Pharmacy residency location

UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital
Department of Pharmacy
1024 S. Lemay Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80537

Residency program director

Gina Harper, Pharm.D., BCPS
Clinical Coordinator and Residency Program Director
Phone: 970-495-8047
Email: [email protected]

Our program

PGY1 program overview

The Poudre Valley Hospital residency program began in 2011 and currently offers two Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) positions. We are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). See our PVH Residency Overview.

Residency information

  • Duration: 12 months
  • Number of Positions: 2
  • Application Deadline: 1/6/2023
  • Starting Date: ~July 1
  • Estimated Stipend: $62,000
  • Interview Required: Yes

Residency special features

Poudre Valley Hospital offers a well-rounded training program via multidisciplinary, 4-6 week experiences in Critical Care, Inpatient Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship, NICU/Pediatrics, Oncology and Trauma. Many longitudinal experiences occur over the 12-month period. Two to three elective experiences of 2-4 weeks each are to be selected by the resident. A major residency project is required and also may be chosen by the resident. Various presentations include patient cases and journal clubs. Teaching opportunities are available through the University of Wyoming, School of Pharmacy. A teaching certificate is available through the University of Colorado.

Fringe benefits: Health, dental, disability and life insurance; ~21 days off for vacation, sick time, interviews, holidays; travel allowance.

  • Training Site Type: Hospital
  • Owner Affiliate: UCHealth
  • Model Type(s): Community Hospital
  • Tax Status: Non-profit
  • Professional Staff: 25
  • Non-Professional Staff: 17
  • Number of Medical Centers: 4 in the northern Colorado region, 12 total in UCHealth
  • Total Beds: 300
  • Average Daily Census: 190

Site special features: Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins specializes in orthopedic surgery, neuroscience, oncology, bariatric weight-loss surgery, and women and family services for residents of northern Colorado, southern Wyoming and western Nebraska. Only an hour north of Denver, the area is rich with year-round outdoor activities, the beauty of four seasons and a generally mild climate.

Contact the Residency Program Director, Gina Harper, Pharm.D., BCPS for additional information: [email protected]

Application process

All applications must be submitted through Phorcas and include the following:

  • General Phorcas requirements
  • Letter of Intent
    • Provide specific reason(s) you want to complete residency training
    • Include why you want to be a resident at PVH
    • Include your clinical interests and short/long term goals
  • Curriculum vitae: be sure to include the following in your CV:
    • Length of 4th-year APPE clinical rotations (e.g. 4 weeks, 6 weeks)
    • Future APPEs to be completed in your 4th year
    • Description of APPE rotation activities
  • Official pharmacy school transcript
  • Three letters of recommendation
    • One recommendation must be from a current pharmacy faculty instructor
    • Two recommendations must be from pharmacist-preceptors or pharmacist-employers

Following the deadline, applications will be reviewed for virtual interviews this year. Candidates will be contacted as soon as the review process is complete. If you are offered an interview, they are typically held during certain days at the end of January/beginning of February.

Activities during the half-day interview include formal one-on-one discussions with our preceptors and residency director, time with our current residents and other activities with our interview team. Presentations are also required. More information will be provided with your interview offer.

Program manual and rotations

The Residency Program manual includes an overview of the requirements, expectations and responsibilities of pharmacy residents at PVH.

Rotations

Required learning experiences are completed at Poudre Valley Hospital, with the exceptions of Trauma at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland and Ambulatory Care at the Family Medicine Center, located across the street from the hospital.

Orientation (5 weeks)

Required learning experiences (4-6 weeks each)

  • Critical Care
  • Family Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Pediatrics
  • Oncology
  • Trauma, at Medical Center of the Rockies

Optional learning experiences, two-three to be completed (2-4 weeks each)

  • Ambulatory Care
  • In-depth version of a required rotation
  • Rotations offered at other UCHealth hospitals (e.g. University of Colorado Hospital), as scheduling allows

Longitudinal learning experiences (throughout)

  • Ambulatory Care: weekly half-day clinics
  • Career development
  • Formulary Management: monthly meetings, Medication Use Evaluation, P&T monograph, newsletter article
  • Major Residency project
  • Medication safety: adverse drug reactions and medication errors
  • Staffing: every other weekend (8.5 hours per day), varying day shift times; one summer and one winter holiday
  • Presentations: patient cases or journal club with each rotation
  • ACLS and Code Blue response

Preceptors and residents

Preceptors

Gina Harper, PharmD, BCPS

Gina is the UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital PGY1 RPD and helps precept the Infectious Diseases and Critical Care rotations.

Gina grew up in Florida and received her Doctor of Pharmacy from University of Florida in Gainesville (back when there was only one UF site). She completed a residency at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, NY and then continued her career in Buffalo as a Clinical Coordinator at Millard Filmore Hospital. In 2000, she moved to New York City and was Clinical Manager at Roosevelt Hospital followed by a move to Richmond, Virginia where she was a Clinical Manager at Chippenham Medical Center. She has been in Colorado since 2006 and a proud member of the Northern Colorado pharmacy team as Clinical Coordinator at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital since 2007.

Gina enjoys residency precepting as it helps keep her on her toes learning from the resident as well as the process of patient care every year! In her spare time, Gina enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her family.

Teresa Bowman, PharmD

Teresa is the Pharmacy Operations Manager at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital. She precepts the longitudinal and elective Leadership rotation.

Teresa grew up in Bloomington, Illinois and received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of Illinois at Chicago. She worked at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center, for 7 years where she specialized in Critical Care and Emergency Medicine. In 2019, she and her family moved to Colorado to balance work/life via outdoor exploration and careers with UCHealth.

She is an avid hiker and lover of water activities. Teresa is waiting for her 2 younger kids to grow larger feet (and tolerate longer road trips) so they can explore more mountains.

Andrew Harmon, PharmD

Andrew is the Director of Pharmacy for UCHealth Northern Colorado and is critical to the support and function of the program.

He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of New Mexico in 2004 and then completed a PGY-1 residency at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Andrew has primarily worked in community hospital settings in New Mexico and Colorado where he ultimately found his calling in pharmacy management. Andrew has multisite management experience in Emergency Medicine and inpatient/outpatient pharmacies.

In his spare time, Andrew enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and four beautiful children and their plethora of activities. He also loves playing golf, racquetball, home improvement, and going for a jog.

Michelle Hilaire, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, BCACP, CDCES

Michelle is currently a Clinical Professor at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy and an ambulatory care preceptor for the PGY1 residency program with Poudre Valley Hospital.

She earned her PharmD from Duquesne University and completed 2 residencies at the University of Toledo and the University of Tennessee. Her clinical practice site is the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency in Fort Collins, CO. She is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy and Ambulatory Care, a Certified Diabetes Educator and a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. She is an active member of ASHP, ACCP, AACP and the Colorado Pharmacists Society. She currently serves as the president-elect for the Colorado Academy of Health-System Pharmacists and was part of the AACP Academic Leaders Fellows Program. She was an ASHP Delegates for the state of Colorado and served on the Colorado Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

She’s a Pittsburgh girl at heart and is always cheering on her favorite teams (Go Black and Gold!). Her favorite part about being a PGY1 longitudinal preceptor is getting to work with the residents over the entire year and watching their confidence and knowledge grow.

Jeff Homann, PharmD, BCPS

Jeff is the Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist for UCHealth Northern Colorado and serves as the preceptor for the pediatric/neonatal rotation.

Jeff was born and raised in Sturgis, South Dakota. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from South Dakota State University before completing his PGY-1 Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Jeff has worked in northern Colorado his entire career, practicing at North Colorado Medical Center (Greeley) and Poudre Valley Hospital (Fort Collins). He became board certified (BCPS) in 2009. His areas of interests include pediatrics and critical care. Jeff is proud to have served on the Neonatal Colorado Antibiotic Stewardship Steering Committee (CASC) and contributed questions for the BCPPS exam.

When not at work, Jeff enjoys golfing, skiing, biking, hiking, camping, hunting, watching sports, and spending time with his wife (Julie), son (Bryce), and daughter (Bryn).

Andrew Hunter, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Andrew precepts the Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Stewardship rotation. His favorite part of precepting is promoting antimicrobial stewardship and staying up to date on infectious diseases by teaching and learning from residents.

Andrew earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from The University of Texas at Austin, then completed a PGY1 at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, TX and a PGY2 in Infectious Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. He was an Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Infectious Diseases PGY2 Residency Program Director at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center prior to joining UCHealth. He is an active member of ACCP ID PRN, SIDP and IDSA.

Outside of work, you’ll find him walking the trails around northern Colorado with his dog Sadie.

Brandi Koepp, PharmD, BCPS

Brandi is the Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator for Medical Center of the Rockies (MCR) with outreach support to Greeley Hospital (GH) in Greeley and is the preceptor of the Trauma rotation at MCR.

She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy in Albuquerque and went on to complete a PGY1 followed by a PGY2 in Hospital Pharmacy Administration (with an emphasis on critical care) at Shands at the University of Florida (now UF Health Shands).

When not at work, she loves on her dogs and enjoys spending time with family and friends all the while participating in the activities available depending on the Colorado weather.

Becky Linn, PharmD, BCPS

Becky is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy and a core faculty member with the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program.

She earned her B.A. (Chemistry) and Pharm.D. from the University of Wyoming. Becky’s career legacy began at Poudre Valley Hospital (PVH) where she worked as a clinical staff pharmacist and held multiple roles including the pioneering of critical care pharmacy services and education coordinator. She joined the faculty at University of Wyoming and Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency in 2013 and received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in 2017 and 2020 with the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program. Becky is an active member of ASHP, AACP, and CPS. Current roles include ASHP Education Steering Committee and Committee of Nominations, and AACP Women in Leadership, and Wellbeing.

At the university level, she was elected to serve on the Faculty Dispute Resolution Panel. Appointments at the school and college include the Chair of the Faculty Development Committee and members of the Strategic Planning and Accreditation and College of Health Sciences Faculty Development Committees. Her current nationally recognized research and publications include infectious diseases, well-being, and innovative practice models. Becky has mentored pharmacy residents (critical care, and now family medicine) since the Pharmacy Residency Program’s inception at PVH.

When not at work, Becky enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, trying new things, and spending time with friends and family.

Cheryl Nacos, PharmD, BCOP

Cheryl is the Oncology Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator and main preceptor for the Oncology rotation.

Cheryl received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Georgia and completed a PGY1 residency at St. Joseph’s/Candler Health system in Savannah, Georgia, where she focused on oncology. Post residency, Cheryl returned to her hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado and continued pharmacy career with UCHealth starting in 2006. Cheryl obtained her board certification in oncology (BCOP) in 2013 and has fostered the growth of the oncology pharmacy program from a single pharmacist to a team of 17 pharmacists in multiple regions. Cheryl has always had a passion for Oncology and thrives on sharing the “fun facts” she has learned over the years with residents.

In her free time, she loves to travel and will try almost anything at least once, especially if it has to do with food or a beverage. In the fall and winter you will also find her hiking, skiing or watching the Georgia Bulldawgs play football.

Emily O’Brien, PharmD, BCACP

Emily is the Pharmacy Transitions of Care Manager for UCHealth – North. In her role, she is responsible for managing the pharmacy medication reconciliation process at admission and has expanded this program to include pharmacist involvement at discharge. She precepts the elective Transitions of Care rotation.

Emily grew up in Minnesota and received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Then, she completed a PGY-1 residency with the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. After residency, Emily worked at a family medicine clinic for over 5 years, where she was able to provide ambulatory care and population health services, work directly with patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases, and precept and teach pharmacy and medical residents.

In 2020, Emily and her husband moved to Colorado to be closer to the mountains and outdoor activities. In her spare time, Emily enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, skiing, cooking, and spending time with her husband.

Lexi Schneider-Smith, PharmD, BCCCP

Lexi is an Emergency Medicine clinical pharmacist and preceptor for the Career Development/Leadership rotation and assists with the Emergency Medicine rotation.

Lexi received her Bachelors of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences as well as her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi. She then completed her PGY1 and PGY2 Critical Care residences at Centura Health St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, CO. She is board certified in Critical Care. Lexi enjoys professional development and is an active member of ACCP Critical Care PRN as well as the SCCM CPP, serving on both organizations Communications Committees. Within UCHealth, Lexi sits on the Regional Stroke Committee as well as the ED Pathways Committee. Lexi’s interest include neurocritical care, infectious diseases, and medication safety.

When she isn’t providing antimicrobial stewardship in the ED, Lexi enjoys hanging out with her family (including two fur babies), practicing yoga, and is an avid nap enthusiast.

Morganne Smyth, PharmD, BCPS

Morganne is currently an inpatient clinical pharmacist and the staffing preceptor for PGY1 residents.

She was raised in Cheyenne, WY and attended the University of Wyoming for her undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy studies. Following graduation, Morganne completed her PGY1 residency at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. After residency, Morganne accepted an inpatient clinical pharmacist position at Poudre Valley Hospital where she staffs in multiple areas, including the intensive care unit, surgical and medical units.

As the staffing preceptor, Morganne oversees the residents’ orientation schedule and central pharmacy staffing requirements. She enjoys helping residents apply their clinical and time management skills and watching their confidence grow in their abilities to function as a pharmacist.

When not working, you can usually find Morganne taking advantage of outdoor life in Colorado by biking, snowboarding, or snowshoeing. She is also a dog lover and avid hiker seeking out destinations around the world.

Brandi Strauser, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP

Brandi is a Board Certified Critical Care pharmacist and the preceptor for both the Critical Care rotation, as well as the longitudinal Medication Safety: Adverse Drug Reactions rotation.

She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from The University of Montana in Missoula, MT, then completed a PGY-1 residency at Memorial Health System, now UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. She loves to teach and stay involved with professional development both institutionally and on a national level. Most recently, she is serving as an ongoing member of the ACCP critical care standard setting panel.

She loves life in Fort Collins and enjoys exploring all the outdoor spaces with her husband, 2 kids and adventure dog, Juniper.

Brianna Staubo, PharmD

Brianna is an Emergency Medicine clinical pharmacist, primary preceptor for the Emergency Medicine PGY1 rotation, and co-preceptor for the Career Development/Leadership PGY1 rotation.

Brianna grew up in Bismarck, ND and received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. She then completed a PGY1 residency at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO and a PGY2 Emergency Medicine residency at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ. She is active within ACCP’s Emergency Medicine PRN, having served as Journal Club coordinator, CODE Committee member, and Trainee Taskforce member. She also participates annually in ASHP’s New Practitioner CV Review and Residency Mentorship. She likes to precept residents and students, individually working with them to pursue their interests and reach their specific career goals.

When not titrating vasopressors, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, trivia/game night, and watching Colorado Eagles or Avalanche hockey games.

Current residents

Randy Esfahani, PharmD

Randy is originally from Clinton Township, Michigan, but grew up in Winter Haven, Florida.

He obtained his BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Randy then completed his Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of South Florida Taneja College of Pharmacy (TCOP). He chose to pursue residency to further his skills and confidence as a practitioner and explore different specialties of pharmacy. Randy’s pharmacy interests include infectious diseases, oncology, and pediatrics. He plans to pursue a career after his first year of residency.

In his free time, you will find Randy in the mountains hiking with his wife, playing PS5, reading historical fiction, or playing at home with his two dogs.

Cameron Nelson, PharmD

Cameron is originally from Rapid City, South Dakota.

He completed both his undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Montana Skagg’s School of Pharmacy in Missoula, Montana. He chose to pursue residency to develop his clinical decision making and become confident as an independent practitioner. His current interests include emergency medicine and oncology.

In his free time, Cameron enjoys working out or staying at home with his girlfriend and two dogs..

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