Frequently asked questions
How is the resident's year organized?
The first two weeks of the residency is orientation during which the residents rotate through different areas of the hospital, learn the pharmacy's computer systems, explore potential research projects, understand medication usage evaluations (MUEs), and obtain BLS/ACLS certifications. After orientation, the residents will have a Foundations in Direct Patient Care learning experience in which they are introduced to the aspects of providing optimal pharmaceutical care and managing patients clinically. Learning experiences are based on calendar months throughout the residency year.
What transcripts are required when applying?
All college transcripts (undergrad and pharmacy school) are required.
How much do the residents staff?
Throughout the year, staffing experiences occur every third weekend and one evening shift biweekly. Staffing experiences will involve both clinical and operational duties. Additionally, residents may be assigned on-call responsibilities during selected learning experiences. Overnight shifts are not required. Remote access to the Houston Methodist’s electronic health record system as well as drug information references are made available to the resident. Residents will be scheduled to work at least one major and one minor holiday.
How flexible is the program with electives?
During the residency, some residents discover new areas of interest. The program is very flexible in adapting the residency experience to accommodate the resident's interests and goals. Additional elective learning experiences may be completed off-site at our flagship 900-bed hospital in the Texas Medical Center contingent on preceptor alignment.
How are the residents evaluated?
The resident is provided with a list of goals and objectives for each learning experience. The preceptor provides frequent verbal feedback and completes a midpoint and final evaluation of the resident. On a quarterly basis, the residency program director provides the resident with an evaluation of their progress. The objective of the frequent evaluations is to provide constructive feedback to the resident on their progress to maximize the opportunity for learning.
Is the resident required to do oral presentations?
On each monthly learning experience, residents are required to do a formal and/or informal presentation to pharmacy staff, nursing staff, and/or medical staff. Other presentations may be required as determined by the preceptor, physicians, or nursing staff. Each resident will also present a minimum of one-hour ACPE-accredited continuing education program during the year. Additional opportunities to present include University of Houston College of Pharmacy lectures, departmental journal clubs, and medication safety meetings among others.
Is there an opportunity to early commit to one of the PGY2 programs at Houston Methodist Hospital?
The PGY2 programs at our flagship hospital (Houston Methodist Hospital), in the Texas Medical Center, offer the opportunity for early commitment. The resident must communicate this intention to the respective residency program director (RPD) and submit their written letter of intent in person by October 31st. Pursuant to the receipt of the application, the RPD will conduct an interview of the candidate and follow ASHP Residency Matching Program guidelines. Candidates not choosing to early commit or those who are not offered early commitment by the PGY2 program may still apply to the PGY2 program but are required to participate in the ASHP Match.
What teaching opportunities are available?
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a clinical teaching site for students from the colleges of pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M University, University of The Incarnate Word, University of Texas at Tyler, and University of North Texas. A teaching certificate program is offered as part of the Houston Methodist and University of Houston College of Pharmacy affiliation for residents interested in such a training experience.
Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?
Support is available for required meetings such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference. Support to attend additional meetings is determined on an individual basis.
Do residents have library privileges?
Through the Houston Methodist Library, residents have access to many electronic resources, including over 12,000 journals, 3,000 e-books and 40 subscription databases and applications. A few of the popular databases are: Micromedex, Lexi-Comp, Natural Medicine, Dynamed, Clinical Key and Up-To-Date, all of which are available at the hospital, as well as remotely.
What is the average cost for housing in Northwest Houston?
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Northwest Houston area is about $1100-$1500 per month. Houston Methodist Willowbrook is conveniently located close to major highways in Houston, thus making it easily accessible and within reasonable commuting distance from several residential neighborhoods in Houston, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands, and Tomball.
What is there to do in Houston?
Houston is the fourth largest city and one of the most diverse in the nation, and as such has an abundance of recreational opportunities. Evenings out can include professional sporting events such as the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Dynamo, or Houston Dash games. Houston’s music and art scene includes Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, and Broadway at the Hobby Center. Discount tickets to some of these venues/events may be found on YouDecide.
The first two weeks of the residency is orientation during which the residents rotate through different areas of the hospital, learn the pharmacy's computer systems, explore potential research projects, understand medication usage evaluations (MUEs), and obtain BLS/ACLS certifications. After orientation, the residents will have a Foundations in Direct Patient Care learning experience in which they are introduced to the aspects of providing optimal pharmaceutical care and managing patients clinically. Learning experiences are based on calendar months throughout the residency year.
What transcripts are required when applying?
All college transcripts (undergrad and pharmacy school) are required.
How much do the residents staff?
Throughout the year, staffing experiences occur every third weekend and one evening shift biweekly. Staffing experiences will involve both clinical and operational duties. Additionally, residents may be assigned on-call responsibilities during selected learning experiences. Overnight shifts are not required. Remote access to the Houston Methodist’s electronic health record system as well as drug information references are made available to the resident. Residents will be scheduled to work at least one major and one minor holiday.
How flexible is the program with electives?
During the residency, some residents discover new areas of interest. The program is very flexible in adapting the residency experience to accommodate the resident's interests and goals. Additional elective learning experiences may be completed off-site at our flagship 900-bed hospital in the Texas Medical Center contingent on preceptor alignment.
How are the residents evaluated?
The resident is provided with a list of goals and objectives for each learning experience. The preceptor provides frequent verbal feedback and completes a midpoint and final evaluation of the resident. On a quarterly basis, the residency program director provides the resident with an evaluation of their progress. The objective of the frequent evaluations is to provide constructive feedback to the resident on their progress to maximize the opportunity for learning.
Is the resident required to do oral presentations?
On each monthly learning experience, residents are required to do a formal and/or informal presentation to pharmacy staff, nursing staff, and/or medical staff. Other presentations may be required as determined by the preceptor, physicians, or nursing staff. Each resident will also present a minimum of one-hour ACPE-accredited continuing education program during the year. Additional opportunities to present include University of Houston College of Pharmacy lectures, departmental journal clubs, and medication safety meetings among others.
Is there an opportunity to early commit to one of the PGY2 programs at Houston Methodist Hospital?
The PGY2 programs at our flagship hospital (Houston Methodist Hospital), in the Texas Medical Center, offer the opportunity for early commitment. The resident must communicate this intention to the respective residency program director (RPD) and submit their written letter of intent in person by October 31st. Pursuant to the receipt of the application, the RPD will conduct an interview of the candidate and follow ASHP Residency Matching Program guidelines. Candidates not choosing to early commit or those who are not offered early commitment by the PGY2 program may still apply to the PGY2 program but are required to participate in the ASHP Match.
What teaching opportunities are available?
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a clinical teaching site for students from the colleges of pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M University, University of The Incarnate Word, University of Texas at Tyler, and University of North Texas. A teaching certificate program is offered as part of the Houston Methodist and University of Houston College of Pharmacy affiliation for residents interested in such a training experience.
Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?
Support is available for required meetings such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference. Support to attend additional meetings is determined on an individual basis.
Do residents have library privileges?
Through the Houston Methodist Library, residents have access to many electronic resources, including over 12,000 journals, 3,000 e-books and 40 subscription databases and applications. A few of the popular databases are: Micromedex, Lexi-Comp, Natural Medicine, Dynamed, Clinical Key and Up-To-Date, all of which are available at the hospital, as well as remotely.
What is the average cost for housing in Northwest Houston?
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Northwest Houston area is about $1100-$1500 per month. Houston Methodist Willowbrook is conveniently located close to major highways in Houston, thus making it easily accessible and within reasonable commuting distance from several residential neighborhoods in Houston, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands, and Tomball.
What is there to do in Houston?
Houston is the fourth largest city and one of the most diverse in the nation, and as such has an abundance of recreational opportunities. Evenings out can include professional sporting events such as the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Dynamo, or Houston Dash games. Houston’s music and art scene includes Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, and Broadway at the Hobby Center. Discount tickets to some of these venues/events may be found on YouDecide.