Oncology Residency Program (PGY2)

The PGY2 Oncology Residency Program at Rush is a one-year residency established to provide specialty training for residents interested in hematology, oncology and stem cell transplant. The PGY2 began in 2012 and currently the program has one PGY2 oncology resident. The program has received accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

The PGY2 Oncology Residency at Rush University Medical Center builds on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in advanced or specialized practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge incorporating both into the provision of patient care that improves medication therapy. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency at Rush University Medical Center should possess competencies that qualify them for clinical pharmacist and/or faculty positions and position them to be eligible for attainment of board certification in that practice area (when board certification for the practice area exists).

The purpose of the PGY2 Hematology/Oncology residency is to develop specialized knowledge in the pathophysiology and management of patients with hematology and oncology disorders. This is accomplished through core rotations to strengthen hematology and oncology fundamentals as well as elective rotations with the flexibility to meet the individual’s needs.

The program is designed to develop the resident’s clinical expertise and additionally provide opportunities for teaching, research, and quality improvement. Pharmacists completing the residency will be trained as clinical specialists able to excel as an independent practitioner. The goal of the program is to become an integral member of a Hematology/Oncology multidisciplinary team in a large academic setting. Residents who successfully complete our program are prepared for advanced patient care positions, along with board certification in oncology pharmacy.

Experiences

Patient Care experience

The resident will have the opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary care of hematology/oncology patients in an academic teaching environment. The resident will practice in a state-of-the-art, hematology/oncology facility which has a capacity of 64-beds, 32-beds which are designated for hematology/stem cell transplant.

The Rush University Cancer Center programs have received approval by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons as an Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program. Our outpatient facility opened in January 2012 and has 56 infusion stations that treat approximately 80-100 patients per day. Opportunities for electives include, but are not limited to, gynecology/oncology, pain and palliative care and oncology informatics. Most rotations will be four weeks in length.

Research experience

The PGY2 resident will be expected to complete a longitudinal research project in collaboration with an experienced preceptor. The project will be of the resident’s choice and involve a hematology/oncology/stem cell transplant concept. The project will be presented at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Conference in early spring. Time throughout the year will be dedicated for research activities.

Teaching experience

The PGY2 resident will serve as a preceptor for Doctor of Pharmacy students enrolled at local colleges of pharmacy. There will be opportunities to participate in the didactic education at Midwestern University and/or Rosalind Franklin University as well as provide education to Rush’s hematology/oncology fellows. The resident will also lead small group discussions with pharmacy students and PGY1 residents.

Staffing experience

Service responsibilities include one out of every four weekends of clinical staffing.

On-call experience

The resident will be expected to take overnight call in the medical center one out of approximately every 14 nights. Responsibilities during call include, but are not limited to, pharmacokinetic drug monitoring, answering clinical questions, participation in code blue emergencies, approval of restricted antimicrobials, and participation in acute stroke emergencies.

Rotations

Core rotations
  • Hematology I (4 weeks)
  • Hematology II (4 weeks)
  • Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy (4 weeks)
  • Investigational Drug Services (2 weeks)
  • Infusion Center Pharmacy (2 weeks)
  • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (4 weeks)
  • Oncology Pharmacy Management
  • Outpatient Hematology/Oncology Clinic (12 weeks)
  • Breast Cancer Outpatient Clinic (4 weeks)
Elective rotations (8 weeks)
  • Inpatient Medical Oncology
  • Benign Hematology
  • Outpatient Stem Cell Transplant Clinic
  • Hematology III
  • Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy II
  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Oral Chemotherapy Clinic
  • Cardio-Oncology
  • Infectious Disease
  • Pain and Palliative Care
Longitudinal experiences
  • Teaching Opportunities:
    • Precepting IPPE and APPE students
    • Pharmacy Grand Rounds
    • Patient case(s), journal club(s), and research presentations
    • Chicagoland PGY2 Drug Seminar
    • Pharmacy school didactic lecture, fellows lecture, nursing CE
  • Residency Research Project:
    • Present at HOPA Annual Conference
  • Policy/Management:
    • Chemotherapy subcommittee meeting participation
    • Policy/Guideline development
    • Medication Utilization Evaluation project
  • Pharmacy Services:
    • Practice Obligation: every fourth weekend o In-house 24-hour On-Call Program

Salary and benefits for the Oncology Residency Program

The resident will be paid approximately $52,707 annually. Checks are issued every other Friday via direct deposit, which is set up through the payroll department.

In addition to the salary, Rush will cover continuing education opportunities up to $1,000 each calendar year for residents. Rush also offers generous benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance.

How to apply

Interested candidates should apply for the PGY2 Oncology Residency program through the following channels:

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept any international applicants at this time.

Contact us

If you have questions about the program not covered on this page or in our brochure, please contact:

Danielle Murphy, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS
Director, PGY2 Oncology Residency Program
(312) 947-2401
Danielle_Murphy@rush.edu

Becca Myers, PharmD, BCOP
Project Coordinator
Rebecca_Myers@rush.edu

Trevor Christ, PharmD, BCOP
Outpatient Coordinator
Trevor_N_Christ@rush.edu