Pharmacy Residency Program

Welcome

Welcome to the Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest and Mentor Hospitals Pharmacy Residency Programs. As part of one of the nation's leading integrated healthcare systems, our residency programs provide a dynamic and comprehensive learning experience designed to develop future pharmacy leaders, clinicians, educators, and researchers.

Hillcrest Hospital, located in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, is a 500-bed tertiary care teaching hospital serving communities throughout Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Summit counties. As a Level II Trauma Center and home to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Hillcrest provides a broad spectrum of acute and specialty care services, including cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, critical care, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, oncology, high-risk obstetrics, orthopedics, pediatrics, and transplant-related care.

Mentor Hospital, Cleveland Clinic's newest acute-care facility, complements the clinical experiences available at Hillcrest through its innovative care delivery model, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered approach to healthcare. Together, Hillcrest and Mentor Hospitals offer residents exposure to diverse patient populations, varied practice settings, and progressive pharmacy services across both community and tertiary care environments. Residents benefit from integration within Cleveland Clinic's internationally recognized health system and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams throughout the continuum of care. Comprehensive learning experiences include inpatient and ambulatory clinical practice, medication-use management, quality improvement initiatives, leadership development, teaching opportunities, and research activities.

In addition to direct patient care responsibilities, residents actively participate in the education and mentorship of Doctor of Pharmacy students from colleges and schools of pharmacy across the United States. Through these experiences, residents develop the clinical expertise, leadership skills, and professional confidence necessary to excel in contemporary pharmacy practice.

Residency program history

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program was established in 2005 and has maintained continuous ASHP accreditation, currently through 2027. Since its inception, the program has trained more than 30 residents who have advanced into clinical, leadership, and specialty pharmacy roles.

Building on the success of the PGY1 program, the PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency was established in 2019 and is ASHP accredited through 2027. In 2022, the PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency was launched and achieved full ASHP accreditation through 2031.

As part of Cleveland Clinic, residents benefit from a collaborative learning environment focused on clinical excellence, leadership development, research, teaching, and interdisciplinary patient care, preparing graduates for advanced practice and leadership opportunities across the profession.

Department of Pharmacy

Hillcrest Hospital's Pharmacy Services employs about 100 people, including approximately 55 pharmacists. The pharmacy operates 24 hours per day and provides pharmaceutical services, including:

• Clinical pharmacy specialty practices.
• Sterile and non-sterile compounding.
• Advanced technology support, including wireless PCs, automated dispensing devices (Carousel, Pyxis), Vocera communication services, and clinical decision support tools.
• Hillcrest Hospital utilizes a computer-based physician order entry program (EPIC) that integrates data from pharmacy, admissions, laboratory, radiology, nursing, medicine and microbiology.
• Outpatient primary care services for heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking cessation.
• Investigational drug studies.
• Decentralized floor based clinical pharmacist  practice.
• Patient education programs.
• Drug information programs.
• In-service education.
• Pharmacy therapeutics and formulary committee participation.
• Pharmacist-led research through the residency program.

Residency program training site

Type: Hospital, Acute Care
Owner/Affiliate: Cleveland Clinic
Model Type(s): Community/Tertiary Care
Patients Enrolled: N/A
Tax Status: Non Profit
Professional Staff: 55
Non-Professional Staff: 4,535
Total Beds: 500
Average Daily Census: 400
Trauma Center: Level II
NICU: Level III
High Risk OB: Level III
Critical Care: MICU, SSICU,CCU
Emergency Services: Adult and Pediatric

About the Programs

PGY-1 program

Interested applicants must be enrolled or PharmD graduates of an accredited college of pharmacy, be eligible for licensure in the State of Ohio, and submit the standard application materials through PhORCAS (letter of intent, CV, three standard reference forms in PhORCAS, official college transcripts), with the following:

• A minimum of one (two is preferred) of your three references should come from a preceptor who you have worked with in a clinical setting, related to an APPE in acute or ambulatory care. The clinical preceptor should be able to comment on your scope of responsibility, total patient load, level of autonomy, clinical abilities, and organizational and time management skills. All three reference writers should use the standard PhORCAS template to submit their candidate recommendation.

Interview process

After your application materials are reviewed and based on the number of applications, you may be invited to participate in a video-conference pre-interview session. This is part of the application process and will take place in January. They are about 20 minutes in duration. This step may be omitted and move directly to offering onsite interviews.

After the video conference pre-interview, the top applicants are invited to an onsite interview. This may consist of either an in-person or virtual format. These typically occur in late January and February and are about 5 to 6 hours in duration.

PGY-2 program

Interested applicants must be PharmD graduates of an accredited college of pharmacy, be eligible for licensure in the State of Ohio, must be graduates or enrolled in an ASHP-accredited or ASHP-candidated status PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program and submit the standard application materials through PhORCAS (letter of intent, CV, three standard reference forms in PhORCAS, official college transcripts), along with:

• A minimum of one (two is preferred) of your three references should come from a preceptor who you have worked with in a clinical setting, related to a PGY1 rotation in acute or ambulatory care. The clinical preceptor should be able to comment on your scope of responsibility, total patient load, level of autonomy, clinical abilities, and organizational and time management skills. All 3 reference writers should use the standard PhORCAS template to submit their candidate recommendation.

Additional information

If you match with one of the programs, you will also be required to complete an online Cleveland Clinic application for the residency position.

Residency applicants must be authorized for employment in the United States at the time they apply for the residency. Cleveland Clinic Pharmacy does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate Optional Practical Training visas for the Cleveland Clinic Pharmacy Residency program as the program extends beyond 12 months. Trade NAFTA visas are acceptable; however, the candidate is responsible for the application process and all necessary fees. Cleveland Clinic cannot extend the candidate an employment letter until the candidate has matched with the Cleveland Clinic program and signed an acceptance letter. Any employment letter will state the length of the program (12 months if PGY1 or PGY2).

Graduates of international pharmacy schools will be considered if they meet the ASHP criteria for application to residency. To be eligible for pharmacist licensure, candidates must be graduates or candidates for graduation from an ACPE accredited degree program (or one in the process of pursuing accreditation) or have a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the NABP.

Appointments of applicants to residency positions are contingent upon the applicants satisfying certain eligibility requirements [e.g., graduating from accredited college of pharmacy, obtaining pharmacist license in Ohio within 90 days of start date, and successful completion of a pre-employment physical and drug screen, including testing for nicotine, and attendance of an on-boarding appointment on site in Ohio or as otherwise directed by Occupational health at least 2 weeks prior to the start date].

For all questions related to licensure, leave of absence, dismissal from a residency, and resident duty hours, please see the 2026-2027 Cleveland Clinic Pharmacy Residency Policies document.

Program Benefits

• Residency program estimated stipend: $56,000 for PGY 1 and $58,000 for PGY 2.
• Fourteen time off days to be used for illness or personal time; interviewing for PGY2 or jobs; or licensure requirements.
• On-site free parking.
• Retirement plans with Fidelity – 403(b) Savings and Investment Plan (SIP) with matching contribution of 3% and Investment Pension Plan (IPP).
• Registration and reimbursement for travel to ASHP, OSHP, OCCP, Ohio Residency Conference or Specialty Conference (PGY 2 residents only). Subject to change based on Enterprise Travel Procedures.
• Additional wellness/comp days.
• Professional organizations: reimbursement for membership fees.
• Library access.
• Resident office.
• Personal computer access.
• Continuing education.
• Immunizations.
• Cleveland Clinic employee discounts at various venues including apartments, Cedar Point, and sporting events.

Health benefits

• Standard comprehensive coverage.
• Medical.
• Prescription drug.
• Life insurance.
• Disability.
• Dental.
• Vision.
• Flexible spending accounts for dependents care and healthcare.

PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency

Intended outcomes

The Pharmacy Residency (PGY-1) is a one-year postgraduate training program that offers clinical experiences in adult intensive care (medical, surgical, cardiovascular, and cardiothoracic), neonatology, infectious disease, internal medicine, emergency medicine, ambulatory internal medicine, administration, high risk obstetrics, and pharmacy practice. The resident will complete a medication-use evaluation and an original research project, with an associated manuscript written for publication. Additional opportunities are available through hospital committees, continuous improvement projects and elective rotations. Residents fine tune their communication skills through multiple journal clubs and formal presentations. Residents will use their critical thinking skills through case conferences in addition to daily rounding on patient care teams. Residents will learn various leadership skills through a leadership course and monthly leadership seminars. Residents will gain experiences with teaching and preceptor skills through PharmD student interactions. Individuals who have successfully completed this program have gone on to specialized residencies, fellowships, hospital practice in an integrated patient care area clinical role or other career opportunities.

Required rotations

All rotations are 4 weeks in length except longitudinal rotations which are a minimum of 6 months.

• Orientation/Training.
• Research Month.
• Cardiology.
• Internal Medicine.
• Critical Care or Neonatology.
• Infectious Disease.
• Administration.
• Drug Information.
• Pharmacy Practice.
• Ambulatory: Primary Care.
• Longitudinal Research.
• Longitudinal Drug Distribution.
• Longitudinal Medication Use Evaluation.

Elective rotations

• Emergency Medicine.
• Neonatology/Pediatrics (If not done as requirement).
• Critical Care (If not done as requirement).
• Pain & Palliative Care.
• Administration.
• Oncology.
• Other Cleveland Clinic location based on availability.

PGY-1 Resident Requirements for 2026 to 2027

Meetings & conferences

Travel to pharmacy professional meetings is an important component of the Hillcrest Pharmacy Residency. All residents are will have the opportunity to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical meeting. You will be required to submit a poster presentation of you MUE project and assist with residency recruitment at the Residency Showcase.  Networking opportunities are numerous at this annual meeting. In the spring, residents formally present their projects at the Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacy meeting or equivalent conference. Residents may have the opportunity to attend and participate in the Fall and Spring Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacy meetings. Additionally, residents will attend the Ohio Society of Health System Pharmacists Residency Showcase. Accommodation, travel and expenses will be reimbursed for local, state and national meetings.

Medication usage evaluation

Residents will complete a medication use evaluation (MUE) in the early part of the residency year with the intent of preparing a poster for presentation at the ASHP Midyear. The goal is to help you learn how to develop a systematic process designed to determine and maintain the appropriate and effective use of medications. A mentor will be assigned to help you with the MUE project. Residents will also present their MUE at a Hillcrest P&T meeting.

Staffing requirements

ASHP guidelines recommend that each PGY1 resident complete a pharmacy practice component of the residency program. The staffing component is crucial to the development of professional practice skills and of pharmacy practice distribution skills.

• PGY1 residents are required to staff every third weekend in the pharmacy with a combination clinical and operational responsibilities.
• Residents will also staff on the following holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving and Memorial Day.

Residents will gain proficiency in distribution skills, incorporation of clinical services and development of personnel management skills. They also will develop insight into the operations, policies and procedures of an acute care facility.

• Residents are scheduled to participate in the Department of Pharmacy Staff Meeting on a monthly basis. This experience serves to support the development of an understanding of global issues, while supporting the activities of the group.
• Residents will have the opportunity to participate in several department committee such as Operation Council, Clinical Council, and FUN Council.
• Pharmacy managers for the assigned practice areas serve as preceptors for the practice (staffing) rotation. Evaluations of residents' performance in this component of the program are completed three times during the residency year. Residents are expected to complete an evaluation of the staffing component and offer suggestions for improvement of operational procedures.
• Residents may choose to cover additional pharmacist shifts and will be compensated at the standard pharmacist rate. Residents are reminded that the primary objective of the residency year relates to the residency program objectives. Achievement of these objectives should not be hindered by other activities, including extra staffing. All requests to work extra shifts must be submitted in email  to the RPD. RPD will approve based upon the progress of the resident after consulting with current preceptors.

Evaluations

During the year, residents will be evaluated by rotation preceptors, the Program Director, and themselves through self-reflection and assessment.

Prior to the start of each new rotation, the resident will meet with the rotation preceptor to discuss and customize the rotation's goals and objectives in order to meet the specific needs of the resident. During the rotation, residents meet with preceptors on a regular basis, as determined by the preceptor and resident. Preceptors will complete a weekly assessment (verbal and written) on the resident’s progress. At the completion of the rotation, preceptors will complete a full evaluation and the residents will complete a self-evaluation. Within three days of completing the rotation, residents will meet with their preceptors for evaluation purposes: preceptors evaluate the residents; residents evaluate preceptors and the rotation; and they conduct a self-assessment. Any modifications to the rotation or its goals and objectives may be discussed. All resident and rotation evaluations must be in written form and included in Pharmacademic. Residents and preceptors will complete the evaluations separately and then meet to discuss the evaluations. Evaluations in Pharmacademic are available to the preceptors, and all members of the Resident Steering Committee. All evaluations must be completed as discussed in the resident policy and procedure for documentation.

Requirements for successful completion of the residency

1. Completion of 12 months of rotations with at least 80% of goals achieved for the residency. Resident cannot have any overall final evaluations with "Needs Improvement" on their evaluations.
   • Extended leave of absence from the Residency Program will be handled based on CCHS Pharmacy Residency Leave of Absence SOP.
2. Completion of informal, formal presentation, and journal club as required by the Structure Committee per the monthly requirements.
3. Completion of a research project which includes submission to the Institutional Review
4. Board (IRB), data collection, data analysis, presentation at Ohio Residency Conference, or Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacists (OCCP) or other Conference, and completion and submission of a manuscript to the preceptor staff by June 7th.
5. Completion of a Medication Usage Evaluation (MUE) project, presentation of results to
6. Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) and formulation of plan to change practice as needed based on results.
7. Review of one drug being considered for formulary and presentation to P&T.
8. Completion of all required weekend and holiday rotations.
9. Completion of informal cases as delineated by the Structure Committee monthly.
10. Completion of the residency materials including edited drafts, final work, evaluations, and monthly calendar hours uploaded to PharmAcademic.
11. Completion of all evaluations as required by the program. Includes preceptor, learning, and summative evaluations in PharmAcademic.
12. Present and/or attend Pharmacy Organization Meeting (i.e., Vizient/American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacy) at the discretion of the Residency Program Director and Residency Committee (based on travel limitations imposed by Cleveland Clinic).
13. Any other assigned duties as determined by the RPD.

PGY-2 Critical Care Residency

Intended outcomes

The PGY2 Critical Care Residency at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital is a specialized one-year residency program with required rotation offerings in multiple areas of critical care medicine, including medical, surgical, neonatal, cardiothoracic, and coronary care intensive care unit settings. Additionally, experiences with adult and pediatric emergency medicine, an infectious disease service, pain & palliative care, and trauma are available. Additional critical care learning experiences may also be available throughout Cleveland Clinic, based on hospital and preceptor availability. The preceptors for all rotations are board-certified pharmacists in their area of specialty. The resident will complete a medication use evaluation and an original research project, with an associated manuscript written for publication. These projects will be presented at various state and national level pharmacy and critical care professional meetings. Numerous educational and preceptor prospects are also available, including didactic teaching of midlevel providers, nursing and pharmacy staff; and precepting of PGY-1 pharmacy residents and pharmacy students at both the IPPE and APPE level. Scientific literature evaluations will also be presented by the resident on a regular basis. Residents will also complete the Cleveland Clinic Corners of Leadership Pharmacy Residency Certificate Program.

Required rotations

• Medical/surgical ICU.
• Advanced medical/surgical ICU.
• Cardiology Critical Care.
• Emergency Medicine.
• Neonatal ICU.
• Infectious diseases.
• Pharmacy practice.
• Research.

Elective rotations

• Trauma Medicine.
• Advanced Cardiology Critical Care.
• Advanced Emergency Medicine.
• Pain & Palliative Care.
• Various rotation opportunities at neighboring Cleveland Clinic hospitals.

Meetings & conferences

Travel to professional pharmacy meetings is an important component of professional development. PGY2 Critical Care residents may be permitted to attend the Society of Critical Care Medicine Critical Care Congress pending Cleveland Clinic Pharmacy leadership approval. Residents will also formally present their projects at a state or local professional meeting. Residents may attend and participate in the Fall and Spring Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacy meetings. Accommodation, travel, and associated expenses may be reimbursed for approved local, state and national meetings.

Staffing requirements

PGY2 Critical Care residents are required to staff for the department of pharmacy every third weekend during first shift. One day off per clinical month will be given as compensatory time for the weekend staffing time, with restrictions.

PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency

Intended outcomes

The PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital is a specialized one-year residency program with rotation offerings in multiple ambulatory care clinics including primary care, cardiology, chronic care, and maternal fetal medicine. The PGY-2 Ambulatory Care resident will utilize consult agreements to initiate, discontinue, and modify medications and lab orders for disease states delegated by the physician or advanced practice provider. The required rotations include Primary Care, Cardiology, Transitions of Care, Pharmacy Administration, Emergency Department, Research and Continuing Education. Elective rotation options such as Oncology are available.

 The resident will complete an original research project with an associated manuscript written for publication. This project may be presented at various state and national-level pharmacy professional meetings. A formal continuing education program will be presented at a local professional meeting, and four continuing education topics will be presented to the Family Medicine providers. Numerous educational and preceptor prospects are available including precepting PGY-1 pharmacy residents and APPE students.

Required rotations

Longitudinal rotations include:

• Primary care (diabetes, HTN, HLD, asthma, COPD, smoking cessation, obesity, Maternal Fetal Medicine- insulin pump management).
• Cardiology (anticoagulation and CHF).
• Pharmacy Administration.
• Continuing education presentation.

One-month rotations include:

• Transitions of care (hospital discharge counseling).
• Emergency department (culture callback program).
• Electives rotations such as Oncology (chemotherapy education).

Meetings & conferences

Residents will formally present their projects at a state or local professional meeting. Residents may attend and participate in the Fall and Spring Ohio College of Clinical Pharmacy meetings. Accommodation, travel, and associated expenses will be reimbursed for approved local, state, and national meetings.

Preceptors

• Hisam Abdelfadil, PharmD
• Sandra S. Axtell, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
•  Stefani Rae Brewer, PharmD
• Brooke Brodzinski PharmD
• Courtney Cianci, PharmD
• Emily Francis, PharmD
• Leila Jugo, PharmD
• Kelsey Hill, PharmD, BCPPS
• Paul Keppel, PharmD, MHSA
• Katherine Knudsen - RPh PharmD BCPS BCEMP
• Taylor MacKinnon, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP
• Kim Migal, PharmD, BCPS
• Carolyn M. Richardson, PharmD, BCPS
• Frank S. Rigelsky, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCCP
• Melissa Smith, PharmD, BCCCP
• Natalie Tasseff, PharmD
• Mary E. Temple-Cooper, MS, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP
• Claudio Vallin, PharmD, BCPS
• Jeffrey S. Weil, RPh, MBA, BCPS
• Nathan P. Wirick, PharmD, MBA BCPS, BCIDP

Residents

 Current residents

PGY-1 Residents

Shqiponja Selgjekaj, PharmD, MBA
PGY-1 Resident

I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology and MBA from John Carroll University before pursuing my PharmD at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). My current practice interests include emergency medicine and pharmacy leadership. After graduating residency, I plan to pursue a clinical pharmacist position where I can continue to grow, contribute to patient care, and take on opportunities for leadership within the profession.

Nikolaus Spotz, PharmD
PGY-1 Resident

I am from Mentor, Ohio and graduated from the University of Findlay with my PharmD. My current interests include infectious disease, critical care, and emergency medicine. Throughout my PGY1 residency, I hope to expand my clinical knowledge and skills while developing into a well-rounded pharmacist. In my free time, I enjoy playing pickleball, running, and watching sports.

Lan Nguyen, PharmD
PGY-2 Primary Care
Education: NEOMED

I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I received both my bachelor’s and PharmD degree from Ohio State University. Both prior to and during pharmacy school, I was employed as a pharmacy technician and then intern in both an inpatient and community pharmacy setting. My current practice interest is in primary care. After residency, I hope to have an ambulatory care pharmacist position and build a stable patient base.

Past residents