Pictured top row left to right are Dr. Phil Johnston, Dean of Belmont University College of Pharmacy, Dr. Cathy Ficzere, Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Belmont University College of Pharmacy, Mr. Bob Mifflin, Executive Director of the Christy-Houston Foundation, Gordon B. Ferguson, President and CEO of St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital, Dr. Amy Hodgin, Residency Director at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital, John Farringer, Director of Pharmacy at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital.  Dr. Nick Brakefield and Dr. Maggie Goodman (Belmont COP ‘15), inaugural residents, are seated.

Belmont University College of Pharmacy initiated their first post-graduate pharmacy residencies earlier this month in cooperation with Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and the Christy-Houston Foundation.  On July 1, Drs. Maggie Goodman, a 2015 graduate of Belmont’s PharmD program, and Nick Brakefield, a 2015 graduate of Auburn University’s PharmD program, started their year-long residency.

Dr. Philip Johnston, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, remarked, “We are very excited about the partnership with Christy-Houston Foundation and Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital.  It is an excellent practice and location to establish a pharmacy residency program.  Drs. Hodgin and Farringer will serve as wonderful role models and mentors along with various health care personnel.  This helps create jobs in Rutherford county, where the Christy-Houston Foundation focuses, it helps the hospital expand its clinical and administrative services, and helps Belmont establish additional training sites.”

Residencies for pharmacy graduates are a one year program designed to provide structured experience and education for pharmacists who are aspiring to positions in various health-systems.  Residency positions are difficult to secure and only about 65% of graduates seeking a residency find a match.  The College of Pharmacy worked with the Christy-Houston Foundation to fund a program for two residents at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital.  The grant was approved, underwriting residency stipends, fringe benefits and travel.  Once the program is accredited in the summer of 2016, it will be self-sustaining.  Belmont’s College of Pharmacy is making an effort to positively affect the number of offerings in middle Tennessee by partnering with funding agencies and area health care facilities to create new jobs.