The ASHP pre-candidate PGY2 Neurology Residency Program is a one-year program designed to train pharmacy practitioners in developing expert skills and competencies necessary to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care to neurology patients. Practitioners graduating from this program will be prepared for positions in an academic, acute care hospital, or ambulatory setting.

As part of its pre-candidate status through 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 a PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.

Our program adheres to the "Required Competency Areas, Goals, and Objectives for Postgraduate Year Two (PGY2) Neurology Residency” set forth by ASHP. These goals and objectives can be found in the  ASHP Residency Accreditation Regulations and Standards.

Program Training Site

The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) will serve as the primary site for the training year. The program also maintains relationships with other area health care teaching facilities for some elective rotations. The University of Maryland Medical Center is a major academic tertiary care center, and is designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The UM Epilepsy Center is accredited by the NAEC as a level 4 epilepsy center, with professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest level medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy. The University of Maryland’s Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research is recognized by the National MS Society as a Center for Comprehensive MS Care and is a member of the consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. UMMC is also affiliated with the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the nation’s first and only integrated trauma hospital. The Neurotrauma service serves as the state’s designated referral center for head and spinal injuries.

Learning Experiences

The residency program consists of core experiences and elective experiences. The resident may also choose to repeat core experiences based on individual goals and interests.

Core Practice Experiences (Required, 8 months):

  • Orientation & Training (5 weeks)
  • Neurocritical Care (2 months)
  • Adult Emergency Department (1 month)
  • Neurotrauma Critical Care (1 month)
  • Neurology Ambulatory Clinic (2 months)
  • Neurology Intermediate Care Unit / Neurocritical Care Consult (1 month)
  • Anticoagulation Clinic (longitudinal)

Elective Practice Experiences (3-4 months)

  • Psychiatry
  • Stroke Neurology
  • Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
  • General Neurology Service / Neurology Consults
  • Medication Safety
  • Toxicology / Maryland Poison Center
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Neurology

Longitudinal Learning Experiences

  • Pharmacy Medical Emergency Response Team Service (Code Blue, Rapid Response, Airway Emergency, Stroke / Brain Attack Team)
  • Pharmacy Consult Service and Clinical Pharmacist On Call
  • Staffing
    • 15 total weekends
    • 70% as clinical weekends on the Critical Care Team
    • 30% as drug distribution in the Trauma Weinberg Pharmacy Satellite

Other Learning Experiences

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

Teaching

  • Teaching at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy: varying opportunities, up to 20 hours per semester as requested by the School
  • Pharmacotherapy Rounds Presentation (ACPE-accredited)
  • UMMC Literature Update
  • UMMC Case Conference
  • An elective Educational Theory and Practice Course is available for interested residents.
  • An elective Teaching Certificate Program is available for interested residents.

Research and Scholarship Experiences

The resident will be expected to conduct a longitudinal research project over the course of the training experience. A final manuscript of the project must be completed, although publication is not required. Presentation of interim or final results at a professional meeting is strongly encouraged.

The resident will also be expected to be involved in at least one additional scholarly activity. Examples include publication of a clinical review in a peer-reviewed journal or professional newsletter or a poster presentation at a regional or national meeting.

Finally, the resident will be required to complete a medication use evaluation at UMMC.

Leadership and Professional Development Experiences

The resident will also participate in the following longitudinal activities:

  • UMMC Committee Participation
  • Professional Development Series
  • Public Health/Community Service Activity
  • Formulary Management Project

Participation in Pharmacotherapy Rounds, Literature Updates, Case Conference, 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 the Residency and Fellowship Requirements webpage.

Application Information

Number of Available Positions: 1

Qualifications: Candidates 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 a PGY1 residency prior to starting.

Application Process

Applicants must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and have completed an ASHP-accredited residency in pharmacy practice. The resident will be required to become a licensed pharmacist in the state of Maryland.

Applications for this program will only be accepted through  PhORCAS. Reference writers should use the standard reference template in PhORCAS.

Application requirements:

  • Letter of intent
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letters of recommendation (3)
  • Official transcripts

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

The application deadline is January 2. 

Program Leadership

Program Director:

Michael J. Armahizer, PharmD, BCCCP
Director, PGY2 Neurology Pharmacy Residency
Clinical Specialist, Neurocritical Care
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
University of Maryland Medical Center
Department of Pharmacy Services
22 South Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 328-6657
Email: michaelarmahizer@umm.edu 

Program Coordinator:

Millad J. Sobhanian, PharmD, BCPS
Coordinator, PGY2 Neurology Pharmacy Residency
Clinical Specialist, Neurology
Adjunct Instructor, University of Maryland School of Medicine
University of Maryland Medical Center
Department of Pharmacy Services
22 South Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-328-4323
Email: millad.sobhanian@umm.edu