Published on December 10, 2024 at 2 p.m. by Alison Ingle  
Pediatric Residency Childrens Hospital

Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy offers two postgraduate pharmacy residency programs. Earlier this fall, its postgraduate year two (PGY2) pediatric residency received full, eight-year accreditation from the American Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The program is part of the state's only PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency.

The purpose of a PGY2 residency is to build upon a Doctor of Pharmacy education and prepare the resident to provide exceptional care for pediatric patients in various settings. This residency can lead to roles as a clinical pharmacy specialist or clinical faculty member and provides opportunities for further postgraduate training, such as pursuing an additional residency or fellowship.

At Samford, this 12-month intensive learning experience is done in partnership with Children's Hospital of Alabama, the only in-state health system dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children. The residency program provides opportunities for patient care experiences in a state-of-the-art, team-based environment. Rotation options include general, subspecialty, critical care and ambulatory pediatric care areas.

"We take great pride in our PGY2 pediatric pharmacy residency program, which has received full accreditation for the maximum duration of eight years. This program aligns with our mission to prepare exceptional pharmacists and enhances our service to the pediatric population," said Dee Dugan, professor and chair in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. "At Samford, we expect our residents to demonstrate a commitment to patient care through innovative, interprofessional and patient-centered approaches."

In addition to the PGY2 residency, McWhorter School of Pharmacy offers a postgraduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residency. This residency offers advanced training in community-based pharmacy and is also focused on diverse patient care, leadership and education skills. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.