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PGY1 and PGY2 Corporate Pharmacy Administration and Leadership with Masters

Preparing residents for success as future pharmacy leaders in corporate pharmacy, specializing in pharmacy supply chain management. 

Upcoming residency information sessions

ASHP Residency Showcase - Tuesday, December 10, 2024

New Orleans, LA

8 a.m. - 11 a.m. CST

UC Davis Booth 5344 and 5345

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Booth 5285

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Booth 5300

Henry Ford Hospital Booth 5255

1 p.m. - 4p.m. CST

Cencora Booth 6273

Program overview

The resident will undergo comprehensive PGY1 health systems training, completing their PGY1 Pharmacy residency at one of four partner health systems, followed by a PGY2 in Corporate Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (CPAL) with Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen). The PGY2 year will be completed remotely while being physically located at the PGY1 health system.

These distinctive combined residency programs are set to commence in July 2025 with ASHP Accredited PGY1 partnerships with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Henry Ford Hospital, and UC Davis Medical Center. As part of this initiative, the resident will benefit from participating in the PGY1 residency program at the partner health system and then join a select residency cohort of four residents who will complete the PGY2 year with Cencora. Each two-year program will have its own unique ASHP Program number, signifying individual partnerships with each of the four health system partners. 

These combined residency programs are designed using the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Residency Standards, and utilizes the goals and objectives designed within this program.

Cencora has initiated the Residency Accreditation process by seeking Pre-Candidate status for this PGY1/PGY2 combined program with the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). Each of the four PGY1 partner programs are fully accredited by ASHP.

Residents will be employees of the PGY1 health system for the first year of the program and are subject to all resident requirements, policies and procedures, and benefits as outlined for PGY1 residents in that health system. Residents become Cencora employees for the PGY2 year, and are subject to all resident requirements, policies and procedures, and benefits as outlined for Cencora pharmacy residents. 

Program Size: 4 Total (1 with each partner health system)

PGY1

This program emphasizes the importance of communication, professionalism, and leadership, preparing residents to effectively educate patients and healthcare teams.

Develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills

  • Interdisciplinary collaborations
  • Case discussions
  • Hands-on experience in acute and chronic care settings

Engage in direct patient care activities 

  • Assess medication therapy 
  • Manage drug interactions 
  • Optimize pharmacotherapy for diverse patient populations 

PGY2 

During the PGY2 program, residents will acquire in-depth knowledge and engage in essential supply chain activities pivotal to pharmacy practice. Additionally, the resident will pursue a master’s degree as part of this innovative two-year program, strategically crafted to prepare them for success as a future pharmacy leader in corporate pharmacy, specializing in pharmacy supply chain management.

Acquire in-depth knowledge

  • Pharmacy supply chain activities 
  • Understanding the stakeholder ecosystem
  • Wholesaler distribution and economics
  • Health system leadership

Engage in essential supply chain activities 

  • Medication cost management strategies
  • Drug shortage strategies 
  • Inventory management
  • 340B contracting

About Cencora

Cencora, previously known as AmerisourceBergen, is a leading pharmaceutical solutions organization focused on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products. 

Eligibility requirements and application schedule

Interested applicants must:
  • Be a graduate of an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program
  • Be licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of the PGY1 Residency 
  • Applicants must meet the PGY1 applicant requirements for the PGY1 program at the partner health system for the combined program in which they are applying

Application deadline: January 2, 2025

Each of the four PGY1/PGY2 CPAL Residency programs use the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) for all required materials. Please visit the PhORCAS website to submit all necessary materials.

PGY2 Learning Experiences

Residents will work remotely the PGY2 year, while being physically based at their PGY1 health system. Residents will travel to Cencora headquarters and for partner meetings throughout the PGY2 year. Cencora will cover the cost of that travel.

Our program curriculum features a combination of block and longitudinal rotations, providing trainees with a diverse range of learning experiences throughout their training. Required rotations are completed initially, enabling residents to explore various areas of supply chain management and identify specific areas of interest. This approach allows them to choose electives that align with their professional goals, enhancing their overall educational experience.  

Required rotations (8-9 months total)

  • Cencora Corporate orientation (1 month)
  • Health System supply chain and operations management (1 month)
  • Health System administration and leadership (1 month)
  • Wholesale distribution and supply chain management (3 months)

    • 340B Operations
    • Contracting Sourcing Strategies
    • Supply Chain Logistics and Inventory Management
    • Supply Chain Stakeholders
    • Manufacturing CGMP
    • DSCSA & Regulatory
    • Forecasting Inventory/Warehouses, Product Availability

  • Finance and market economics (2- 4 weeks) 
  • Informatics, information system management & analytics (2-4 weeks)
  • Sales and negotiations (2 weeks)

    • Marketing
    • Customer contracting
    • Account management
  • Services and solutions (1 month)

    • Consulting
    • Pharmacy management
    • Technology
       

Required longitudinal

  • Executive pharmacy administration and leadership 
  • Outcomes projects and research
  • Pharmacy practice experience

Electives
(3-4 months total)

  • Advanced Health System Supply chain and operations management (1 month)
  • Advanced Health System administration and leadership (1 month)
  • Advanced Wholesale distribution and supply chain management (variable depending on number of focus areas selected)

    • 340B Operations (2-4 weeks)
    • Contracting Sourcing Strategies (2-4 weeks)
    • Supply Chain Logistics and Inventory Management (2-4 weeks)
    • Supply Chain Stakeholders (2-4 weeks)
    • Manufacturing CGMP (2-4 weeks)
    • DSCSA & Regulatory (2-4 weeks)
    • Forecasting Inventory/Warehouses, Product Availability (2-4 weeks)
  • Advanced Finance and market economics (2- 4 weeks)
  • Advanced Informatics, information system management & analytics
  • Advanced Sales and negotiations (2 weeks)

    • Marketing
    • Customer contracting
    • Account management
  • Services and solutions (variable depending on number of focus areas selected)

    • Consulting (2-4 weeks)
    • Pharmacy management (2-4 weeks)
    • Technology (2-4 weeks)

Pharmacy Department Service  

The resident will be required to provide service to the department during the course of the PGY1 year, following the individual health system policies. During the PGY2 year, residents will continue to provide service to the pharmacy department at the health system at which they are located.   

Master of Science degree

Each resident in the combined PGY1/PGY2 CPAL program with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, and Henry Ford Hospital will complete a Master of Science Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health System Pharmacy Administration through the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. The resident in the combined PGY1/PGY2 CPAL program with UC Davis Medical Center will complete a Master of Business Administration Degree through the University of California, Davis. Graduate student tuition is paid for by Cencora. This enriching academic component is seamlessly integrated into the two-year residency experience, allowing residents to enhance their clinical expertise while developing critical leadership and management skills in the pharmacy sector. The addition of the Master's program not only equips residents with advanced knowledge but also prepares them for future challenges in healthcare settings. If a matched resident to the program possesses a Master’s Degree in Health System Pharmacy Administration or Business Administration, the program will acknowledge their prior achievements by waiving the Master’s Degree requirement.

This comprehensive training approach not only elevates the residents’ qualifications but also positions them as leaders in the evolving field of pharmacy, ready to make impactful contributions to patient care and health systems.

PGY2 CPAL, Residency Program Director

Jennifer Schoelles, PharmD, MS

Health Systems and Government Services
Director, Pharmacy Education and Professional Development
 

PGY2 CPAL Leaders and Preceptors     

During the PGY2 residency year, residents benefit from a rich tapestry of experiences guided by a diverse array of preceptors. This unique structure allows residents to engage with experts across the pharmacy supply chain ecosystem, fostering a comprehensive learning environment that enhances administrative and leadership skills, as well as professional growth in pharmacy supply chain management. Through hands-on training and mentorship, residents gain invaluable insights and exposure to various areas within the supply chain ecosystem, preparing them for a successful career in pharmacy supply chain management. Please note that preceptors and rotations are subject to change based on availability and program requirements.  

Vice President, Client Strategies and Services

Earnest Alexander, PharmD
Health Systems and Government Services

Vice President, Client Strategies & Business Development

Minh Duong, PharmD
Health Systems and Government Services

Vice President, Commercial Engineering and Deployment

Cameron Laudick
Health System Solutions

Vice President, Client Strategies and Services

Ben Pennell, PharmD, MS 
Health Systems and Government Services

Vice President and General Manager

Nick Pierce
Triose

Vice President, Specialty Distribution and Inside Sales

Kara Poole
Health Systems and Specialty Services

Senior Vice President, Manufacturer and Replenishment Operations

Matt Sample
Commercial Operations 

Vice President, 340B Enterprise Strategy 

Lisa Scholz, PharmD, MBA, FACHE 
Health Systems and Government Services

Vice President, Specialty Payer Strategy

Christie C. Smith, PharmD, MBA 
Specialty Physician Services & Solutions