Pharmacy Residency Program

Akron Children's Hospital is the largest pediatric healthcare system in northeast Ohio and is ranked among the best children's hospitals by US News & World Report. Akron Children's has 2 hospital campuses, 7 regional health centers, and 50 primary and specialty care locations throughout Ohio. We have also partnered with other community hospitals to bring our neonatal and pediatric expertise totaling 462 inpatient beds. Akron Children's Hospital promises to treat every child as we would our own, to treat others as they want to be treated, and to turn no child away for any reason.  With more than a million patient visits a year, we’ve been leading the way to healthier futures for children through quality patient care, education, advocacy, community service and medical discovery.

The PGY-1 pharmacy residency program at Akron Children’s Hospital will train residents in evidence-based medication management, interprofessional collaboration, communication, leadership, patient safety, and life-long learning. Our residents will have opportunities in various clinical settings and will learn skills to master the principles of pediatric pharmacotherapy. We hope to instill professional maturity, self-improvement skills, and leadership principles in all different aspects of medication-related issues. Our goals for our residents are to leave our program competent and confident pharmacists capable of caring for pediatric patients and/or advancing to a PGY-2 pediatric residency program. Graduates of the residency program will be adequately prepared for specialized residencies, fellowships, or other career opportunities.

The PGY-2 pediatric pharmacy residency program at Akron Children’s Hospital will train residents in evidence-based medication management, interprofessional collaboration, communication, leadership, patient safety, and life-long learning. Our residents will have opportunities in various clinical settings and will learn skills to master the principles of pediatric pharmacotherapy. We hope to instill professional maturity, self-improvement skills, and leadership principles in all different aspects of medication-related issues. Our goals for our residents are to leave our program as competent and confident pediatric pharmacists capable of practicing in various pediatric specialties.

ASHP PGY-1 Purpose: PGY1 residency programs build upon Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the educational competency areas, goals, and objectives. Residents who successfully complete PGY1 residency programs will be skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership, and education, and be prepared to provide patient care, seek board certification in pharmacotherapy (i.e., BCPS), and pursue advanced education and training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.

ASHP PGY-2 Purpose: PGY-2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY-1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY-2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY-2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification.

Core Learning Experiences:

• Orientation
• Electives (2 learning experiences)
• Medication Safety
• Infectious Disease
• Emergency Medicine
• General Pediatrics
• Hematology/Oncology
• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Pharmacy Administration/Leadership
• Pediatric Intensive Care

Longitudinal Core Learning Experiences:

• Ambulatory Care
• Staffing
• PGY-1 Residency Research
• Teaching certificate

Potential Elective Learning Experiences - 2 (based on availability):

• Education & Preceptorship
• Specialty Pharmacy
• Burn
• Bone Marrow Transplant
• NICU – Offsite
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine – Offsite
• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Practice Management

Other Opportunities:

• BLS (Basic Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support, optional)
• Drug class review or monograph (determined by department needs)

Core Learning Experiences in the Pediatric Pharmacy Residency Program:

• Orientation
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• General Pediatrics
• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• Electives (2 learning experiences)

Longitudinal Core Learning Experiences:

• Ambulatory Care Clinic
• Education & Preceptorship
• Pharmacy Staffing – required every third weekend and coverage of one major and one minor holiday
• Practice Management (Research)
• Quality Improvement

Potential Elective Learning Experiences (based on availability):

• Ambulatory Care
• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Bone Marrow Transplant
• Pharmacy Management & Leadership
• Medication Safety
• Resident-Directed Learning Experiences

Other Opportunities:

• BLS (Basic Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support, optional)
• Teaching certificate (optional)
• Two journal club presentations (fall and spring)
• Two formal 60-minute presentations (patient case and controversial topic)
• Research project
• Quality improvement project
• Drug class review or monograph (determined by department needs)

Residency Leadership:

Kyle Finnerty, PharmD, MBA, MS

• Role at ACH: Director of Pharmacy, PGY1 Residency Program Director
  • Learning experiences precepted: Pharmacy Management & Leadership (elective)
• Colleges and Universities Attended:
  • University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy; Findlay, OH; Doctor of Pharmacy
  • University of Findlay, College of Business; Findlay, OH; Master of Business Administration
  • University of Utah, College of Pharmacy; Salt Lake City, UT; Master of Science – Health System Administration
• Post-Graduate Training
  • PGY-1 Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency at University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City, UT
  • PGY-2 Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency at University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City, UT
• Management interests: Operations, Ambulatory Care, Specialty Pharmacy, Transitions of Care, Population Health, 340B management
   

JoEllen Weilnau, PharmD

• Role at ACH: PGY-2 Pediatric Residency Coordinator & Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant              
  • Learning experiences precepted: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant (elective)
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • Duquesne University; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Charleston Area Medical Center; Charleston, West Virginia
  • PGY-2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency at Nationwide Children’s Hospital; Columbus, Ohio
• Clinical Interests: Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant Supportive Care, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Research, Quality Improvement

Preceptors

Nathan Bartley, PharmD, MHA, BCPS

• Role at ACH: Inpatient Operations Manager
  • Learning experiences precepted: Pharmacy Staffing, Pharmacy Management & Leadership

• Colleges/Universities Attended: 
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; B.S. In Biochemistry
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy, Madison, Wisconsin; Doctor of Pharmacy
  • University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Masters of Healthcare Administration
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City, Utah
  • PGY-2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency at University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City, Utah

• Clinical Interests: Pharmacy Operations, Medication Safety, Technology/Automation, Advocacy

Jennifer Bonvechio, PharmD, BCPPS

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Medication Safety
  • Learning experiences precepted: Medication Safety (elective)

• Colleges/Universities Attended: 
  • Ohio Northern University, Raabe College of Pharmacy; Ada, Ohio; Doctor of Pharmacy

• Clinical Interests: Medication Safety, Infusion Pumps, Quality Improvement, Interdisciplinary Teams

Jamee Colucci, PharmD

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Pediatric Pulmonary
  • Learning experiences precepted: Ambulatory Care Clinic
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • Kent State University; Kent, Ohio; Bachelor of Science
  • Northeast Ohio Medical University, College of Pharmacy; Rootstown, Ohio; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Akron Children’s Hospital; Akron, Ohio
• Clinical Interests: High-Risk Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis

Yi Fei Heng, PharmD

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Learning experiences precepted: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Colleges/Universities Attend:
  • Purdue University, College of Pharmacy; West Lafayette, IN; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at WVU Medicine; Morgantown, WV
  • PGY-2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency at WVU Medicine; Morgantown, WV
• Clinical Interests: Nutrition, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics in neonates

Kalyn Jarrett, PharmD

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - General Pediatrics
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • Calumet College of St. Joseph; Whiting, Indiana; Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science
  • Roosevelt University, College of Pharmacy; Schaumburg, IL;  Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital; Park Ridge, Illinois
  • PGY-2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency at Advocate Children's Hospital; Park Ridge, Illinois
• Clinical Interests:  Antibiotic Stewardship, Asthma, Behavioral Health, Infectious Diseases, Seizure Disorders

Ellyse Ridgway, PharmD

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • Kent State University; Kent, Ohio; Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
  • Northeast Ohio Medical University, College of Pharmacy; Rootstown, Ohio; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center; Ravenna, OH
• Clinical Interests: Emergency Medicine, Transitions of Care, Academia, & Medication Safety 

Alyssa Kuhn, PharmD, BCCPS

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Learning experiences precepted: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • West Virginia University School of Pharmacy; Morgantown, West Virginia; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Charleston Area Medical Center; Charleston, West Virginia
  • PGY-2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency at Children's National Hospital; Washington, DC
• Clinical Interests: ECMO, Sedation, Nutrition

Chelsey Miles, PharmD, BCPS

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Learning experiences precepted: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • Ohio Northern University, Raabe College of Pharmacy; Ada, Ohio; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center; Chardon, Ohio
• Clinical Interests: Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care

Nicholas Selle, PharmD, BCPS

• Role at ACH: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Pediatric Emergency Medicine             
  • Learning experiences precepted: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • University of Akron; Akron, Ohio; Pharmacy prerequisites
  • Northeast Ohio Medical University, College of Pharmacy; Rootstown, Ohio; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Cleveland Clinic – Akron General; Akron, Ohio
• Clinical Interests: Toxicology, Infectious Disease, Code Response

John Standish, PharmD, BCPS

• Role at ACH: Inpatient Pharmacy Services Manager
  • Learning experiences precepted: Pharmacy Staffing (longitudinal) & Pharmacy Management & Leadership (elective)
• Colleges/Universities Attended:
  • University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Doctor of Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Training:
  • PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children; Wilmington, Delaware
• Clinical Interests: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenomics, Pediatric Critical Care, Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

The PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency program will be recruiting 2 residents for the 2026-2027 year.

We would love to see you at:

• PPA Residency Virtual Showcase
• OSHP Annual Meeting & Residency Showcase
• SNPhA X ACCP Residency and Fellowship Showcase
• ASHP Midyear

The PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency program will be recruiting 2 residents for the 2026-2027 year.

The PGY-2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency Program will not be recruiting for the 2026-2027 residency year.

Requirements for application include a PharmD from an ACPE accredited college of pharmacy and or equivalent experience and Ohio licensure within 30 days of start of program (an additional 30-day extension may be provided on a case-by-case basis – see resident licensure policy).

All applicants, both foreign and domestic, must provide proof of United States citizenship or legal immigration status, or proper work authorization (permanent or temporary). Candidates must provide information related to their VISA at the time of application if needed for VISA sponsorship and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Application materials must be submitted via PhORCAS and should include official college transcripts, letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and 3 letters of recommendation.

Application deadline is January 2, 2026, 11:59 PM. Please address all correspondence/questions to:

NMS Match Code: 218213

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