CAREERS
Pharmacy Residency Program
Meritus Health PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency
The Meritus Medical Center Residency is an ASHP accredited program that will provide a unique opportunity for residents to gain in depth training for patient care, clinical services, education, and leadership. Residents completing this program will be competent and confident practitioners for direct and indirect patient care in multiple practice environments.
The purpose of the Meritus Medical Center's PGY1 pharmacy residency program is to build on the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training. The PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency conducted by Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD is accredited by ASHP.
Meritus Medical Center pharmacy consists of a decentralized model within the innovative Medical Center. Pharmacists are located on each floor and work with other health care providers to provide optimal patient care and safe medication practices.
Pharmacists participate in multidisciplinary rounds and provide patient education, as well as other services, which include:
Required Learning Experiences
The following are considered required learning experiences and will be required for successful completion of the residency. Each learning experience is 5 weeks in length.
- Orientation
- Internal Medicine
- Internal Medicine 2
- Critical Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Outpatient Oncology
- Administration
- Ambulatory Care
Elective Learning Experience Options
The following are considered elective learning experiences, each learning experience is 5 weeks in length.
- Nutrition Support
- Infectious Disease/Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Extension of required learning experience (Internal Medicine II, Outpatient Oncology II)
- Pediatrics/NICU
Other elective learning experiences may be developed based on resident interest and preceptor availability.
Longitudinal Learning Experiences
The following learning experiences are required and are to be completed on a weekly to monthly basis throughout the course of the residency.
- Medication Safety
- Teaching (Shenandoah University)
- Projects and Research
- Staffing
Staffing Requirement
- Every other weekend in addition to clinical duties
- Staffing in central pharmacy 1 week day evening (8 hour shift) every other week in addition to clinical duties
Required Conferences
- ASHP Mid-year Clinical Meeting
- Eastern States Residency Conference
Certifications Available
- Teaching Certificate Program (Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Other Duties
Pharmacists participate in multidisciplinary rounds and provide patient education, as well as other services, which include:
- Pharmacokinetics
- Anticoagulation
- Nutrition Support
- Medication Rounds
- Discharge Counseling
- Medication Reconciliation
- Code Blue Team Support
Learn more about the programs current preceptors.
About Meritus Health
Meritus Medical Center is the largest health care provider in western Maryland, located at the crossroads of western Maryland, southern Pennsylvania and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. Serving the region since 1904, the system is known for high quality of care, excellence in customer service and strong financial performance. The new state-of-the-art medical center opened in 2010. The hospital is a designated level III trauma center by the state of Maryland, has continually received accreditation by the Joint Commission and has been recognized as a Top 100 Hospital and a Most Wired Hospital several times. The hospital's clinical leaders—more than 350 physicians in 60 specialties—help guide medical services for the region.
Clinical pharmacy services at Meritus Medical Center have expanded in the past few years to include:
- Decentralized pharmacists in all patient care areas
- Strong involvement in medication safety
- Full-time emergency room pharmacist
- Full-time intensive care unit (ICU) coverage
- Nutrition support pharmacist
- Oncology specialized pharmacy services
- Educational initiatives including cardiac rehabilitation education and medication rounds
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are interested in qualified candidates that can contribute to the excellence and diversity of our health system. Our efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) align with our mission, vision, and values and are constantly evolving along with our community's needs. Learn More.
How To Apply
ASHP Residency Matching Program Number: 35014
Applications must be submitted on-line through the PhORCAS system.
A completed application package includes:
- Official transcript from college of pharmacy
- Three reference writers (Reference writers must submit through PhORCAS)
- Letter of intent
- Curriculum vitae
- An on-site interview is required for all selected applicants
- Candidates must register with the National Matching Services in order to be ranked
All applications must be submitted and complete in PhORCAS by January 6, 2023.
The PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency conducted by Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD is accredited by ASHP.
Contact Residency Program Director, Bobbi Hilker with any questions about the PGY1 residency or application process.
Bobbi Hilker, PharmD, CACP, BCPS
Office: 301-790-8740
Fax: 301-790-9229
Meritus Medical Center
11116 Medical Campus Road
Current Residents
Caroline Grabowski, Pharm.D.
Dr. Caroline Grabowski is originally from New Jersey and is excited to embark on her PGY-1 journey at Meritus. She completed her pharmacy coursework at Rutgers University, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy where she received her doctorate of pharmacy in May 2022. Caroline’s professional areas of interest are emergency medicine and infectious disease. Outside of residency, she enjoys crafting and caring for her many houseplants.
Past Residents
Padraic Keen, Pharm.D.
Graduate of University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE
Holly Thai, Pharm.D.
Graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Frederick Memorial Hospital, Frederick, MD
Katelyn Andrews, Pharm.D.
Graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Meritus Medical Center
Gina Patel, Pharm.D.
Graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, VA
Shefali Patel, Pharm.D.
Graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University
Position post residency completion: Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Natalie Nguyen, Pharm.D.
Graduate of University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Zachary A. Bowser, Pharm.D.
Graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Geisinger Health, Danville, PA
Rhiannon Marselli, PharmD
Graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University Medicine School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Frederick Memorial Hospital Frederick, MD
Caleb J. Goodrich, Pharm.D.
Graduate of University of Maryland Medicine School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Meritus Medical Center
Alayna Peters, Pharm.D.
Graduate of Shenandoah University
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Meritus Medical Center
Nimra Chaudhry, Pharm.D
Graduate of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: PGY-2 Infectious Disease Resident, Bronx Care Hospital, Bronx, NY
Danielle Jorgenson, Pharm.D
Graduate of Shenandoah University
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Stone Springs Hospital Center, Dulles,VA
Tony Rodriguez, PharmD
Graduate of Shenandoah University
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist Meritus Medical Center
Kaitlin Scott, PharmD
Graduate of West Virginia University
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist Meritus Medical Center
Dana DelTufo, Pharm.D.
Graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Clinical Pharmacist, Meritus Medical Center
Stephanie Jackson, Pharm.D.
Graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy
Position post residency completion: Pharmacist, Alfa Specialty Pharmacy