MedStar Washington Hospital Center Pharmacy virtual tour
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
The purpose of the MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s PGY1 pharmacy residency program is to build on Doctor of Pharmacy 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. Our program’s training emphasis is on acute care in a hospital setting for adult patients. The program has been accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists since 1994. Our preceptors are clinical coordinators and clinical specialists who work in their area of specialty.
MedStar Washington Hospital Center is a 912-bed, private, not-for-profit teaching hospital. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the Hospital Center’s cardiology and heart surgery program as one of the nation’s best. Respected specialty areas include MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute, Transplantation services, MedSTAR shock/trauma, and The Burn Center.
The Hospital Center is among the100 largest hospitals in the nation, and is renowned for handling the Washington region’s most complex cases. As one of the largest teaching hospitals in the Washington area, the Hospital Center trains more than 300 medical residents and fellows in more than 30 specialties annually. The Hospital Center is a member of MedStar Health, a regional health care delivery system serving the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
Pharmacy residents work with the health care team by collaborating during interdisciplinary rounds, monitoring drug therapy, providing drug information and educating patients, health care professionals and students. The program provides opportunities for residents to gain experience in delivering educational programs, participating in performance improvement projects as well as designing and completing a residency project. Residents have the opportunity to participate in committees such as P&T, Antimicrobial Stewardship, and Medication Safety. Residents will be trained for ACLS/BLS and will participate in emergency responses. The pharmacy department offers weekly onsite educational conferences including educational programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to enhance pharmacists’ knowledge and skills.
Graduated residents have pursued PGY2 residencies, became clinical pharmacists, clinical specialists, preceptors, and leaders. Some have pursued opportunities at ASHP and the FDA.
Learning experiences
There are longitudinal learning experiences in Staffing, residency Project, Leapfrog Project, Code Blue Response, and Teaching and Education. In addition, each resident is required to complete core rotations and 3 elective learning experiences.
Core rotations:
- Orientation
- Internal Medicine
- Infectious Disease & Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Cardiology
- Critical Care
- Practice Management
- Medication-Use Safety & Policy
Elective rotations:
Based on the resident’s progress and interests, resident may choose 3 elective learning experiences that include:
- Oncology
- Ambulatory Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Medical Intensive Care
- Neuroscience Intensive Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Burn/Trauma
- Cardiac Surgery ICU & Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support
- Transplant
- Informatics
- Infectious Disease
- Pharmacogenomics
- Health System Administration
Projects
Residents complete projects throughout the program. These projects are in areas that are relevant to contemporary pharmacy practice and pharmacy management. Each project is an opportunity for residents to develop skills in collecting, analyzing and presenting data. Completion of a residency project is a requirement of the program. Residents present their residency projects at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear clinical meeting, our pharmacy department’s conference, MedStar pharmacy research symposium, and Eastern States Conference for Pharmacy Residents and Preceptors.
Service
Residents fulfill a service commitment on weekends and evenings by working with one of the pharmacy teams to provide pharmaceutical care. Staffing is every third weekend plus a 4 hour evening every other week. One compensation day off will be given for each worked weekend. Each resident will work 1 major holiday and 2 minor holidays.
Teaching
Residents provide education to healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and pharmacy students. This is an opportunity to develop teaching and presentation skills. A teaching certificate is available.
Benefits
Resident benefits include a generous salary, health/vision/dental insurance, 10 paid vacation/sick days, seven holidays, stipend for attending professional pharmacy meetings, free parking, onsite ACPE approved educational programs, and ACLS/BLS certification.
Applicant requirements
All candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a PharmD from an ACPE-accredited school or college of pharmacy
- Be eligible to apply for pharmacist license in the District of Columbia
- Participate in the ASHP PGY1 Residency Matching Program
- Eligible to work in the United States
Application requirements
Applicants are required to submit the following documents via PhORCAS:
- Completed application
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement indicating professional goals and interests
- Three standard recommendation forms
- College of pharmacy transcripts
Application process
Individuals interested in applying should apply via the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application System (PhORCAS) at www.ashp.org/phorcas. Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Candidates are selected based on professional competence, scholastic achievement, communication skills, interpersonal skills and comprehension of current standards of pharmacy practice. Candidates are matched via the ASHP Resident Matching Program.
Our program code is 174713
MedStar Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equal opportunity for all associates and candidates for employment. MedStar Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
We do not sponsor visa.
Program Director
Lama Kanawati, PharmD, BCPS
110 Irving Street, NW B147
Washington, D.C., 20010-2975
Residency preceptors
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Samrawit Agonafer, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP |
Rita Chen, PharmD, BCCCP |
|
Maureen Converse, PharmD, BCCCP |
Keri Denchfield, PharmD, BCCCP |
|
Karla Evans, RPh, MHA |
Busola Fowowe, PharmD, BCIDP |
|
Sarah Grazios, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP |
Pauline Guthrie, RPH, PharmD |
|
Rola Halabi, PharmD, MS, BCCCP |
Nancy Heideman, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS |
|
Nicholas Husak, PharmD, DABT |
Maria Ibrahim, PharmD, BCPS |
|
Cory Johnson, PharmD, BCCCP |
Lama Kanawati, PharmD, BCPS |
|
Bolanle Lawuyi, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP |
Bonnie Levin, PharmD, MBA |
| Alexandra McPherson, PharmD, MPH Palliative Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Preceptor: Palliative Care |
Madison Meyer, PharmD, BCCCP |
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Christine Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS |
Veronika Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS |
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Inna Perinskaya, PharmD, BCCCP |
Lisa Peters, PharmD, BCPS, BCTXP |
|
Nicholas Pugliese, PharmD, BCCCP |
Justin Sebakijje, PharmD |
|
Max Smith, PharmD, BCPS |
Roberta Taylor, PharmD, MHA, DPLA |
Residency projects
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2027
Impact of Augmented Renal Clearance on β-Lactam Outcomes in Trauma Patients With Pneumonia
Ben Nafchi, PharmD; Keri Denchfield, PharmD, BCCCP; Olubusola Fowowe, PharmD, BCIDP; Cory Johnson, PharmD; BCCCP; Rita Chen, PharmD, BCCCP
Intravenous Chlorothiazide Versus Oral Metolazone in Combination with Loop Diuretics in Mechanical Circulatory Support
Tony Vo, PharmD; Maureen Converse, PharmD, BCCCP; Rola Halabi, PharmD, BCCCP; Bolanle Lawuyi, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP; Christine Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS
Sweet Relief or Readmission Risk? New Insulin at Discharge After Heart Transplant
Rita Richa, PharmD; Lisa Peters, PharmD, BCTXP, BCPS; Mahbouba Ahmadi, PharmD, MBA
Efficacy of Droperidol-Based vs Non-Droperidol-based Sedation Regimens for Severe Acute Undifferentiated Agitation: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Zack Jones, PharmD; Nicholas Pugliese, PharmD, BCCCP; Madison Meyer, PharmD, BCCCP -
2026
Impact of Extended Infusion Pip-Tazo on Empiric Carbapenem Escalation of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics in Septic ICU Patients
Jordan Lowery, PharmD; Keri Denchfield, PharmD, BCCCP, Inna Perinskaya, PharmD, BCCCP
Use of Antipsychotics Compared to Polypharmacy De-Escalation in Resolution of ICU Delirium
Kaylee Simon, PharmD, Keri Denchfield, PharmD, BCCCP, Lisa Pickmans, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Cefpodoxime vs. Cefdinir for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Emergency Department Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Nadine Haidar, PharmD; Nicholas Pugliese, PharmD, BCPS, Busola Fowowe, PharmD, BCIDP, Sarah Grazios, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
5-Day VS 7-Day Antibiotic Therapy for Hospital-acquired Pneumonia and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Patients
Tejona Johnson-Moore, PharmD, Busola Fowowe, PharmD, BCIDP, Sarah Grazios, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP -
2025
Modified Phenobarbital Protocol in the Emergency Department: Assessment of Safety and Efficacy
Amand Koluda, PharmD; Inna Perinskaya, PharmD, BCCCP; Nicholas Pugliese, PharmD, BCCCP
Comparison of Outcomes Before and After Implementation of Sodium Bicarbonate Based Purge Solution in Patients on Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device support
Jose Rivera, PharmD; Rola A. Halabi, PharmD, MS, BCCCP; Cory Johnson, PharmD, BCCCP -
2024
Evaluation of a Modified Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Protocol Utilizing Higher Doses of Enoxaparin and Anti-Xa Levels in Burn Patients
Sophia Lee, PharmD; Desiree Pinto, MD, MPH; Cory Johnson, PharmD, BCCCP; Rola A. Halabi, PharmD, MS, BCCCP; Jeffrey Shupp, MD
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Antimicrobial Stewardship focusing on ampicillin and gentamicin for early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) empiric treatment at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC)
Ha Pham, PharmD; Sarah J Norman, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP; Samrawit M Agonafer, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
The Impact of an Emergency Department Sickle Cell Disease Order Set in Pain Management
Tasneem Bahar, PharmD; David Shifrin, PharmD, BCPS
Assessment of Time in Therapeutic INR Range Post-Implementation of Pharmacist Warfarin Dosing in Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Clinic
Emina Halimanovic, PharmD; Lisa Peters, PharmD, BCPS; Sharika Johnson, PharmD, BCPS -
2023
Evaluation of ketamine for adjunctive pain management in sickle cell crisis: A single center, intra-comparison study
Naidelyn Medina, PharmD; Minhee Kang, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP; Lama Kanawati, PharmD, BCPS
Provider adherence to monitoring recommendations for oral anticancer medications at outpatient oncology clinics within a large academic medical system
Anas Hanini, PharmD; Pauline Guthrie, PharmD, Joshua Bailey, PharmD
Identification of oncology providers interest, use-cases, and barriers to use of pharmacogenomic testing
Meghna Bhatt, PharmD; Max Smith, PharmD, BCPS
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of warfarin compared to DOACs following bioprosthetic valve replacement
Caitlin Benkart, PharmD; Victoria Ly, PharmD, BCCP; Wafaa Abou-Zeineddine, PharmD, BCPS -
2022
Evaluation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and/or Beta-Blockers in Primary Prevention of Cardiac Dysfunction Caused by Anthracyclines and Trastuzumab in African American Breast Cancer Patients
Serena Mitaly, PharmD; Victoria Ly, PharmD, BCCP; Quan Li, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS, DPLA
Marijuana and Dietary Supplement Use in African American Hematology/Oncology Patients
Humam Alkhaled, PharmD; Quan Li, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS, DPLA
Effects of Immunosuppression Titration by Single Point Immune Cell Function Assay in Heart Transplants
Rita Chen, PharmD; Bolanle Lawuyi, PharmD, BCCP
Evaluation of the Safety of the New Alcohol Containing Cyclophosphamide Formulation
Tonya Wright, PharmD; Quan Li, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS, DPLA -
2021
Evaluation of patients switching from direct oral anti-Xa inhibitors to parenteral anticoagulation in tertiary care hospital
Betlihem Semma, PharmD; Lisa Peters, PharmD, BCPS
Impact of pharmacist driven patient education on acute coronary syndrome patient outcomes
Rohina Bayat, PharmD; Lisa Peters, PharmD, BCPS
Impact of ketamine use on pain management in the emergency department
Manraj Kalkat, PharmD; Lama Kanawati, PharmD, BCPS
Pharmacist managed anticoagulation in LVAD patients in a large tertiary care hospital
Jessica Szatkowski, PharmD; Victoria Ly, PharmD -
2020
Evaluation of moderate sedation outcomes in procedural areas by non-anesthesiologists
Nancy Tang, PharmD; Cynthia Willis, PharmD
Appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial treatment of septic patients transferred from skilled nursing facilities to a tertiary hospital
Dilbi Hussein, PharmD; Lama Kanawati, PharmD, BCPS
Evaluation of fentanyl transdermal systems for pain management in a tertiary hospital
Carlette Cavenaugh, PharmD; Diana Stewart, PharmD, BCPS
Evaluating the impact of nasal screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on vancomycin therapy in the intensive care unit
Roshani Patel, PharmD; Jennifer Brandt, PharmD, FASHP, BCCCP -
2019
Impact of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction system on antibiotic optimization
Assessing the incidence of medication-related patient safety events
Gayle Unhjem, PharmD, MHS; Jennifer Brandt, PharmD, FASHP, BCCCP
Trace Element Supplementation in Burn Patients
Annmarie Cristiano, PharmD; Jennifer Brandt, PharmD, FASHP, BCCCP
Evaluation of ketamine use for postoperative pain management
Inna Perinskaya, PharmD; Lama Kanawati, PharmD, BCPS
Assessing the incidence of medication-related patient safety event reports
Lisa Pickmans, PharmD; Jennifer Brandt, PharmD, FASHP, BCCCP
Implementation of operating room pharmacy services in a tertiary care hospital
Inna Perinskaya, PharmD; Cynthia Willis, PharmD -
2018
Evaluation of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity before and after implementation of an intensive pharmacist monitoring program
Sarah El-Gendi, PharmD; Zetta Leftridge, PharmD
Medication Safety events secondary to pump programming errors before and after implementation of an infusion management system
Taylor Kravatz, PharmD; Cynthia Willis, PharmD
Appropriateness of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis before and after guideline implementation
Erin Grannan, PharmD; Jennifer Brandt, PharmD, FASHP
De-escalation of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the intensive care unit
Mary McIntyre, PharmD; Jennifer Brandt, PharmD, FASHP