Pharmacy Practice

PGY1 Pharmacy Practice
Residency Program

This residency offers a diverse inpatient pharmacy experience that will provide residents with opportunities to practice in a variety of specialties. In addition to clinical rotations, residents are required to complete a major research project, perform medication use evaluations (MUE), deliver formal presentations, and participate in distribution and clinical staffing services. There are numerous opportunities for teaching, including serving as preceptors for pharmacy students from Belmont University, Lipscomb University, and the University of Tennessee.

Residents are mentored by outstanding, experienced, and dedicated preceptors who are committed to patient care and training of new practitioners. Most of the preceptors hold board certifications or credentials in their specialty areas. In addition, residents will interact with many leading physicians, medical residents, nurses and other health care professionals in the course of their patient care activities or participation in multidisciplinary care teams. Residents also receive opportunities to work with healthcare leaders at the HCA corporate or TriStar Division offices.

PGY-1 Residency Program Director
Kendra Spilkin, PharmD | 2300 Patterson Street | Nashville, TN 37203
(p) 615.342.4723 | (f) 615.342.6537 | (e) [email protected]

"We believe in excellence in all that we do including excellence in our service to patients and colleagues."

"We believe in challenging our residents to discover their full potential and to push the limits of their comfort zone."

Program Salary, Benefits, and Application Information

Duration/Type: 12 months/residency
Number of Positions: 4
Application Deadline: December 31st
Starting Date: Late June
Estimated Stipend: $50,000
Interview Required: Yes

Benefits Include:

• Health/dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Reimbursement for required travel expenses
• 401(k) eligibility if employed within HCA after residency
• Dedicated laptop and office space
• Free onsite parking

Program Graduates

Over 60 residents have graduated from the program at TCMC and have secured positions at PGY2 residency programs or in teaching and community hospitals, academia or managed care immediately upon completion of the program. The residency year may be credited as one year of service for benefits accrual such as 401(k) and paid time off (PTO), if employed with an HCA-affiliated hospital upon completion of the residency. 

Learning Experiences

Core Rotations

• Orientation
• Cardiology Care Unit
• Critical Care
• Hematology/Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Practice Management

Elective Rotations

• Advanced Critical Care
• Advanced Internal Medicine
• Advanced Pediatrics
• Bone Marrow Transplant
• Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
• Emergency Department*
• Neuro Intensive Care Unit
• Psychiatry
• Advanced Psychiatry
• Trauma Intensive Care Unit*
• Corporate Informatic
• Corporate Leadership
• Corporate Medication Safety

*Some or all of experience may be completed at affiliated hospital: TriStar Summit or TriStar Skyline Medical Centers

Longitudinal Rotations

• Anticoagulation Clinic
• Bariatric Clinic
• Chief Resident/Leadership
• Research
• Service - Clinical/Distribution/Staffing

Additional Learning Opportunities

• Code response: Code Blue, Code Stroke, Code STEMI, and Code PE
• Teaching and Learning Certificate
• Operational and clinical staffing coverage every 3rd weekend and one Friday per month
• Committee involvement

Application Process

The following information must be submitted through ASHP's Pharmacy Online Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS):

• Letter of Intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Pharmacy school transcripts
• Three letters of reference submitted on the PhORCAS form — at least two letters should be written by a preceptor, faculty member, or practicing pharmacist
• PDF of slide (1-2 slides/page) from previously performed presentation

An on-site interview in January or February is required and applicants must be eligible for Tennessee licensure upon completion of Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  

Current Residents

Haylee Guerin

Education: University of Wisconsin – Madison

Hometown: Cedarburg, Wisconsin

About Haylee: Dr. Guerin received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Her professional interests include oncology, critical care, and general medicine. Haylee enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with her dog, Bernie. She also loves baking, reading, and listening to podcasts. After PGY1, she hopes to pursue a PGY2 residency in her area of interest.

Emily McTish

Education: Medical University of South Carolina

Hometown: Orefield, Pennsylvania

About Emily: Dr. McTish received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Her professional interests include cardiology/critical care and pediatrics. Emily enjoys horseback riding, cycling, and spending time with friends and family. She plans to pursue a PGY2 in an area of interest after her PGY1 year.

Shahristan Rashid

Education: Lipscomb University

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

About Shahristan: Dr. Rashid received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy and is a Nashville native. Her practice interests include cardiology and critical care. In her free time she enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing with her husband and calico kitten Java. She plans to pursue a PGY2 in an area of interest after her PGY1 year.

Amie Sauer

Education: Auburn University

Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama

About Amie: Dr. Sauer received both her Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences and Doctorate of Pharmacy degrees from Auburn University. Her practice interests include psychiatry, emergency medicine, and teaching/precepting students. She enjoys yoga, live music, trying new restaurants, and fishing. She plans to pursue a PGY2 in psychiatry following this year.