PGY-2: Oncology

Hospital Information – Tisch Cancer Institute

Our distinguished team offers the most advanced treatments for patients with all types of cancer. At The Tisch Cancer Institute, a NCI-designated cancer center, we provide multidisciplinary care including medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology, as well as a full range of diagnostic and supportive care services. Our mission is to care for the “whole person,” not just to treat the disease. In addition to our multidisciplinary approach and comprehensive services, The Tisch Cancer Institute builds upon the exceptional medical and surgical care at Mount Sinai Hospital by providing access to cutting edge clinical trials for adults and children with cancer.

Our mission is to build upon Mount Sinai Hospital’s reputation for excellence in research and clinical care to find new ways to prevent, treat, and cure cancer. The Tisch Cancer Institute has access to levels of research expertise and patient care that few other cancer centers can offer. As the Tisch Cancer Institute continues to grow, we will implement new multidisciplinary programs and construct new buildings for patient care and scientific research. Nearly one-third of Mount Sinai’s strategic investments have been dedicated to cancer care and research- illustrating Mount Sinai’s commitment to fighting the disease. Additional services include screening, clinical trials, genetic counseling, psychosocial support, nutritional counseling, complementary medicine, and wellness counseling.

Oncology Residency Program Information

General Information

We accept one (1) full-time PGY 2 Oncology Resident each year for the 12 month residency. A major research project must be completed and presented during the residency year.

Purpose

PGY-2 Oncology residency program build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in advanced or specialized practice. PGY2 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 that improves medication therapy. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency should possess competencies that qualify them for clinical pharmacist and/or faculty positions and position them to be eligible for attainment of board certification in oncology pharmacy.

Objectives

  1. In collaboration with the health care team, provide safe and effective patient care to a diverse range of patients, including those with multiple co-morbidities, high-risk medication regimens, and multiple medications
  2. Ensure continuity of care during patient transitions between care settings                        
  3. Prepare, dispense, and manage medications to support safe and effective drug therapy for patients
  4. Demonstrate ability to manage formulary and medication-use processes, as applicable to the organization                                                   
  5. Demonstrate ability to evaluate and investigate practice, review data, and assimilate scientific evidence to improve patient care and/or the medication-use system                  
  6. Demonstrate  leadership and practice management skills
  7. Provide effective medication and practice-related education to patients, caregivers, health care professionals, students, and the public (individuals and groups)             
  8. Effectively employs appropriate preceptor roles when engaged in teaching students, pharmacy technicians or fellow health care professionals                                    

Program Description

The oncology pharmacy residency at Mount Sinai Hospital is ASHP-accredited and it is a twelve month program with a focus on oncology patient centered medication therapy management. The majority of the resident’s time will be spent on various oncology teams, working collaboratively with a medical team and other health care providers. The pharmacy resident will serve as a pharmacy resource within the team.

Benefits: Funding is available for educational meetings as well as membership in national, state, and local professional organizations. Residents receive an annual stipend and are eligible for health insurance, holidays and educational travel.
Vacation: 19 total days Paid Time Off (PTO)

Learning Experiences

Core Rotations (10 months)

  • Departmental Orientation
  • Inpatient Medical Oncology
  • Inpatient Malignant Hematology (Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma)
  • HSCT (Allogeneic and Autologous)
  • Ambulatory Oncology
  • Oncology Clinical Trials
  • Palliative Care
  • Concentrated Research Period

Elective Rotations (2 months)

  • Oncology ID
  • Nutrition Support
  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Subspecialty oncology clinic (i.e. myeloma, medical oncology, BMT)

Longitudinal Experiences

Staffing

  • Weekend (1st and 3rd Saturdays) in decentralized inpatient and ambulatory oncology satellites
  • Weekday evening (2 weekday evenings/month) in inpatient oncology satellite

Drug Policy - Attendance at various interdisciplinary committee meetings as determined by the Program Director:

  • Mount Sinai Oncology P &T Subcommittee and P & T Committee
  • Mount Sinai Cancer Quality Committee
  • Mount Sinai Chemotherapy Council

Research

  • Protocol submission to IRB
  • Poster presentation at HOPA and NYSCHP Residency conferences
  • Completed data presented to oncology group

Departmental Service

  • Pharmacy Journal Club and Case Conferences
  • Pharmacy Grand Rounds
  • Performance Improvement
  • Pharmacy Manager’s Group

Current and Past Residents:

Current Oncology Pharmacy Resident
Bianca Bucuresteanu, PharmD

Past Oncology Pharmacy Residents:

Class of 2022-2023
Carissa J. Ganihong, PharmD (Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist in HSCT at Hackensack University Medical Center)

Class of 2020-2021
Stephanie Wo, PharmD, BCOP (Clinical Pharmacist in HSCT at NYU Langone Health)

Class of 2019-2020
Carli Beall, PharmD (Clinical Pharmacist in Pediatric Oncology at Montefiore)

Class of 2018-2019
Daniel Park, PharmD (Clinical Pharmacist in HSCT at The Mount Sinai Hospital)

Class of 2017-2018
Sweta Patel, PharmD (Clinical Pharmacist in Ambulatory Medical Oncology at University of Pennsylvania Hospital)

Class of 2016-2017
Julia Zecchini, PharmD (Clinical Pharmacist in Ambulatory HSCT at Hackensack University Medical Center)

Class of 2015-2016
Loriel Solodokin, PharmD, (Clinical Pharmacist in Malignant Hematology at Massachusetts General Hospital)

Class of 2014-2015
Sarah Kator, PharmD, BCOP (Clinical Pharmacist in HSCT/Leukemia Services at Intermountain Medical Center)