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PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency

A message from the Program Director

Elizabeth Phillips, PHARMD

“The PGY-2 Ambulatory Care residency is a cosponsored program between Upstate Medical University and St. John Fisher University (SJF) – Wegmans School of Pharmacy (WSOP). The residency, which began in 2011, primarily focused on developing services in an Internal Medicine medical residency training site. However, over the last several years the program outcomes achieved by the clinical pharmacist and residents have influenced expansion of collaboratively practicing pharmacists into other adult outpatient specialty areas, such as Inclusive Health Services, Neurology and Rheumatology. It is the philosophy of the program to develop a strong clinical practitioner with a foundation in primary care but also educate the resident on critical aspects of sustainability and the elements of developing a successful business plan. The partnership with WSOP enhances the resident experience by developing academic teaching skills and mentoring pharmacy students for future opportunities in pharmacy practice. The blend of academic and clinical pharmacy provides the resident with the skills and abilities to develop a practice in either setting. The role of academic pharmacy is to drive innovation and I believe our program accomplishes that. I look forward to continuing to pioneer innovative pharmacy practice models in ambulatory care.”

  • Elizabeth (Lisa) Phillips, BS Pharm, PharmD, CACP, BCACP

Program Overview

The PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency Program at Upstate University Hospital gives the resident an opportunity to develop the knowledge, attitude, and skills needed to deliver pharmaceutical care to ambulatory adult patients in a variety of practice settings. The ambulatory care practice sites have a team of ambulatory care pharmacy specialists who are dedicated educators focused on guiding the resident through the clinical, educational and research opportunities provided by the program. Additionally, the partnership with the Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St John Fisher University offers the resident the opportunity to develop and refine academic teaching skills in both the classroom and clinical settings. Leadership training in the program is formalized through meetings with the Ambulatory Care Manager and RPC, Dr Meaghan Murphy and through sessions with other WSOP PGY-2 residents and the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Dr Christine Birnie.


Our 12-month program is designed to prepare the resident to provide comprehensive medication management services as an independent practitioner in primary care or other specialty focused ambulatory care practice. The residency prepares the resident clinically, professionally and academically, with an appreciation and understanding of the importance of continuous professional development and the benefits to giving back to the profession through scholarship and participation in professional organizations.

Learning Experiences

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES

 Additional Details

Program Highlights

  • The program offers guidance and development of the resident utilizing highly trained, skilled and compassionate clinical pharmacists’ preceptors who are dedicated to providing the highest level of pharmaceutical care to their patients, who are always serving as patient advocates and who deliver the highest level of patient and provider education. The mission of the program is provided with improved patient outcomes as the ultimate goal.
  • The Adult Medicine Ambulatory Care clinics are part of SUNY Upstate Medical University Adult Medicine Residency training program. There are over 100 medical residents that rotate though this practice site, offering the pharmacy resident a comprehensive interprofessional training experience that includes collaboration on direct patient care activities and significant involvement in educational endeavors through our formalized Medical Resident Educational (MRE) longitudinal experience.   
  • Upstate University Hospital Pharmacy Residency Programs offer unique educational experiences available to the PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Resident such as a Teaching and Learning Certification (if not already completed) and Clinical Research Microcredential. 
  • Teaching and leadership opportunities at St. John Fisher University Wegmans School of Pharmacy (WSoP)
  • A focus on refining the residents research skills and focus

Salary and Benefits

Click on the Benefits/Housing link for more information

Site: Upstate Health Care Center

The primary practice site and the location of the resident’s office is currently located at Upstate Health Care Center (UHCC) adult medicine clinic, which is conveniently located two blocks from the hospital’s main complex. Some learning experiences are located off site at other facilities such as the Joslin Diabetes Center or the Inclusive Health Services offices. However, within the year (move expected in 2023), the adult medicine clinics, including many of the ambulatory clinical pharmacy specialists will be moving to a new building across the street from and connected to the Upstate University Hospital. This new site is called the Nappi Wellness Institute. 

Interested candidates should contact Dr. Lisa Phillips (phillipl@upstate.edu) for more information.

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