Residency Program FAQs

Contact the Pharmacy Residency Program
Ambulatory Care Program Director
Laura McAuliffe, PharmD, BCACP
laura.mcauliffe@lifespan.org
Oncology Program Director
Justin Huynh, PharmD, BCOP
401-444-2592
jhuynh@lifespan.org
PGY1 Residency Program Director
Steve Willis, PharmD
401-444-8853
swillis@lifespan.org
What jobs have residents taken following residency?
One hundred percent of the graduates from our PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program have taken positions in oncology at teaching hospitals.
Our inaugural class of PGY-1 both stayed on as PGY-2 residents.
PGY-2 Ambulatory Care graduates have obtained positions in academia and in large teaching hospitals as clinical pharmacy specialists.
How are the residents measured?
Residents are evaluated according to the standards of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) residency learning system. Informal feedback is provided throughout each rotation.
The preceptor will complete a midpoint evaluation of the resident for each learning experience, less than 12 weeks in duration and document plan for rest of rotation in PharmAcademic. For learning experiences greater than or equal to 12 weeks in length, a documented summative evaluation must be completed at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month points.
Residents also evaluate the preceptor and the rotation experience at the end of each rotation. Residents are encouraged to participate in the evaluation to help develop skill in delivering constructive feedback. Residents’ overall progress towards the program goals are evaluated on a quarterly basis.
What elective rotations are available?
Refer to program specific site on the left sidebar for more details.
Is a research project compulsory?
All residents must conduct and present a year-long residency research project. Each project has preceptors who guide the resident through the research process. Project ideas can be developed and residents are encouraged to offer their own ideas for projects as well.
What is your service commitment?
The service commitment experience is designed to develop skills necessary to successfully practice as a clinical pharmacist specialist in the hospital, ambulatory or academic setting. PGY-2 Residents will staff the applicable setting for one half-day each week and one weekend (Saturday and Sunday, eight-hour shifts) per month and select holidays. PGY-1 residents will staff central pharmacy services every third weekend and every third Wednesday evening (no later than 9pm).
Are there teaching opportunities available?
All residents lead and participate in weekly topic discussions and prepare and present educational lectures for pharmacy staff, as well as medical students, residents and fellows of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Residents are also involved with teaching activities at the University of Rhode Island. Depending on the level of interest, residents can gain additional teaching experience by precepting pharmacy clerkship students while on rotations.
Are foreign students eligible to apply for the pharmacy residency program? Does Rhode Island Hospital sponsor foreign visas?
Candidates for Rhode Island Hospital residency programs must be U.S. citizens or carry a U.S. permanent resident visa (i.e., a U.S. "green card"). In addition, each candidate must be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education-accredited school of pharmacy and be eligible to take the Rhode Island licensure exam. Individuals who require visa sponsorship are not eligible candidates for our pharmacy residency programs.
Is attendance at the ASHP Mid-Year meeting required for application?
No, attendance at ASHP mid-year meeting or any other local residency showcase is not required for candidates to apply to our programs. The residency showcase is a forum for candidates to gain more information about our programs and to meet our preceptors and residents in person to get a feel for the program. This can also be accomplished by contacting the program directors.
Am I required to obtain a Rhode Island pharmacist license?
Yes, it is a requirement that you obtain your pharmacist license in the state of Rhode Island.
You should apply for a 90-day temporary pharmacist license by transfer, providing you 90 days from the date of the application receipt to become duly licensed in the state. Ideally, this should coincide with the first 90 days of the residency program. The original privilege to work shall not be extended or renewed and shall only be granted to an applicant on a one-time basis. In the event you are unable to obtain your license during this time period you will not be able to practice or continue the residency. Learn more about the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy, see the application procedure and view materials at www.health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=275.
What are accommodation options for residents?
There are many housing options in Providence. Learn more about life in Rhode Island.
- How to Apply
- Rhode Island Hospital PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice
- Rhode Island Hospital PGY-1 and PGY-2 Health System Pharmacy Administration & Leadership
- Rhode Island Hospital/University of Rhode Island PGY-2 Ambulatory Care
- Rhode Island Hospital PGY-2 Critical Care
- Rhode Island Hospital/University of Rhode Island PGY-2 Oncology
- The Miriam Hospital PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice
- Coastal Medical PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice
- Rhode Island Hospital Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (LAPPE)
- Lifespan Specialty Pharmacy PGY-1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program
- Residency Program FAQs
- Residents
- Past Residents