Fisher Sees Growth in Number of Pharmacy Grads Securing Residencies

Medical students know well the thrill of the early spring day when they find out where they’ll head for their residencies. And with more and more regularity, students at the Wegmans School of Pharmacy are also experiencing the excitement of Match Day, as they secure positions as residents at hospitals and medical centers across the country.

That’s the case for Karlee Platts, who started a community residency at Strong Hospital through the University of Rochester Medical Center this summer. Her ultimate career goal is to become an ambulatory care pharmacist with a focus in diabetes management, and with a strong desire to teach, Platts believes the residency will provide real-life experience and clinical skills to help her reach both of those goals.

“I am most excited to work with amazing preceptors and to grow my skills as a clinical pharmacist,” said Platts. “I hope to interact with as many different patients, preceptors, and health care professionals as possible. I think that through these interactions, I will be able to expand my knowledge and abilities. I also hope to precept students during this next year and I plan to take advantage of research and presentation opportunities.”

Platts is one of nearly two dozen recent pharmacy graduates to obtain a residency position, a number that has blossomed in the School’s short 10-year history. In 2018, 22 pharmacy graduates (66 percent of those who applied) successfully matched for residency programs, positioning the School as a leader among New York State pharmacy schools in terms of match rates. In the last four years, the percentage of each graduating class to match with a program has steadily increased, jumping from 15 percent in 2015 to 25 percent in 2018.

Those are statistics that make Dr. Christine Birnie, dean of the School, especially proud.

“We are pleased to see so many of our graduating students match with competitive residency programs across the nation, advancing their clinical skills and training,” she said.

Ngoc-Yen Pham was among those traveling farthest for residencies. This summer, she began work at the University of New Mexico Hospitals in Albuquerque. Similar to Platts, Pham said she is looking forward to serving a diverse patient population and expanding her knowledge to find her niche in the world of pharmacy.

“I hope to improve my clinical, leadership, and communication skills as a pharmacist and to collaborate with clinicians in research to help impact in the field of pharmacy,” Pham said. “By having another year of learning experiences, it will definitely help me become a more confident and well-rounded pharmacist.”