Owensboro Health PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program

Our Purpose

ASHP accreditedTo train pharmacists, who upon completion of the program will be able to confidently practice as a clinical pharmacist in a decentralized pharmacy care model, enter a postgraduate year-2 (PGY-2) specialty residency, or seek a position as adjunct faculty.

The Pharmacy Residency Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, paving the way for further growth of the program.

Download our brochure.

About Owensboro Health

Hospital entrance

Owensboro Health Regional Hospital is a 477-bed healthcare facility that serves the medical needs of 12 counties in western Kentucky and two counties in southern Indiana. The PGY-1 program began in July 2014 and currently has two resident positions available. The Pharmacy Department at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital employs over 25 pharmacists. Pharmacists participate in the delivery of optimal pharmaceutical care by providing clinical and dispensing services throughout the hospital with both centralized and decentralized staff. Outpatient pharmacists optimize transitions of care for patients. Satellite pharmacies exist for surgery and outpatient oncology. Three pharmacy specialists practice in their respective areas of oncology, critical care, and emergency medicine. The department also has a large focus on antimicrobial stewardship with infectious disease clinical pharmacy services and participation in the hospital antimicrobial stewardship committee.

Qualifications

  • Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy
  • Licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of Kentucky

Application Process

*Application Deadline: Monday, January 6, 2020 @ 11:59 p.m. CST.*

Submit All Of The Following Via PhorCAS

  • Letter of Intent
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Official transcripts of all professional pharmacy education
  • Three (3) references completed in PhorCAS by healthcare professionals who can attest to the applicant's practice abilities and aptitudes

*Please note, an onsite interview is required for Phase I Match.

Learning Experiences

Required - 4-week rotations unless otherwise noted

  • Orientation (5 weeks)
  • Internal Medicine I (6 weeks)
  • Critical Care I
  • Infectious Diseases I
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pharmacy Management
  • Ambulatory Care / Transitions of Care

Elective - 4-week rotations unless otherwise noted

  • Anticoagulation
  • Cardiology
  • Critical Care II
  • Geriatrics
  • Internal Medicine II
  • Medication Safety
  • Oncology I
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Surgery
  • Others based on availability and interest

Longitudinal - 12-month rotations unless otherwise noted

  • Drug Information
  • Pharmacy Practice (Staffing)
  • Research
  • Teaching Certificate

Program Preceptors

Preceptors

Kristan Higgs, PharmD, BCPS

Kristan Higgs

  • Preceptor: Orientation, Emergency Medicine, Teaching Certificate
  • PGY-1 Residency Program Director/Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN
  • PGY-2 Emergency Medicine Residency: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

Shannon Allcron, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS

Shannon Allcron

  • Preceptor: Critical Care I, Critical Care II
  • Critical Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
  • PharmD: Butler University College of Pharmacy
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: Community Health Network, Indianapolis, IN
  • PGY-2 Critical Care Residency: Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC

Jenna Pokrass, PharmD, BCPS

Jenna Pokrass

  • Preceptor: Internal Medicine I, Internal Medicine II, Psychiatry
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Owensboro, KY
  • PGY-2 Psychiatric Residency: Milwaukee VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI

Alex Tignor, PharmD

Alex Tignor

  • Preceptor: Internal Medicine I, Internal Medicine II
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: St. Vincent Hospital, Evansville, IN

Margery Wells, PharmD

Margery Wells

  • Preceptor: Cardiology, Drug Information
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: Baptist Health Madisonville, Madisonville, KY

Joseph Mathena, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP

Joseph Mathena

  • Preceptor: Geriatrics
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Heath Blandford, PharmD, BCGP

Heath Blandford

  • Preceptor: Medication Safety
  • Pharmacy Clinical Manager
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Jason Collins, PharmD

Jason Collins, PharmD

  • Preceptor: Pharmacy Practice (Staffing), Pharmacy Management
  • Pharmacy Operations Manager/Interim Director of Pharmacy
  • PharmD: Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Sandy Tiu-Berger, PharmD

Sandy Tiu-Berger

  • Preceptor: Surgery
  • Satellite Pharmacy Supervisor
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Lance Smith, PharmD, BCIDP

Lance Smith

  • Preceptor: Infectious Diseases I
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist, concentration in infectious diseases
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Grace Laswell, PharmD, BCPS

Grace Laswell

  • Preceptor: Pediatrics
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy

Holly Casebolt, PharmD, BCGP

Holly Casebolt

  • Preceptor: Geriatrics
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: University of Toledo College of Pharmacy

Jacob Stringer, PharmD

Jacob Stringer

  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy

Vance Girten, PharmD

Vance Girten

  • Preceptor: Ambulatory Care
  • Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Current Residents

Matthew Wolfe, PharmD 

Matthew Wolfe

PGY1 Pharmacy Resident

Undergraduate Education: University of Kentucky

Doctor of Pharmacy: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Beechmont, KY

“My name is Matthew Wolfe, and I am from a small town south of Owensboro. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Growing up, I always associated Owensboro Hospital with exceptional care. I am honored with the opportunity to train here at a community hospital for my postgraduate year one. Within the next year, I look to further my knowledge and abilities in a multitude of areas as a clinical pharmacist to prepare myself for what comes next whether it be a practicing pharmacist or continuing on to a second year of postgraduate training. In my free time, I enjoy a good movie, being outdoors, and playing sports. “

Jesse Gilstrap, PharmD

Jesse Gilstrap

PGY1 Pharmacy Resident

Undergraduate Education: Southeast Missouri State University

Doctor of Pharmacy: Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Hometown: Owensboro, KY

“My name is Jesse Gilstrap. I am ecstatic about having the opportunity to start practicing the art of pharmacy back home! Completing a PGY1 residency with Owensboro Health Regional Hospital will allow me to pursue a PGY2 residency program of my choosing, or to seek out a clinical pharmacist position. I enjoy playing video games, binge watching Netflix, kayaking, and visiting friends from undergrad and grad school.”

Past Residents

Andrew Harpenau, PharmD (2018 - 2019)

Andrew Harpenau

Undergraduate Education: Purdue University

Doctor of Pharmacy: Purdue University College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Leopold, IN

Position after residency: Clinical Pharmacist, St. Vincent Hospital

Aeriel Thorpe, PharmD (2018 - 2019)

Aerial Thorpe

Undergraduate Education: University of Kentucky

Doctor of Pharmacy: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Owensboro, KY

Position after residency: Clinical/Staff Pharmacist, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Garrett Messmer, PharmD (2017 - 2018)

Garrett Messmer

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ohio State University

PharmD: East Tennessee State University, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Westerville, OH

Position After Residency: Clinical Pharmacist, Ohio State University – James Cancer Hospital

Rebecca Worden, PharmD (2017 - 2018)

Becca Worden

Undergraduate Education: Ohio Northern University

PharmD: Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Middleton, WI

PGY2: Oncology, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

Jenna Pokrass, PharmD, BCPS (2016 - 2017)

Jenna Pokrass

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and minor in Chemistry, Southern Illinois University

PharmD: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Hometown: Bowling Green, KY

PGY2: Psychiatric, Milwaukee VA Medical Center

Position After Residency: Clinical/Staff Pharmacist, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Collin Owczarzak, PharmD (2016 - 2017)

Collin Owczarzak

Undergraduate Education: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

PharmD: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Hometown: Cheektowaga, NY

Position After Residency: Clinical/Staff Pharmacist, Strong Memorial Hospital

John Puryear, PharmD (2015-2016)

John Puryear

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Dallas Baptist University

PharmD: Union University School of Pharmacy

Hometown: Carthage, TX

PGY2: Oncology, KentuckyOne Health – University of Louisville Hospital

Position After Residency: Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, Baylor University Medical Center

Jennifer Baric, PharmD, BCPS (2014-2015)

Jennifer Baric

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Physiology, Lyman Briggs College (Michigan State University)

PharmD: Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University

Hometown: Canton, MI

PGY2: Internal Medicine, NorthShore University Health System

Position After Residency: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Internal Medicine, Indiana University Health – Arnett

Celeste Hollensead, PharmD (2014-2015)

Celeste Hollensead

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology; University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Louisville, KY

Position after Residency: Clinical Pharmacist, Frazier Rehab Institute

Teaching & Research

  • Residents will complete ASHP’s Teaching Certificate for Pharmacists which was developed in partnership with the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. This program is designed to introduce the residents to academic literature, contemporary pharmacy education, teaching styles, and philosophies.
  • Residents are required to complete a research project that is suitable for publication and is presented at the Great Lakes Pharmacy Resident Conference.
  • Residents are required to complete a medication use evaluation to present as a poster presentation at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.

Contact Us

For more information contact Kristan Higgs by e-mail or call 270-417-5956.