Pharmacy Residency Program | St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids
Residency Program Overview
This PGY1 pharmacy 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 postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.
Pharmacists completing this residency will be able to provide proficient, confident and compassionate pharmaceutical care to a broad spectrum of patient populations, with a strong emphasis in acute patient care. Rotation opportunities include internal medicine, antimicrobial stewardship, cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, and practice management and leadership along with several options for elective rotations. Through projects and research activities, residents will be able to advance practice and improve patient care at St. Luke's, and leadership and management skills will be developed through experiential and didactic activities with the pharmacy leadership team. St. Luke's also has a strong relationship with the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and residents will gain advanced knowledge of precepting and teaching future pharmacy professionals through their teaching certificate program.
Program Summary
- Duration: 12 months
- Number of Positions: 2
- Application deadline: the Friday following January 1
- Starting date: Early July
- Estimated stipend: $47,500
- Paid Vacation Days: 15
Outcomes
Upon completion of this PGY1 residency, the pharmacist will:
- Demonstrate proficiency, confidence, and compassion in providing pharmaceutical care to multiple patient populations.
- Design, conduct and evaluate investigations of pharmacy practice-related issues.
- Demonstrate professionalism and maturity in all aspects of practice.
- Exhibit proficiency and confidence in all areas of pharmacy practice, including drug provision, distribution, and pharmacy management.
- Educate patients and health care providers on effective and safe medication use.
- Manage the medication use process including programs to promote patient safety.
- Competently and efficiently teach pharmacy students in both didactic and experiential settings.
Application Information
Qualifications
- Resident candidates must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (or equivalent) from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited degree program (or one in process of pursuing accreditation) or have a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
- Resident candidates shall be licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of Iowa or be eligible to obtain licensure within 90 days after the start of the residency year.
- Resident candidates shall adhere to the rules of the resident matching program process.
- Resident candidates shall meet all other pre-employment requirements for UnityPoint Health - Cedar Rapids including, but not limited to, a pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check.
Requirements
The deadline for receipt of all application materials via PhORCAS is the Friday following January 1. Interviews will be scheduled in January or February. As a part of each interview, candidates will be required to present a 20-minute presentation (journal club, patient case study, new medication overview, etc.) and / or participate in a clinical case work-up.
Accreditation & the Match
The PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency conducted by UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is accredited by ASHP. As such, we participate in the ASHP residency matching process. Applicants must be enrolled in the match to be considered for this program. More information about the ASHP residency matching process may be obtained at: www.natmatch.com/ashprmp.
St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids PGY-1 Residency
Variety of Learning Experiences
- Internal Medicine
- Critical Care
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine (EM)
- Transitions of Care
- Longitudinal Experiences: Practice Management and Leadership
Electives
- Informatics
- Advanced AMS
- Advanced EM
Resident Staffing
Resident staffing is every third weekend, one evening every three weeks, one major holiday and coverage during Spring Break (mid-March)
Competitive Benefits
- 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Teaching certificate in collaboration with the University of Iowa
- Free covered parking
- Designated resident office space
- Earn BLS and ACLS certification
- Flexible rotation scheduling
Additional Information
- 2 resident positions
- ASHP accredited
- ASHP Match Number: 305713
- 100% job placement rate
Meet Our Preceptors
St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids PGY-1 Residency
Adam N. Wilcox
PharmD, BCPS
Adam joined St. Luke’s Hospital as a clinical pharmacy manager and residency program director in 2023. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2013 and completed his PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Allen Hospital from 2013-2014. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and enjoys teaching and precepting students. His professional interests include anticoagulation, diabetes, COPD/Asthma, and infectious diseases.
Andrea Bennett
PharmD
Andrea Bennett, PharmD is originally from Wisconsin and received her Bachelor of Science degrees from Iowa State University in Biochemistry and Dietetics. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2013, then completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 2013-2014. After a year in clinical pharmacy, Andrea transitioned to administration serving as a Pharmacy Operations Manager for six years. She joined St. Luke’s in 2020 as a Pharmacist in Information Technology and is Adjunct Faculty for the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.
Cari Batcheler
PharmD, BCPS
Cari joined St Luke's Hospital as an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in 2017. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and completed residency training at the St. Louis VA Healthcare System. Cari is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and enjoys teaching and precepting students and residents. Cari is the current preceptor for the Emergency Medicine learning experience and Advanced Emergency Medicine elective. In addition to emergency medicine, Cari's professional interests include infectious diseases and cardiology.
Carrie Olmstead
PharmD
Carrie Olmstead, PharmD. Carrie Olmstead is originally from Alburnett, Iowa. She graduated from The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in May of 2004. Her work experience has included community pharmacy for one and a half years and inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, including hospice care for the past 18 and a half years at UnityPoint Health. Carrie’s current practice interests include transitions of care and medication reconciliation. She is the current preceptor for the transitions of care resident learning experience. Outside of working, she enjoys the outdoors, attending sporting events for her daughter, Hawkeye sports, and traveling.
Cynthia Weber
PharmD
Cindy received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 2005. She completed a Primary Care Pharmacy Residency with Emphasis in Family Medicine through the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy from 2005-2006. Cindy joined St. Luke's as an inpatient pharmacist in 2008. She is preceptor for the longitudinal service commitment learning experience. Her professional interests include drug information and medication safety.
Dale Lewis
BS, PharmD, RPh, BCPS
Dale joined UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital in 1996. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree and in 1994 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. He precepts the acute care and hospital IPPE experience and an acute care APPE experience. In addition, he is a preceptor for Creighton University College of Pharmacy. Dale is the preceptor for the cardiology learning experience. Professional areas of interest are anticoagulation, antiplatelet agents and heart failure. Dale is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and is a member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Danielle Kiel
PharmD, BCPS
Danielle received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa in 2017. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at MercyOne North Iowa from 2017-2018 and is board certified in pharmacotherapy. Danielle joined St. Luke's Hospital in 2020. She co-precepts the internal medicine learning experience. Her professional interests include internal medicine, critical care, and infectious diseases.
Jennifer Deimler
PharmD, RPh, BCPS
Jennifer received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa in 2005. She completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in 2006. She joined St. Luke’s Hospital as a pharmacist in 2006. She is board certified in pharmacotherapy since 2007. She is a preceptor for IPPE2 general hospital students from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Jennifer is the current preceptor for the internal medicine learning experience for the residency. Her professional interests include general medicine, diabetes, critical care and infectious diseases.
Jessie Havel
PharmD
Jessie received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa in 2000. Jessie joined UnityPoint Health as the Inpatient Pharmacy Operations Supervisor in 2017. She co-precepts the Practice Management & Leadership rotation. Jessie enjoys leading the pharmacy team and working to create growth opportunities for pharmacy team members.
Kelly Phan
PharmD, BCPS
Kelly joined Unity Point Health as a staff pharmacist in 1997. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1995 with BS degree and went on to do the Non-traditional PharmD program while working as Full-time Pharmacist at North Iowa Mercy Hospital in Mason City. She received her PharmD in 2006 from the University of Iowa as well. She is board certified in pharmacotherapy. She has served as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy since 2006. She enjoys teaching and precepting APPE students and residents. Her professional interests include critical care and infectious diseases. In her spare time, she likes walking, cycling, reading and travelling.
Lisa N. Lambi
PharmD, BCPS
Lisa joined St. Luke’s Hospital as a clinical pharmacist in 2005. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2002 and completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City in 2003. Lisa is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy precepting APPE students on Antimicrobial Stewardship/Infectious Disease (AMS/ID). Lisa is the co-chair of St. Luke’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and is also an active member of the UnityPoint Health system AMS Committee and the system Vaccine Oversite Committee. Lisa is the current preceptor for the antimicrobial stewardship learning experience for the residency. Lisa’s areas of interest include infectious disease, microbiology, and critical care. Lisa is an active member of the Iowa Pharmacy Association and enjoys networking with her pharmacy colleagues.
Rachel Strickler
PharmD
Rachel joined St. Luke’s Hospital as a clinical pharmacist in 2020. She graduated from Drake University College of Pharmacy in 2019 and completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at MercyOne North Iowa in Mason City in 2020. Rachel is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, precepting APPE students for the Acute Care rotation at St. Luke’s. She also preceptors IPPE2 students from the University of Iowa. Rachel is the current preceptor for orientation for the residency.
Sara Tapya Salem
MPharm
Sara joined St. Lukes Hospital as a clinical pharmacist in 2009. She graduated from University of Aston in Birmingham, UK and went on to do multiple exams and intern hours to transfer her qualifications when she moved to the USA in 2005. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 2008-2009. Sara is the current preceptor for the Research project learning experience for the residency. Her professional interests include critical care, renal and internal medicine. She is involved in the hospitals Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and currently leads the Team Members of Color Employee Resource Group.
Tiffany Chamberlain
PharmD
Tiffany joined St. Luke’s Hospital in June 2022. Prior to that, she worked in retail pharmacy for 18 years with emphasis on immunizations, precepting for IPPE and APPE, and community outreach. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from University of Iowa in May of 2004. She was a CBJ Forty under 40 honoree in 2014, and a member of the Leadership for Five Seasons Adult Class of 2019.
She is a current preceptor the Transitions of Care rotation for PGY-1 residents. Her professional interests besides precepting include asthma, food allergies, and med reconciliation.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling, playing cards and watching Hawkeye sports.
She is a current preceptor the Transitions of Care rotation for PGY-1 residents. Her professional interests besides precepting include asthma, food allergies, and med reconciliation.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling, playing cards and watching Hawkeye sports.
St. Luke's Hospital Resident Bios
2024-2025
Paige Gamerdinger is originally from a small town in Illinois and currently lives in Marion, Iowa. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. From there, she attended pharmacy school at the University of Iowa. Her current areas of interest include infectious disease, internal medicine, and cardiology.
2023-2024
Jack McLoone, PharmD is one of the two residents in the inaugural residency class at UPH St. Luke’s. Jack is originally from the Quad Cities and graduated from Drake University in 2023. His areas of interest include emergency medicine, infectious disease, and critical care. Following residency, Jack plans to pursue board certification in pharmacotherapy Jack is currently a clinical pharmacist at St. Luke‘s Hospital. Outside of residency, Jack’s interests include biking, going to the gym, and traveling.
Rony Wright, PharmD is originally from Lisbon, IA. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and College of Public Health with her Doctorate of Pharmacy and Masters of Public Health (PharmD/MPH). Rony’s current practice interests include cardiology and critical care. Upon completion of her PGY1 residency, she plans to pursue board certification. Rony works as a clinical pharmacist at St. Luke‘s Hospital. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, cooking/baking, and spending time with her two lovely kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the residency year structured?
Orientation is typically 8-10 weeks. Core and elective rotations are typically 4-5 weeks. There are longitudinal rotations such as practice management & leadership, research, and staffing. There is one week for holiday staffing, one week for attendance to Midyear, and three weeks for miscellaneous projects, staffing, etc.
What opportunities for electives are available?
We have required electives in internal medicine, critical care, antimicrobial stewardship, cardiology, emergency medicine, and transitions of care. Practice Management & Leadership is a longitudinal rotation. There are opportunities for various electives including informatics, pediatrics, and advanced emergency medicine.
When is the start date?
Beginning of July
Do I need an Iowa license?
Yes, you need to be licensed within 120 days of start
How many residents are you recruiting?
- 2
- Program Code: 61603
- NMS Code: 305713
What is involved with the staffing requirement?
Every third weekend, one evening shift every 3 weeks, one major holiday (Christmas or Thanksgiving), and Spring Break (dates TBD yearly).
What teaching opportunities are available?
Residents will complete the PEPPR Teaching and Learning Curriculum. A mentor will be assigned to residents for feedback and goal discussions. Through the program, residents will have teaching opportunities, develop a portfolio, and obtain a teaching certificate at the program's end. Additionally, St. Luke’s has many IPPE and APPE pharmacy students which allows for precepting opportunities outside of the PEPPR program.
What resources are provided to residents?
Residents have a dedicated office space. Laptops are provided to each resident. Residents have access to the Clinical Data Advisor for the Quality Team who can assist with pulling data and any reporting needs for research projects.
What are some strengths of the program?
St. Luke’s is a newer program which allows residents to have more input on their year, and UnityPoint Health provides support and resources from other programs within the system. As a community hospital, residents can build relationships with providers, medical staff, and preceptors on a more personal level than large institutions typically provide.
What DEI Opportunities are there at St. Luke’s?
St Lukes offers a number of Employee Resource Groups and UnityPoint offers the following systemwide Community groups
- BE4U (Black Employees for Unity)
- Unidos (Hispanic/Latino/Chicano)
- Pride (LGBTQ+)
- Veterans
- MOSAIC (Middle Eastern, Oceanic, S. Asian, Asian and Asian Indigenous Cultures)
- EmpowerED(Empower Employees with Disabilities)
What wellbeing and resiliency resources does St. Luke’s offer?
Free counseling is offered through the Employee Assistance Program. There is a fitness center on-site at no cost to employees. OnPoint for Health is a program that allows users to accrue points towards cash rewards. Additionally, all St. Luke’s employees have access to WellBeats, which has free nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and meditation resources.