Community-Based Pharmacy (PGY-1)
Length of Program: 53 weeks (Last week of June through the end of the following June)
Number of Positions: 1
Current Stipend (2021 - 2022): $49,000
The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, in partnership with Dillons Pharmacy (a division of Kroger), offers a 53-week PGY-1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program. Residents in this program will gain experience in Community-Based Pharmacy Practice, focusing on the development, provision, and evaluation of direct patient care services. The resident will work to develop advanced practice skills implementing and enhancing clinical services in the community-based pharmacy setting with additional teaching, leadership, and ambulatory care experiences.
Purpose
To build upon the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to develop community-based pharmacist practitioners with diverse patient care, leadership, and education skills who are eligible to pursue advanced training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY-2) residencies and professional certifications.
Individualized Program Description
This program will help to develop innovative clinical pharmacists who are able to provide advanced direct patient care and serve as leaders and preceptors in a community-based pharmacy setting.
Residency Details
Residency Program Director (KU): Email Bradley J. Newell, Pharm.D., BCACP, BCGP, BC-ADM, FASCP
Residency Site Coordinator (Dillons): Email Brent J. Rohling, Pharm.D.
- Pharmacy Management and Administration
- Pharmacy Service Development
- Medication Therapy Management (MTM)
- Cardiovascular Disease Management and Heart Healthy Coaching
- Immunizations Services
- Diabetes Management
- Ambulatory Care at Ascension Medical Group Via Christi
- Practice-Based Research
- Didactic Teaching and Learning at KU School of Pharmacy (Skills Lab)
- Paid vacation leave (provided through Dillons)
- Paid sick leave (provided through Dillons)
- Health and dental insurance (provided by Dillons)
- Travel allowance for professional meetings (provided through Dillons)
- Laptop provided for residency use (provided by KU and Dillons)
Application Deadline: First Monday of January
Application Requirements:
- Graduate of an ACPE accredited School of Pharmacy
- Licensed pharmacist in the state of Kansas by July 15
- Participation in the ASHP resident Matching Program (the “Match”)
- Application materials submitted through the Pharmacy Online Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS):
- Current CV
- Letter of Intent
- 3 references
- Pharmacy School transcripts
“… because the discovery and delivery of effective medicines enhance and extend life.“
The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, established in 1885 as the third public school of pharmacy in the U.S., is a world-class research institution and one of the country’s premier pharmacy schools. We train the pharmacists who serve the people of Kansas and researchers who help solve the world’s most pressing medical problems. Residents in this program will have the opportunity to work directly with KU students, faculty, and staff while assisting with various teaching opportunities such as precepting, lecturing, and assisting in clinical assessment and skills labs.
Dillons Pharmacy, a division of the Kroger Co., has over 50 stores in Kansas, including 21 pharmacies in the greater Wichita area. The resident will spend much of their time working directly with Dillons’ Patient Care Pharmacists in Wichita to provide wellness services such as Medication Therapy Management (MTM), Point of Care Testing and Screening, and intensive education and disease state management programs (diabetes, heart healthy coaching, nutrition, weight management, and smoking cessation).
Community-Based Practice Experiences (Patient Care, Medication Distribution, Management)
Patient-Centered Medication Distribution is a required longitudinal learning experience, 12 months in length, July through June, and averages 8 hours per week. This experience will primarily take place at Dillons Pharmacy Store #83 and may include additional Dillons Pharmacy locations in the Wichita and greater Wichita-metro area. Throughout the Patient-Centered Medication Distribution Learning Experience, the resident should progress through the experience focusing first on the activities related to dispensing and patient care, then progress to the activities that provide the resident experience in pharmacy management.
The resident will further develop clinical knowledge and become aware of and practice in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. The resident will also be exposed to over-the-counter product utilization and will be encouraged to make recommendations to patients when self-care is appropriate. The resident will also oversee day to day pharmacy operations including inventory management, prescription processing and dispensing, drug utilization review, patient education, and technician and clerk supervision.
The resident will work under the guidance/supervision of the Pharmacist in Charge (PIC) while fulfilling the weekly staffing component of the program. Perform pharmacy functions in an efficient, accurate and friendly manner. The goal of the Patient-Centered Dispensing & Pharmacy Management experience is to develop a resident with the skills and confidence to be a Pharmacy Manager at the completion of the residency year.
Patient Care by Community Pharmacists is a required longitudinal learning experience, 12 months in length, July through June, and averages 16 hours per week, that includes core clinical initiatives of Dillons Pharmacy; Chronic Disease Management and Prevention, Medication Therapy Management, and Wellness Service Clinics. This experience will primarily take place at Dillons Pharmacy Store #97, and may include, but not limited to, Dillons/Kroger Corporate Offices, additional Dillons Pharmacy locations in Hutchinson, Wichita and greater- Wichita metro area and contracted business groups. The resident will also complete the APhA Diabetes Certificate program within the residency year.
Organizational Management is a required longitudinal learning experience, 11 months in length, August through June, and averages 2 hours per week, that provides the resident with the opportunity to participate in practice management at a divisional and/or regional level. This experience will primarily take place with the Division 1 and 2 Pharmacy Practice Coordinators.
During this rotation, the resident will gain knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience working with company management and other stakeholders in evaluating current business practices, strategy, and priorities. A large portion of the resident's time will be spent observing and participating in discussions in addition to "project time" for various assignments. The resident will participate in the quality improvement process; create, implement, and evaluate a business plan; and evaluate or develop a collaborative practice agreement during this experience.
Ambulatory Care Experience
Ambulatory Care is a required longitudinal learning experience, 10 months in length, September through June, and averages 10 hours per week, which shall take place at Ascension Medical Group Via Christi Clinic, a University of Kansas School of Pharmacy affiliated Family Medicine Ambulatory Care clinic.
The resident will conduct patient visits, provide diabetes or chronic disease education, and participate in medication management. Additionally, the resident will review patient charts for drug therapy problems and make recommendations to providers to ensure safe and effective medication use. The resident will provide drug information and education to the providers and staff as needed and will provide medication counseling and disease state education to patients.
Teaching and Learning Experience
Teaching and Learning is a required longitudinal learning experience, 10 months in length, August through May, and average 5 hours per week, that will take place primarily at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy – Wichita. Resident will be required to complete the Teaching and Learning Certificate program offered through the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. Additional portions of the experience could occur at Dillons, Ascension Medical Group Via Christi Clinics, and other locations as deemed appropriate to fulfill requirements. The resident will also have an appointment as Special Support Affiliate with the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy.
Professional Development and Practice-Based Research Experience
Professional Development and Research is a required longitudinal learning experience, 12 months in length, July through June, and averages 4 hours per week, that will take place primarily at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy – Wichita, though other organizations and sites will be heavily involved.
This learning experience provides the opportunity for residents to focus on personal growth and development. Residents gain exposure to participation in professional organizations and opportunities for community service.
This experience involves preparing, performing, completing, and presenting a resident research project. The project should benefit Kroger Health and community pharmacy by focusing on enhancing clinical services and quality of care. By the end of the residency year, the resident must produce a formal manuscript written in a manner suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Additional Residency Experiences
- Professional Involvement and Advocacy
- Additional management experiences and projects with Director of Pharmacy (Dillons)
Primary Preceptors (Core Experiences):
- Bradley J. Newell, Pharm.D., BCACP, BCGP, BC-ADM, FASCP (Associate Chair and Clinical Assistant Professor, KU-SOP): Residency Program Director, Ambulatory Care, Professional Development and Research
- Brent J. Rohling, Pharm.D. (Pharmacy Practice Coordinator, Dillons): Residency Site Coordinator, Organizational Management
- Crystal D. Burkhardt, Pharm.D., MBA, BCGP, FCCP (Clinical Professor, KU-SOP): Teaching and Learning
- Tasha M. Braun, Pharm.D. (Pharmacy Manager, Dillons): Patient-Care by Community-Based Pharmacists
- Ashley M. Kells, Pharm.D. (Pharmacy Manager, Dillons): Patient-Centered Medication Distribution & Pharmacy Management
Primary Preceptors (Elective Experiences):
- Natalie R. Gadbois, Pharm.D., MPA, BCACP (Clinical Assistant Professor, KU-SOP): Ascension Family Medicine Residency Clinic Elective
- Tiffany R. Shin, Pharm.D., BCACP (Clinical Assistant Professor, KU-SOP): Ascension Family Medicine Residency Clinic Elective
Mentors:
- Brittany L. Melton, PhD, Pharm.D. (Associate Professor, KU-SOP): Research
- Janelle F. Ruisinger, Pharm.D., FAPhA (Associate Dean, Clinical Professor, KU-SOP): KU School of Pharmacy Teaching Certificate Program Coordinator
There are no residents at this time

2021 - 2022
Reagan Nguyen, Pharm.D.
Reagan is currently employed as an ambulatory care pharmacist at Banner Health in Loveland, CO. At the health center, Reagan provides chronic disease state management, currently focusing on anticoagulation management. Reagan plans to accept pharmacy students on rotation and engage in residency mentorship after establishing his practice.
Residency Research Project:
Impact of Electronic Prescribing on Controlled Substances State Mandates on Opioid Prescriptions Prescribed for Acute Treatment

2020 - 2021
Ashley Kells, Pharm.D.
Ashley is currently employed as a pharmacist at Dillons Pharmacy in Hutchinson, KS. At the pharmacy, she provides immunizations, health screenings and coachings, and medication therapy management. She also serves as a preceptor-in-training working with the current pharmacy resident of the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy and Dillons Pharmacy Community-Based Pharmacy Residency in the patient care learning experience based out of her pharmacy as well as engages in ongoing residency-based research projects.
Residency Research Project:
Impact of Pharmacist-Led Employee Health Screenings on Cardiovascular Risk
Residency Year | Resident | Residency Project or Manuscript Publication |
---|---|---|
2019 - 2020 | Erik Gunderson, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCACP | Gunderson EG, Newell BJ, Rohling BJ, Melton BL, Robertson AD. Impact of Automated Notifications on Prescription Abandonment. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. April 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/08971900211004829 |
2018 - 2019 | Janet Pham, Pharm.D. | Pham JN, Robertson AD, Melton BL, Rohling BJ, Newell BJ. Pilot Evaluation of Pharmacists’ and Pharmacy Technicians’ Knowledge and Understanding of a Medication Synchronization Program. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. September 2021. doi:10.1177/08971900211048306 |
2017 - 2018 | Erica Wilkinson, Pharm.D., BCACP | Wilkinson EA, Newell BJ, Melton BL, Robertson AD. Community-Based Pharmacy Travel Health Service Pilot Impact on Participant Understanding and Satisfaction. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/08971900211017093 |
2015 - 2016 | Ailey Carroll, Pharm.D. | Assessment of Coaching Program Enrollment from Pharmacist Contact Following Missed Biometric Marker at Annual Health Screenings |
Questions
Bradley J. Newell, Pharm.D., BCACP, BCGP, BC-ADM, FASCP
Residency Program Director
1010 N Kansas – Suite 2331
Wichita, KS 67214
316-293-3500
bnewell@ku.edu