PGY1 Ambulatory Care Elective Focus
Residency Alumni
2022-2023
Danielle McGlynn, PharmD
Research Project:Impact of pharmacist led “Every Try Counts” smoking cessation appointments on quit attempts in a primary care clinic
First Position after Residency: Valley Pharmacy, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC
I chose this residency for many reasons. First and foremost, I loved the supportive and welcoming environment. I also enjoyed their emphasis on community outreach and their ability to help uninsured and underinsured patients. Lastly, I loved the amount of preceptors involved and the ability to earn a teaching certificate.
The most valuable thing I gained from pharmacy was improved confidence in clinical decision making. This was all thanks to my mentors and all the people that wanted to see my growth.
My overall favorite experience was the endocrine clinic, which was also my precepting month. I believe on this rotation I was able to show the most growth. It really pushed me to adapt and change from my expectations and plan to the reality of the situation. Precepting students also allowed me to gain a new perspective on previous preceptors.
My advice for new residents would be to take every uncomfortable situation and make the most of it. This is where you will see the most growth. Secondly, be flexible in every situation. Lastly, be professional and work hard and understand your best is enough. Just make sure you try your best at every single moment.
2021-2022
Amber Johnson, PharmD
Research Project:Evaluation of discharge antibiotic prescribing to improve antimicrobial stewardship upon hospital discharge
First Position after Residency: PGY2 Ambulatory Care, AdventHealth, East Orlando, FL
I was attracted to the ambulatory care track at Cape Fear Valley because of the heavy emphasis placed on teaching, and the chance to gain skills in a clinic setting. I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to present lectures to medical students and precept pharmacy students in different phases of learning. My favorite rotation was Fayetteville Family. The longitudinal rotation provided me with my first precepting experience that I could then expand upon when returning in May for an elective block rotation. Precepting at Fayetteville Family provided many different clinical opportunities, such as anticoagulation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and nutrition, all while being heavily involved with students' learning.
I am excited to be continuing my pharmacy career as a PGY2 at AdventHealth, so that I can continue participating in anticoagulation drive up visits, developing transitions of care skills in a different setting and growing as a preceptor. This experience will put me on the path to succeed in reaching my long-term goals of working in a primary care setting and focusing on academia. My advice to incoming PGY1s would be to continue doing the things that recharge your battery, take time to support each other and seek opportunities outside of your comfort zone.
Melissa Dempsey, PharmD
Research Project:Pharmacist Interventions on Patients with Diabetes in a Co-Visit Model Endocrine Clinic
First Position after Residency: Clinical Pharmacist - Adhere Rx, Raleigh NC
I was attracted to Cape Fear Valley's PGY1 because of the Ambulatory Care Track and broad elective pool that allowed me strengthen areas that were not afforded in pharmacy school. Additionally, I had strong connections with multiple preceptors through my history at Campbell University's College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. The most valuable aspect of the PGY1 program was the wide array of experiences provided to develop my clinical skills and make an impact. I was able to follow patients through the continuum of care, have a well-rounded experience, and gain an appreciation for the patient experience. My favorite learning experience was completing the Teaching New Teachers Certificate. My residency research project was Pharmacist Interventions on Patients with Diabetes in a Co-Visit Model Endocrine Clinic.
My first position after residency is at Adhere Rx as a Clinical Pharmacist. This is a closed door pharmacy that focuses on adherence packaging. Primarily, I will contact patients to ensure patients are properly counseled on medications and document medication changes. This role allows the pharmacist to close the gap of communication between healthcare providers, minimize polypharmacy, and implement evidence based medicine. Additional, responsibilities include administering immunizations, IVIG, and point of care testing. I am excited to be gaining my CDCES and providing continuous patient education. Long-term, I plan to become a clinical faculty. My upcoming position allows me to continue to percept students and transition into this role.
The most impactful tool I gained this year was learning to adapt to various communication levels and learning style. The golden advice that I pay forward is do not be afraid to ask questions. Being curious allows you make the most out of every learning experience, apply the knowledge, and develop your personalized skillset. Also, push the limits of your comfort zone. The first few times it will be slow and steady, but as time progresses so will you.
2020-2021
Kathleen Macalalag, PharmD
Research Project:Impact of curbside warfarin monitoring on appointment attendance and patient satisfaction at an urban outpatient clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic
First Position after Residency: PGY2 Ambulatory Care - Benson, N.C.
After a full and busy PGY1 residency year, I have reflected on each of my rotational experiences as I look forward to continuing in a PGY2 residency. From my first interview at Cape Fear Valley I knew I was "home." The staff were so welcoming, and I could tell that the bonds formed between the staff looked more like family than colleagues. I was also drawn to the variety of rotations available and the flexibility of the program, allowing me to tailor my residency year to meet my career goals while serving patients in the clinics. My favorite aspect of this program was the mentors and the lifelong relationships I was able to build with them. During this year I have grown as a pharmacist and as a person. My confidence as a new practitioner has grown, my knowledge base in disease states has increased, and I have a new level of efficiency with patient care.
My favorite learning experience that I had was my second rotation at SRAHEC. During this month I built on my teaching certificate core competencies since this rotation was academia based. I had the opportunity to teach in a didactic setting, precept pharmacy students, and create and implement clinical practice labs for students from start to finish.
One of the most useful skills I acquired during my PGY1 year was the ability to collect resources accurately and efficiently to answer drug information questions for practitioners. My advice to future PGY1 residents is to stretch yourself, go out of your comfort zone, and explore all of the different opportunities that are presented to you. Reach out to preceptors to build that mentor-mentee relationship. You will find that these bonds span both professional and personal realms and will make your year that much more meaningful.
Payton Tipton, PharmD
Research Project:Perceptions and knowledge of clinical pharmacy among medical residents in North Carolina
First Position after Residency: PGY2 Ambulatory Care - Johnson City, Tenn.
While searching for residency programs, I was impressed by the unique ambulatory care track and the availability of many different clinical opportunities to residents at Cape Fear Valley. Being an ambulatory care resident at this program has enabled me to work with a variety of preceptors in numerous areas of pharmacy. Completing residency training at Cape Fear Valley allowed me to gain experience in my areas of interest throughout the year. My favorite aspect of the program was counseling patients recently discharged from the hospital about their new medications in the Discharge Foyer. This allowed me to make informed decisions and interventions by having access to lab results and patient charts while completing my staffing responsibilities. Completing my residency at Cape Fear Valley helped me gain confidence by providing recommendations on medication regimens. I have enjoyed blending different processes from my preceptors to create my own methods as a pharmacist. My advice to future residents is ask for help when you need it, push your limits, do not be afraid, and try new things.
I am thrilled to complete my PGY2 in ambulatory care with a focus on academia at the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy in Johnson City, TN. I am from Jonesborough, Tenn., so I am excited to return to East Tennessee and continue working with patients from my region. During my PGY2, I plan to provide medication assistance to the patient population in East Tennessee that is very similar to the patient population I worked with at Cape Fear Valley. The program's emphasis on academia is intriguing since I was a pharmacy student at the same program. I will serve as a preceptor for the Communications course for pharmacy, medical, and nursing students. After residency, I hope to establish my own site in a primary care clinic where I can provide pharmacy services to patients.
2019-2020
Ashley Smith, PharmD, MSPH
Research Project:Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Education Course on Health System Insurance Beneficiaries with Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
First Position after Residency: PGY2 Ambulatory Care, Cary, N.C.
Throughout this past year as a resident at Cape Fear Valley Health I have been able to grow so much as a person, both personally and professionally. The most valuable aspect of the program, to me, was being able to get advice from preceptors with different styles and techniques. I was able to use this advice to find my own style as a clinician and learn what works best for me. It is hard for me to pick a favorite aspect of residency because I enjoyed so much of it. One area that really stood out to me was working in the Discharge Lounge. This role gave me the opportunity to really dig into a patient chart to figure out their whole story while still giving me the chance for patient interaction. I really enjoyed going through the entire chart and searching for drug interactions and appropriate medication therapy management. It is great to look back and see how far I have progressed over this year, comparing the recommendations that I was making in the beginning with those that I am making now.
I am excited to have matched with Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for a PGY2 in Ambulatory Care. This residency has multiple practice sites, including a retirement community and a primary care office. I am excited to be able to work in different settings and work with a different patient population than what I am used to working with. I really enjoy the academia side of residency and this PGY2 will give me the opportunity to grow as a teacher and work one-on-one with students as a preceptor.
Kiah Hicks, PharmD
Research Project:Pharmacist-Led Education in Acute Asthma Exacerbation to Prevent Return Visits to the Pediatric Emergency Department
First Position after Residency: Staff Pharmacist, St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction, Colo.
There were many aspects of Cape Fear Valley's PGY1 pharmacy residency program that drew me to pursue my post-doctoral training within this health system. The program is very well-rounded, which was one of the most important aspects to me personally. Coming into this program, I was not fully sure of what field of pharmacy I wanted to pursue. The variation of learning experiences offered by Cape Fear Valley allowed me to create a rotation schedule consisting of an equal mix of both inpatient and outpatient experiences.
As I reflect on my time at Cape Fear Valley Health, I have come to the realization that I am not the same pharmacist or person that I was when I first began this program. My PGY1 residency has helped me grow immensely both personally and professionally. I can confidently say that I am now able to handle so many more things that were completely out of my comfort zone at the beginning of this program. The mentorship I received during my time at Cape Fear Valley has allowed me to evolve into a type of pharmacist that I thought I never had the potential of becoming.
Throughout this residency year, I truly felt that every preceptor had my best interest at heart. The types of projects that were assigned to me and the valuable feedback that I was given demonstrated to me that my preceptors wanted to create an enriching and enjoyable experience for me as a resident.
To the incoming PGY1s: It is okay to be afraid, but don't let that fear hold you back from trying new things outside of your comfort zone. There will be times where you feel overwhelmed this year, and you should never be afraid to talk to your preceptors about it. Learn how to say no to some things when you feel that you have as much on your plate as you can handle at that time. As I wrap up this residency year, I am actively searching for my next opportunity in either outpatient or inpatient pharmacy that will allow me to expand pharmacy services for my patients. I am excited for what is in store for me in the future and I am happy to have gone through this PGY1 program.
2018-2019
Heather LeDoux, PharmD
Research Project:Perceptions of Well-being among Pharmacy Residents and Residency Program Directors
First Position after Residency: Clinical Pharmacist, Southern Regional AHEC, Fayetteville, N.C.
I became familiar with Cape Fear Valley's PGY1 Ambulatory Care Elective Focus during my fourth-year student rotations. I originally selected the Fayetteville area as a student because I was passionate about the community and the opportunities I would be provided. When I started looking at various residency programs, I knew I wanted a program where I could continue to work with a diverse patient population, as well as one still in the state of North Carolina. In the end, Cape Fear Valley became a top choice as I could stay local to the community I had learned to appreciate over the past year. I also knew I wanted a career that gave me the opportunity to interact with patients directly in an ambulatory care setting and become involved in teaching, so Cape Fear Valley was a perfect fit for me.
My time at Cape Fear Valley has accelerated my growth as a pharmacist. My time management skills and adaptability have grown in conjunction with my clinical skills, and I used many new skills I developed in this residency to develop a pharmacy faculty position at Southern Regional Area Health Education Center (SR-AHEC). While this year has been one for change with the residency, I am so excited to see the direction this program is heading and am fortunate to be sticking around to see the vision come to fruition. The partnership with Campbell University along with the continued growth and expansion of ambulatory care pharmacy practice at Cape Fear Valley will give future residents opportunities to shape themselves and pharmacy practice just as I have over the past year.
I am so excited to be clinical faculty at SR-AHEC next year and to continue working with medical residents, pharmacy residents and pharmacy students. I hope to continue expanding pharmacy services at SR-AHEC and incorporate more student learning from University of North Carolina's Eshelman School of Pharmacy. I am so thankful to my preceptors and the leadership team for their time, patience, and encouragement throughout this year. The pharmacist I am today was fostered and shaped by my interaction with these great people, and I am proud to have graduated from this program.
Kanesha Day, PharmD
Research Project: The Impact of Presentation Style on Knowledge Retention about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) as Presented by a Pharmacist
First Position after Residency: PGY2 Ambulatory Care/Academia, Asheville, N.C.
My love for Ambulatory Care Pharmacy was one of the prime reasons I chose Cape Fear Valley Health for my PGY1 residency. The values of the institution directly align with those of my own: patient-centeredness, integrity, cultural diversity, innovation, teamwork, and accountability. Throughout my PGY1 year here at Cape Fear Valley, the lessons I have learned and the knowledge I have gained, far exceeded my initial expectations, and for that I am so grateful.
To define a definitive favorite aspect of residency is difficult, but if I had to narrow it down to one, it would be my geriatrics rotation with Dr. Mittleider. I anticipated enjoying this rotation, but it wasn't until I was able to see first-hand the impact I could have on this population as a clinical pharmacist, that my passion for geriatrics began to shine. As the year passed, my love for patient centered care in the outpatient setting began to grow and further solidified my goals of completing a PGY2 residency in Ambulatory Care.
I am blessed to announce I matched with my top choice residency program and will be completing my PGY2 Ambulatory Care residency in Asheville, N.C., at the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). The MAHEC PGY2 specializes in implementation of pharmacy services into a medical practice currently without a clinical pharmacy presence. These opportunities allow residents to learn the art of building a practice site from the ground up and utilize this skill set to create sustainable and replicable clinical pharmacy services throughout the country. Upon completion, my goal is to develop a medical practice site that implements continuity of care by providing medical and pharmacy services within the clinic, both clinical and dispensing.
To the incoming PGY1's: my advice is don't be afraid! Don't be afraid to learn, don't be afraid to push outside your comfort zone, and don't be afraid to talk to your preceptors. There will be times you become overwhelmed and there will be times your schedule is physically impossible to complete--talk to your preceptors! They truly are here to help you. There will be chances for you to go above and beyond what is required of you within this residency program--take those opportunities and learn from them! One of my favorite memories and educational opportunities throughout residency, Diabetes Camp, was an additional task I added.
Though I am excited for my adventures to come at the MAHEC, it is a bittersweet day leaving Cape Fear Valley Health. I will never be able to express my gratitude enough for all my amazing preceptors throughout my PGY1 education. Without your support and guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today. Best of luck to the incoming PGY1s - I know you are in great hands!
2017-2018
Brittany Spitznogle, PharmD
Research Project:Provider Attitudes and Behaviors Towards Pharmaceutical Representatives at a Large Community Teaching Hospital
First Position after Residency: PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy, Buffalo, N.Y.
After practicing in the retail setting for three years, I was interested in furthering my pharmacy training in the clinical setting. In my search for programs, I really appreciated that this program offered outpatient-based opportunities with core inpatient rotations. The ambulatory care track residency was well rounded and provided the training I was looking for.
The benefit of this residency is that it allows exposure in any field a resident is interested in, even if that means going outside of the health system to get that experience. I discovered I had an interest in psychiatric pharmacy, and this program provided the flexibility that allowed me to get the experience I wanted. The commitment to go above and beyond for the residents is something I am truly grateful for.
This year has been full of many memorable moments with my co-residents and the medical residents. We became a family, which made this experience even better. I'm most proud of my accomplishment of completing residency after working in retail and would encourage anyone else to step outside of their comfort zone to pursue their interests.
My plans after this year include completing a PGY2 in Psychiatric Pharmacy at Western New York Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Buffalo, N.Y. I am so grateful to everyone involved in the residency program, especially Dr. Miller and Dr. Mittleider. Their guidance and support have helped me discover new interests and pursue those wholeheartedly.
Glenn Thorp, PharmD
Research Project:The Impact of Patient Counseling by a Pharmacist During Medication Bedside Delivery on Readmissions and HCAHPS Scores in Medicare Patients
First Position after Residency: PGY2 Specialty Pharmacy, Madison, Wis.
After experiencing my student rotations at Cape Fear Valley/SR-AHEC, I became familiar with the program and culture of the pharmacy. Because I wanted to pursue administration, I felt the new residency program in Ambulatory Care would be perfect to help grow my skill set.
Throughout my time here, I have been afforded countless opportunities to not only expand and grow the program, but also develop pharmacist involvement in the health system. All of my mentors and preceptors encouraged me to seek new experiences and opportunities. Because of their encouragement, I became the first and only pharmacist to work with Fayetteville Family, and worked closely alongside providers and patients. I was excited to have the chance to further demonstrate the role pharmacists can have in this setting. This residency allowed me to work closely with high level executives in the health system, and all of my preceptors and directors went out of their way to ensure that the experience I was having was catered to my interests and future goals. With their guidance, I have learned to work independently and have built confidence in my clinical and administrative skillset, all while learning to cultivate a great work-life balance. My advice to future residents would be to "#BeDisruptive" and to work to generate the opportunities and changes you want to see within your career and profession.
I am grateful to everyone involved in the residency training program, especially Dr. Miller and Dr. Mittleider for helping me to achieve my career goals. Next year, I am excited to pursue a PGY-2 in an administration focused Specialty Pharmacy program at the University of Wisconsin. I am also thankful for the community I have built, both in and out of the program, and my dog Harvey!