A number of individuals play key roles in the administration of our residency programs:

• Residency Program Manager (RPM)

  • The Residency Program Manager (RPM) is a pharmacy professional who provides administrative, operational, and programmatic support to pharmacy residency programs. Working in close collaboration with the Residency Program Directors (RPD's), Residency Program Coordinators (RPC's), and preceptors, the Residency Program Manager facilitates the day-to-day coordination of residency activities to ensure efficient program operations, regulatory compliance, and a high-quality resident experience.

    Typical responsibilities include managing recruitment and onboarding processes, coordinating schedules and educational activities, maintaining accreditation documentation, supporting evaluation and reporting systems, organizing meetings and conferences, and serving as a key liaison among residents, preceptors, departmental leadership, and external organizations. The Residency Program Manager plays a critical role in ensuring program consistency, organization, and continuous improvement.

• Residency Program Director (RPD)

  • A Residency Program Director (RPD) is a licensed pharmacist who has primary responsibility for the direction, conduct, and oversight of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency program. The RPD ensures the residency meets accreditation standards, guides program structure and curriculum, and leads program leadership activities. 

    Key aspects of the RPD role include:

    • Program leadership and oversight: The RPD serves as the organizationally authorized leader of the residency program and is accountable for its overall quality and compliance with accreditation standards. 

    • Residency Advisory Committee: The RPD typically establishes and chairs the residency advisory committee, which provides guidance and governance for program conduct.

    • Resident progression and evaluation: They oversee residents’ progression through the program, ensuring requirements are completed and tracked appropriately. 

    • Preceptor development: The RPD helps implement criteria for appointing preceptors and supports their development so they can effectively train residents.

    • Role model and leader: RPDs are expected to model professional leadership within the pharmacy department and the organization, demonstrating ongoing contributions to pharmacy practice and professional engagement. 

    In summary, the RPD is the designated pharmacist leader responsible for shaping the educational experience of pharmacy residents, maintaining program quality, and ensuring alignment with professional standards and institutional goals.

•  Residency Program Coordinator (RPC)
  • A Residency Program Coordinator (RPC) is a pharmacy professional who provides administrative and operational support to a pharmacy residency program, assisting the Residency Program Director (RPD) and preceptors in managing day-to-day program activities. The RPC typically coordinates recruitment and onboarding, maintains residency records and documentation for accreditation, schedules rotations and educational sessions, organizes meetings and presentations, and serves as a primary point of contact for residents. By supporting the logistical and organizational needs of the program, the RPC helps ensure a smooth, structured, and compliant residency experience.
• Preceptors
  • A Residency Preceptor is typically a licensed pharmacist who provides direct clinical and professional mentorship to pharmacy residents during their training. Preceptors are responsible for guiding residents through patient care activities, overseeing learning experiences, evaluating performance, providing constructive feedback, and modeling professional behavior. They play a critical role in facilitating residents’ development of clinical skills, critical thinking, leadership, and professional competencies required for successful completion of an ASHP-accredited residency program.
•  Facilitator
  • Each resident is assigned a preceptor to be the facilitator to advise him or her throughout the year. Facilitators review residents' training plan and assist them in establishing a development program for the year. Quarterly, facilitators review the residents' progress, and together with the residents, make modifications in the training plan. In addition, facilitators guide residents as the select their project and research committee, find preceptors to assist residents with their presentations and guide them in their career choices.
• Project Advisor
  • The Project Advisor for each resident has primary responsibility for guiding residents in completing their required research projects. The advisor assists residents in selecting a project, defining the scope of the project to assure completion within the time schedule, and planning and implementing the project design.
  • PGY1 Residents are required to present the results of their projects at the Eastern States Residents and Preceptors Conference. Residents are invited to submit their projects for publication at the ASHP Summer, ASHP Midyear Clinical or other meetings as deemed appropriate by the Project Advisor and Research Committee. The advisor provides guidance concerning the suitability for publication of the research work.
• Project Committee

  • Each resident is required to complete one major project relating to a specific aspect of pharmacy practice. A project committee assists the resident with planning, implementing, analyzing, and presenting the project.

• Big Brother / Big Sister
  •  In the spring of each residency year, following the results of the residency match, incoming residents are assigned a big brother or big sister. This role is fulfilled by residents completing the program to assist incoming residents with their efforts to relocate and begin their year. Activities of the Big Brother or Big Sister include assisting with relocation, finding housing, licensure, orientation, mentoring and fellowship.
• Preceptors Committee
  •  The Residency Preceptors Committee is a standing committee of the Department of Pharmacy. It includes residency preceptors invited to serve by the Vice President and Chief Officer and respective Residency Program Directors. The committee, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Vice President and Chief Officer and respective Residency Program Directors, seeks to maintain the quality and consistency of the program. The committee provides a forum for preceptors to discuss common concerns, develop additional learning experiences, and promote new and innovative areas of practice.