Announcement:
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant program has decided to halt recruitment for 2024-2025 academic year. This pause in the program is a temporary, but important, measure to support the significant growth of our transplant center and the expansion of our transplant pharmacist team. We are excited to expand our services in key areas such as our outpatient clinics and look forward to providing more robust transplant pharmacy services in the near future. We will resume the program and begin recruitment for the PGY2 residency next fall for the 2025-2026 academic year. Vanderbilt University Medical Center 2024-2025 PGY1 Pharmacy Residents will be considered for early commit to the PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant program as in past years.
Residency Purpose Statement
The purpose of the PGY2 Pharmacy Residency is to build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.
Program Overview
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in conjunction with the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, offers a one-year specialty residency in solid organ transplantation. The Vanderbilt Transplant Center specializes in kidney, liver, pancreas, heart and lung transplantation. The purpose of the residency is to develop a clinical transplant pharmacist competent in all areas of solid organ transplantation and a leader among their peers. The resident is expected to participate in the continuum of care of transplant recipients.
Vanderbilt has a long history of experience in solid organ transplant dating back to 1962. The Vanderbilt Transplant Center grows and reaches new milestones each year. In recent years, Vanderbilt has established its place in the top 10 highest volume transplant centers in the nation, performing 665 transplants in 2022.
In addition to transplant center achievements, each organ group has accomplishments to celebrate. In 2021, the kidney/pancreas transplant program absorbed the VA transplant program and performed a record 315 kidney transplants. The Vanderbilt liver transplant program has recently started a living donor liver transplant program. The Vanderbilt heart transplant program continues to grow annually emerging as the highest volume heart transplant center in the world performing a record of 124 heart transplants in 2021. The Vanderbilt lung transplant program grew from 62 lungs to 80 lungs in 2022. Ten transplant pharmacists support the Vanderbilt Transplant Center providing exceptional pharmaceutical care to transplant patients across all organ groups including in pediatrics.
Required Block Learning Experiences
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Orientation (1 month) |
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Renal/Pancreas Transplant (2 months) |
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Liver Transplant (2 months) |
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Inpatient Heart Transplant - ICU (1 month) |
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Inpatient Heart Transplant - Stepdown (1 month) |
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Inpatient Lung Transplant (1 month) |
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Cardiothoracic Transplant Clinic (1 month) |
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Transplant Infectious Diseases (1 month) |
* other options may be available
Elective Block Learning Experiences
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Pediatric Transplant (1 month) |
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Mechanical Circulatory Support (2 weeks in December) |
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Renal/Pancreas Transplant II (1 month) |
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Cardiothoracic Transplant Clinic II (1 month) |
Required Longitudinal Learning Experiences
- Research Project (52 weeks)
- Therapeutic Exchange Presentation (10 weeks)
- Quality Improvement Project or Medication Use Evaluation (26 weeks)
- Case Conference Presentation (10 weeks)
- Layered Learning Transplant Topic Discussions (three 1-month blocks)
Additional Opportunities (optional)
- Distinction in Transplant Administration Program (must attend lecture series, distinction not required)
- Attendance at Annual Vanderbilt Transplant Nurse Practitioner Symposium
- HLA Lab Introduction and Visitation
- Attendance at AST Fellows Symposium
- VUMC Resident Professional Development Series
How to Apply
Applicant must be a graduate of an accredited B.S. or Doctor of Pharmacy program, be a licensed pharmacist in any state with reciprocation to Tennessee and completed an accredited PGY1 residency program.
Submit the following application materials for the Solid Organ Transplantation Residency - currently On Hold.
- Cover letter/Letter of Intent
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three (3) formal letter of recommendation
- Pharmacy college transcripts
- Application form submitted through PhORCAS application portal - currently On Hold.
Program Details
Additional Application Information
Number of Positions: One
Residency starting date: On Hold
Estimated stipend - approx. $60,593 *info has not been verified
Contact Information
Rachael Simard, PharmD, BCTXP, Residency Program Director
Vanderbilt Transplant Center | Vanderbilt Pharmaceutical Services
1211 Medical Center Drive B-131, VUH | Nashville, TN 37232
Institutional Information
Private non-profit hospital/clinic | Teaching/Tertiary Model | Total Beds 1622
Professional Staff 372 | Non-professional staff 450