A record number of WVU pharmacy graduates pursue residencies in 2023

The West Virginia University School of Pharmacy achieved impressive results in post-graduate year one (PGY1) residency placement this year. Phase two of the Match wrapped up in April, and the School of Pharmacy boasted a record number of participants in the program.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) provides a national matching service that helps place applicants with the residency of their choice. This year, 34 candidates from the School participated in the Match, with an impressive 28 of them securing PGY1 placements.

"Regardless of the changing tides of the pharmacy and medical professional environment, we maintain an exceptional pace in the Match program," said Dr. Jay Martello, clinical associate professor. "Our students continue to thrive, achieving remarkable success as they secure positions in their desired top-tier programs."

Graduates will serve as residents in health facilities across West Virginia, including WVU Medicine's Ruby Memorial Hospital and Children's Hospital in Morgantown and Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg; Charleston Area Medica Center, Louis A Johnson Veterans' Medical Center and Martinsburg VA Medical Center. In addition, many are going out of state to learn new skills and potentially bring those back to West Virginia. Other states where the graduates have been selected for residencies include Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky and New York. 

While graduates who received PharmD degrees are "practice ready," many choose to do residencies in order to qualify for highly specialized positions. Pharmacy Residency Match Day, an annual event held in March, facilitates a structured process for applicants to secure positions in their desired residency programs while enabling institutions to choose suitable candidates. Various health professions, such as medicine, dentistry, psychology, podiatry, optometry and others employ similar matching programs.