Walgreens, University of Cincinnati partner on specialty pharmacist residency
Walgreens and the University of Cincinnati are working together to create a specialty pharmacy residency in Ohio. The residency, on which the retailer and the university’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, would be the first focused on specialty pharmacy in the state.
“Specialty pharmacy is the fastest growing segment of pharmacy practice, and we are proud to assist in the creation of a residency program whereby postdoctoral students gain exemplary training at a Walgreens specialty pharmacy in Cincinnati,” said Bethanne Brown, associate professor of pharmacy practice and residency director for UC’s Winkle College.
Dan Hein, Walgreens’ area health care supervisor, said that interest in specialty pharmacy residencies are increasing as more complex therapies for various disease states come to market, making specialty pharmacists — who provide medication management therapy and help patients navigate insurance coverage alongside dispensing — in higher demand.
Walgreens’ Hein will be among the five preceptors who will work with Brown and the program’s first resident, Vaidhei Desai, who will earn her doctor of pharmacy degree this month from Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and begin her residency at the Walgreens Community specialty pharmacy in Cincinnati this year.
“This area of pharmacy is very interesting to me because the patients are so engaged, because they have disease states that have to be managed carefully,” said Desai who began working for Walgreens as a pharmacy technician in training before beginning pharmacy school, and who completed an internship at a Walgreens retail store as she pursued her degree.
"Desai is perfect for the residency because she is eager to help people … it’s all about patient care,” Hein said.
“Specialty pharmacy is the fastest growing segment of pharmacy practice, and we are proud to assist in the creation of a residency program whereby postdoctoral students gain exemplary training at a Walgreens specialty pharmacy in Cincinnati,” said Bethanne Brown, associate professor of pharmacy practice and residency director for UC’s Winkle College.
Dan Hein, Walgreens’ area health care supervisor, said that interest in specialty pharmacy residencies are increasing as more complex therapies for various disease states come to market, making specialty pharmacists — who provide medication management therapy and help patients navigate insurance coverage alongside dispensing — in higher demand.
Walgreens’ Hein will be among the five preceptors who will work with Brown and the program’s first resident, Vaidhei Desai, who will earn her doctor of pharmacy degree this month from Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and begin her residency at the Walgreens Community specialty pharmacy in Cincinnati this year.
“This area of pharmacy is very interesting to me because the patients are so engaged, because they have disease states that have to be managed carefully,” said Desai who began working for Walgreens as a pharmacy technician in training before beginning pharmacy school, and who completed an internship at a Walgreens retail store as she pursued her degree.
"Desai is perfect for the residency because she is eager to help people … it’s all about patient care,” Hein said.