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 Hospital, 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. Vanderbilt performed 809 transplants in fiscal year 2024, giving us a UNOS ranking as the 5th largest transplant center in the country.
In addition to transplant center achievements, each organ group has accomplishments to celebrate. In fiscal year 2024, the Vanderbilt Transplant Center performed a record 333 kidney transplants and 4 kidney/pancreas transplants. The Vanderbilt liver transplant program has recently started a living donor liver transplant program and performed a record 180 liver transplants. The Vanderbilt heart transplant program continues to grow annually emerging as the highest volume heart transplant center in the world in 2021. They continue to grow annually and have performed a record 150 heart transplants in fiscal year 2024. The Vanderbilt lung transplant program grew from 90 transplants in 2024. In response to volumes, the transplant pharmacy program has grown to 13 clinical transplant pharmacists and support the Vanderbilt Transplant Center providing exceptional pharmaceutical care to transplant patients across all organ groups including in pediatrics.
Required Block Learning Experiences
| Orientation (1 month) |
| Renal/Pancreas Transplant (2 months) |
| Liver Transplant (2 months) |
| Inpatient Heart Transplant - ICU (1 month) *OR* Heart Transplant Clinic (1 month) |
| Inpatient Heart Transplant - Stepdown (1 month) |
| Inpatient Lung Transplant (1 month) |
| Lung Transplant Clinic (1 month) |
| Transplant Infectious Diseases (1 month) |
* other options may be available
Elective Block Learning Experiences
| Pediatric Transplant (1 month) |
| Mechanical Circulatory Support (~2 weeks) |
| Renal/Pancreas Transplant II (1 month) |
| Lung 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 optional)
- 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
- Cover letter/Letter of Intent
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three (3) formal letter of recommendation
- Pharmacy college transcripts
- Application form submitted through PhORCAS application portal
Program Details
Additional Application Information
Number of Positions: One
Residency starting date: July 7, 2025 Application deadline: Jan 2
Estimated stipend - approx. $67,000
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 1741
Professional Staff 450 | Non-professional staff 586