Department of Pharmacy PGY1 Residency Program
General Information
The US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) operates major medical facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Korea. Comprehensive medical treatment is provided to military personnel (active duty and retired), and their eligible family members. Army hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission and closely resemble typical civilian hospitals in the United States.
Army hospitals host progressive full-service pharmacies staffed by Army and civilian pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. In addition to state-of-the-art pharmacy practices, Army pharmacies are also involved in research, teaching, and various pharmacy-related management activities
Pharmacy residency programs have been established at selected Army Medical Centers to enhance the practice skills and military readiness of Army and civilian pharmacists. These residencies are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Tripler Army Medical Center is an approximately 200-bed teaching medical center located on Moanalua Ridge above Honolulu on the island of Oahu. It is the only U.S. Army Medical Center in the Pacific Basin and provides graduate training programs in medicine, general surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, psychiatry, psychology, pharmacy, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, radiology, urology, oral surgery, hospital administration, and anesthesia nursing.
The medical center's service region includes Hawaii, Korea, Japan, Guam, American Samoa, and various other Pacific Island Nations, encompassing 3 million square miles of ocean and 700,000 square miles of land mass.
The Tripler Army Medical Center Department of Pharmacy has a strong history as a center of excellence. Supported by a core of dedicated civilian and military personnel, the pharmacy sustains high quality practices in all areas. The department has been an innovator of numerous clinical programs, automated systems, robotics, educational programs, and enhancements to the delivery of pharmaceutical care. In recognition of these accomplishments, the department has twice received the U.S. Army Pharmacy Leadership and Innovation Award.
Pharmaceutical care activities at Tripler Army Medical Center encompass various ambulatory care clinics and acute care services. Clinical pharmacists hold extensive clinical privileges, to include prescription and laboratory ordering authority. They work as integral members of the multi-disciplinary health care team participating in disease state management and functioning autonomously to implement pharmaceutical care plans.
Tripler Army Medical Center Department of Pharmacy continues to be the leader in the development and evolution of Army Pharmacy and is the ideal setting to enhance pharmaceutical skills needed in the 21st century.
Tripler Army Medical Center Pharmacy Residency Program
The PGY1 pharmacy residency program at Tripler Army Medical Center is a 12-month program (July 1st to June 30th), training up to three residents each year; both active duty Army and civilian. The residency curriculum is identical for both active duty and civilian residents. The program has been ASHP-accredited since 1992 and consists of block and longitudinal rotations with dedicated project time. In addition to the residency training program, the Tripler Army Medical Center Department of Pharmacy has student clerkship affiliation agreements with several schools of pharmacy nationwide.
Core Rotations:
Acute Care - Internal Medicine
Ambulatory Care Clinic
Critical Care
Formulary Management/Drug Information
Inpatient Pharmacy Practice
Leadership and Management
Pharmacy Research
Resident Development Elective Rotations:
Advanced Acute Care
Advanced Ambulatory Care
Advanced Critical Care
Anticoagulation Clinic
Emergency Medicine
Infectious Diseases
Neonatal Intensive Care
Oncology
Pain Management
Pediatrics
Graduates of the Tripler Army Medical Center PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency program will possess the following skills and qualities:
- Demonstrate leadership through innovation, mentoring, management, team building, and organizational skills.
- Practice Army core values, know Army logistics practices, and appreciate readiness issues and military organizational structure
- Qualified to practice in multiple healthcare environments.
- Committed to practicing pharmaceutical care in a manner that is compassionate, ethical, and consistent with standards of practice.
- Work effectively and efficiently alongside all members of the healthcare team.
- Able to practice independently in the areas of disease state management, pharmaceutical care, pharmacy benefits management, managed care, and pharmacoeconomics.
- Accept responsibility for patients' drug therapy, identify, resolve and prevent drug-related problems, and facilitate safe and appropriate drug therapy.
- Communicate effectively with others and will be able to offer and accept feedback in a manner that facilitates teamwork.
- Have a lifelong commitment to educate him or herself, other healthcare providers, and patients.
FAQs
Q: When should I take my licensure exams?
A: It is recommended to take the NAPLEX and your home state MPJE as soon as possible after graduation. Any licensure delays may hinder your training.
Q: When should I move to Hawaii prior to starting the residency?
A: Most residents choose to move Hawaii 2-4 weeks prior to the start date to allow for time to find housing, settle in, and enjoy Hawaii.
Q: Do I ship anything or just bring clothes and necessities?
A: It is not necessary to ship anything, unless you are shipping your car. Just bring clothes and necessities. You can find furniture for sale through on-line resources, or even rooms that are already furnished.
Q: What is the work attire for civilian residents?
A: Most rotations require business casual attire. Inpatient rotations in acute care and intensive care allow scrubs. A white lab coat will be provided
Q: How do I find housing, and where should I look for housing that is most convenient, affordable, and desirable?
A: Housing is fairly easy to find before moving to Hawaii. The disadvantages to this are that they are typically looking for tenants right away, so they are unlikely to hold the rental for you if someone else is interested and you will not have the opportunity to inspect the apartment before moving in. Many people here who own houses offer rooms/guesthouses for rent, which is another option to consider. Most convenient places to live, in order of distance from Tripler: Other options include:
- Salt Lake
- Aiea
- Pearl City
- Waikiki – close to beach and tourist attractions, but long drive due to traffic
- Kailua – more expensive but nice; approx. 20 min drive on H3 freeway without traffic
- Hawaii Kai – grocery stores and restaurants nearby, close to the beach, extremely safe; about 30-45 minute drive from Tripler depending on traffic
Q: For transportation, should I ship my car, lease a car, use public transportation (bus), or other?
A: Shipping your car or buying/leasing a car on Oahu is recommended versus other forms of transportation. Please note that it rains most days in the winter season. Shipping a car takes at least 2 weeks, and costs about $1,200 one-way from the west coast (see Horizon Lines, www.shipmyvehicle.com). It also requires vehicle registration and inspection (see http://www.dmv.org/hi-hawaii/car-registration.php).
Q: What online references are available at Tripler Army Medical Center?
A: You will have access to many resources including, but not limited to:
- Lexicomp – online and available for download on your phone
- Micromedex
- UpToDate
- Facts & Comparisons
- Pharmacist's Letter
- John Hopkin’s Antibiotic Guide
- Pubmed w/ full articles available electronically or by request from the library
- OVID medline
Q: What are Hawaii’s best activities to do during free time?
A: In the past residents have enjoyed:
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- Hiking: Manoa Falls, Olomana Trail, Kuliou’ou Ridge, Maunawili Falls, Lanikai Pillbox Trail, Aiea Loop, Makapu’u Lighthouse, Tripler Ridge, Wiliwilinui Ridge, Mariner’s Ridge
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Diving
- Surfing
- Farmer’s market
- Local food scene
Q: Any other advice on moving to and living in Hawaii?
A: Cost of living in Hawaii is high (rent, food, gas). Don’t be caught off guard and plan accordingly. Living close to Tripler will save you time and money on gas.