Director: Brian Potoski, PharmD, BCPS
The PGY2 infectious diseases pharmacy residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian University Hospital is designed for the individual who is interested in developing specialized clinical skills in the area of infectious diseases pharmacotherapy and antimicrobial stewardship. The resident will gain expertise in many aspects of infectious diseases pharmacotherapy including the interpretation of microbiological culture and susceptibility data, antimicrobial pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, antimicrobial therapy in general and specialized patient populations, antimicrobial stewardship, and research. The resident will work in close collaboration with infectious diseases pharmacists and physicians in the institution’s established multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship program. The resident will participate in both didactic and experiential teaching as an adjunct instructor and preceptor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. The education of students and other health care professionals is an integral component of this residency. Additionally, the resident will have the opportunity to participate in the Mastery of Teaching Program at the School of Pharmacy. The Infectious Diseases resident will complete an infectious diseases focused research project through participation in a mentored residency research training program. Many opportunities to present formal seminars, patient cases, journal clubs, and in-service education for UPMC staff occur throughout the year. In addition, the resident will design and conduct an infectious diseases focused research project that is suitable for presentation and publication. The resident will gain experience in both didactic and experiential teaching and precepting at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Flexibility is provided to meet the individual resident's goals and objectives.
Program objectives include: 1) optimize the outcomes of patients with infectious diseases by providing evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy as a multidisciplinary member of the antimicrobial stewardship program; 2) serve as an authoritative expert on the use of medications in the care of patients with acute and chronic infectious diseases; (3) demonstrate professionalism and effective written and verbal communication skills in all components of pharmacy practice; 4) optimize pharmacotherapy and safe medication practices; and (5) provide effective education to healthcare professionals.
Residents come to the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy programs from far and wide, representing more than 25 US States and foreign countries. All residents must be eligible for pharmacist licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Applications for Pharmacist License and Intern Registration are available.
Pennsylvania requires 1500 registered intern hours in order to be eligible for licensure. Of the 1500 hours, only 750 hours can be obtained through an academic program. That is, 750 intern hours must be obtained outside of school. These 750 intern hours must be registered with a state board of pharmacy to count toward licensure in Pennsylvania. If you have not yet started registering hours with your state board of pharmacy, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible in order to be eligible for Pennsylvania licensure. We also encourage you to review your own state's rules regarding the registration, reporting and transfer of intern hours. Please do not hesitate to discuss any questions you have regarding licensure with individual program directors.
Eligible candidates will have completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency program and must submit the standard application requirements via PhORCAS by December 31st. An on-site interview is required.
To prepare pharmacists to assume any of the following roles:
• Antibiotic Stewardship Director/Pharmacist
• Clinical Educator
• Clinical Researcher
Brian A. Potoski, PharmD BCPS (AQ-ID) (director)
Gregory Eschenauer, PharmD, BCPS
UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside
UPMC is the premier health system in western Pennsylvania and one of the most renowned academic medical centers in the United States. The health system consists of tertiary, specialty and community hospitals, physician offices, and rehabilitation facilities. By integrating the resources of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and UPMC, this residency program offers a challenging yet flexible environment where pharmacy residents learn to provide safe and effective, evidenced-based infectious diseases pharmacotherapy to individual patients.
Polisetty RS, Doi Y, Paterson DL, Potoski BA. Risk Factors for Piperacillin/tazobactam Resistance in Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Enterobariaceae. (Submitted for publication)
Shields RK, Kwak EJ, Potoski BA, Clancy CJ, Doi Y, Adams-Haduch JM, Silviera F, Toyoda Y, Pilewski JM, Crespo M, Pasculle AW, Nguyen MH. Clinical and microbiological evidence to support the use of a carbapenem in combination with colistin for extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. (Submitted for publication)
Sheridan K, Potoski BA, Shields RK, Nau GJ. Intravitreal Concentration of Daptomycin Following Systemic Intravenous Administration in a Patient with Endogenous Endophthalmitis. (In press – Pharmacotherapy)
Dorobisz MJ, Shields RK, Nguyen MH, Doi Y, Clancy CJ, Potoski BA. Combination Therapy Options for Extreme Drug Resistant Acinetobacter Not Susceptible to Colistin and Tigecycline. (Submitted for publication)
Grant Total $3,500 "Increased resistance to tigecycline among pan-resistant Acinetobacter: the value of a carbapenem in combination with colistin or sulbactam." Internal Grant, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Primary Investigator. Funding Period 2008 – 2009 (Completed)
Grant Total $3,500 "Microbiologic and clinical evidence supporting the combination of doripenem and colistin for the treatment of pan-resistant Acinetobacter." Internal Grant, Funding Period 2008 – 2009 (Completed)
