Pharmacy Residency Program

• 10/3/25 – Tennessee residency showcase (hosted by TPA) – 1-3 pm CST
• 11/11/25 – SNPhA x ACCP virtual residency showcase – 4-5 pm CST
• 11/14/25 – KSHP Fall meeting residency showcase 
• 11/19/25 – MUSC virtual career showcase – 6-8 pm EST
• 12/9/25 – ASHP Midyear residency showcase – 8-11 am PST – booth 5328
• 12/17/25 – ASHP virtual residency showcase – 1-4 pm EST
• 12/17/25 – In person open house at Ephraim McDowell- 4:30-5:30 pm  – sign up using this link: https://forms.gle/97AJX1iekUgnxAiEA 

Thank you for your interest in the Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program! Our pharmacy team wants to develop outstanding clinical pharmacists. We will customize your experience based on your strengths, interests and career goals. See below for the details of our program. Be sure to click on the links for more information.

We are located only 34 miles from Lexington. We offer a Post Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) Pharmacy Residency program. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredits our program. Two positions are available. PGY1 candidates must apply through the ASHP application and matching process.

The residency program lasts 54 weeks. It begins with orientation the last two weeks of June. PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on pharmacy education and outcomes. As a result, it helps to develop clinical pharmacists responsible for medication related care of patients. Those patients may have a wide range of conditions. In addition, the pharmacists are eligible for board certification. They also qualify for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

Our residency program graduates its residents with a broad range of skills. As a result, they obtain positions at community hospitals, academic medical centers, and PGY2 residency positions. In addition, they have the skills to work in ambulatory care clinics and children’s hospitals. Residents also have the training to hold academic appointments.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Accredited

Learning Experiences

Benefits

During the 54-week program, our residents receive a stipend of approximately $60,912. We provide 10 days of PTO, four paid holidays and short-term illness accrual. In addition, we provide standard benefits. Those include health insurance, life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. In addition, we offer retirement savings with up to 8% employer match. Optional benefits include dental and vision insurance. In addition, other options are a flexible spending account and long-term disability. Residents also receive Outpatient Pharmacy and meal discounts.

Our residents are required to attend one state and one national pharmacy organization meeting. The program reimburses the residents for conference registration, travel, room and board (if applicable), and provides a daily food stipend.

Affiliation with UK

We are an affiliate of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. The UK College of Pharmacy combines innovative teaching and hands-on interactive learning in a world premier facility. Our residents are enrolled in the Student Precepting and Teaching Certificate for Pharmacists Program. The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy Teaching Certificate Program is offered in a joint collaborative effort with the American Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The college provides teaching opportunities in the classroom. A Patient Care Laboratory also helps to fulfill the requirements of the program.

Application Process

Application deadline is January 2.

PGY1 candidates must apply through the ASHP Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS). In addition, they must participate in the ASHP Resident Matching Program (The Match). The resident matching program code is 192113. We use PhORCAS for all residency candidate applications. We select candidates to offer interviews after reviewing all applications.  Applicants must have their Kentucky license by October 15.

You can learn more about the Pharmacy Department at EMH from our Pharmacy Fact Sheet.

In addition, you can learn more about our current resident below as well as our Past Residents and their Research Projects. Plus, we invite you to learn about our team of Pharmacy Preceptors.

You may direct questions about the residency program to Tara Neitzel, PharmD, BCPS, the Residency Program Director. Contact her at tneitzel@emhealth.org or (859) 239-1717.

For the 2026-2027 residency program year, the tentative start date is June 15 for Hospital Orientation. The Pharmacy Orientation begins June 16.

Current Residents

Cassadi Byrd, PharmD

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Education: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy Class of 2025, PharmD
Professional areas of interest: Critical Care, Cardiology
Career goals: To practice as a clinical inpatient pharmacist
Hobbies/interests: Running, cooking/baking, reading

Why I chose Ephraim:
I chose Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center because it values both personal growth and professional development. This program gives me the opportunity to build my clinical skills and knowledge and see how pharmacists can have a great impact on the quality of patient care. I am able to learn from and collaborate with many excellent health care professionals, and feel very supported in pursuing areas of pharmacy practice that interest me. 

Bryant Winters, PharmD

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Education: University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy Class of 2025, PharmD
Professional areas of interest: Oncology, Ambulatory Care, Infectious Disease
Career goals: To practice as an ambulatory oncology pharmacist and work directly with patients in a clinical setting
Hobbies/interests: Spending time outdoors, cooking, hiking, video games, and reading

Why I chose Ephraim:
I chose Ephraim McDowell because I wanted a residency that would help me grow into a well-rounded pharmacist. It was important to me to build on my clinical knowledge while also getting better at working with patients and communicating with other healthcare professionals. The range of experiences here has helped me feel more confident in both areas and shown me how pharmacists can really make a difference as part of the care team.

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Life in Danville, KY

Danville offers the best of both worlds: small-town charm with a lively social scene. Downtown is the heart of the city, where you’ll find local breweries, coffee shops, live music, and unique restaurants ranging from cozy brunch spots to farm-to-table dining. Festivals, outdoor concerts, and Centre College events keep the calendar full of things to do year-round.

For weekends, the surrounding bluegrass region offers endless opportunities to explore: hiking trails, kayaking on Herrington Lake, bourbon distilleries, and scenic drives through Kentucky’s horse country. If you’re looking for a bigger-city vibe, Lexington is just 34 miles away for nightlife, shopping, and other events, with Louisville and Cincinnati close enough for quick weekend trips.

With its affordable cost of living, walkable downtown, and welcoming community, Danville is an easy place to feel at home while making the most of your residency year.