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 2016.

The Cowell Family Cancer Center occupies a three-story building on the medical campus, allowing for multidisciplinary services at one site. These include, but are not limited to, medical oncology, radiation oncology, laboratory services, infusion, research, genetic counseling, oncology dietary services, and financial navigation. The infusion suite on the second floor has 44 chairs and a dedicated oncology pharmacy at its center, staffed by eight pharmacy technicians and eight oncology pharmacists, six of whom are board certified. The oncology pharmacists work closely with the health care team to optimize patient care.

The oncology pharmacy team also participates in committee activities and initiatives throughout the cancer service line.  One such initiative includes two of our oncology pharmacists who are in the Pharmacists Optimizing Oncology Care Excellence in Michigan (POEM) program.  This program focuses on improving oncology patient outcomes through pharmacists’ involvement in direct patient care and has been a strong initiative in our clinics and with our patients.  One example of pharmacist committee participation is the Quality and Safety Performance Improvement Subcommittee where the pharmacist and provider collaborative team discuss and assess the need for changes in procedures, processes, and order sets based on safety concerns, new literature, or as part of routine clinical practice reviews. 

ASHP Accreditation Status: Accredited

The program has been awarded a full eight-year accreditation by ASHP as a result of our initial program survey in June 2021.  We are proud of this accomplishment and know that this reflects the hard work and dedication that our program has to residency education.

Learning Experiences

Core Experiences (Block style, 3 to 6 weeks in duration)

• Orientation
• Inpatient Oncology I
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Blood and Marrow Transplant
• Outpatient Infusion Suite I
• Outpatient Infusion Suite II

Possible Electives* (Block style, 2 to 6 weeks in duration)

• Palliative Care
• Cancer Services
• Oncology Supportive Care
• Hematology/Oncology Ambulatory Clinic
• Inpatient Oncology II

Longitudinal Core Experiences (Six to 12 months in duration)

• Oncology Drug Information
• Research
• Oncology Pharmacy Operations
• Oncology Pharmacy Administration 
• Patient Education (General and Oral Chemotherapy)
• Investigational Drug Service
• Teaching and Precepting

*Additional elective experiences may be available based on resident’s interests

Resident Benefits

• Insurance (health, dental, life, disability) 
• Travel stipend: Amount is determined each year for professional leave and may not cover all travel expenses.
• Paid time off (PTO) – including 2 weeks’ vacation 
• Stipend: ~$50,000

Program Summary

Residency Positions Available
One resident is accepted each year.

Beginning Date
The first Monday on or after July 1, excluding July 4th (may begin on Tuesday if holiday observed on Monday)

Minimum Qualifications
Eligible applicants must have graduated from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy and successfully completed an ASHP-accredited, -candidate, or -preliminarily accredited PGY-1 pharmacy residency program or have an ASHP-sanctioned PGY-1 exemption.

Application Deadline
The oncology residency program is participating in the Match this year and the program application deadline via PhORCAS is January 10, 2024.

PGY-2 Oncology Residency Program Director

Potential candidates are encouraged to reach out to the program director with any questions:

Claire Boomershine, PharmD, BCOP
Email: cboomershine@mhc.net
Phone: (231) 935-6734