Pharmacy Residency Program

Pharmacy Residency Program Application

Applications for each academic year will be accepted every January using the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) website. All applicants must register for the ASHP Resident Matching Program as well as submit an application using the PhORCAS portal.

The deadline for application and all specific requirements for acceptance is the first Monday of every January. Unless January 1 falls on a Monday, then the deadline for applications will be on Tuesday January 2. Interested applicants should have a PharmD, be eligible for Louisiana Licensure and a Louisiana intern license, and submit the standardized application materials through PhORCAS.

Resident eligibility requirements

• PharmD from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy and eligible for licensure in Louisiana.

Application process and requirements for acceptance:

The materials that must be submitted to PhORCAS by the first Monday of January (or Tuesday January 2 if January 1 is on a Monday) include:

• Letter of intent that includes why you chose to apply to the residency program
• Curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation – a minimum of one of your three references should come from a preceptor who you have worked with in a clinical setting, related to an APPE in acute or ambulatory care. The clinical preceptor should be able to comment on your scope of responsibility, total patient load, level or autonomy, clinical abilities, and organization and time management skills. All 3 reference writers should use the standard PhORCAS template to submit their candidate recommendation.
• A response to an essay statement is required for acceptance. The essay response should be no longer than one page in length. An application will not be reviewed if this statement is missing. Please note that the essay is separate from your cover letter.
• Official pharmacy school transcripts

Supplemental essay question requirements:
Describe an intervention or contribution that you made with significant impact on patient care. Discuss what you learned from your experience.
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Provide a response to the question above using Calibri Font, size 11, double spaced, using normal margins. Your answer should be no more than 1 page in length.

NOTE: The essay response should be uploaded in the Supplemental Information section in PhORCAS. Space is limited to a max of 5 MB and must be provided in the following format: .pdf, .doc, .txt, .rtf.

Selection process

Pre-interview: The selection process starts with the application process.

Residency candidates will be invited to an on-site interview based on their:

• Completion of all application requirements by the deadline (5 listed above)
• Letter of intent and whether the candidate’s interests match Children’s Hospital New Orleans’ residency goals and offerings
• Response to the question posed to applicants
• Letters of recommendation

On-site interview

Applicant should be prepared to assume the travel and lodging costs for the interview. Candidates will make airline and/or hotel arrangements and airport transportation on the date scheduled by Children’s Hospital New Orleans. The interview process entails meetings with clinical staff, administrative staff, and a tour of the facilities.

A short case presentation may be required and presented to the pharmacy staff during the interview. More information will be provided prior to the interview. Interviews are conducted in the months of January and February. If other arrangements are needed, the candidate must coordinate with the Residency Program Director (RPD).

Post Interview

The resident is selected by the Pharmacy Residency Advisory Committee (RAC) based on multiple factors including his/her past education and training, performance during the in-site interview, and overall match with the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. The RPD will then rank candidates through the ASHP Resident Matching Program. All residents are selected through the ASHP Resident Matching Program. The resident position is not offered in advance of the Resident Matching Program. The RPD will discuss the matching process during the on-site interview.

Once the Match is determined between the program and the candidate, the Children’s Hospital New Orleans RPD will send out an appointment letter/contact. The resident must return the signed contract/agreement within the timeframe allowed by the ASHP Match. Contact information will be given to matching resident at the time of the match to ensure receipt within the specific time period.

The residency start date will be communicated in the contract provided upon matching.

PGY1 Program Contacts

Residency Program Director

• Helen Mitchell, PharmD, BCPS, DPLA
  • Helen.mitchell@lcmchealth.org

Training From a Premier Pediatric Hospital

Residents will be scheduled in 4 to 6-week rotations or in a longitudinal format. Prior to each rotation, residents will meet with preceptors to review goals, objective, responsibilities, and expectations. Any changes in the schedule will need to be approved by the preceptor(s) and the Residency Program Director (RPD).

Evaluations are required for each learning experience in PharmAcademic and must be complete during the last week for rotation or no later than 7 days after completion of the rotation. Evaluations for longitudinal rotations must be completed quarterly with the final evaluation completed no later than two weeks before the residency is completed.

Weekend/holiday coverage – patient care pharmacy services

The resident will have a staffing component and be assigned holiday coverage. Weekend and holiday schedules will be given to residents during orientation.

Major pharmacy project

The resident will develop a longitudinal research project that may be administrative, clinical, or pharmaceutical policy focused. The project is required and must be completed and appropriate for publication prior to completion of the residency program. The resident will present these at the Regional Residency Conference in the spring. A preceptor/mentor will be assigned to the resident for the project to help ensure appropriateness and completion. Documentation of the research project will include a project description (including background, objectives, methods, and resident’s responsibilities) and a final project report in manuscript format complete with results.

The minimum requirements for the project are:

• Submission of an abstract to:
  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Residency Poster Presentation during the Midyear Clinical Meeting
  • LSHP Annual Meeting
  • Regional Residency Conference
• Up to three practice presentations of the project findings to peers, preceptors, and other health care professionals
• Presentation of the project findings at the Regional Residency Conference and the Louisiana Society of Health System Pharmacists (LSHP) Annual Meeting poster session
• Submission of a final project in a manuscript form suitable for publication
• Full completion of project expectations as determined by the project preceptor

Teaching responsibilities

The resident is required to participate in student training conducted at CHNO. The extent of their involvement will depend on their desire and capability to participate in the preceptorship of pharmacy students. Additional teaching responsibilities during the residency year may be assigned by preceptors and will include journal club, case studies, and drug use reviews and monographs.

Meetings and conference attendance

Residents are expected to attend and participate in Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee meetings, Antibiotic Stewardship Committee meetings, pharmacy department meetings, and other meetings as assigned by the preceptor or RPD.

Residents will also attend the following conferences:

• ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting
• Regional Residency Conference

Development plans

Residents can receive tailored instruction based on their unique interest(s), experiences, and career goals. They will develop a plan on entry to the program and make adjustments each quarter to address changes in practice interests and needs.

CHNO will offer multiple educational opportunities and rotations for pharmacy residents to improve their clinical, management, and presenting skills. A resident development plan will be developed to focus on areas of identified development needs. Individual development plans will be developed for residents.

On an initial and quarterly basis, the RPD, in conjunction with the RAC, will be responsible for:

• An assessment of needs
• Reviewing the schedule of activities to address identified needs
• Periodic review of the effectiveness of the plan

Resident development needs to be identified through the assessment process and achievement of goals documented in PharmAcademic and discussed quarterly as part of the RAC meetings.

Dismissal of the pharmacy resident

The Pharmacy Resident Dismissal Policy will be reviewed with the RPD and signed by the resident upon entrance into the program.

Pharmacy Residency Structure

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month long program. Each resident’s first rotation will be orientation and training in the drug distribution components of the Department of Pharmacy Services. The December rotation is designated for the attendance of ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, assistance in the recruitment of future residents, project activities, completing assignments and assisting in the staffing areas as needed.

At a minimum, the resident spends two thirds or more of their time involved in direct patient care activities. The practice model integrate distribution and clinical activities at the patient care level and is supported by decentralized drug distribution. Clinical pharmacists cover all acute patient care areas.

Residents contribute to many clinical activities including collection of data for Medication Use Evaluation (MUE), in-services to the staff (e.g., pharmacists, technicians, nurses, physicians) during their clinical rotations, and medication education to patients. In addition to clinical services, the residents serve as preceptors throughout the year to pharmacy students completing their clinical rotations.

Throughout the year, residents serve on the Antibiotic Stewardship Committee, Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, and other related committees. Residents will have an opportunity to present at various committees.

Core Learning Experiences

• Orientation (2 weeks)
• General Pediatrics (6 weeks)
• Critical Care – Neonatal, Pediatric, or Cardiac (4 weeks)
• Ambulatory Care/Transplant (longitudinal)

Elective Learning Experiences (4-6 weeks)

• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology/oncology
• Informatics
• Administration
• Any core rotation
• Rotations at other LCMC Health sites

Longitudinal Learning Experiences

• Medication Safety
• Transplant Clinic
• Weekend and Holiday Staffing
• Research Project
• Continuing Education Presentation
• Educational Conferences

Director of Pharmacy

Lindy Bosworth, PharmD, MBA

Clinical Pharmacy Manager

Helen Mitchell, PharmD, BCPS, DPLA

Helen is the Clinical Pharmacy Manager at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, as well as the Residency Program Director for the PGY1 Residency Program. She earned her PharmD at Mercer University and completed her PGY1 residency at Emory University Hospital. Helen was previously a hematology/oncology clinical specialty pharmacist at Ochsner Specialty Pharmacy, as well as a clinical pharmacist and Operations Manager at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In her free time, Helen enjoys traveling, crafting and painting, cooking and baking, and trying any of the amazing restaurants New Orleans has to offer.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Gregory Cook, PharmD, BCIDP

Greg is an Infectious Diseases Clinical pharmacist specialist at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. His primary role is the co-leader of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Cincinnati. He completed his post-graduate training in adult medicine and infectious diseases at Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia, and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His interests include bedside pharmacokinetics, implementing novel infectious diseases diagnostics, and a clinical informatic data-driven approach to antimicrobial stewardship.

Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

Melissa Cook, PharmD, BCPPS

Melissa is a Clinical Pharmacist in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. She precepts the CICU rotation as well as the Pre-Transplant Clinical – Kidney longitudinal rotation. She earned her PharmD at the University of Cincinnati. Melissa completed her PGY1 Residency at Cincinnati Children’s and her PGY2 Residency in Pediatric Pharmacy at Children's Wisconsin. Her areas of interest include congenital heart disease, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), anticoagulation, and medication safety. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys pilates, reading, traveling, and chasing after her daughter, Phoebe!

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Mackenzie Creamer, PharmD

Mackenzie precepts the Hematology/Oncology rotation at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. She is a proud graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy - HOTTY TODDY. Mackenzie a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY2 Pediatrics - Hematology/Oncology Track Residency at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She moved to New Orleans in the summer of 2020, starting at Children’s Hospital New Orleans as the first Hematology/Oncology clinical pharmacist. She has loved being a part of the growth of the clinical pharmacy department. When not at work, Mackenzie likes spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants around the city, exploring the various festivals New Orleans has to offer, and cheering for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Emma Matherne, PharmD, BCPPS

Emma is the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Clinical Pharmacist at Children's Hospital New Orleans. She graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2020. She then went on to complete the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at LeBonheur Children's Hospital and the PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency at Cleveland Clinic Children's. Emma is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and in her spare time she enjoys taking walks with her dog, spending time with her family, and trying new restaurants!

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Mary Kate Tucker, PharmD, BCPPS

Mary Kate Tucker is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Pharmacist at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. She graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2020. She then went on to complete a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in Tulsa, Oklahoma and a PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency at Children’s Medical Center Dallas in Dallas, Texas. Additionally Mary Kate earned her board certification in pediatric pharmacology in 2023. In her free time Mary Kate enjoys reading, podcasts, traveling to visit friends, and hiking.