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. Four pharmacy specialists practice in their respective areas of critical care, emergency medicine, infectious diseases and oncology.

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 4, 2021 @ 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 (pending COVID restrictions).

Learning Experiences

Required - 4-week rotations unless otherwise noted

  • Critical Care I
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases 
  • Internal Medicine I (6 weeks)
  • Oncology I
  • Orientation (5 weeks)
  • Pharmacy Management

Elective - 4-week rotations unless otherwise noted

  • Ambulatory Care/Transitions of Care 
  • Cardiology
  • Critical Care II
  • Geriatrics
  • Internal Medicine II
  • Medication Safety
  • Oncology II
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Surgery
  • Others based on availability and interest

Longitudinal - 12-month rotations unless otherwise noted

  • Drug Information
  • Medication Use Evaluation (MUE)
  • Pharmacy Practice (Staffing)
  • Research
  • Teaching Certificate

Program Preceptors

Preceptors

Kristan Higgs, PharmD, BCPS

Kristan Higgs

  • Preceptor: Orientation, Emergency Medicine, Teaching Certificate
  • Position: 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

Aeriel Thorpe, PharmD

Aerial Thorpe

  • Preceptor: Internal Medicine II, Ambulatory Care/Transitions of Care
  • Position: PGY-1 Residency Program Co-Coordinator/Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Owensboro, KY

Margery Wells, PharmD

Margery Wells

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

Jason Collins, PharmD

Jason Collins, PharmD

  • Preceptor: Pharmacy Practice (Staffing), Pharmacy Management
  • Position: Director of Pharmacy
  • PharmD: Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Heath Blandford, PharmD, BCGP

Heath Blandford

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

Sandy Tiu-Berger, PharmD

Sandy Tiu-Berger

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

Shannon Allcron, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS

Shannon Allcron

  • Preceptor: Critical Care I, Critical Care II
  • Position: 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

Lance Smith, PharmD, BCIDP

Lance Smith

  • Preceptor: Infectious Diseases 
  • Position: Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
  • PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Kelsey Turcotte, PharmD

Kelsey Turcotte

  • Preceptor: Oncology I, Oncology II
  • Position: Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
  • PharmD: Union University College of Pharmacy
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency: St. Joseph East, Lexington, KY
  • PGY-2 Oncology Residency: Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT

Holly Casebolt, PharmD, BCGP

Holly Casebolt

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

Joseph Mathena, PharmD, BCGP, BCPS

Joseph Mathena

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

Jenna Pokrass, PharmD, BCPP, BCPS

Jenna Pokrass

  • Preceptor: Internal Medicine I, Psychiatry
  • Position: 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

Shealy Shelton, PharmD

Shealy Shelton

  • Preceptor: Pediatrics
  • Position: Clinical/Staff Pharmacist
  • PharmD: Manchester University

Alex Tignor, PharmD

Alex Tignor

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

Current Residents

Alex Free, PharmD, MBA

Alex Free

Undergraduate Education: Kentucky Wesleyan College

PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Livermore, KY

“My name is Alex Free. I am originally from a small town south of Owensboro. I am looking forward to continuing my pharmacy training at Owensboro Health. It is an honor to be able to practice pharmacy in the community that I grew up in. In addition, I look forward to giving back to the community that gave so much to me. I chose to pursue a residency to further my knowledge and abilities as a clinical pharmacist. In my free time, I enjoy watching Netflix, hiking, and being outdoors. “

Deidre Ledbetter, PharmD

Deidre Ledbetter

Undergraduate Education: Lake Land College

PharmD: Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville School of Pharmacy

Hometown: Altamont, IL

“My name is Deidre Ledbetter and I am excited to be a pharmacy resident at Owensboro Health because of the staff’s positive attitudes and the broad range of clinical experiences offered. I hope to take advantage of these experiences and develop into a well-rounded, independent clinical pharmacist. I enjoy spending time with my two pets Dax, who is a golden retriever, and Oliver, my rabbit. I also enjoy team sports, such as softball and volleyball.”

Past Residents

Jesse Gilstrap, PharmD (2019-2020)

Jesse Gilstrap

Undergraduate Education: Southeast Missouri State University

PharmD: Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Hometown: Owensboro, KY

Position After Residency: Clinical/Staff Pharmacist, St. Vincent Hospital

Matthew Wolfe, PharmD (2019-2020)

Matthew Wolfe

Undergraduate Education: University of Kentucky

PharmD: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Hometown: Beechmont, KY

Position After Residency: Clinical/Staff Pharmacist, Baptist Health Madisonville

Andrew Harpenau, PharmD (2018-2019)

Andrew Harpenau

Undergraduate Education: Purdue University

PharmD: 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

PharmD: 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, BCOP (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

Position After Residency: Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

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

Jenna Pokrass, PharmD, BCPP, 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

John Puryear, PharmD, BCOP (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, BCPS (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.