The PGY2-Geriatric Pharmacy Residency at UPMC Presby-Shadyside collaborates with experienced geriatric practitioners in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings. The resident gains skills providing direct patient care in diversified geriatric care environments.
The University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Health System have a strong commitment to the development of future pharmacy professionals. One area of need that has been nationally recognized is for additional well-trained health care professionals, including pharmacists, to optimize care for older adults. In response to this call for action and need, our PGY2 program was developed. This residency includes sites located on the Oakland and Shadyside campuses.
The PGY2-Geriatric Pharmacy Residency at UPMC Presby-Shadyside collaborates with experienced geriatric practitioners in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings. The resident gains skills providing direct patient care in diversified geriatric care environments. The resident also designs and conducts a research project which will be presented at regional and national conferences. Moreover, the resident has the opportunity to hone teaching skills with pharmacy learners as well as interprofessional educational opportunities.
The mission of the Geriatric Pharmacy residency is to foster the development of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue an advanced practice for direct patient care of older adults, educate current and future practitioners, and become leaders in the development of geriatric pharmacy practice. Improving care transitions for older adults in an interprofessional environment is a focus of this residency program and the resident will have learning experiences in the hospital, outpatient clinics, and long term care settings to achieve these goals.
NMS Code: 675054
Appointment Period: July 1 – June 30
Number Positions: 1
Starting Date: July 1
Salary: $58,249
Paid Time Off: 20 days
Benefits: UPMC Graduate Medical Education Benefits
Application Requirements
All residents must be eligible for pharmacist licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Applications for Pharmacist License and Intern Registration are available.
Application Process
Eligible candidates will have completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency program and must submit the standard application requirements via PhORCAS by January 10th. An interview is required.
Required Experiences
- Shadyside Senior Care
- Benedum Geriatric Center
- Palliative Care
- Long-term Care
Required Longitudinal Experiences
- Outpatient Geriatrics
- Teaching
- Research and Scholarship
- Operations
Elective Experiences
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Mastery of Teaching Certificate
- And/or additional time in required sites depending on the resident’s career goals
Preceptors
Christine M. Ruby, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP (Director)
Erin Suhrie, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
Scott Stephens, RPh
Marc Gutowski, PharmD
Monica Aspinall, PharmD, BCGP
Sites
Sites include: UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside Hospital; MUH and SHY campuses; Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC); RX Partners and UPMC-affiliated Nursing Home sites
Rotation sites include the following:
- Senior Care Institute- UPMC-SHY
- Benedum Geriatric Center- UPMC-MUH
- Long term Care- RX Partners (block and longitudinal experience)
- Long term Care- Asbury Heights, Cranberry Place, Cantebury (or other UPMC-affiliated Nursing Home sites)
Program graduates and first positions obtained
2022-2023
Cindy Van, PharmD - Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Fellow, University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Pharmacy
2021-2022
Sharon Zhu, PharmD – Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, Mineola, New York
2020-2021
Cori Shope, PharmD, BCACP, CPP - Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist/Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, North Carolina
2017-2018
Michelle Howerton, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP - Transitions of Care / Anticoagulation, West Virginia University
2016-2017
Kristin Hart, PharmD, BCACP - Clinical Pharmacist, Family Medicine, Legacy Health, Portland, Oregon
2013-2014
Madhavi Gavini, PharmD, BCPS - Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
2012-2013
Stephanie Seaton, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP - Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Saint Louis, MO.
Dr. Ruby
Faculty Preceptor of the Year, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy (2009)
Faculty Honoree, 34th Annual Honors Convocation, University of Pittsburgh (2010)
Faculty Mentor, Wal-Mart Scholars, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (2012)
Leadership in Education Award, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (2012)
ASCP Top Research Poster (2023) “The Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist-Driven Admission Drug Regimen Review in the Skilled Nursing Facility” - Camryn M. Vecera, PharmD; Matthew Bruno, PharmD; Monica Aspinall, PharmD, BCGP; and Christine M. Ruby, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP
Shope CJ*, Bruno M, Ruby CM, Naumovski J, Iasella CJ, Aspinall M. Evaluating the Effects of a Medication Adherence Packaging Program on Outcomes in Older People. Sr Care Pharm 2022;37:73-81.
Hart KM*, Gennari AS, Ruby CM. A Geriatric Pharmacy Resident's Clinical and Educational Activities During Weekly interprofessional Team Meetings. Sr Care Pharm. 2020 Mar 1;35(3):136-144.
Howerton MA*, Suhrie EM, Gennari AS, Jones N, Ruby CM. Evaluation of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Dosing and Monitoring in Two Geriatric Outpatient Clinics. Sr Care Pharm. 2019 Mar 1;34(3):192-205.
Patel RS*, Marcum ZA, Peron EP, Ruby CM. Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Therapeutic Failure-Related Hospitalizations in the Elderly. Consult Pharm 2014;29:376-386.
Gavini M*, Gennari AS, Ruby CM. Perceptions of care among high-risk geriatric patients, families or caregivers in a patient-centered medical home. Consult Pharm 2015;29:153-62.
2024 Teacher of the Year- HealthCare Professional Award
Presented by Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society- Western Division, Pittsburgh, PA. November 2024