Oklahoma City VA Health Care System

Pharmacy Residency Programs

Basic Requirements

U.S. citizenship

Pharm.D. graduate of an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program in the U.S.

Possess an active pharmacist’s license or be eligible for licensure through any U.S. State Board of Pharmacy. All residents

will be required to successfully obtain licensure within 90 days of the start of the program.

Participate in and adhere to the rules of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Resident Matching Program

process

An on-site interview is required for all applicants.

PGY2 applicants must have successfully completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency.

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program (Match # 122913)

Overview The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System PGY1 Residency Program is a one-year position (approximately July 1st

through June 30th) that provides professional training in various clinical rotations, inpatient and outpatient pharmacy

services, pharmacokinetic dosing, patient education and counseling, and administrative services. We offer an opportunity

to participate in direct patient care as a provider in a number of clinical settings such as geriatrics, palliative care,

ambulatory care, internal medicine, infectious disease, critical care, mental health, oncology/infusion clinic, investigational

drugs, and others. We also provide a longitudinal, comprehensive research experience and a wide variety of teaching

opportunities. Additional projects and activities throughout the year are designed to assist with the resident’s professional

development as a skilled clinical pharmacist, and achievement of both the residents’ personal goals and the residency-

specific goals and objectives associated with this accredited program.

Purpose Statement This PGY1 residency program builds on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to contribute to the

development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions,

eligible for board certification, and eligible for PGY2 pharmacy residency training.

Pharmacists completing this residency will be equipped with the knowledge base and experience to provide exemplary

patient-centered care in multiple practice environments. They will serve as valuable members of the health care team in

achieving optimal medication therapy. They will be able to effectively and confidently communicate assessments and

recommendations to interdisciplinary team members and patients. They will demonstrate skill in educating patients and

health care professionals. Residents will gain experience in project management. They will be proficient in the medication

use process and develop an understanding of the technology required to support this process. Residents will take

ownership of their practice areas and responsibilities, and they will be able to identify and prioritize patients who may

significantly benefit from their services. Residents will commit to the profession of pharmacy and demonstrate leadership

through a positive professional attitude.

Requirements for Completion of ResidencyIn addition to successful achievement of ASHP competency areas, goals, and objectives through clinical learning

experiences; residents will be required to complete and participate in all the following:

Major project

Clinical Staffing (weekend)

Medication Utilization Evaluation (MUE)

Formal presentations (such as case presentations, journal clubs, grand rounds, poster, research seminar, etc.)

BLS certification

ACLS certification (optional)

In-services

Participation in Pharmacy Conference(s) such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, regional residency conference, or state

pharmacy meetings

Participation in local VA Committees

Practice Experiences

Rounding with healthcare professionals

Practice-based projects

Pharmacy research

Adverse drug reaction reporting

Medication therapy management

Education of healthcare professionals and patients

Pharmacokinetic consultations

Participation in departmental and committee meetings

Orientation to Investigational Drug services

Participation in pharmacy distribution services

Involvement in residency recruitment

Optional teaching certificate program

Rotations

Core and Elective Rotation Options

Ambulatory Care Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinics – multiple locations

Ambulatory Care Anticoagulation Clinic

Mental Health – inpatient and outpatient

Infectious Diseases – inpatient and outpatient

Internal Medicine

Critical Care

Community Living Center (CLC)

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)

Geriatric Specialty Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinic

Palliative Care

Hematology/Oncology Infusion Clinic

Research

Diabetes

New experiences as available

Longitudinal Experiences

Ambulatory Care Clinic (4 hours per week, clinic selection based on resident interest and availability)

Pharmacy Administration

Research Project Management

Pharmacy Practice / Distribution Services (4-week training block followed by longitudinal weekend staffing, 2 days

per month, fee-basis pharmacist salary)

Optional Teaching Certificate Program

PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency (Match # 565155)

Overview

This specialty residency program provides an opportunity to train in a variety of infectious diseases pharmacotherapy

settings which include; 1) assisting with the direction of an antimicrobial management program, 2) involvement in the

infectious diseases consult service, and 3) pharmaceutical care of patients with HIV and other chronic infections in the

Infectious Diseases Clinic.

Residency Components

Antimicrobial Management Program

The Antimicrobial Management Program consists of approval of restricted/non-formulary antibiotics and consulting on

patients at the request of a medical or surgical team. The program's success has been documented in the literature, and

is associated with a 40% decrease in antimicrobial expenditures and improvements in quality of care such as decreased

length of hospital stay. Throughout the year, the resident will mature into a clinician who can develop, manage, and justify

an antimicrobial management program.

Infectious Diseases Consult Service

The Infectious Diseases Consult Service provides expertise to the OU Medical Center and OKC VA. The resident will be

an active member of the service, directly responsible for the antimicrobial pharmaceutical care provided to OKC VA

patients being seen by the service. The resident will provide valuable antimicrobial pharmacotherapy information for the

team.

Critical Care Stewardship and Interdisciplinary Rounds

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) for Critical Care provides antimicrobial stewardship and pharmacotherapy

expertise to the medical intensive care teaching team during daily interdisciplinary rounds. While on rotation with the

CPS, the resident will be an active member of the team, directly responsible for the antimicrobial & pharmaceutical care

provided to critically ill veterans in the ICU.

Infectious Diseases Clinic

The Infectious Disease Clinic provides state-of-the-art care for approximately 200 patients with HIV, as well as patients

with other chronic infections. The resident will assist the ID pharmacist in the clinic. Together, they are responsible for all

pharmaceutical care given to the patients, as well as assisting the Infectious Diseases attending physicians with such

matters as the appropriate selection and monitoring of antiretroviral therapy.

Elective Rotations

Elective rotations are available in the residency. Rotations are available in the VA clinical microbiology laboratory, clinical

research electives, and other potential settings.

Projects

The resident will be expected to complete at least one significant project within the residency year. Projects may include

clinical research, outcomes projects, pharmacoeconomic evaluations, etc. Guidance from the program director is

provided throughout the process.

Application - Pharmacy Residency Program1.  Complete an online application through PhORCAS at http://www.ashp.org/phorcas*

Standard Requirements for an application in PhORCAS include:

Demographics Academic History (pharmacy and non-pharmacy colleges attended) Transcripts Curriculum Vitae Personal Statement/ Letter of Intent Extracurricular activities Reference Letters (Must submit 3 Reference Forms through PhORCAS)

2.  All materials must be submitted by January 2nd

3.  Questions may be directed to:

Jennifer Bird, Pharm.D., BCPS, CACP

PGY1 Residency Program Director

Oklahoma City VAHCS | 921 NE 13th St. | Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: 405.456.2538

Email: jennifer.bird@va.gov

Riley Williams II, Pharm.D., BCPS

PGY2 ID Residency Program Director

Oklahoma City VAHCS | 921 NE 13th St. | Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: 405.456.5570

Email: riley.williams2@va.gov

4.  Basic Requirements

U.S. citizenship Pharm.D. graduate of an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program in the U.S Possess an active pharmacist’s license or be eligible for licensure through any U.S. State Board of Pharmacy. All residents

will be required to successfully obtain licensure within 90 days of the start of the program. Participate in and adhere to the rules of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists' Resident Matching Program

process An on-site interview is required for all applicants. PGY2 applicants must have successfully completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency

* Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites. The link will open in a new window.

More About the Programs

Directors - Pharmacy Residency Program

Jennifer Bird, Pharm.D., BCPS, CACP is the Residency Program Director for the

Oklahoma City VA Health Care System PGY1 Residency Program. Dr. Bird received her

Doctor of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford,

Oklahoma in 2003. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at the Oklahoma City

VA in June 2005 and a PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at the University of

Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy in June 2006. In 2008, Dr. Bird

developed the medical center’s Anticoagulation Management Program and she continues

to serve as the Anticoagulation Management Program Manager. In addition, she is

responsible for the clinical management of patients in the Anticoagulation Clinic.

Riley J. Williams II, Pharm.D., BCPS is PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency

Program Director and a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Infectious Diseases and Critical

Care. Dr. Williams received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Lake Erie College of

Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy in 2012. He completed an ASHP-

accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Palm Beach Atlantic University - Gregory

School of Pharmacy in West Palm Beach, FL and a PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy

Residency at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. He earned board certification as a

pharmacotherapy specialist in 2014.

Clinical Preceptors - Pharmacy Residency Program

Linda Arts, Pharm.D., BCPS is a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Primary Care at the

Oklahoma City VA Health Care System. Dr. Arts received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of

Wisconsin in 1991 and her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Illinois in 1998. She completed a Geriatrics

Residency with an Emphasis in Ambulatory Care from the Audie Murphy VA Medical Center and University of Texas

located in San Antonio, Texas in 2000. She actively holds a license as a Registered Pharmacist in the State of Wisconsin.

In 2003 she obtained the credential as a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) (recertified 2010). Dr. Arts's

responsibilities include disease state management targeting diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, COPD, and

hyperlipidemia.

Jennifer Bird, Pharm.D., BCPS, CACP is the Residency Program Director for the

Oklahoma City VA Health Care System PGY1 Residency Program. Dr. Bird received her

Doctor of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford,

Oklahoma in 2003. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at the Oklahoma City

VA in June 2005 and a PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at the University of

Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy in June 2006. In 2008, Dr. Bird

developed the medical center’s Anticoagulation Management Program and she continues

to serve as the Anticoagulation Management Program Manager. In addition, she is

responsible for the clinical management of patients in the Anticoagulation Clinic.

Lisa Boisselle, Pharm.D., CGP is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with Home Based

Primary Care (HBPC). Dr. Boisselle received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in

1989 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and her Doctor of

Pharmacy in 2011 from the University of Florida. She earned certification as a

Consultant Pharmacist and has achieved board certification in both Geriatrics and

Pharmacotherapy. Dr. Boisselle completed the VA Geriatric Scholars Program in 2014.

Dr. Boisselle serves as a member of the Oklahoma City VA Cross-Sex Hormone Primary

Care Team and local Falls Committees. Dr. Boisselle has many years of experience

precepting pharmacy students and residents on rotations. Her clinical practice and

research interests are patient-focused, quality-of-life driven, and centered in an

interdisciplinary team approach as they relate to geriatrics including: fall prevention, conservative prescribing, quality of

life in elderly veterans with history of homelessness, mental illness and medication adherence.

Christine L. Dresel, Pharm.D. is the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor. Dr. Dresel received her

Doctor of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in May 2009. She is

actively involved in the training and development of new staff, pharmacy residents, and

VALOR students in a centralized pharmacy setting.

Erica Filby, Pharm.D., BCACP, CDE is a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinical

Pharmacy Specialist.  Dr. Filby received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2004 from Southwestern

Oklahoma State University. She obtained her board certification in Ambulatory Care (BCACP)

in 2011.  As a PACT pharmacist, she is an integral part of the primary care team. She

manages hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, congestive heart failure, and other chronic

diseases under a scope of practice. Dr. Filby is actively involved in the clinical training of

residents at the VA in Oklahoma City. 

Kyle Filby, Pharm.D., BCACP serves as the Program Manager,

Formulary/Pharmacoeconomist at the Oklahoma City VA. Dr. Filby received his Doctor of

Pharmacy in 2004 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. After graduating, he

completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at VA Southern Nevada in 2005. He obtained board

certification in ambulatory care (BCACP) in 2011. Dr. Filby’s responsibilities include

Formulary Management, Pharmaceconomic evaluations, Medication Use Evaluations and

active participation in Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

Rona Furrh, Pharm.D., BCPS is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Internal Medicine at the

Oklahoma City VA. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma

State University in 2005. She completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at the Oklahoma

City VA in 2006. Following her residency, she practiced as a consultant pharmacist in the

long-term care setting until returning to the VA in 2008. She joined the Internal Medicine

Hospitalist Team as a clinical pharmacy specialist, which further integrated clinical pharmacy

services within the acute care setting. Dr. Furrh has earned board certification in

Pharmacotherapy. She serves as the Presentation Coordinator and is a preceptor for the

residency’s internal medicine otation. She has also served as the primary mentor for

numerous resident projects and presentations.

Ruth Garrison, Pharm.D., BCACP is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) in Ambulatory

Care. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma in 2009. She

completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at the Oklahoma City VA and her PGY2 in

Ambulatory Care at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa, OK. She has been with the

Oklahoma City VA Medical Center as a CPS since 2011. She became a Board Certified

Ambulatory Care Pharmacist in 2011. She provides medication management and education

to patients with diabetes, hypertension and heart failure in the pharmacotherapy clinic.

Chris Gentry, Pharm.D., BCPS is the Chief of Pharmacy. Dr. Gentry has been at the

Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System since 1994 following a fellowship in Infectious

Diseases/ Pharmacokinetics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Gentry developed

the medical center's highly-successful Antimicrobial Management Program, and is

responsible for pharmaceutical care needs of patients in the Infectious Diseases Clinic. He

also developed the PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency and served as the

Program Director through 2017.

Chanda Jones, Pharm.D., BCPS is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Mental Health at

the Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr.

Jones received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in

2002. She completed an ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency the following

year at Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center and Creighton University. She

became a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist in 2005. She currently practices in

both the acute care inpatient mental health unit and the outpatient ambulatory care mental

health clinic at the Oklahoma City VAHCS. Additionally, she is involved with the

Outpatient Pain Rehabilitation Program and the National VA Psychotropic Drug Safety Initiative, and serves on the Pain

Board and the Disruptive Behavioral Committee. Dr. Jones is actively involved in the training of residents at the

Oklahoma City VAHCS.

Marcenia Knight, Pharm.D., BCPS is a Clinical Pharmacist working as a Research

Pharmacist.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Oklahoma City

University, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State

University, and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma Health Science

Center. In 1998, she completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Integris Baptist Medical

Center in Oklahoma City.  She manages the Investigational Drug Service’s integrated

activities such as clinical, safety, informatics, administrative, and drug distribution systems

of the department to optimize study drug therapy; ensuring safe and effective medication

use for patients enrolled in research studies.  She became a Board Certified

Pharmacotherapy Specialist in 2012.  

Todd Marcy, Pharm.D., BCPS, CDE, CACP is Associate Chief for Clinical Pharmacy and

Education, and a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. He

received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in

2002. He completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at the Claremore (OK) Indian

Hospital in 2003 and a PGY2 Residency in Primary Care in 2004 at the University of

Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. He served as Assistant and then Associate Professor at

the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy from 2004 until 2016. He was joined the

Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System as a PACT Pharmacist in 2016 and serves patients

there primarily in the areas of anticoagulation, diabetes, dyslipidemia, heart failure, and

hypertension.

Susan Rourke-Webb, Pharm.D. BCPS, CCGP is board certified in Geriatrics. Dr. Rourke-

Webb received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida

in 1997. She completed a PGY1 Residency Program in Geriatrics at North Florida/South

Georgia VA in Gainesville, Florida in 2010. Dr. Rourke-Webb has worked as a clinical

pharmacist in the hospital setting and as a consultant pharmacist in nursing homes. She is

currently working on the palliative outpatient consultative team and with the outpatient

geriatric clinic at the Oklahoma City VA.

Lauren Snodgrass, Pharm.D., BCACP is a Board Certified Ambulatory Care

Pharmacist serving as an Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Oklahoma

City VA Health Care System, with primary practice responsibilities in the management of

anticoagulation, diabetes, heart failure, lipids, and hypertension. Dr. Snodgrass received

her Bachelor's degree in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma and Doctor of

Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She completed her

post-doctoral pharmacy residency training (PGY1 & PGY2 in Ambulatory Care) at the

North Texas VA Health Care System in Dallas, Texas. Following residency training, she

practiced for 6 years as an Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist at the Dole VA Medical

Center in Wichita, Kansas. In addition to clinic duties, her responsibilities included

teaching patient education classes, precepting pharmacy students, serving on the local &

regional pharmacoeconomic committees, leading Shared Medical Appointments, and

contributing to the Employee Wellness and Health Education Committees.

Nadine Ta, Pharm.D. is a Clinical Pharmacist with practice responsibilities in Oncology and Home Base Primary Care

(HBPC) at the Oklahoma City VAHCS. Dr. Ta received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Southwestern Oklahoma

State University in 2001. She joined the VA in 2007 and served as an Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor from 2008-2013.

Currently, Dr. Ta is involved with Inpatient IV/Admixture Service providing pharmaceutical care for oncology patients in the

Outpatient Infusion Clinic, as well as patients admitted to the hospital and the Emergency Department. Dr. Ta is also a

team member of the HBPC service and provides comprehensive pharmacotherapy reviews. She obtained her board

certification in geriatrics in 2015.

Rick Thornhill, D.Ph. is the lead Clinical Pharmacist in Oncology and has over 15 years of experience with the Oklahoma

City VA. Dr. Thornhill earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology and a Bachelor of Arts in English

Literature, both from the University of Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1986 from

McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University. In 1992 he earned his Nuclear Pharmacy License with Syncor

International Corporation and Butler University. In 2008, Dr. Thornhill integrated clinical

pharmacy services into the Outpatient Infusion Clinic and is a member of the Oklahoma

City VA Tumor Review Board.

Avery Wight, Pharm.D., BCACP, CACP, CDE is a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Dr. Wight earned his B.S. in Management Information

Systems from the Price College of Business in 2004 and his Doctor of Pharmacy in 2011,

both from the University of Oklahoma. He completed his PGY1 Pharmacy Residency

training at the Oklahoma City Veteran Affairs Medical Center and PGY2 Ambulatory Care

Pharmacy Residency from the University Of Oklahoma College Of Pharmacy in Oklahoma

City. Dr. Wight is Board Certified in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, a Certified Diabetes

Educator and a Certified Anticoagulation Care Provider. He serves on the Pain Board

and Pain Committee, educates patients involving Naloxone and Hepatitis C treatment

and is a preceptor of residents and students.

Riley J. Williams II, Pharm.D., BCPS is PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency

Program Director and a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Infectious Diseases and Critical

Care. Dr. Williams received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Lake Erie College of

Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy in 2012. He completed an ASHP-

accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Palm Beach Atlantic University - Gregory

School of Pharmacy in West Palm Beach, FL and a PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy

Residency at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. He earned board certification as a

pharmacotherapy specialist in 2014.

Past Residents - Pharmacy Residency Program

2017-2018 Pharmacy Residents

Left to Right:

Dumitru Sirbu (PGY1), Hanifah Davis (PGY1), Phuong Nguyen (PGY2)

2016-2017 Pharmacy Residents

Left to Right:Kate Lutek (PGY1), Scott Mirgeler (PGY1), Stephanie Giancola (PGY2)

2015-2016 Pharmacy Residents

Left to Right:Marie Ngan (PGY1), Jennifer Tieu (PGY2), Phuong Kim Abbott (PGY1)

2014-2015 Pharmacy Residents

Left to Right:Angela Mechelay (PGY1), Yvonne Lai (PGY1)

2013-2014 Pharmacy Residents

Christine Castro (PGY1), Hugh Ngo (PGY1), Riley Williams (PGY2)

2012-2013 Pharmacy Residents

Crystal Luong (PGY1), Thanh-Nga Nguyen (PGY1), Ann Nguyen (PGY2)

2011-2012 Pharmacy Residents

Ann Nguyen (PGY1), Avery Wight (PGY1)

2010-2011 Pharmacy Residents

Frank Lee Boyd (PGY1), Krista Brooks (PGY1), Jenny Chen (PGY2)

2009-2010 Pharmacy Residents

Ruth Garrison (PGY1), Jana Shults (PGY1), Russell Benefield (PGY2)

2008-2009 Pharmacy Residents

Mattea Tate (PGY1), Jessica Thompson (PGY2)

2007-2008 Pharmacy Residents

Heather Kreutz (PGY1), Teresa Nguyen-Truong (PGY1), Quentin Minson (PGY2)

2006-2007 Pharmacy Residents

Janet Pelzel Adams (PGY1)

2005-2006 Pharmacy Residents

Rona Furrh (PGY1), Kristin Busse (PGY2)

2004-2005 Pharmacy Residents

Jennifer Bird (PGY1), Anthony Davis (PGY1), Eric Flaming (PGY2)

2003-2004 Pharmacy Residents

Melissa Gwartney (PGY1), Teresa Lewis (PGY1), Edgar Rios (PGY2)

2002-2003 Pharmacy Residents

Sarah Elizabeth Cobb (PGY1), Erin Callen (PGY2)

2001-2002 Pharmacy Residents

Jamie Winner (PGY2)

2000-2001 Pharmacy Residents

Tammy Breznitsky (PGY2)

1998-1999 Pharmacy Residents

Helen Brantley (PGY2)