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Oncology

Oncology

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.

Program Description

The oncology residency program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is an intensive one-year clinical training program. HCI is an academic National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center and National Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCCN) member institution. As of 2023, our facility (HCH specifically) includes 148 inpatient beds, 12 operating rooms, 51 infusion chairs/beds, and a wide variety of interdisciplinary clinics serving patients with all types of malignancies and a variety of hematologic conditions. The resident will develop an extensive knowledge base and problem-solving skills through an array of clinical experiences in acute and ambulatory care settings. The resident will be involved in maintaining and improving oncology practice by providing pharmacy services in various areas. Upon completion of the residency, the resident will be well prepared to practice in a variety of oncology settings. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Program Aims

  • Demonstrate a high level of professional responsibility, dedication, skill, and maturity to practice in an oncology clinical environment.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the biology of neoplasia and the evolving medication therapies in the field of oncology.
  • Attain a level of didactic knowledge that will enable the resident to pass the Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) exam (with further study of at least statistics, drug literature evaluation, practice management, public health and advocacy concepts likely necessary).
  • Serve as a role model and instructor for undergraduate and graduate students, and for practicing pharmacy residents.
  • Demonstrate the motivation and responsibility for self-directed, independent study and learning.
  • Clearly, concisely, effectively, and appropriately communicate, both verbally and in writing, with health care professionals and with patients.
  • Develop a skill set of practice that assures competent practice in a variety of oncology settings.

Rotation Experiences

Required experiences include inpatient hematology, oncology, and blood & marrow transplant; outpatient solid tumor clinic, oncology infusion, infectious diseases; and abbreviated rotations in investigational drug services and management. Electives include oncology-specific intensive care, numerous hematology/oncology/BMT clinics, pain and palliative care, pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant, and many others pending resident interest.

 
Teaching & Learning Opportunities

The resident will lead 6 formal disease state reviews throughout the year that are presented to a variety of healthcare professionals for continuing medical education (CME) credit. In addition, the resident will participate in topic discussions relevant to their current rotation. Each resident will prepare content for both the college of pharmacy oncology pharmacotherapeutics module, the oncology elective, and is allowed to participate in additional lecture and/or recitation opportunities if interested. Each resident will prepare and present a 1-hour ACPE-accredited continuing education program in association with the Utah Society of Health-System Pharmacists (USHP). Additional opportunities are available through student and resident precepting and/or mentoring, multidisciplinary in-services, oncology fellows’ conferences, journal clubs, and an optional teaching certificate program.

Service Commitment

Each resident will function in a staff pharmacist capacity in both centralized and decentralized areas on an average of 4 shifts per month. Areas that the resident will staff include inpatient hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant; infusion; and central pharmacy. Additional areas may be included based on resident interest and departmental needs. Residents are required to staff a portion of observed holidays. Participation in various community volunteer opportunities is encouraged, but not required.

Professional Meetings

All University of Utah residents are expected to attend the Mountain States Conference in May. Based on departmental funding, residents may be able to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in December, the HOPA Annual Meeting in the spring, and/or other disease state-specific conferences.

Residency Project

Each resident will choose a project idea either of their own creation or as presented by a preceptor. Projects must align with our institutional strategic plan and departmental goals or improve patient care by either answering a clinical question or developing new pharmacy services. All ideas will be vetted through the research subcommittee. Each resident will present their project findings as a platform presentation at the Mountain States Conference and prepare a manuscript suitable for publication in an appropriate journal. Additional opportunities to present research either as a poster or platform presentation can be discussed.

Qualifications

Candidates must graduate from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program with a doctor of pharmacy degree (or equivalent combination of education and clinical experience). Minimum GPA is not required, but is taken into consideration. Residents must also have completed an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency program. Applicants must be eligible for Utah licensure and are expected to obtain licensure as a pharmacist in Utah by September 30th of each program year. The University of Utah Pharmacy residency programs do not sponsor visas.

Recruitment and Selection

The following information must be submitted by the date specified (typically the first Friday in January) in the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) for the applicant to be considered for a virtual half-day interview:

  • Completed PhORCAS application
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of intent
  • College of pharmacy transcripts
  • Three recommendations using the PhORCAS standard form

All residency programs at University of Utah Health use PhORCAS. No paper applications will be accepted. Completed applications in PhORCAS are reviewed and competitive applicants will be offered an interview. This program participates in the National Matching Service through ASHP.

Contact

Kelley Julian, PharmD, BCOP

Program Director

Kelley Julian, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist, Inpatient Hematology and Outpatient Multiple Myeloma Clinics
Adjunct Instructor, College of Pharmacy
Kelley.Julian@hci.utah.edu

Program Coordinator

Sara deHoll, PharmD, BCOP 
Clinical Pharmacist, Inpatient
Hematology & Oncology Clinics
Adjunct Instructor, College of Pharmacy
Sara.deHoll@hci.utah.edu

Courtney C. Cavalieri, PharmD, BCOP

Program Coordinator

Courtney C. Cavalieri, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist, Inpatient
Hematology & Oncology Clinics
Adjunct Instructor, College of Pharmacy
Courtney.Cavalieri@hci.utah.edu