Lexington

Our program is structured to provide residents with early hands-on experience in a variety of settings, including acute care, ambulatory care, and specialized services, ensuring that you will complete the program with a well-rounded clinical skill set.

Additionally, we emphasize the importance of interprofessional collaboration, research, and personal growth throughout your residency year.

We take pride in our program’s culture of support and excellence at Baptist Health Lexington and look forward to working with you as you take this important step in your career.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions about our program, and we look forward to meeting you soon.

Our mission is to develop competent, well-rounded pharmacists who demonstrate clinical excellence, leadership, and compassion in their practice. We are committed to providing comprehensive education and training that fosters the professional growth of our residents to become excellent acute care practitioners prepared for a second year of post-graduate training. Through a focus on patient-centered care and professional development, our program prepares residents to excel in diverse healthcare environments and become leaders in the evolving field of pharmacy.

Baptist Health Lexington is recognized for its outstanding patient care and clinical excellence, consistently ranked among the top hospitals in Kentucky. As a 434-bed tertiary care facility, it offers a broad spectrum of medical services, including advanced cardiology, oncology, orthopedic surgery, and women’s health. The hospital is also known for its commitment to innovation and quality, having earned Magnet® designation for nursing excellence and numerous accreditations in various specialties.

Residents at Baptist Health Lexington benefit from being part of a dynamic, patient-centered environment where high-quality healthcare is delivered using the latest technology and evidence-based practices. The hospital’s collaborative, multidisciplinary approach ensures residents can work alongside top-tier healthcare professionals, gaining exposure to cutting-edge treatments and care models. With its dedication to professional development and leadership, Baptist Health Lexington offers the perfect environment for those looking to make an impact in their pharmacy careers while being part of a community that values compassion and excellence.

The Baptist Health Lexington's Residency Program was established in 2010 and has graduated 67 residents since that time.

Baptist Health Lexington's foremost priority is to build the knowledge and skills of Residents to develop them into well-rounded, confident medical professionals. This is achieved through a novel longitudinal program structure designed to expose the Resident to a wide range of clinical experiences throughout the year. The selection of learning experiences is tailored to the goals and interests of the Resident and will prepare them for board certification, post-graduate year two (PGY2) residency training, or general practice in a variety of settings. Particular emphasis is placed on professional development, with each Resident taking part in our Leadership Certificate Program and Professional Development Seminar series.

The core rotations are designed to give the Resident a broad understanding of clinical pharmacy, and the elective rotations allow each Resident to further excel in their various areas of interest as well as expand their collaboration with the medical team. Repeated exposure to core practice settings throughout the year will allow the Resident to reinforce their clinical knowledge base and to apply previous Preceptor feedback. Coinciding with their clinical experiences, a longitudinal Administration experience will give Residents the opportunity to design and implement new policies and procedures via the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee as well as the Medication Safety Committee.

A variety of longitudinal experiences will provide the opportunity to develop, implement, assess, and publish a research project and also to design a publish a monthly pharmacy newsletter. Additionally, the resident will be able to broaden their precepting and teaching abilities by regularly precepting pharmacy students.

The pharmacy residency program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Hospital accreditations can be found here.

Baptist Health Lexington complies with ASHP accreditation requirements and utilizes the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) for all applicants. All applicants must be registered with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (ASHP) Residency Matching Program.

See ASHP Residency Directory for application deadline. Documents required for application include:

• One-page letter of intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts from your college of pharmacy
• Three references employing PhORCAS standardized reference form must be completed and submitted via PhORCAS. It is recommended that at least one of the references is from a preceptor. Other options include school of pharmacy faculty member or employer.

In addition to standard material submitted through PhORCAS, applicants will be required to submit a site-specific application (link) and a recent photo.

The clinical training for the Baptist Health Lexington PGY1 Pharmacy Residency is conducted across various specialized hospital departments. Training sites include Internal Medicine, ICU/Critical Care, decentralized hospital practice, and elective areas such as Infectious Disease, Oncology, and Orthopedics. Residents handle a wide variety of patient cases, including chronic diseases, acute care, and specialized treatments such as anticoagulation management, infectious disease interventions, and critical care support.

The patient population served is diverse, covering a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and medical complexities. Residents engage with both common and rare disease states, allowing exposure to a broad spectrum of clinical scenarios. Hands-on experience is emphasized through participation in daily patient rounds, pharmacotherapeutic monitoring, medication reconciliation, direct patient assessments, and the preparation of medication regimens. This immersive approach ensures that residents gain confidence and competence in independent pharmaceutical care provision.

Residents at Baptist Health Lexington are required to complete a research project during their PGY1 residency year. Each resident is paired with a faculty mentor from the Research Advisory Panel (RAP), which includes experienced preceptors and department supervisors. Mentorship is available throughout the project development process, from conceptualization and IRB submission to data collection and manuscript preparation.

Residents present their research as posters at the ASHP Midyear Meeting and regional residency conferences. Topics for research are diverse, encompassing areas such as medication use evaluations, clinical outcomes, and process improvements within the pharmacy department. In addition to the formal research project, residents have opportunities to participate in other quality improvement initiatives and collaborate with the broader healthcare team. These experiences help residents refine their research skills and contribute to clinical advancements in pharmacy practice.

Residents in the Baptist Health Lexington PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program are actively involved in a variety of teaching and learning experiences. Teaching methods include a mix of formal didactic presentations, informal journal club discussions, and hands-on precepting of pharmacy students. Residents are required to give a minimum of four formal presentations on pharmacotherapy topics relevant to hospital pharmacists, helping to develop their skills in literature evaluation, presentation delivery, and time management. One of these presentations occurs in the form of a grand-rounds presentation to pharmacists within the health-system.

The Baptist Health Lexington PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program offers a wide range of elective rotations to cater to residents’ professional interests. Elective options include subspecialty areas such as Anticoagulation Clinic, Oncology, Infectious Disease, Neurology, Orthopedics, and Emergency Medicine. Each elective provides focused, in-depth training, allowing residents to develop specialized clinical skills in their chosen area. 

Residents can select up to eight weeks of elective rotations, with the option to customize their experiences based on their career aspirations. While no more than three rotations can be completed in a single practice area, the program encourages diverse selections to ensure a broad clinical foundation. The longitudinal, two-week rotation model affords residents the opportunity for early and repeated exposure to areas of interest to better prepare them for PGY2 experiences, if desired.

The Baptist Health Lexington PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program includes a structured mentorship program to support the professional and personal development of residents. Each resident is paired with a dedicated mentor, who is different from their research advisor, by the Residency Program Director (RPD). Mentor assignments are made by the end of August, ensuring that residents have a consistent source of guidance early in the program. 

Mentors are involved in monthly meetings with their assigned residents, especially at the start of the year, and continue to offer support as needed throughout the residency. These informal meetings focus on the resident’s overall progress, project timelines, well-being, and career aspirations. The mentorship program fosters a collegial and supportive environment, encouraging open dialogue between residents and their mentors. 

Additionally, mentors play a key role in helping residents navigate the residency’s academic and clinical challenges, offering personalized advice and resources to address specific concerns. Residents are also encouraged to use the broader support system available through the residency program, including access to the Residency Advisory Committee (RAC) and wellness resources through Baptist Health’s "Wellness Centered on You" program.

Pharm.D. Degree:

Must be a graduate or candidate for graduation from an ACPE-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Licensure:

Must be eligible for pharmacist licensure in Kentucky, with licensure required within 90 days from the start of the residency year.

PhORCAS Application:

Application must be submitted through PhORCAS with all required documents (CV, cover letter, transcript, letters of recommendation).

Interview:

Participation in an on-site interview is required.

Our program participates in the ASHP Match. Candidates are selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of their PhORCAS application, including clinical experience, academic performance, and letters of recommendation. Selected applicants are invited for an on-site interview, where presentation skills, clinical knowledge, and cultural fit are assessed.

Application start dates, deadlines, and interview schedules vary each year in accordance with ASHP guidelines. Key dates, including Match deadlines, are updated annually on our website and through PhORCAS. Applicants are encouraged to check regularly for specific timelines.

• Salary: $55,100 per year
• Paid time off: 12 days
• Professional Leave
• Sick Leave
• Pharmacy Student Precepting
• Professional Travel Reimbursement/Meeting Reimbursement
• Insurance: Health, Vision, Dental, Life & Disability
• Select local event discounts and tickets
• Free Parking
• Credit Union

Residents are provided with support to attend professional conferences, including ASHP Midyear and regional residency conferences. Financial assistance is offered for travel and registration. Additionally, as a part of Baptist Health Lexington Residency Program completion, residents will complete a Leadership Certificate program. The program will include a series of professional development sessions with department staff aimed at developing habits for a successful pharmacy leader.

Residents have access to a range of wellness resources, including mental health support through Baptist Health’s "Wellness Centered on You" program. Fitness facilities are available on-site, and work-life balance is supported through regular mentorship meetings and wellness discussions as part of the development plan. Residents are encouraged to utilize these resources to maintain their personal well-being throughout the program.

Available upon request.

Lexington, Kentucky is an ideal place for post-graduate professionals to live and thrive. The city is large enough to provide a vibrant social and cultural scene, while still maintaining a close-knit community feel. Residents can enjoy the benefits of a dynamic city without losing the sense of connection that comes with living in a smaller community.

Lexington is home to a variety of unique neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive culture, contributing to the city's diverse and welcoming atmosphere. Local pride runs deep, with an emphasis on supporting the arts, local businesses, and celebrating the rich heritage of Kentucky. The city hosts numerous events, including art fairs, local festivals, and the renowned Keeneland horse racing meets in both the fall and spring. Additionally, University of Kentucky sports events are a major draw, bringing residents together to enjoy the city’s collegiate spirit.

Whether you're here to advance your career or looking to settle down, Lexington provides a perfect balance of opportunities, culture, and community. It’s a place where people often find themselves returning, drawn back by its unique character and quality of life.

Graduates of the Baptist Health Lexington PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program are well-prepared to pursue diverse career paths across the Commonwealth and beyond. Our residents have gone on to work in a wide range of settings, including internal medicine, informatics and automation, critical care, infectious disease, management and administration, ambulatory care, industry, and specialty pharmacy. We are especially proud of our strong retention rate, with approximately 41% of our residents either immediately retained after completing the program or currently working within our Lexington facility. With a solid foundation in both clinical and administrative skills, our graduates are highly sought after in Kentucky and beyond.

Contact Us:

Eric Marr, PharmD, MBA, BCPS
PGY1 Residency Program Director
1740 Nicholasville Rd.
Lexington, Ky. 40503
859.260.5123
[email protected]