PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Norwalk Hospital
The purpose of the PGY1 Residency Program at Nuvance Health – Norwalk Hospital is to build on the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for PGY2 pharmacy residency training.
This is a 12-month post-graduate training program aimed at cultivating and bringing forth highly skilled pharmaceutical care providers. Training is built in collaboration with the resident based on his/her interests combining required and elective learning experiences. The resident will be an integral part of the medication use process. The residency will serve to help the resident develop an in-depth understanding of the clinical, distributive, and administrative aspects of pharmacy practice. Through a variety of learning experiences, each resident will gain confidence to effectively function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. The program will also serve to develop and refine the resident’s writing, presentation, teaching, research, and leadership skills.
Preceptors
Dr. Timothy Conboy, PharmD, BCPS, MSHI – Pharmacy Informatics
Dr. Krista Katers, PharmD, BCPS – Pharmacy Practice Management
Keith Shuster, RPh, MBA-Pharmacy Practice Management
Dr. Josh Barlow, PharmD,- Stewardship, Critical Care
Dr. Danielle Pritchard, PharmD – Medication Safety
Dr. Mychal Dworet, PharmD, BCPS – Orientation, General Medicine
Dr. Cindy Zheng, PharmD, – Emergency Medicine
Dr. Ellen Konpsore, RPh, MBA – Oncology
Dr. Rachel Sieber, PharmD, BCOP – Oncology
Dr. Patryk Stryjewski, PharmD – USP 797/800
Dr. Samuel Strong, PharmD , BCSCP – USP 797/800
Dr. Rhett Sparkman, PharmD- Pharmacy Operations Management
Dr. Jessica Lewis, PharmD,– Ambulatory Care (Primary Clinic)
Dr. Keri Montross, PharmD – Ambulatory Care (Primary Clinic)
Dr. Kelcey Noble, BS, PharmD, BCIDP – Infectious Diseases
Dr. Nowshin Islam, PharmD, BCPS – Learning & Teaching
Residents
Current Residents
Name: Simrat Aulakh
Simrat.Aulakh@nuvancehealth.org
Hometown: Visalia, California
Pharmacy School: California Northstate University
Professional Interests: My professional interests include ambulatory care and infectious disease.
Personal Interests: Beyond Pharmacy, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, the great outdoors, traveling, and a hot cup of tea.
Why Norwalk Hospital? Norwalk Hospital’s Residency Program offers a personalized year of growth that will shape me into the clinical pharmacist I strive to be. Interviewing with the staff gave me a sense of ease in regards to the programs support through this difficult yet rewarding journey
Advice to students interested in applying to a residency: Don’t let small hiccups impede your interest in pharmacy residency. Bite the bullet and apply, what’s the worst that can happen.
Marina Duszak
Marina.duszak1@nuvancehealth.org
Name: Marina Duszak
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Pharmacy School: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Professional Interests: My profession interests include cardiology and pediatrics
Personal Interests: Outside of pharmacy I enjoy running, traveling, reading, going to hockey games, and finding new coffee shops to try.
Why Norwalk Hospital? Norwalk Hospital’s Pharmacy Residency Program offers a personalized experience that will shape me into a well-rounded Clinical Pharmacist. This residency will let me explore my current interests and various other areas of clinical and ambulatory pharmacy practice. I had a very positive interview experience which strengthened my desire to work in a clinical setting and to work alongside a supportive team of pharmacists.
Advice to students interested in applying to a residency: Make the most of your APPE rotations by networking and speaking with pharmacists about their experiences with residency. When applying to programs, be open-minded during the interview process because every interview is going to be different. Make sure you prepare questions to ask the individual programs before the interview. The application and interview process may seem like a lot but don’t get discouraged.
Alyssa Christopulos
Alyssa.christopulos@nuvancehealth.org
Name: Alyssa Christopulos
Hometown: Branchburg, New Jersey
Pharmacy School: The University of Rhode Island
Professional Interests: My professional interests include infectious disease, critical care and ambulatory care.
Personal Interests: Outside of pharmacy I enjoy reading, going to the beach, taking spin classes, and spending time with family and friends.
Why Norwalk Hospital? Norwalk Hospital’s residency program provides a wide variety of experiences that allows me to explore different aspects of pharmacy and supports me in reaching my overall goal of becoming the clinical pharmacist I aspire to be. During my interview process, the staff was extremely welcoming and personable overall solidifying my interest in the program.
Advice to students interested in applying to a residency: It’s never too early to start researching programs and preparing for your applications to go out. Stay open-minded and most importantly make sure to be yourself. Prepare well for your interviews and go into them with confidence!
Previous Residents
Class of 2023-24:
Dr. Raeann Solanga, PharmD
Where they are now: PGY-2 Pharmacy Informatics and Supply Chain Leadership Resident: Vizient, Inc
Chicago, Illinois
Class of 2022-23:
Dr. Josh Barlow, PharmD
Where they are now: Clinical Pharmacist at Norwalk Hospital
Dr. Micheal Gualano, PharmD
Where they are now: Clinical Pharmacist Greenwich Hospital
Class of 2021-22:
Dr. Cindy Zheng, PharmD
Where they are now: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emergency Medicine, Norwalk Hospital
Dr. Rachel Sieber, PharmD
Where they are now: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Oncology, Norwalk Hospital
General Program Benefits
• Competitive Stipend
• Travel Reimbursement for professional meetings
• BLS and ACLS Certifications
• Paid Time Off
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Free Parking
• Access to gym
FAQ
Is the program accredited?
Yes, our PGY1 Residency Program is ASHP accredited
How many positions are there?
There are 2 PGY1 positions.
What is the stipend?
$60,000
How is the resident’s schedule determined?
The resident’s schedule is built in discussion with the RPD. The finalized schedule is based on program requirements as well as the resident’s interests and goals.
Will the resident’s participate in multi-disciplinary rounds?
Yes, you will participate in various multidisciplinary rounds such as ICU, internal medicine, and infectious disease.
Do residents participate in medical emergencies such as code blues?
Yes, residents are required to become ACLS/BLS certified. After certification, residents will participate in hospital codes.
Does Norwalk Hospital support travel to conferences?
Yes, residents will be reimbursed for travel to ASHP Midyear and to New England Residency conference.
When do resident’s need to be licensed by?
Residents are required to sit for both the NAPLEX and CTMPJE by July 15. However, we highly encourage out residents to sit for their exams prior to the start of the program.
When is the application deadline?
1/5/2025 at 11:59 PM EST
Is an interview required?
Yes, interviews are required. Interviews consist of opportunities to meet and interact with the program director, preceptors, and current residents.