Geriatric Pharmacy Residency PGY2

This dynamic residency program will produce geriatric pharmacotherapy specialists who have achieved mastery of the skills necessary to care for the aging population. The curriculum is especially well suited to foster abilities in ambulatory/primary care geriatrics.

This program is offered in conjunction with UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. A heavy emphasis on teaching will also provide the resident with the experience needed to function at a high level in academic environments.

Residents will gain experience in:

• Serving as a high-functioning member of an interprofessoinal team across multiple care settings, including primary care, skilled nursing/rehabilitation, and home visits
• Teaching learners of multiple disciplines at various levels of training
• Caring for patients and supporting caregivers around the end of life
• Making comlex pharmacotherapeutic decisions regarding care of special populations (dementia, rural/homebound, Cherokee Indian, etc.)
• Advocating for older adults at the level of the health system and beyond

Care will be provided in the following environments:

• Primary care clinics
• Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
• Skilled Nursing Facilities (including specialized SNF for those with complex behavioral conditions)
• Hospice & palliative care
• Outpatient dementia clinic
• Plus more!

Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: January 2nd
NMS Code: 766654

Our Team

Tasha Woodall, PharmD, BCGP, CPP

Clinical Pharmacist

Program Director, Pharmacy Residency PGY2 Geriatrics

Co-Director, MAHEC Center for Healthy Aging

Associate Professor of Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Kelci Dishner, AS
Residency Program Administrator
kelci.dishner@mahec.net

Values Statement

• Excellence: We deliver quality activities and services that our customers and partners value.
• Diversity: We promote equity and inclusivity.
• Integrity: We act with fairness, transparency, and the highest level of ethics.
• Collaboration: We value partnerships and support interprofessional approaches.
• Improvement: We continuously innovate and improve our work.

Foundational Principles

• Civility: We treat all people with respect and kindness, all the time.
• Inclusivity: We value the contribution of people different than ourselves and the merits of an organization that reflects differences in our teams and our community.
• Empowerment: We value engagement, commitment, and ownership of MAHEC’s mission, work, and budget.

Our Commitment

MAHEC is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive place to work, learn, and receive care. We actively recruit physicians, staff, and students from underrepresented minorities, and we strive to implement policies and procedures that value and support diverse backgrounds and experiences. MAHEC does not discriminate on the basis of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, spiritual practice, geography, disability, or age.

The residency curriculum is delivered in a longitudinal fashion to allow residents to establish continuity and effective, long-term relationships with the patients they care for and healthcare teams with whom they collaborate.

MAHEC Geriatrics Clinics

Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Services

Residents will obtain their Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) license and provide care in collaboration with a medical provider in a busy, fully established primary care clinic for ambulatory seniors. Examples of pharmacist-led services include comprehensive medication management in conjunction with Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, anticoagulation management, and diabetes education and management.

Osteoporosis Clinic

An established interdisciplinary clinic since 2007, the Osteoporosis Clinic provides specialty consultations for patients with osteoporosis or low bone mass for either primary or secondary prevention of fragility fractures. Pharmacists in this clinic offer pharmacotherapy recommendations for treatment of osteoporosis, optimization of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and minimization of medications that heighten fall risk.

Home Based Primary Care

This program provides continuous, team-based primary care at home for vulnerable, high-risk older adults who are homebound or mobility-limited. Residents will spend one half-day per week performing home visits with a physician or Advanced Practice Provider to provide comprehensive medication management services and assist with care coordination.

Academia (UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy)

UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 pharmacy school in the United States. In 2010, the Asheville satellite campus was founded to address the pharmacist shortage that exists in much of rural Western North Carolina. Asheville-based students learn about comprehensive medication management in settings that have been recognized as models for the nation.

Residents will grow as leaders in pharmaceutical education and research, benefitting from direct involvement in the School’s innovative curriculum and the mentorship of esteemed faculty.

Learning Activities/Objectives

• Participation in resident-oriented curricula in leadership, scholarship and service
• Teaching around three classes per semester
• Co-coordination of geriatric pharmacotherapy elective, including area-wide interprofessional exercise
• Serving as primary preceptor for up to two students on their APPE rotations

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

CarePartners PACE is a capitated program for older patients who need support to remain safely at home. The service provides interdisciplinary care and services to sustain and promote independence of seniors who meet nursing home eligible criteria but wish to remain in their home. On site disciplines include a recreational therapist, physical and occupational therapists, dietician, physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplain, pharmacist, and speech therapist.

Learning Activities/Objectives

• Review patients’ medical records and medication lists to identify appropriate recommendations to optimize care for the older patient
• Develop and implement a comprehensive medication management plan, including dose adjustments, considerations for barriers to adherence, monitoring, and follow-up
• Communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team, including the patient and caregiver
• Develop an appreciation for the patient’s needs as a whole, including aspects such as environmental, social, personal and spiritual needs

Geriatric Psychiatry (Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center)

This specialized skilled nursing facility cares for adults with significant behavioral conditions that coexist with neurocognitive disorders (including dementia and neurodevelopmental disorders). All residents must have been denied placement in a community nursing facility and therefore present unique challenges, owing to their need for 24-hour supervision and assistance with activities of daily living.

Learning Activities/Objectives

• Attend care plan meetings with other team members (attending physician, psychiatrist, nurses, clinical psychologist, speech pathologist, social worker, PT/OT, restorative aide)
• Interact with patients on their respective floors while completing regular drug regimen reviews

Long-Term Care

Residents will provide longitudinal support for skilled nursing facilities (i.e., nursing homes) directed by MAHEC geriatric medicine faculty.

Learning Activities/Objectives

• Understand Medicare regulations and the survey process as they relate to extended care facilities
• Participate in interprofessional decision making regarding appropriate, patient-centered care for individuals in the long-term care setting
• Develop clinical expertise in designing, implementing, and monitoring pharmacotherapy regimens for the institutionalized geriatric population

Hospice & Palliative Care (Messino Cancer Centers and Asheville VA Medical Center)

Learning Activities

• Actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings
• Perform comprehensive medication reviews and provide recommendations to minimize harms, drug interactions, and medication overuse
• Communicate with patients and caregivers/family members regarding goals of care and realistic treatment expectations
• Develop educational tools for patients, caregivers, and health care team members

Objectives

• Evaluate appropriateness of preventive medications in the context of patient care goals, treatment targets, time to benefit, and life expectancy
• Evaluate appropriateness of “potentially inappropriate” medications (such as benzodiazepines) in end-of-life situations
• Apply effective pain management strategies, balancing risks of misuse, dependence, and adverse effects vs. benefits for comfort, function, and quality of life

Dementia Clinic (MemoryCare, Inc.)

MemoryCare is a nationally revered, non-profit organization using a physician directed team based model with nurse and social worker care managers to provide specialized medical care to older adults with memory loss. The program provides education and counseling for caregivers and assists families by directing them to available community resources. Approximately 85% of the individuals and their caregivers served by MemoryCare live at home. MemoryCare strives to be a model program for quality dementia care and provides community and professional education related to aging and memory issues.

Learning Activities

• Gain exposure to a physician dementia specialist practice in the community setting and an appreciation of how clinicians incorporate the elements of history, physical, and behavioral observations into decisions related to prescribing or discontinuing drug therapy at various stages of a neurodegenerative cognitive disorder

Objectives

• Collaborate with the physician team on comprehensive medication reviews to minimize unwanted drug-associated impairments to cognitive or motor functioning, and contribute to the team’s efforts in educating patients and caregivers on best strategies for home medication safety and adherence
• Provide recommendations related to pharmacologic therapy, including drug choice and appropriate dosing, for cognitive and behavioral management

Cherokee Indian Hospital

Residents will each spend 2 weeks at Cherokee Indian Hospital rounding in an outpatient geriatric specialty clinic and long-term care facility. Housing will be provided.

Monthly Forum

Half-day sessions will focus on a variety of topics, which may include:

• Literature evaluation and application of evidence-based medicine
• Review of “bread and butter” geriatric syndromes and disease states
• Recognizing and avoiding age-related bias
• Ethical dilemmas in care of the older adult
• Medicare, Medicaid, and medication assistance tools
• Caring for special populations (e.g., rural/Appalachian, Cherokee Indian)
• Healthcare teams (role of multiple disciplines and medical specialties)
• Self-care and preventing burnout

National Meetings

Residents may attend national meetings for American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), American Society of Health-System Pharmacy (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting, and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) or Academy of Senior Care Pharmacists (ASCP).

Electives

Possible electives include, but are not limited to:

• Family medicine consulting
• Geriatric psychiatry (Park Ridge Health)
• Asheville VA (ambulatory or community living center sites)
• Additional long-term care, including innovative practice models
• Geriatric primary care at Golden Oak Medicine

Sample Longitudinal Schedule

Residents

Abby McCurry, PharmD Resident

Abby McCurry, PharmD

Resident

Hello! My name is Abby McCurry, and I am very excited to join MAHEC! I'm originally from a small town in east Tennessee and attended both undergrad and pharmacy school in Johnson City, Tennessee with East Tennessee State University and Gatton College of Pharmacy. During pharmacy school, I worked at a long term care pharmacy bubble packaging medications and seriously considered being a LTC pharmacist. After shadowing an ambulatory care pharmacist and seeing the amazing collaboration and direct patient care, I decided ambulatory care was the best path for me. After graduation, I completed my PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency though the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. While I loved it there, I missed being closer to home and the charm of Appalachia. During both pharmacy school and my PGY1, I have absolutely treasured working with geriatric patients, especially in more rural areas and those with chronic disease states, so I am looking forward to continue to grow and learn at MAHEC!

Outside of pharmacy, you'll likely find me baking, crocheting (ask me about my dog sweater!), watching a variety of media, or spending quality time with my loved ones!

Alumni Comments

What makes the PGY2 in Geriatrics at MAHEC so special?

What makes the PGY2 in Geriatrics at MAHEC so special?

"The PGY2 in Geriatrics at MAHEC is special for many reasons including: the variety of learning experiences offered in a longitudinal setting, the ability to collaborate with providers at different levels of care for geriatric patients, resident involvement in academia, and the supportive nature of the program from all preceptors."
— Opeyemi Ogedenbe, Class of 2022

"What I love about the geriatrics program is how diverse the learning experiences are. This program provides so many incredible opportunities to learn about how diverse the field of geriatric healthcare is and how pharmacists can make a significant impact in geriatric care. I loved the longitudinal learning model which allowed me to gain experiences in palliative/hospice care, ambulatory care, LTC, and academia throughout the year. I also love the strong focus on academia and the focus on interdisciplinary care, so we can learn from various healthcare professionals."
— Aparna Krishnamurthy, Class of 2021

"My time at MAHEC was unique secondary to the depth and breadth of experiences the program offered. Given the longitudinal nature of many of the experiences, including primary care clinic at the continuing care retirement communities, rural geriatric primary care, and time at a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), I was able to dig deeper into caring for older adults across the ambulatory spectrum. These unique models of care, from the CCRCs and PACE, to established interdisciplinary primary care were unique and vital to developing as a pharmacist ready to practice at the peak of my license. Additionally, this longitudinal model allowed me to develop close relationships with my patients, which enriched my experience greatly. Outside of the core geriatric experiences, I greatly appreciated the diverse opportunities in osteoporosis care, specialty ambulatory geriatric clinics, palliative and hospice care, advanced dementia ambulatory care, and geriatric psychiatry in a long-term care setting. Gathering this variety of experiences in one year was truly special to MAHEC, and I don’t think I could have gotten them at any other program."
— Shannon Rice, Class of 2020

"The PGY2 Geriatrics program provides you with a solid foundation in multiple areas, which prepares you for anything and everything – whether you want to practice inpatient, outpatient, long term care, or hospice/palliative care. You will work one of the most wonderful residency program directors there ever was, who continues to push me to be the best geriatrics pharmacist I can be even 5 years out of residency! I am very humbled to be part of such a legendary residency program and continue to be in awe of the great care that MAHEC provides! You can stop your PGY2 Geriatrics search now. MAHEC is the best!"
— Hien Nguyen, Class of 2019

What makes it a great place to practice pharmacy?

What makes it a great place to practice pharmacy?

"High quality patient care is the goal for everyone who works at MAHEC (both clinical and non-clinical personnel). The interdisciplinary nature seen at MAHEC is truly so special because pharmacists are valuable members of the healthcare team. Getting to work with medical residents allows for broad exposure to ambulatory pharmacy services early during their medical career."
— Opeyemi Ogedengbe, Class of 2022

"MAHEC provides such a strong spirit for learning. Pharmacy practice here is innovative and advanced compared to other places I've worked. I enjoy working in an environment where pharmacists are integrated as part of an interdisciplinary team and see patients for a variety of disease states."
— Aparna Krishnamurthy, Class of 2021

"North Carolina has expansive pharmacy practitioner opportunity. With the program prioritizing my Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) designation I was able to practice at the highest level under a physician-protocol early in my residency year. I consider MAHEC to be a shining example of pharmacist integration into primary care services, working as true partners with advanced practice providers and physicians to expand the reach of quality care."
— Shannon Rice, Class of 2020

"You’ll work with top-notch providers who are especially collaborative and pharmacy-friendly. Practicing as a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) truly allows you to work with a lot of autonomy as a PGY2 resident and ultimately, at the top of your license if you stay in North Carolina!"
— Hien Nguyen, Class of 2019

What impressed you about MAHEC when you interviewed with the program?

What impressed you about MAHEC when you interviewed with the program?

"When I was looking for a PGY2 program, I was seeking a place where I could develop strong clinical skills in a supportive environment. That's not to say the program is lax or not growth minded, but there's a balance between professional and personal growth. Each resident I spoke to during the interview process spoke highly about the program, the preceptors, the students, and the faculty members. They felt supported in their goals as pharmacy practitioners and their personal goals as well. They enjoyed the work they did, the patients they cared for, and the colleagues they did this work with."
— Opeyemi Ogedenbe, Class of 2022

"I really enjoyed meeting all the preceptors and everyone involved in the program. The best part about MAHEC is the people whom you get to work with. The preceptors, the providers, and my fellow co-residents made my experiences at MAHEC unforgettable."
— Aparna Krishnamurthy, Class of 2021

"The moment I got most excited during my interview was when I perceived the responsiveness of the program leaders to mold and shape this year to be the most beneficial to my personal goals. When I mentioned interests in academia and geriatric psychiatry, the preceptors’ first response was to say how these experiences could be prioritized and increased in frequency or duration. Given the commitment of additional training, I was relieved to know that my personal goals would be valued by those I worked with and learned from."
— Shannon Rice, Class of 2020

"MAHEC will forever hold a special place to me and my heart is so full getting the opportunity to reminisce and feel all warm and fuzzy about the great pharmacists, providers, and healthcare team members I had the pleasure of working with and now get to call my chosen family. I had those “good vibes” feelings through interviewing and they remain with me today. MAHEC. The people. The feeling of family. I adore MAHEC and all that the PGY2 Geriatrics program has to offer."
— Hien Nguyen, Class of 2019

What kind of relationship do the faculty have with residents?

What kind of relationship do the faculty have with residents?

"Faculty have a very balanced relationship with residents. There's the mentorship relationship but there's also a relationship between like minded colleagues. This allows for the resident to build their solid foundation as independent practitioners in a very supportive environment."
— Opeyemi Ogedenbe, Class of 2022

"An amazing relationship! The faculty really devote themselves to fostering a supportive environment for your growth and learning. I feel like they also provide ample opportunities for residents to really feel like they're a part of the team and to gain experience practicing both collaboratively and independently."
— Aparna Krishnamurthy, Class of 2021

"Faculty relationships with residents in my opinion were characterized by serving as professional models of pharmacy excellence, but also genuine confidants. I felt like the faculty were truly invested in my personal and professional success, caring not only about my training, but ensuring I was thriving in and out of the program."
— Shannon Rice, Class of 2020

How did MAHEC prepare you for your current job?

How did MAHEC prepare you for your current job?

"One of the biggest things I took away was to always keep the patient's needs at the center of the care we provide. I learned that as practitioners, we may have our own goals for patients (ex: A1C < 7.5% or BP < 130/80mmHg), but we must never lose sight of the tangible and intangible goals patients have for themselves (ex: being healthy enough to walk their grand-daughter down the aisle). It's helped me become a well-rounded practitioner and enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively with other providers."
— Opeyemi Ogedenbe, Class of 2022

"I'm so thankful to MAHEC for all the training I received and it really boosted my confidence to take on my current role as an ambulatory care pharmacist in a geriatric outpatient women's clinic. I think the opportunities in academia, the plethora of disease states we're exposed to, and the different learning experiences set me up for success to practice independently and with a team."
— Aparna Krishnamurthy, Class of 2021

"I was able to lean into academic opportunities as well as end-of-life care given my interests over the course of my residency, which primed me for my first position out of residency as a Clinical Assistant Professor with a clinical practice site of inpatient palliative care. While I ultimately left this position secondary to a geographic move, I felt very prepared for my first job. Further, having the opportunity to have multiple physician preceptors as well as working closely with non-pharmacist practitioners throughout my experience prepared me extensively for my current role as a hospital clinical coordinator today. By working with these providers, I was able to develop a new understanding for their perspectives, considerations, and work flows. This background has helped me navigate new problems I face day to day with an interdisciplinary mindset. I am a better problem solver, clinical provider, and person thanks to these experiences."
— Shannon Rice, Class of 2020

"I currently practice as a geriatrics/ambulatory care pharmacist. MAHEC being a mecca for ambulatory care really set the bar for what I envisioned my current practice to be. I also gained an appreciation for the great lengths geriatric pharmacists can go to, and this helped me establish my presence at my current practice site. Additionally, having the additional background knowledge in other settings like long-term care and hospice/palliative care set me apart and prepared me to understand patients’ backgrounds from all different angles."
— Hien Nguyen, Class of 2019

Past Residents

Kelly Jamieson, PharmD Former Resident

Kelly Jamieson, PharmD

Former Resident

I am originally from Concord, North Carolina – about 30 minutes outside of Charlotte – and I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for both my undergraduate and pharmacy education. I have a passion for chronic disease management and truly value the meaningful patient relationships pharmacists can form. As such, my clinical interests lie within the realm of ambulatory care, with a specific focus on diabetes management and the geriatric population – both of which ultimately drew me to MAHEC. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to explore these interests further and begin my pharmacy career as a resident with MAHEC!

Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy any opportunity to get outside, whether it be through hiking, running, or just relaxing on the porch with my morning coffee. I also love reading, embroidery/cross stitch, and spending time with family and friends. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at kelly.jamieson@mahec.net.

Aparna Krishnamurthy, PharmD Former Resident

Aparna Krishnamurthy, PharmD

Former Resident

My name is Aparna Krishnamurthy, and I’m very excited to spend each and every day working with wonderful pharmacists and providers at MAHEC. I originally grew up in Apex, North Carolina and while majoring in biochemistry at NC State, I worked in an undergraduate research lab on a project centered around resistance against beta-lactam antibiotics, I was hooked on pharmacy! I received my doctorate of pharmacy from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in May 2019. After my first ambulatory care rotation and having amazing experiences working directly with patients, it was then I decided no longer wanted to be a mad scientist in a lab, but rather work clinically as an ambulatory care pharmacist. I completed my PGY1 training at the Salisbury VA Health Care System in Salisbury, NC and my love for geriatrics grew. MAHEC is a wonderful training center to hone your interests and focus on geriatrics and ambulatory care, two things I absolutely love!

Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going on epic food tours (and Asheville is the perfect place for this!), hiking, or even hanging out at home watching sitcoms or playing my ukulele.

Grace Monti, PharmD Former Resident

Grace Monti, PharmD

Former Resident

Hello my name is Grace Monti! I grew up in Mokena Illinois, a southwest Suburb of Chicago. My family moved down to York, South Carolina a couple of years ago and I would consider York home now. I went to pharmacy school at Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana and obtained my pharmacy degree in May of 2022. Afterwards I did not stray too far away and completed a community based PGY1 at Ascension St Vincent in Indianapolis Indiana.

Throughout my time as a student and during my PGY1 my passion for geriatrics grew and so did my love for ambulatory care, especially chronic chronic disease state management. I am excited to join the team at MAHEC to continue to grow in these areas. Outside of pharmacy I like to bake, cook, read, and take my dog Rayna on walks.

Autumn N. Neff, PharmD, MBA Former Resident

Autumn N. Neff, PharmD, MBA

Former Resident

Hello! My name is Autumn Neff and I was born and raised in Wyoming, Michigan. I come from a large, tight knit family so I decided to stay close to home for my undergraduate and graduate studies. I attended Ferris State University where I obtained my Bachelor of Biology, then dual majored in graduate school to obtain my Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Pharmacy.

Since a young age I have had a passion for serving the geriatric population. During pharmacy school I had the privilege of volunteering at a long term care facility and rotating through a PACE clinic. These experiences helped reinforce my desire to specialize in geriatrics post-graduation. Specializing led me across the country to California where I completed a geriatrics focused PGY-1 Residency at the San Francisco VA Health Care System, then back across the country again to Asheville to join the MAHEC team for my PGY-2 Residency year!

Outside of pharmacy I spend a lot of time with my husband, family, and cat. I love playing cards with my parents and grandparents, joking around with my 3 sisters, and running around with my adorable niece and nephew. When I am not spending time with loved ones, I can usually be found crocheting or paper crafting.

Hien Nguyen, PharmD Former Resident

Hien Nguyen, PharmD

Former Resident

My name is Hien Nguyen and I am very excited to be the inaugural PGY2 Geriatrics Pharmacy Resident at MAHEC and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy! I was born and raised in Lancaster County, PA (yes, where the Amish live) and through great interactions with local pharmacists, I was inspired to pursue a career in pharmacy. I received my doctorate of pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy/University of the Sciences in May 2017 and completed my PGY1 pharmacy residency training at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health in Lancaster, PA. Throughout pharmacy school and continuing during my PGY1 year, I developed stronger interest in geriatrics and ambulatory care. I know MAHEC provides all that and more, and I am thrilled for the endless opportunities MAHEC has to offer!

Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I like to travel and explore different US cities whenever I have the chance. On a regular basis, I love to shop for the best deals on anything and everything. I also like to find new places to eat and I am delighted for the countless amazing restaurants Asheville has to offer! Some days, I very much just like to relax and be carefree watching the latest sitcoms and movies at home as well!

North Carolina is a wonderful state to practice pharmacy in. Through the state’s progressiveness and continuing advancements in pharmacy, my PGY2 year thus far has been worth it. I am grateful and always excited to work with an interdisciplinary team in caring for the western North Carolina population, and I am so glad to continue my pharmacy training at MAHEC! If you love geriatrics and ambulatory care, this program is right for you! Feel free to contact me with any questions at hien.nguyen@mahec.net

Opeyemi Ogedengbe, PharmD Former Resident

Opeyemi Ogedengbe, PharmD

Former Resident

My name is Opeyemi Ogedengbe and I’m very excited to continue my pharmacy training as a PGY2 Geriatrics Pharmacy Resident at MAHEC and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria and got the privilege to move to the United States with my family in 2008. My love for serving the geriatric population came from observing my grandmother’s personal interactions with the healthcare system. I wanted to go into a career where I could help support other older adults the way my grandmother was supported. I knew that pharmacy was the path for me through positive experiences shadowing many pharmacists in Florida. I attended the University of Florida for undergrad and the University of Florida College Of Pharmacy. From there, I had the amazing opportunity to be a PGY1 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident at Mission Hospital right here in Asheville, where my interest in geriatrics grew stronger. I’m so excited to stay local and continue to serve the older adult patients of Western North Carolina here at MAHEC. Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy watching football and basketball (go gators!), making sports reaction videos, reading, dancing, and rewatching old Disney movies and tv shows for the 100th time!

Shannon Rice, PharmD Former Resident

Shannon Rice, PharmD

Former Resident

A Texas transplant, I graduated with my PharmD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy in Lubbock, Texas, in May of 2018. I completed my PGY1 pharmacy training at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas, in June of 2019.

I am ecstatic to join the MAHEC team to further my specialty training for my second post graduate year. My professional interests include academia, narrative medicine, geropsychology, and end-of-life care. I am very passionate about providing exceptional care for older adults. Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy typography, reading, college football, all dogs, and maximizing my time outside!

Angela Tang, PharmD Former Resident

Angela Tang, PharmD

Former Resident

Emma Williams, PharmD Former Resident

Emma Williams, PharmD

Former Resident

I was born and raised in Westerville, OH (just outside of Columbus) and attended Northwestern University for undergrad, where I studied biochemistry, psychology and Spanish. I moved to North Carolina in 2016 to pursue my PharmD at UNC – Chapel Hill and start on my path to becoming a pharmacist.

My clinical interests lie within the worlds of ambulatory care and the geriatric population. I was very lucky to grow up with all four of my grandparents in Ohio, and I feel especially comfortable working with the older generation. After experiencing a rotation at MAHEC during my fourth year of pharmacy school, I knew that I’d found the perfect place to complete residency and pursue these passions further. Last year, I completed my PGY1 at MAHEC and I’m so excited to be able to stay for my PGY2 year!

Outside of pharmacy, I love going to concerts (especially bluegrass and folk), playing piano, reading, traveling, trying my hand at interior design, and spending time with my family, friends and my boxer, Margie. Feel free to contact me with questions about the PGY2 (or PGY1) program at Emma.Williams@mahec.net!

Application Requirements

1. Three letters of recommendation completed through PhORCAS, one of which should be PGY1 Residency Program Director.
2. Personal Statement addressing specifically how this residency will match your career goals.
3. Eligibility for North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and Clinic Pharmacist Practitioner licensures.
4. Completion of ASHP-accredited PGY1 residency.

Please note that MAHEC does not sponsor a visa, so all international pharmacy graduate applicants must possess a current/valid visa option or other status governed by the U.S. Immigration Regulations to participate in a GME program.

Dates

VISA Sponsorship

MAHEC does not directly sponsor residents or fellows that need a J-1 Sponsorship VISA. Non-U.S. citizen applicants needing visa sponsorship must secure this directory from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The ECFMG is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor foreign national physicians for the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa for the purpose of participating in U.S. programs of graduate medical education or training. ECFMG is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a BridgeUSA sponsor for J-1 exchange visitor physicians enrolled in accredited programs of graduate medical education or training, or advanced research programs (involving primarily observation, consultation, teaching, or research). Although many universities and research institutions in the United States are authorized to sponsor exchange visitors as research scholars, ECFMG is the sole sponsor of J-1 physicians in clinical training programs.

Questions regarding VISA Sponsorship should be directed to the GME office at 828-232-2946 or gme@mahec.net.