Infectious Disease

Infectious Disease

About this PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Program

Purpose

Our PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency training to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the educational competency areas, goals, and objectives for advanced practice areas. Residents who successfully complete our PGY2 residency programs are prepared for advanced patient care or other specialized positions, and board certification in the advanced practice area, if available.

Description

The University of Utah Health PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency is a structured, 12-month learning program that will provide the resident with the skills to practice as an Infectious Diseases specialist in a variety of settings.  Graduates from our program are well-prepared for careers in academia, antimicrobial stewardship, HIV/AIDS, industry, and traditional acute care roles, as well as for board certification in infectious diseases pharmacy.  One PGY2 resident position is available each year.  Foundational learning experiences include clinical rotations with the adult general and immunocompromised infectious diseases consult services, antimicrobial stewardship, outpatient infectious diseases/HIV, hematology/oncology intensive care, and clinical microbiology.  Additionally, administrative, teaching, leadership, and research skills will be developed through various longitudinal projects and activities throughout the year.  The program is intended to be customized to the individual resident’s goals and interests.  Elective learning experiences include pediatric infectious diseases, solid organ transplant, bone marrow transplant, inpatient hematology, and cystic fibrosis.  The program is accredited by ASHP through the 2026-2027 academic year.

Highlights of Experience

Microbiology experiences will occur at ARUP laboratories, a national reference laboratory, offering the resident practical experience with highly specialized assays. Immunocompromised ID experiences that include both solid organ transplant and hematology/oncology patients at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. We offer unique immunocompromised antimicrobial stewardship opportunities. Teaching opportunities in a variety of settings are available through our affiliation with the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. Several opportunities for scholarship are available beyond the required longitudinal research project. Additionally, work-life balance is encouraged and Salt Lake City’s proximity to the mountains allows for convenient outdoor recreation.

Requirements

Core Learning Experiences:

  1. Orientation/Research (4 weeks)
  2. Adult General Infectious Diseases Consult Service (2 separate 4-week experiences)
  3. Adult Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases Consult Service (2 separate 4-week experiences)
  4. Antimicrobial Stewardship (2 separate 4-week experiences)
  5. Immunocompromised Stewardship (2 weeks)
  6. Outpatient Infectious Diseases/HIV (4 weeks plus longitudinal)
  7. Hematology/Oncology Intensive Care Unit (4 weeks plus longitudinal)
  8. Clinical Microbiology (2 weeks)
  9. Completion of the University of Utah Teaching Certificate program if a similar program has not been completed as a PGY1 resident

Longitudinal Learning Experiences:

  1. Antimicrobial Stewardship – Administration (12 months)
  2. Clinical Research (12 months)
  3. Leadership (12 months)
  4. Teaching (12 months)
  5. Antimicrobial Stewardship – Inpatient Clinical Staffing Commitment (12 months)
  6. Outpatient Infectious Diseases/HIV (Approximately 9 months)
  7. Hematology/Oncology Intensive Care Unit – Inpatient Clinical Staffing Commitment (Approximately 10 months)

Elective Learning Experiences:

  1. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Consult Service and Antimicrobial Stewardship at Primary Children's Hospital (2-4 weeks)
  2. Solid Organ Transplant (2-4 weeks)
  3. Inpatient Hematology (2-4 weeks)
  4. Bone marrow transplant (2-4 weeks)
  5. Cystic fibrosis/Pulmonology (2-4 weeks)
  6. Gastrointestinal/Hepatology Clinic (2-4 weeks)
  7. Advanced Leadership (6 months )
  8. Alternatively, any of the core learning experiences may be repeated as an elective

Additional Experiences

  1. Infectious Diseases Conferences:
    1. Weekly: ID clinical core conference, ID clinical case conference, ID fellows case conference, HIV journal club, Transplant ID conference
    2. Monthly: ARUP microbiology combined clinical case conference and journal club
  2. Pharmacy Resident Conference:
    1. Weekly 1-2 hour meetings on various topics such as teaching, literature evaluation, leadership, and other topics as requested by residents
  3. Presentations:
    1. ACPE-accredited continuing education for local pharmacists in the fall
    2. ID clinical core conference presentation in the spring
    3. ID journal club in the spring
    4. Project presentation at Mountain States Conference
  4. Service Commitment:
    1. To average 16 hours/month (generally every 3rd weekend) in Hematology/Oncology Intensive Care
    2. Shared evening (not overnight) and weekend coverage of the restricted antibiotic approval pager
  5. Meetings:
    1. IDWeekTM in October (as funding allows)
    2. ASHP Midyear and Vizient Conferences in December (as funding allows)
    3. Mountain States Resident Conference in May
  6. Research:
    1. Complete an ID-related research project and submit manuscript for publication
    2. Additional opportunities for research, medical writing, and other scholarly activities depending on the interest of the resident
  7. Teaching:
    1. Facilitate pharmacy student recitations at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy in the spring
    2. Direct precepting of PGY-1 pharmacy residents in the spring
    3. Other teaching experiences available depending on the interest of the resident

Mentorship Program

The mentorship program is a newly instilled component of the University of Utah Health PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency. The resident will be connected with a mentor pharmacist preceptor outside of the ID program who shares the resident’s interests and experiences. The mentor meets periodically with the resident to ensure the resident has the tools and resources needed to succeed, and serves as an advocate for the resident throughout the year.
 

Program Director

Contact Information

Brandon Tritle, PharmD, BCIDP
University of Utah Department of Pharmacy Services
50 N Medical Drive, Room A-050
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
(801) 587-0587
Brandon.Tritle@hsc.utah.edu

Program Faculty

Russell Benefield, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID
Clinical Coordinator, Infectious Diseases
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacotherapy
Rotations Precepted: Research

Zubin Bhakta, MS, Pharm.D.
Clinical Pulmonary Pharmacist
Rotations Precepted: CF/Pulmonology

Kathryn Disney, Pharm.D., BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist, Critical Care
Pharmacy School: University of Arizona
Residency: Ohio State University PGY1 & PGY2-Critical Care
Rotations Precepted: Huntsman ICU
Fun Fact: Went to running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain after my PGY2.

Alexandra Earl, PharmD, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacist, Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Pharmacy School: West Virginia University
Residency: PGY1 Intermountain Health; PGY2 Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center- Infectious Diseases
Rotations Precepted: ASP I & II; General ID consult
Fun Fact: One of my favorite pastimes is hiking, and the longest drive I’ve ever done for a weekend hiking trip was 16 hours one way.

Karen Fong, Pharm.D., BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacist, Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Pharmacy School: University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Residency: NTU Langone PGY1/2
Rotations Precepted: ASP I & II, General ID Consult

Sage Greenlee, PharmD, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacist- Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infectious Diseases
Pharmacy School: University of Mississippi
Residency: PGY1 East Alabama Medical Center; PGY2 Henry Ford Hospital-Infectious Diseases
Rotations Precepted: Immunocompromised ASP, Tx ID Consult
Fun Fact: Enthusiast of bourbon, craft beer, sports, and travel

Gary Huynh, Pharm.D., M.S., AAHIVP, BCPS
HIV Pharmacisth

Hannah Imlay, M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
Rotations Co-precepted: Immunocompromised ASP

Christine Jamjian, Pharm.D., AAHIVP
HIV Clinical Specialist
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacy School: University of Utah
Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics- Infectious Diseases
Rotations Precepted: Outpatient Infectious Diseases Clinic
Fun Fact: I am trilingual.

Jared Olson, Pharm.D., BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist, Infectious Diseases and Co-Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, Primary Children’s Medical Center
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
Pharmacy School: Midwestern University
Residency: Primary Children’s Hospital
Rotations Precepted: Pediatric Infectious Diseases and ASP
Fun Fact: I have 5 kids and love to be outdoors!

Stacy Prelewicz, Pharm.D., BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist, Hematology/Oncology
Pharmacy School: Wilkes University
Residency: Penn State-Hershey Medical Center- PGY1; University of Utah-PGY2 Oncology
Rotations Precepted: Inpatient Hematology
Fun Fact: My dog, Louie, won best in show at the Salt Lake Grizzlies ice hockey dog show... mostly because he was rolling around on the ice and was wearing a Penguins jersey! He is a pyredoodle - half pyrenes half poodle mix.

Stephanie Sanders, Pharm.D., BCOP, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist, Oncology Intensive Care
Adjunct Instructor, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacy School: Ferris State University
Residency: VA Medical Center, Denver CO-PGY1; University of Utah-PGY2 Oncology
Rotations Precepted: Huntsman ICU
Fun Fact: J’adore mes orteils. (I’ve been learning French because my son is in a French immersion program. TOES is the acronym created by my family’s first initials.)

Bhanupriya Sirandas, Pharm.D., BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist, Solid Organ Transplant
Rotations Precepted: Solid Organ Transplant

Emily Sydnor Spivak, M.D., M.H.S.
Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
Medical Director for Antimicrobial Stewardship
Rotations Co-precepted: ASP I & ASP II

Brandon Tritle, Pharm.D., BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacist, Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Pharmacy School: University of Wyoming
Residency: PGY1 Intermountain Health; PGY2 University of Utah-Infectious Diseases
Rotations Precepted: General ID consult I & II; Tx ID consult I & II.
Fun Fact: Former whitewater rafting guide

Crystal Truax, Pharm.D., BCPS
Clinical Pharmacist, Solid Organ Transplant
Rotations Precepted: Solid Organ Transplant

Program Alumni

2022-2023
Samantha Andrews, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist, UCSF Medical Center

2021-2022
Kyle Manning, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist, BMT/Acute Leukemia, Intermountain Health

2020-2021
Rosemarie Dawn Tagare, Pharm.D.

2019-2020
Meredith Oliver, Pharm.D.
Clinical Pharmacist, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital

2018-2019
Brandon Tritle, Pharm.D., BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacist, Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship, University of Utah Health

2017-2018
Amanda Gibson, Pharm.D., AAHIVP
Senior Medical Science Liason, Medical Affairs, Janssen Infectious Diseases

2016-2017
Brian Buss, Pharm.D., BCIDP
Infectious Diseases Pharmacist, University of Wisconsin Health

Selected Resident Publications

Oliver MB, Fong K, Certain L, Spivak ES, Timbrook TT. Validation of a Community-Acquired Pneumonia Score To Improve Empiric Antibiotic Selection at an Academic Medical Center. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2021:65(2):e01482-20.

Tritle BJ, Timbrook TT, Fisher MA, Spivak ES. Penicillin as a Potential Agent for Dual β-Lactam Therapy for Enterococcal Endocarditis. Clin Infect Dis. 2020;70(6):1263-1264.

Erickson RM, Tritle BJ, Spivak ES, Timbrook TT. Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Bundle for Uncomplicated Gram-Negative Bacteremia. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6(12):ofz490.

Sbaih N, Buss B, Goyal D, et al. Potentially Serious Drug Interactions Resulting From the Pretravel Health Encounter. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018;5(11):ofy266.

Buss BA, Baures TJ, Yoo M, et al. Impact of a Multiplex PCR Assay for Bloodstream Infections With and Without Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention at a Cancer Hospital. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018;5(10):ofy258.

Site and Facilities

The University of Utah Health (UUH) provides regional referral for five states. UUH is a level 1 trauma center, specialized services are provided in burn, surgical, medical, oncology, and neurosurgical intensive care. Outstanding programs include critical care, transplant, cystic fibrosis, neurology, HIV/AIDS, primary care, oncology, and medical/surgical services. UUH is a research-oriented tertiary medical center. It is affiliated with the colleges of pharmacy, nursing, health, and the school of medicine. Laboratory services are provided by ARUP laboratories, a national clinical and anatomic pathology reference laboratory. The Salt Lake metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1 million people. It is located at the base of the Wasatch Front of the Rocky Mountains. The city and region provide cultural and four-season recreational activities.

Qualifications

Candidates must graduate from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program with a doctor of pharmacy degree (or equivalent combination of education and clinical experience) with a minimum GPA of 3.1 on a 4.0 scale.  Residents must have completed an ASHP-accredited PGY-1 pharmacy residency program.  Applicants must be eligible for Utah licensure and are expected to obtain licensure as a pharmacist in Utah within the first 90 days of the start of the program year.  Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States prior to July 1st (the UUH program does not sponsor visas).

Recruitment and Selection

The following information must be submitted via PhORCAS by the date specified on the residency application for the applicant to be considered for an onsite interview:

  1. Completed PhORCAS application
  2. Letter of intent
  3. Curriculum vitae
  4. College of pharmacy transcripts
  5. Three professional letters of recommendation

Please submit all required materials as early as possible.  All application materials must be received by the application deadline to be considered.  Completed applications will be reviewed, and competitive applicants will be invited to attend an on-site, full-day interview.  The program participates in the Resident Matching Program of ASHP.