PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency
Contact us
For more information about our program, please contact our program director.
PGY1 pharmacy practice residency program
Duration/Type: 12 months/residency
Number of Positions: 4
Application Deadline: January 2
Starting Date: Late June
Estimated Stipend: $50,000
Interview Required: Yes
Program overview
This residency offers a diverse inpatient pharmacy experience that will provide residents with opportunities to practice in a variety of specialties. In addition to clinical rotations, residents are required to complete a major research project, perform medication use evaluations (MUE), deliver formal presentations, and participate in distribution and clinical staffing services. There are numerous opportunities for teaching, including serving as preceptors for pharmacy students from Belmont University, Lipscomb University, and the University of Tennessee.
Residents are mentored by outstanding, experienced, and dedicated preceptors who are committed to patient care and training of new practitioners. Most of the preceptors hold board certifications or credentials in their specialty areas. In addition, residents will interact with many leading physicians, medical residents, nurses and other health care professionals in the course of their patient care activities or via participation in multidisciplinary care teams. Residents also receive opportunities to work with healthcare leaders at the HCA corporate or TriStar Division offices.
“We believe in excellence in all that we do including excellence in our service to patients and colleagues.”
“We believe in challenging our residents to discover their full potential and to push the limits of their comfort zone.”
Get to know the team
Ben Casey, PharmD, BCIDP
PGY-1 Residency Program Director
Chelsea Mitchell, PharmD, BCCCP
PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator
Laura Beth Parsons, PharmD, BCOP
PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator
Kendra Spilkin, PharmD
PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator
Rachel Hemberger BCCCP, BCPS
PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator
Sterling C Torian, PharmD, BCCCP
PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator
Preceptors
- Karin Abernathy, PharmD, BCOP, Adult Hematology/BMT Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
- Callee Brooks, PharmD, Adult Hematology/BMT Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
- Katie Bruce, PharmD, BCPPS, Pediatric Oncology/BMT Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
- Benjamin Casey, PharmD, BCIDP, Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Residency Program Director
- Eve Darnell, PharmD, CACP, Anticoagulation Clinic Specialist
- Erin Dennis, PharmD, BCPS, Women’s & Children’s Clinical Staff Pharmacist
- Alex Fagan, PharmD, BCPS, Internal Medicine Pharmacy Specialist
- Ethan Gerrald, PharmD, BCCP, Cardiothoracic Surgery ICU Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
- Rachel Hemberger, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS, Cardiology/Critical Care Clinical Staff Pharmacist
- Shelby Hood, PharmD, BCPS, Internal Medicine Clinical Staff Pharmacist
- Elizabeth Landers, PharmD, Women’s & Children’s Clinical Staff Pharmacist
- Rachel Matthews, PharmD, BCOP, Adult Oncology Clinical Pharmacist
- Catherine Moore, PharmD, BCCCP, Cardiology ICU Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
- Chelsea Mitchell, PharmD, BCCCP, Medical/Surgical ICU Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
- Laura Beth Parsons, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology Pharmacy Manager/Research Specialist
- Susan Publow, PharmD, BCPPS, Pediatric Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
- Austin Roberts, PharmD, MBA, BCCCP, BCPS, Evening Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist
- Erica Roman, PharmD, BCPS, Cardiovascular/Critical Care Clinical Staff Pharmacist
- Jennifer Sandi, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, Cardiology/Critical Care Clinical Staff Pharmacist
- Paul Schrimsher, PharmD, BCPS, Pharmacy Manager
- Darby Siler, PharmD, BCOP,Adult Hematology/BMT Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Director
- Kendra Spilkin, PharmD, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Manager
- Sterling C Torian, PharmD, BCCCP, Evening Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist
- Adam Wilcox, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy Services
- Erin Willis, PharmD, BCACP, Anticoagulation Clinic Specialist
Current residents
Syd Cason, PharmD
Education: Belmont University
Hometown: Stevensville, MI
About: Dr. Cason received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Belmont University College of Pharmacy. Her practice interests include cardiology, psychiatry, and internal medicine. Syd enjoys being active and watching sports. She also enjoys exploring new coffee shops and spending time with her friends. She plans to pursue a PGY2 in an area of interest after her PGY1 year.
Kelsey-Anne Forrest, PharmD
Education: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Hometown: Athens, Tennessee
About: Dr. Forrest received her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee. Her practice areas of interest include internal medicine, critical care and oncology. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, exploring new restaurants around Nashville and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers. Kelsey-Anne plans to pursue a PGY2 in an area of interest following her PGY1 year.
Ali Goforth, PharmD
Education: High Point University
Hometown: Taylorsville, NC
About: Dr. Goforth completed her two years of pre-pharmacy studies and earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from High Point University. Her practice interests include critical care and emergency medicine. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with her dog, cooking and trying new restaurants. Ali plans to pursue a PGY2 in one of her areas of interest next year.
Adam Owens, PharmD
Education: Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy
Hometown: Paris, Tennessee
About: Dr. Owens received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee in 2019 and his Doctor of Pharmacy from Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy in 2023. His practice areas of interest include internal medicine, infectious disease and emergency medicine. In his free time, he enjoys going to Titans games, winning trivia nights and frequenting the dog park with his dog, Benny. Adam plans to pursue a clinical pharmacist role following his PGY1 year.
Program graduates
More than 60 residents have graduated from the program at TriStar Centennial and have secured positions at PGY2 residency programs or in teaching and community hospitals, academia or managed care immediately upon completion of the program. The residency year may be credited as one year of service for benefits accrual such as 401(k) and paid time off (PTO), if employed with an HCA-affiliated hospital upon completion of the residency.
Learning experiences
Core rotations
- Orientation
- Cardiology Care Unit
- Critical Care
- Hematology/Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Practice Management
Elective rotations
- Advanced Critical Care
- Advanced Internal Medicine
- Advanced Pediatrics
- Bone Marrow Transplant
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
- Emergency Department*
- Neuro Intensive Care Unit
- Psychiatry
- Trauma Intensive Care Unit*
- Corporate Informatics
- Corporate Leadership
- Corporate Medication Safety
* Some or all of experience may be completed at affiliated hospital: TriStar Summit or TriStar Skyline Medical Centers
Longitudinal rotations
- Anticoagulation Clinic
- Bariatric Clinic
- Chief Resident/Leadership
- Clinical Management
- Research
- Service – Operational and Clinical Staffing
Additional learning opportunities
- Code response: Code Blue, Code Stroke, Code STEMI, and Code PE
- Teaching and Learning Certificate
- Operational and clinical staffing coverage every 3rd weekend and one Friday per month
- Committee involvement
Benefits
- Health/dental insurance
- Paid time off
- Reimbursement for required travel expenses
- 401(k) eligibility if employed within HCA after residency
- Dedicated laptop and office space
- Free onsite parking
Application process
The following information must be submitted through ASHP's Pharmacy Online Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS):
- Letter of Intent
- Curriculum vitae
- Pharmacy school transcripts
- Three letters of reference submitted on the PhORCAS form—at least two letters should be written by a preceptor, faculty member, or practicing pharmacist
- PDF of slides (1-2 slides/page) from previously performed presentation
An on-site interview in January or February is required and applicants must be eligible for Tennessee licensure upon completion of Doctor of Pharmacy degree.