PGY2 Oncology Residency

Purpose

The purpose of a PGY2 Oncology residency is to develop specialized knowledge into 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 independent practitioners. The goal of the program is to become an integral member of a Hematology/Oncology multidisciplinary team in a large academic setting.

Site of residency

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital is ranked nationally as one of the top hospitals for cancer care, maintaining an “exceptional” rating – the highest descriptor given by the National Cancer Institute, and is the third largest cancer center in the nation. Opened in December 2014, with 21 floors spanning 1.1 million square feet, the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute revolutionizes the way cancer prevention and care are provided, with over 200 specialized oncologists and cancer researchers working side by side to unlock the mysteries of what causes cancer and, using those discoveries, transition from cancer treatment to cancer prevention. This 356-bed adult cancer clinical care facility, including a 36-bed blood and marrow transplant unit, is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trial Network— notably one of only four centers funded by the NCI to conduct both Phase I and II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs, achieved Magnet designation for excellence in patient care, and is fully accredited by the Joint Commission, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. The center includes six outpatient chemotherapy infusion clinics, dispensing an estimate of over 75,000 doses of chemotherapy annually. The Department of Pharmacy consists of inpatient and outpatient hematology/oncology clinical specialist pharmacists, inpatient clinical generalist pharmacists, outpatient infusion pharmacists, pain and palliative medicine pharmacists, cancer informatics pharmacists, among others.

Residency Requirements

The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University offers a one-year postgraduate year two (PGY2) ASHP accredited oncology pharmacy residency program. The clinical pharmacy program is designed to align with our subspecialized disease-specific model allowing residents the opportunity to train with clinical specialists who are experts in their subspecialty in both inpatient and ambulatory clinic settings. The program allows residents to develop their hematology/oncology knowledge base including cancer treatment, supportive care, and the role of clinical trials in this patient population. Upon completion of the program, the resident will have the skillset necessary to work as a respected member of a multidisciplinary hematology/oncology patient care team.

Key rotations/experiences

The resident will complete a combination of rotations and longitudinal experiences designed around the core objectives specified by ASHP in addition to the resident’s interest.

Orientation: 4 weeks (orientation may be modified for early commit residents)

Research: 3-4 weeks

Hematology

• Inpatient Acute Leukemia – 4 weeks
• Bone Marrow Transplantation – 4 weeks
• Inpatient Lymphoma – 4 weeks
• Outpatient Hematology Clinics – Leukemia, BMT, CLL, Lymphoma and Myeloma – 3 weeks

Oncology

• Inpatient Oncology – 4 weeks
• Outpatient Solid Tumor Clinics
• Outpatient Breast Cancer – 3 weeks
• Outpatient Gastrointestinal Cancers (GI) + Melanoma – 4 weeks
• Outpatient Lung (Thoracic) + Gynecology Oncology (Gyn Onc) – 3 weeks
• Outpatient Genitourinary (GU) – 3 weeks

Clinical trials unit (CTU): 1 week

Administration: 1 week

Pain and Palliative: 2 weeks

Required Longitudinal

• Medication Safety
• Teaching
• Research/MUE

Electives: 4-8 weeks, experiences can be 1-4 weeks in length, electives not listed below can be arranged on specific request

• Anything in required repeated
• Inpatient leukemia/transplant
• Inpatient CLL/MM/misc heme
• Inpatient benign heme
• Outpatient Leukemia/BMT
• Outpatient Head & Neck/Sarcoma
• Outpatient Melanoma
• Outpatient Gynecology Oncology
• Outpatient Neurooncology
• Oncology Administration
• Informatics
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Research

There will be at least one major longitudinal project for which each resident will be responsible. This project will be presented as a platform presentation by the end of the year. The resident will be responsible for IRB proposal, data collection and analysis, presentation of the data, and manuscript preparation and submission. During the latter part of the year, each resident will be expected to formulate a new project idea and initiate steps for project development for the upcoming residency year.

Abstracts

During the residency at least one abstract will be submitted for presentation at a major meeting (Vizient, HOPA, etc.).

Presentations

Effective communication skills are emphasized during this residency. The resident is required to complete at least one professional presentation to the pharmacy department during the resident education sessions. Additionally, the resident will complete one continuing education presentation for hematology/oncology pharmacists and two journal club presentations (one hematology, one oncology).

Teaching

The PGY2 resident will serve as a primary preceptor for Doctor of Pharmacy students enrolled at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. There will be opportunities to lead student group discussions and/or participate in journal clubs. A Teaching Certificate is offered in association with The Ohio State College of Pharmacy if not previously obtained during PGY1 training.

Staffing

Staffing responsibilities will be 20 weekends per year, practicing as a licensed Ohio pharmacist at the medical center. The staffing component allows for both operational and clinical involvement during the weekend.

Evaluations

The pharmacy resident and preceptor(s) will fill out evaluations in PharmAcademic for each learning experience. In addition, the Residency Program Director will complete quarterly evaluations to be discussed with the resident.

Residency Program Director

Tracy Wiczer, PharmD, BCOP

Clinical Specialist Pharmacy - Hematology

The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University

For more information about our program, including preceptors, past residents, and past resident research, please refer to our residency website at: