The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the University of Maryland Medical Center offer a one-year post-graduate residency training experience in cardiology pharmacy practice.

Note: The Cardiology Residency Program will not be recruiting for the 2024-2025 cycle.
Video Overview: Cardiology Pharmacy Residency Program

This 10-minute video provides a detailed overview of the PGY-2 Cardiology Pharmacy Residency Program available through a partnership between the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the University of Maryland Medical Center and includes information about what residents can expect to learn during their time in the program.

As part of its accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), this program is committed to the following general purpose:

Postgraduate Year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.

Program Overview

The goal of this program is to impart the knowledge and skills necessary for obtaining a position as a clinical pharmacy specialist or non-tenure track cardiology faculty member. Through the unique partnership between the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and University of Maryland Medical Center, the resident will interface with experts in the field of cardiovascular medicine, engage in a diverse array of advanced pharmacy practice experiences, conduct collaborative practice-based research, and mentor student and resident trainees in pharmacy and other health disciplines.

Because this residency program is accredited by ASHP, the resident will complete the following ASHP-established outcomes:

  • In collaboration with the health care team, provide comprehensive medication management to patients with cardiovascular diseases following a consistent patient care process.
  • Ensure continuity of care for patients with cardiovascular diseases during transitions between care settings.
  • Demonstrate ability to manage formulary and medication-use processes for patients with cardiovascular diseases, as applicable to the organization.
  • Demonstrate ability to conduct a quality improvement or research project related to the care of patients with cardiovascular diseases.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills and successful self-development.
  • Demonstrate management skills in the provision of care for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
  • Provide effective medication and practice-related education to patients with cardiovascular diseases, caregivers, health care professionals, students, and the public (individuals and groups).
  • Effectively employ appropriate preceptor roles when engaged in teaching students, pharmacy technicians, or fellow health care professionals in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the management of cardiovascular (ACLS) medical emergencies.

Additionally, our program adheres to the Goals and Objectives for a Post-Graduate Year Two Program in Cardiology set forth by ASHP. These Goals and Objectives can be found in the ASHP Residency Accreditation Regulations and Standards.

Description:

The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) will serve as the primary site for pharmacy practice experiences. Located in downtown Baltimore, UMMC was one of the nation's first academic medical centers. Today it provides a diverse array of health care services to patients throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. The integrated approach to patient care, research, and education at UMMC and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy provides a unique opportunity to engage in an innovative training experience that may be individually tailored to the interests and goals of the resident.

Learning Experiences:

The residency program consists of 12 months of core practice experiences, which exist as rotations (i.e., 1-6 week blocks) and/or as longitudinal experiences (i.e., 3-6 months). A variety of elective opportunities are also available depending on the resident’s interests. 

Core Rotation Experiences

*The below durations represent the minimum length for each experience. Some experiences may be extended based on resident interest or individualized needs.

Orientation & Training 2 weeks
Primary Cardiology Service I 4 weeks
Primary Cardiology Service II 4 weeks
Advanced Heart Failure Service I 4 weeks
Advanced Heart Failure Service II 4 weeks
Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit 4 weeks
Clinical/Outcomes Research 2 weeks

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist/Preceptorship

 8 weeks
Interventional Cardiology/Imaging 1 week
Electrophysiology 2 weeks

Core Longitudinal Experiences

Cardiology Literature/Topic Curriculum 11 months
Heart Failure/Cardiology Pharmacy Clinic 5 months
Pharmacy Medical Emergency Response Team Service 12 months, rotating
Pharmacotherapy/Pharmacokinetics Consultation Service 12 months, rotating
Clinical and Operational Staffing 12 months, rotating
Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Clinic – Left Ventricular Assist Device and Heart Transplantation 2 months, each

Elective Practice Experiences (2 months)

Cardiac Transplantation / Mechanical Circulatory Support 4 weeks (rotation)
Cardiology Consultation Service 2 weeks (rotation)
Emergency Medicine Service 2-4 weeks (rotation)
Medical Intensive Care Unit 2-4 weeks (rotation)
Neuro Intensive Care Unit 2-4 weeks (rotation)
VA Baltimore Inpatient Cardiology Service 4 weeks (rotation)
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit 2-4 weeks (rotation)
Transitions of Care Team 2 weeks (rotation)

Other Learning Experiences:

In addition to the pharmacy practice experiences outlined above, the resident will also participate in the following longitudinal learning experiences:

Teaching
The resident will earn an appointment as a Clinical Instructor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and will complete up to 40 hours of teaching activities per semester. Teaching activities may include didactic lectures, small group discussions, and assisting in the preceptorship of student pharmacists and first-year pharmacy practice residents. An elective teaching certificate program is available for interested residents. Teaching is focused on cardiology as much as possible. Residents will also deliver a professional presentation as part of the University of Maryland’s Pharmacotherapy Rounds and a journal club presentation at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Scholarship Experiences
The residents will collaborate to conduct a longitudinal research project during their training experience. A final manuscript of the project must be prepared in a publishable format, although submission and/or acceptance is not required. Presentation of interim or final results at a professional meeting is strongly encouraged.

Professional Development Experiences
The resident will also participate in the following professional development activities:

  • UMMC Committee Participation
  • Professional Development Series
  • Community Service Activity

Participation in Pharmacotherapy Rounds, Professional Development lecture series, and staffing responsibilities is a requirement of all University of Maryland residents. For more information about these specific activities, please visit https://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/residentsfellows/.

Core Preceptors:

  • Allison Bathula, PharmD, BCCP (Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit)
  • Sandeep Devabhakthuni, PharmD, BCCP (Heart Transplant Clinic, Teaching)
  • Mallory Mouradjian, PharmD, BCCP (Advanced Heart Failure Service)
  • Michael Plazak, PharmD, BCCP (Ventricular Assist Device Clinic)
  • Richard Rovelli, PharmD, BCCP (Primary Cardiology Service, Heart Transplant Clinic)
  • Kristin Watson, PharmD, MS, BCCP (Heart Failure/Cardiology Clinic)

Number of Available Positions: 2

Qualifications: The resident must be a graduate of an accredited college of pharmacy with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (requirement waived if completed a pass/fail curriculum). The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and Maryland Pharmacy licensure are required. Residents must complete an ASHP accredited or candidate-status PGY1 residency prior to starting.

Application Process:

Applications for this program will only be accepted through PhORCAS. 

Interviews will be conducted virtually.

Application requirements:

  • Letter of intent
  • Curriculum vitae
  • References (3) - using the standard reference template in PhORCAS
  • Official transcripts

International students and permanent residents should contact P-SHORResidencyandAdministrativeSupport@rx.umaryland.edu before applying.

Residents who match to this program will be required to come to Baltimore in advance of the July 1st start date for campus orientation; these orientation dates are not known until mid-Spring. These sessions are typically offered on select Mondays in May and June.

The application deadline is January 2.

Program Director:

Sandeep Devabhakthuni, PharmD, BCCP
Associate Professor
Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
20 N Pine Street, Room N309F
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-706-5842
Email: sdevabha@rx.umaryland.edu

Program Coordinator:

Mallory T. Mouradjian, PharmD, BCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Advanced Heart Failure Service
Department of Pharmacy
University of Maryland Medical Center
22 S Greene St
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-328-2498
Email: mallory.mouradjian@umm.edu