Department of Pharmacy Residency Program

General Information
The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) operates major medical facilities in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Europe, Japan and Korea. Comprehensive medical treatment is provided to military personnel (active duty and retired), and their eligible family members. Army hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission, and closely resemble non-military civilian hospitals in the United States.

Army hospitals host progressive full-service pharmacies staffed by Army and civilian pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. In addition to state-of-the-art pharmacy practices, Army pharmacies are also involved in research, teaching, and various pharmacy-related management activities 

Pharmacy residency programs have been established at selected Army Medical Centers to enhance educational opportunities for Army and civilian pharmacists. These residencies are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).  

About Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC)
TAMC is a 250-bed teaching medical center located on Moanalua Ridge above Honolulu on the island of Oahu. It is the only U.S. Army Medical Center in the Pacific and provides graduate training programs in medicine, general surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, psychiatry, psychology, pharmacy, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, radiology, urology, oral surgery, hospital administration, and anesthesia nursing.

The medical center's service region includes Hawaii, Korea, Japan, Johnston Atoll, Guam, Eniwetok, Kwajalein, American Samoa, and various other Pacific Island Nations, encompassing 3 million square miles of ocean and 700,000 square miles of land mass.  

The TAMC Department of Pharmacy has a strong history as a center of excellence. Supported by a core of dedicated civilian and military personnel, the pharmacy has continued to sustain high quality practices in all areas. The department has been an innovator of numerous clinical programs, automated systems, robotics, educational programs, and enhancements to the delivery of pharmaceutical care. In recognition of these accomplishments, the department has received the U.S. Army Pharmacy Leadership and Innovation Award and has twice won the Joint Forces Pharmacy Seminar Best Poster over the past 5 years.

Pharmaceutical care activities at TAMC encompass various ambulatory care clinics and acute care services. Clinical pharmacists hold extensive clinical privileges, to include prescription and laboratory ordering authority. They work as integral members of the multi-disciplinary health care team participating in disease state management and functioning autonomously to implement pharmaceutical care plans.

TAMC Department of Pharmacy continues to be the leader in the development and evolution of Army Pharmacy and is the ideal setting to enhance pharmaceutical skills needed in the 21st century.

TAMC Pharmacy Residency Program
The PGY-1 residency program at TAMC is a 12-month program, training four residents each year; two Army residents and two civilian residents. The residency curriculum is identical for both active duty and civilian residents. The program has been ASHP-accredited since 1992 and consists of block and longitudinal rotations with dedicated project time. In addition to the residency training program, the TAMC Department of Pharmacy has student clerkship affiliation agreements with several schools of pharmacy nationwide, allowing the opportunity for residents to precept students while on rotation together.  

1. Demonstrate leadership through innovation, mentoring, management, team building, and organizational skills.
2. Practice Army core values, know Army logistics practices, and appreciate readiness issues and military organizational structure.
3. Will be qualified for practice in multiple healthcare environments.
4. Committed to practicing pharmaceutical care in a manner that is compassionate, ethical, and consistent with standards of practice.
5. Work effectively and efficiently alongside all members of the healthcare team.
6. Able to practice independently in the areas of disease state management, pharmaceutical care, pharmacy benefits management, managed care, and pharmacoeconomics.
7. Accept responsibility for patients' drug therapy, identify, resolve and prevent drug-related problems, and facilitate safe and appropriate drug therapy.
8. Communicate effectively with others and will be able to offer and accept feedback in a manner that facilitates teamwork.
9. Have a lifelong commitment to educate him or herself, other healthcare providers, and patients.

Military Application Process
Two positions are awarded to active duty Army officers selected by the Office of the Surgeon General. Individuals selected for direct accession into the residency program will enter the Army in the military grade determined by constructive credit evaluation and will incur a 3-year active duty service obligation upon completion of the residency program (total 4 years active duty service obligation). Time served as a pharmacy resident applies toward both retirement and promotion. Assignments after the residency will be to appropriate pharmacy officer positions.  

What are the eligibility requirements? 

• U.S. citizen/Permanent visa
• Pharmacy degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy
• State pharmacy license prior to accession
• Meet medical fitness, age and security requirements for appointment as an officer in the Medical Service Corps, United States Army

What are the pay and benefits for military officers? 

• Full pay and allowances of an officer
• 30 days paid vacation per year
• Complete medical benefits for you and your family
• Moving/relocation costs paid by the U.S. Army

Civilian Application Process
Two positions are awarded to civilian pharmacists or intern pharmacists through the ASHP National Matching Program. Civilian residents are NOT obligated to serve as military or civilian employees upon completion of the residency.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• U.S. citizen
• Curriculum vitae
• Pharmacy school transcripts
• Letter of intent
• Three reference letters accompanied by the ASHP Recommendation Form
• Copy of pharmacy school diploma*
• Copy of current, active unrestricted U.S. pharmacist license or intern pharmacist license issued by any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States
• Interview with members of the Residency Committee

* Graduating students may submit separately upon receipt  

Application deadline is January 1st

To submit a complete application packet or request additional information:

Residency Coordinator
Department of Pharmacy (MCHK-PY)
Tripler Army Medical Center
1 Jarrett White Road
Honolulu, HI 96859

Email: TAMC.PYResCo@amedd.army.mil

Phone: (808) 433-5344