PGY-1/2 Medication Systems and Operations Administration and Leadership Residency
_____
This program offers extensive training to establish advanced and innovative medication systems in clinical, operational and technology settings. Residents learn and apply the fundamentals of hands-on project management for projects of varying complexity and scale. Graduates of the residency obtain leadership positions in hospital pharmacy requiring skills in project management, productivity and systemization.
Apply to our programClinical training at UW prepares residents for diverse practice settings.
Residents in our program deliver exceptional care with an added focus on safe and efficent medication distribution to a high acuity and medically complex patient population at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics — ranked #1 in Wisconsin for 14 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.
- Extensive training within a progressive and cutting-edge medication use system
- Operational based learning experiences span across our tertiary care academic medical center, pediatric hospital, cancer center, community hospital, and centralized pharmacy services building
- Involvement of automation, information technology, and bar code technology at every phase of the medication use process to ensure patient safety
- Clinical and administrative responsibilities as part of the management team to support the central and decentral staffing model
- Flexibility in tailoring the program to the interests of the resident and guaranteed exposure to a variety of experiential learning opportunities offered at UW Health
Why UW?
"For someone like me, with an interest in pharmacy operations and automation, there was no better place than UW Health. Our pharmacy operations are complex, innovative, and equipped with cutting-edge technology. Our integrated pharmacy services building operates through a "Hub-and-Spoke" distribution model servicing all UW Health clinics, hospitals, patients, and providers. These complex and varied operations provide countless learning opportunities that may not be found anywhere else. Aside from the operational aspects, UW Health applies a progressive pharmacy practice model in which pharmacists are an integrated part of the care team. The number of clinical specialties and rotational opportunities is hard to beat. Not to mention, the number of experienced, board-certified preceptors that are more than willing to teach the next generation of pharmacy learners. With the wide array of training available at UW Health, I am confident I will gain the skills necessary to become an exceptional leader in operations, but also an exceptional pharmacy practitioner."
Required Operational and Leadership Rotations
- PSB Operations
- UH Operations (6 weeks)
- EMH Operations
- Infusion and Clinic Services
- Informatics (8 weeks)
- Supply Chain and 340B Leadership
- Clinical Management
- Home Infusion
- Directing Integrated Pharmacy Services (8 weeks)
- Advanced Operations
- Executive Pharmacy Leadership
- Interim Manager (8 weeks)
- Drug Policy Program
- Elective capstone (6 weeks)
72 weeks total: 4 week rotations unless noted
Required Clinical Rotations
- Emergency Department
- Operating Room
- Pharmaceutical Research Center
- Selection of two for staffing areas
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Cardiology
- Neurology
- General Surgery
- Choice of three clinical electives
29 weeks total: one inital 5 week followed by six 4 week rotations
As per the example grid above the first 12 months will focus on clinical areas and basic pharmacy operations. The second 12 months will consist of more advanced operational and leadership rotations along with a few more clinical rotations and a longitudinal med safety rotation. Two weeks of project time are included along with 1 week of additional rotation time each year to accommodate the ASHP Midyear Meeting and holidays.
Longitudinal Experiences:
- Medication Safety (12 weeks)
- Major Research Project
- Staffing
Residency Program Director
Kim Harrison
What makes UW Health’s Medication Systems and Ops Residency Program unique?
It is the only program in the country! UW Health has a very unique, complex medication distribution system and MSOAL residents are fortunate to learn the how a complex system works to provide the most safe, efficient patient care while adhering to regulations.
What goals do you have for residents who complete your residency program?
MSOAL Program graduates become experts in hospital pharmacy operations and medication use system. They know the process from obtaining medications to administering them and all the technology and workflows in between. They have the unique ability to quickly and efficient tie the clinical and operational needs with the technology used within the pharmacy.
What is your best advice for prospective residency candidates?
Keep your options open and don't close any doors until you are absolutely sure you know what you want. You never know when an opportunity might show you some aspect of pharmacy you love and become passionate about. You don't know until you try it!
Contact Information
Kim Harrison, PharmD
Interim Director of Pharmacy Operations
Medication Systems and Ops Residency Program Director
UW Health Department of Pharmacy
600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
(608) 263-1290 | KHarrison2@uwhealth.org
Professional Development Activities
- Block lectures on various pharmacy topics
- Recruitment activities
- Administrative Leadership Discussions
- Active member of the Drug Product Selection and Supply (DPSS)
- Active member of the Integrated Pharmacy Services Operations (IPSO)
- Pharmacy Manager On-Call Experience
Teaching Opportunities
- Clinical instructor status at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
- Co-preceptorship of fourth-year students on elective clinical rotation at the hospital
- Teaching certificate course hosted by the School of Pharmacy (elective)
Presentation Experiences
- Pharmacy Grand Rounds
- Seminar Presentations
- Podium Project Presentations at the PSW Educational Conference
- PGY-1 Poster Presentation on UW School of Pharmacy PharmD/Pharm-Tox Research Symposium
Presentations completed both PGY-1 and PGY-2 unless noted
Stipend/Benefits
Travel
PGY-1
- ASHP Leadership Conference (October)
- ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting (December)
- Junior Administrative Resident Trip (January)
- PSW Educational Conference (April)
PGY-2
- Pharmacy Administration Residency Exchange (PARE) and Senior Administrative Resident Trip (July/August)
- ASHP Leadership Conference (October)
- ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting (December)
- PSW Educational Conference (April)
UW School of Pharmacy
Example Previous Resident Projects
Implementing photo capture technology in Non-sterile compounding at a large academic medical center
Integration and optimization of medication management software across a health-system
Maximizing state-of-the-art unit-dose medication packaging technology within a centralized pharmacy distribution model
Standardized Technician Training
Implementation of an operational service to insource sterile preparations made from non-sterile ingredients
Integration of informatics technology into non-sterile compounding operations
Evaluation of Controlled Substance Waste Disposal Systems at an Academic Medical Center
Implementation of a Ready-to-Administer Medication Program for Pediatric Patients
Residents complete two major projects (one each year)
Pharmacy Practice Model and Staffing
The department is a leader in the areas of technology assessment, automation, information technology, regulatory compliance, and business development. A hybrid drug distribution model is used on the inpatient side and the pharmacy department also manages a centralized distribution center to support the entire UW Health system. Pharmacy technicians, pharmacists and leaders play crucical roles in supporting these operations, ensuring medications made it to patients safely and efficiently. Clinical pharmacists provide care through interdisciplinary rounds, clinical monitoring, medication order review, teaching and care coordination, drug information resource and medication use stewardship. On average, the resident will staff 24 hours every two weeks, including every other weekend. The resident will staff as a pharmacist over the course of the residency year in both clinical and operational roles.
Ready to Join our Resident Class?
Apply Now Application Deadline: Jan 2nd, 2027Program Start Date: June 14th, 2027