Thank you for your interest in the Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program! Our pharmacy team wants to develop outstanding clinical pharmacists. We will customize your experience based on your strengths, interests and career goals. See below for the details of our program. Be sure to click on the links for more information.
We are located only 34 miles from Lexington. We offer a Post Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) Pharmacy Residency program. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredits our program. Two positions are available. PGY1 candidates must apply through the ASHP application and matching process.
The residency program lasts 54 weeks. It begins with orientation the last two weeks of June. PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on pharmacy education and outcomes. As a result, it helps to develop clinical pharmacists responsible for medication related care of patients. Those patients may have a wide range of conditions. In addition, the pharmacists are eligible for board certification. They also qualify for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.
Our residency program graduates its residents with a broad range of skills. As a result, they obtain positions at community hospitals, academic medical centers, and PGY2 residency positions. In addition, they have the skills to work in ambulatory care clinics and children’s hospitals. Residents also have the training to hold academic appointments.
Learning Experiences
Our PGY1 program provides the following required learning experiences
- Cardiology
- Critical Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Disease/Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Internal Medicine
In addition, the following longitudinal experiences are also required
- Clinical Project Management
- Emergency Response
- Hospital Practice
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacy Management
- Research Project
- Student Precepting and Teaching Certificate (affiliated with the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy)
Elective opportunities available as part of our PGY1 program include
- Advanced Cardiology
- Advanced Critical Care
- Advanced Emergency Medicine
- Ambulatory Care
- Clinical Informatics
- Oncology
- 340B Management and Compliance
Benefits
During the 54-week program, our residents receive a stipend of approximately $60,912. We provide 10 days of PTO, four paid holidays and short-term illness accrual. In addition, we provide standard benefits. Those include health insurance, life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. In addition, we offer retirement savings with up to 8% employer match. Optional benefits include dental and vision insurance. In addition, other options are a flexible spending account and long-term disability. Residents also receive Outpatient Pharmacy and meal discounts.
Our residents are required to attend one state and one national pharmacy organization meeting. The program reimburses the residents for conference registration, travel, room and board (if applicable), and provides a daily food stipend.
Affiliation with UK
We are an affiliate of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. The UK College of Pharmacy combines innovative teaching and hands-on interactive learning in a world premier facility. Our residents are enrolled in the Student Precepting and Teaching Certificate for Pharmacists Program. The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy Teaching Certificate Program is offered in a joint collaborative effort with the American Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The college provides teaching opportunities in the classroom. A Patient Care Laboratory also helps to fulfill the requirements of the program.
Application Process
Application deadline is January 2.
PGY1 candidates must apply through the ASHP Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS). In addition, they must participate in the ASHP Resident Matching Program (The Match). The resident matching program code is 192113. We use PhORCAS for all residency candidate applications. We select candidates to offer interviews after reviewing all applications. Applicants must have their Kentucky license by October 15.
You can learn more about the Pharmacy Department at EMH from our Pharmacy Fact Sheet.
In addition, you can learn more about our current residents by reading below. You can learn more about our Past Residents and their Research Projects as well. Plus, we invite you to learn about our team of Pharmacy Preceptors.
You may direct questions about the residency program to Tara Neitzel, PharmD, BCPS, the Residency Program Director. Contact her at tneitzel@emhealth.org or (859) 239-1717.
For the 2027-2028 residency program year, the tentative start date is June 14th for general hospital orientation. The pharmacy orientation begins afterwards.
Current Residents
Maddie Lusk, PharmD
Education: Butler University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Class of 2026 – PharmD
Professional areas of interest: Pediatrics, Infectious Disease, Psychiatry
Career goals: To practice as a clinical pharmacist assisting in the best care possible for patients.
Hobbies/interests: Reading, coloring, music, true crime shows, and spending time with friends & family
Why I chose Ephraim:
I chose Ephraim McDowell because it offers me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally as a pharmacist. I was drawn to the strong clinical experiences and the opportunity to continue building my confidence, knowledge, and skills in patient care. I know that the people around me will challenge me, allowing me to learn from each experience and become a more well-rounded healthcare professional. I also value the opportunity to serve and give back to the community, and caring for patients in a rural setting will be a meaningful and rewarding part of my growth as a pharmacist.
Jay Park, PharmD
Education: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Class of 2023, PharmD
Professional areas of interest: Oncology and Emergency Medicine
Career goals: To practice as an inpatient clinical pharmacist
Hobbies/interests: golf, playing ukulele and cello, video games, trying new types of food
Why I chose Ephraim:
I chose Ephraim McDowell because I wanted a residency that can help me learn to become a well-rounded clinical pharmacist. Coming from retail pharmacy It is important for me to better develop clinical knowledge and communicate with other healthcare professionals in an inpatient setting. The pharmacy team has given me great support and improved my abilities and confidence in pursuit of clinical pharmacy and my areas of interest.
Life in Danville, KY
Danville offers the best of both worlds: small-town charm with a lively social scene. Downtown is the heart of the city, where you’ll find local breweries, coffee shops, live music, and unique restaurants ranging from cozy brunch spots to farm-to-table dining. Festivals, outdoor concerts, and Centre College events keep the calendar full of things to do year-round.
For weekends, the surrounding bluegrass region offers endless opportunities to explore: hiking trails, kayaking on Herrington Lake, bourbon distilleries, and scenic drives through Kentucky’s horse country. If you’re looking for a bigger-city vibe, Lexington is just 34 miles away for nightlife, shopping, and other events, with Louisville and Cincinnati close enough for quick weekend trips.
With its affordable cost of living, walkable downtown, and welcoming community, Danville is an easy place to feel at home while making the most of your residency year. Visit http://www.danvilleboylechamber.com/ to learn more.