Western New England University College of Pharmacy Health Sciences and Big Y Foods, Inc. Community-Based Residency Program has received accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The accreditation establishes criteria for training pharmacists for the purpose of achieving professional competence in the delivery of patient-centered care and in pharmacy services.
The purpose of the PGY1 (post graduate year one) Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program is to build upon the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop community-based pharmacist practitioners with diverse patient care, leadership, and education skills who are eligible to pursue advanced training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) specialized residencies and professional certifications.
ASHP's Commission on Credentialing extended the accreditation of the residency program through 2024. The accreditation means that the program meets or exceeds the national standards set for a residency training program.
The WNE College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Big Y Foods, Inc. Community-Based Residency Program is the only university-based initiative in western Massachusetts.
"We provide the ability to tailor the residency to the interests of the resident. Big Y, as a local, family owned company, supports the resident to excel and advance the practice of pharmacy where the impact can be felt and seen in the community," explains Kam Capoccia Western New England University Clinical Professor of Community Care and PGY-1 Community-Based Residency Program Director. "Our program provides opportunities for the resident to teach students, patients, healthcare professionals, and members of the community. Some of our graduates have stayed on with Big Y and some have pursued a PGY2 residency in ambulatory care."
Big Y Pharmacist, Dr. Amanda Pelland '15, became the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Specialist for Big Y Pharmacy & Wellness Centers after completing the residency. "This unique position was created for me based on the research and experiences in that one year of training. The program provides opportunities to create innovative programs and to do more as a pharmacist."
The Western New England University and Big Y Foods, Inc. Consultation and Wellness Center is located at the Big Y on Cooley Street in Springfield, MA. Within the store is a pharmacist faculty-run center that provides an accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program at no cost to the adult community. The program is accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists and has provided care and education for more than 1700 patients over the past 10 years. The Consultation and Wellness Center is located directly behind the pharmacy in a 600 square-foot space that includes a waiting room, private restroom, examination room, and an office.
This year the Residency program graduated its fifth resident. Three of the graduates are Big Y pharmacists who have created new pharmacy services and two graduates went on to pursue PGY2 (post graduate year 2) ambulatory care residencies.
WNE College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences also offers a PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program with Walgreens. This program began in 2014 and is also accredited by ASHP and APhA.
For more information visit the Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences website.
