Record 78 Harrison College of Pharmacy graduates moving on to residencies and fellowships

A record-setting 78 Harrison College of Pharmacy graduates were recently selected to post-graduate programs at hospitals, clinics, universities and the pharmaceutical industry around the country. Along with setting a new benchmark, it is the sixth year in a row for at least 50 Auburn pharmacy graduates to move on to the highly competitive programs.

The residencies are post-graduate training in an organized and directed program that builds upon knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities gained from the pharmacy degree program. While many first-year programs, or PGY-1, are general in nature, some allow students to specialize in certain areas, such as managed care, ambulatory care, community pharmacy and health system administration. Some choose to pursue a second-year residency, or PGY-2, that can focus on specialty practice areas, such as infectious diseases, oncology, pediatrics and psychiatry.

Those accepted to PGY-1 and PGY-2 residencies are spread among 18 states with 29 remaining in-state to care for those in Alabama.

“We would like to congratulate all of our graduates who matched with residency programs this year,” said Dr. Dan Surry, acting dean of the Harrison College of Pharmacy. “Their decision to enter these demanding residency programs demonstrates a strong commitment to their careers, to the profession of pharmacy, and to the health of our communities. As stated in the Oath of a Pharmacist, these graduates have truly devoted themselves to 'a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy'”

The Harrison College of Pharmacy boasted a 79.6% match rate among those participating in the PGY-1 process. The HCOP delegation filled some of just 5,827 positions around the country that are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

In all, a record-setting 57 members of the Class of 2022 are moving on to PGY-1 residencies with another accepted to a post-graduate fellowship. Additionally, 20 previous graduates will enter PGY-2 programs.

“Residency programs are highly competitive and the great success we saw this year is a reflection not only of the diligence of our students, but also of the expertise and tireless efforts of our outstanding faculty and staff,” said Surry. “Auburn and the Harrison College of Pharmacy are recognized as leaders in pharmacy education and results like these are a further indication of the reputation our graduates take with them into the workplace. Auburn is truly an international destination for pharmacy education”

Of those entering PGY-1 residency programs, the 58 will be spread among 16 states with 23 in Alabama; eight in Tennessee, six in Florida; five in Georgia; two each in Mississippi, North Carolina and Ohio; and one each in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The 20 PGY-2 residents represent 10 states with six in Alabama; three in Georgia; two each in Tennessee, Texas and Virginia; and one each in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina and Washington.

Those in second-year programs will specialize in areas such as ambulatory care, critical care, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, internal medicine, psychiatric and health system administration and leadership.