PGY1 Pharmacy Residency

Residency Mission

The JEVZ VAMC Pharmacy Residency Program aims to prepare residents to meet the needs of an evolving healthcare landscape by equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to care for our rural veteran population.

Education: Training in evidence-based patient-centered care will serve to develop professional competence needed for board certification and/or postgraduate year two residency programs. This education will lend to expansion of pharmacy services, staff engagement, and mutual learning.

Improved Quality of Care: Opportunity to engage directly in the care of veterans will enhance the healthcare experience for all involved.

Community Enhancement: Residents will help meet the healthcare access needs of our rural veteran population. This program will also offer opportunities for prospective residents interested in the region.

About the Facility

JEVZ is a 51-bed hospital with acute care (11), long-term care (40), urgent care and outpatient services including primary care, mental health, infusion clinic, surgery, and specialty services. We have 5 community-based outpatient clinics in Indiana, Johnstown, State College, Huntingdon, & Dubois. JEVZ Pharmacy provides services at all locations through direct patient care, prescription services, counseling, formulary management, and interdisciplinary teams. ​

About the Area

• County: Blair County
• Population: 43,963 in city, 121,829 in metro area
• Time zone: Eastern Time Zone
• Things to do near Altoona:
  • Altoona Curve Baseball (AA Affiliate of Pittsburgh Pirates)
  • Lakemont Amusement Park
  • Several Nearby Ski Lodges
  • Lights on the Lake Christmas Light Show
  • Horseshoe Curve
  • PumpkinFest
  • Bedford Fall Foliage
  • Fly Fishing
  • Golf
  • Outdoor Rec Basketball Leagues
  • Mini Golf
  • Great unique Western, PA food
  • Beautiful 4 seasons

•~1 hour from Penn State University

•~2 hours from Pittsburgh

•~2 hours from Hershey Park and Chocolate Factory

Explore Altoona Website

Primary Areas of Practice

• Direct Patient Care
• Practice Management
• Dispensing
• Education
• Project
• Miscellaneous

Benefits

• Competitive stipend
• Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), Employee Assistance Program
• Assigned desk, laptop and phone extension
• Remote access
• Free parking
• 13 days each of paid annual leave and sick leave
• 11 paid federal holidays

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy
• Eligible for licensure in any U.S. state or territory - must obtain within 90 days from start of residency

Audra Brown
Doctor of Pharmacy, Duquesne University

Luke Williams
Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh

Julia Wasser, PharmD, BCGP

Residency Program Director
Inpatient Pharmacy Program Manager
Learning Experiences: CLC/Geriatrics
Pharmacy School: Duquesne University
Residency Program: Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center
From: Duncansville, PA
Fun Fact: I love traveling, camping, and anything outdoors. I rarely know where my cellphone is. I believe most problems can be solved with ice cream.

Melissa Reams, PharmD, BCPS

Lead Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner in PACT, Residency Program Coordinator
Learning Experiences : PACT Longitudinal
Pharmacy School: Duquesne University
Residency Program: Penn State Hershey 
From: New Castle, PA
Fun Fact: Proud Mom of two adorable children. Always have pictures to share and love to brag about them!

Meghan Bolinger, PA-C, PharmD, BCACP, BCCP

Cardiology Pharmacist
Resident Program Advisor
Learning Experiences: Cardiology
Pharmacy School: Duquesne University
From: Johnstown, PA
Fun Fact: I love long distance running and traveling with my family

Jennifer Bonanni, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM

PACT Pharmacist, Residency Program Advisor
Learning Experiences: PACT longitudinal and block learning experiences
Pharmacy School: Wilkes University
Residency Program: Lebanon VA Medical Center (PGY1); William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center (PGY2)
From: Harveys Lake, PA
Fun Fact: I love to try new foods, go hiking, and read in my spare time

Mason Koehle, PharmD

Associate Chief, Pharmacy Service
Learning Experiences: Outpatient Pharmacy, Leadership
Pharmacy School: LECOM
From: Ebensburg, PA
Fun Fact: I love watching cooking shows, but am a mediocre cook myself

Chelsey Chambers, PharmD

Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Learning Experiences: Acute Care
Pharmacy School: LECOM
From: La Jose, PA
Fun Fact: I enjoy baking sweets, gardening,  and spending time at our farm

April Cope, PharmD, BCPP

Behavioral Health Pharmacist
Learning Experiences: Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders
Pharmacy School: Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy at Long Island University
Residency Program: Albert Einstein Medical Center (PGY1) & University of Texas at Austin & Affiliated Institutions (PGY2)
From: Staten Island, NY
Fun Fact: I love baking and going to renaissance festivals

Karch Helsel, PharmD

Pain Management Pharmacist
Learning Experiences: Pain Management
Pharmacy School: University of Pittsburgh
Residency Program: Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
From: Johnstown, PA
Fun Fact: I love to play basketball and collect Lego in my spare time

Sylvia Lombardo, PharmD

PACT Pharmacist
Learning Experiences: Longitudinal PACT, Residency Project
Pharmacy School: Duquesne University
Residency Program: James E Van Zandt VAMC  (I was part of the 1st residency class!)
From: Altoona, PA
Fun Fact: I love to read and play piano in my free time!

Lisa Luciani, PharmD, BCPS

PMOP Coordinator & Pain Pharmacist
Learning Experiences: PMOP
Pharmacy School: Temple University
Residency Program: Albany Veterans Affairs Medical Center (PGY1) & Pain Management and Palliative Care - Central Arkansas Veterans HealthCare System (PGY2)
From: Honesdale, PA
Fun Fact: First generation US Citizen. Parents are from Croatia!

Rob Malcotti, PharmD

Home Based Primary Care Pharmacist
Learning Experiences: Home Based Primary Care
Pharmacy School: University of Pittsburgh
From: Nanty Glo, PA
Fun Fact: I enjoy trail running, fishing, and camping!

Joan Muriceak, PharmD, CACP, CDCES

Anticoagulation Pharmacist, Program Manager of Anticoagulation Clinic
Learning Experiences: Anticoagulation
Pharmacy School: Pitt (Bachelors in Pharmacy), Duquesne (PharmD)
Residency Program: Riverside Methodist Hospital
From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Fun Fact: I love reading and spending time outdoors biking, swimming or gardening

Tracy Schrift, PharmD

Clinical Pharmacist
Learning Experiences: Oncology and Formulary Management
Pharmacy School: Duquesne University
From: Lilly, PA
Fun Fact: I love baking!

CJ Wiewiora, PharmD 

Clinical Pharmacist
Learning Experiences: Inpatient/Outpatient Staffing
Pharmacy School: Duquesne University 
From: Northern Cambria, PA 
Fun Fact: I strongly dislike being asked to come up with fun facts

Adam Edward Lang, PharmD
Chief, Pharmacy Service
 

Mason Koehle, PharmD
Associate Chief, Pharmacy Service, Operations
 

Julia Smaha, PharmD
Associate Chief, Pharmacy Service, Clinical Programs

Required Rotational Learning Experiences

• Orientation
• Acute Care
• Formulary/Oncology
• Mental Health
• Anticoagulation

Required Longitudinal Learning Experiences

• PACT
• HBPC
• Outpatient/Inpatient Staffing
• Pharmacy Leadership
• Resident Project

Elective Learning Experiences

• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Cardiology
• CLC/Geriatrics
• Oncology Virtual
• Pain Management
• PACT 2
• PMOP Virtual
• Substance Use Disorder
• Your Choice!

Class of 2023-2024

Katelyn Kennedy, PharmD

PGY2 Resident in Palliative Care & Pain Management
Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL
Cedarville University School of Pharmacy

Sung Mo, PharmD

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy

Class of 2022-2023

Sylvia Lombardo, PharmD

PACT Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner
James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Altoona, PA
​Duquesne University School of Pharmacy 

Bio: Dr. Lombardo earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2022 from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. During her time at Duquesne, she also completed a concentration in ambulatory care pharmacy.  She returned to her hometown of Altoona, PA to complete her PGY1 pharmacy residency at James E Van Zandt VAMC- serving as part of the inaugural class for this program! Upon completion of her residency, she accepted a position at James E Van Zandt VAMC working as a PACT Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner. Dr. Lombardo remains actively involved in the PGY1 residency program at this site as the primary preceptor for the longitudinal residency project and also assists with the longitudinal PACT experience.

Abigail Martin, PharmD

Cardiology Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner
Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy 

Bio: Dr. Martin earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2022. She completed her PGY1 pharmacy residency at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, PA in 2023. Upon completion of residency, she accepted a position in cardiology at the Syracuse, NY VA Medical Center.

Apply on PhORCAS by January 5th, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time

Required:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Transcript
• Letter of intent
• Three references via PhORCAS

Contact Information

Julia Wasser, PharmD, BCGP
Resident Program Director
Phone:
Email: Julia.Wasser@va.gov