PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

Thank you for your interest in the VACCHCS PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program. This residency is an ASHP-accredited program established in 2010, with two PGY1 positions offered annually.

Program Purpose

The purpose of this program is to build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions. Graduates of the residency program are eligible for board certification and postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

Program Description

This residency program offers a comprehensive year of education and experience within a challenging and progressive learning environment. Emphasis is placed on providing clinical, leadership, practice management, and teaching experiences. Residents serve the Veteran population in ambulatory, acute, and long-term care settings. They participate in formulary and medication-use management, medication safety, and quality improvement. Residents also precept students and educate patients and healthcare professionals.

Program Structure

The residency program consists of an introduction, seven core rotations, four longitudinal rotations, and three elective rotations. Core and elective rotations are typically five weeks in duration. Longitudinal experiences begin after orientation and last the duration of the year.

Required Core Rotations:

• Inpatient/IV Operations Orientation (first or second rotation).
• Outpatient Operations Orientation (first or second rotation).
• Acute Care Internal Medicine I and II.
• Ambulatory Care I (Primary Care) and II (Primary Care/Women’s Health, Community Based Outpatient Clinic).
• Practice Management.

Required Longitudinal Rotations:

• Ambulatory Care:
  • Residents rotate in a selected ambulatory care clinic for one half-day every week.
  • Clinic opportunities may include: Anticoagulation, Benzodiazepine Taper, Clozapine, Erythropoietin, Hematology/Oncology, Pain Management, Primary Care, Psychiatry, Pulmonary.
• Major Residency Project:
  • Residents complete a major project and present it at Western States Conference.
• Project Management and Leadership Development:
  • Residents complete a medication use evaluation for poster presentation at a national conference, participate in leadership activities and medication safety initiatives, lead student patient case discussions, learn how to self-evaluate and incorporate feedback for continuous professional development, and take part in the local Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee.
• Inpatient Pharmacy Staffing:
  • Residents staff one weekend and one evening shift (4 hours) every 3 weeks, and one major and one minor holiday.

Elective Rotations:
Elective opportunities may include: Anticoagulation, Academic Detailing, Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Managed Care, Pain Management, Pharmacy Informatics, Psychiatric Acute Care, Psychiatric Ambulatory Care/Substance Use Disorder Program, Transitions of Care.

Program Benefits

• Estimated stipend: $48,745 (2025 – 2026).
• Four hours paid vacation and four hours paid sick leave accrued every two weeks (total of 13 days paid vacation and 13 days sick leave).
• Twelve paid federal holidays (each resident staffs two holidays).
• Federal health benefits and life insurance available.
• Education and travel allowances (subject to approval) for select conferences such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Western States Conference.

Pharmacy Residency Resources

VACCHCS PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program resources are available on the Pharmacy Benefits Management Services VA Pharmacy Residency Program Website.

For more information about VA Training Programs, visit the Office of Academic Affiliations Website.

See the Pharmacist Career in VA Website and the VHA Pharmacist Brochure to explore VA Pharmacist career opportunities.

VACCHCS offers a full range of patient care services with state of the art technology, within a progressive training environment where pharmacists may prescribe medications, order laboratory and diagnostic tests, and place consults within a scope of practice. Pharmacy staff are valued members of the health care team; incorporated throughout the health care system, they cover inpatient central/IV (24 hours) and decentral (57 beds), outpatient, customer care (call) center, ambulatory care (primary care and specialty clinics), and long-term care (54 beds) areas. Services are supported with a fully integrated computerized patient record system and readily available drug information resources. VACCHCS is a teaching facility for the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Fresno, School of Medicine Residency Program and is affiliated with seven schools of pharmacy. This provides excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary education, research, and precepting. Additionally, practicing within the VA allows for professional development, continuing education, and networking opportunities on local, regional, and national levels.

VACCHCS is located in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California. Fresno is the fifth largest city in the state, and with over 300 sunny days per year, is known as California’s year-round playground. Many great indoor and outdoor activities are available including shopping, dining, arts, and recreation. Fresno is also known as the Agricultural Capital of the World, with fresh produce and farmer’s markets available year-round. Located close to three National Parks, Fresno offers the perks of a big city as well as beautiful natural scenery.

Learn more about Fresno County by visiting the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

Requirements to Apply:

• PharmD Degree from an accredited (ACPE) school of pharmacy.
• Licensure or eligibility for licensure in any state (must be licensed by October 31 of residency year).
• United States Citizenship.
• Registered in the ASHP Resident Matching Program.

Application:

• Applications are due January 2nd. All materials must be submitted via PhORCAS, including:
  • Letter of intent.
  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Official academic transcripts.
  • Three letters of recommendation using PhORCAS Standardized Reference Form; at least one letter should come from a preceptor with whom the applicant had a clinical rotation.  

An interview is required for selected applications. Interviews take place in February.

The Match:

• ASHP Program Code: 92037.

NMS Code: 188813.           

VACCHCS Pharmacy: 
Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System 
2615 E. Clinton Avenue (119) Fresno, CA 93703 
559-225-6100, ext. 5119

Kori E. Malepsy, PharmD, BCPS 
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director 
Student Education Coordinator 
Medication Safety Officer 
559-241-6490 
Kori.Malepsy@va.gov

David Charlestham, PharmD, BCPP
PGY1/PGY2 Residency Program Coordinator
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Mental Health
559-225-6100, ext. 4883
David.Charlestham@va.gov

 Nader Nassar, PharmD, BCPP
PGY2 Residency Program Director
PGY1 Residency Program Coordinator
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Mental Health
559-225-6100, ext. 5134
Nader.Nassar@va.gov