Minneapolis VA Health Care System

At the Minneapolis VA Medical Center Pharmacy, more than 70 pharmacists play a vital role in the delivery of patient care; working closely with physicians, nurses and other health care team members to ensure America's Veterans receive the finest care.

Pharmacy students (pre-licensure):

• Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) for 2nd/3rd year pharmacy students
• Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) for 4th year pharmacy students
• Internships for post-2nd year pharmacy students

Student rotations are in the areas of acute care, ambulatory, geriatrics, pharmacoeconomics and institutional pharmacy practice.  Students work with licensed preceptor pharmacists in the areas of drug monitoring and optimization, interprofessional team development, patient counseling, formulary management, and drug product preparation.  Rotations are full-time and range from 5 to 10 weeks.

Pharmacy Residency Program (post-graduate training):

Minneapolis currently operates approximately 273 acute care beds as well as 104 beds through the Community Living Center. In addition to offering primary, extended, and specialty care, Minneapolis operates community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) such as Rice Lake & Hayward CBOC. Pharmacy Service at Minneapolis is affiliated with University of Minnesota, University of North Dakota, University of South Dakota, and Creighton University Colleges of Pharmacy. Minneapolis is institutionally affiliated with University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. 

By combining advanced technology with comprehensive clinical services, Minneapolis Pharmacy Department continuously seeks new ways of improving patient care. Clinical services are provided in the following areas: Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Cardiology, Infectious Diseases, Geriatrics (Long Term Care/Home Based Primary Care), Anticoagulation, Renal, Ambulatory Care General Medicine, Endocrinology, Pain Management, Spinal Cord, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Drug Information. Examples of clinical services include pharmacokinetic monitoring, drug utilization evaluations, advising on appropriate drug use, and overall monitoring to provide optimal pharmaceutical patient care.

Minneapolis Pharmacy Practice Residency is ASHP accredited* and was established March 12, 1963. While the residency program requires core pharmacy practice components, it also allows for flexibility in order for the resident to gear the program toward his/her interests. The resident will be working with pharmacists both within the outpatient and inpatient pharmacies as well as in clinics and on the hospital floors. By combining direct clinical services with staffing responsibilities, the resident will experience a more complete picture of pharmacy practice.

We hope you find that this residency program will provide you with a comprehensive, well-rounded experience that will build a solid foundation for the future.

PGY1 - Pharmacy Practice Residency (5 Positions)
- 3 positions: Hospital Training Site Type
- 1 position: Ambulatory Care Training Site Type
- 1 position: Hospital Training Site – Mental Health Services (ASHP Candidate Status)

PGY2 – Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency (1 Position)
- 1 position: Hospital Training Site Type (ASHP Candidate Status)

 PGY1/PGY2 Residency Application Procedure  (download application procedure) 

1. Letter of Intent: Please specify which residency you would like to apply for; the PGY-1 general residency based at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center or the Rural Health Care residency based at the Rice Lake, WI clinic (or both). If interested in both, only one application packet is necessary.
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Academic Transcripts from College of Pharmacy
4. Letters of reference:  We require 3 letters of recommendation. We ask references to complete a free-style letter in addition to the Minneapolis PGY Residency Recommendation Form. 
5. Essay:  In 500 total words or less please answer the following question: Describe activities/projects that have contributed to your skills in the following areas:
   • Written Communication
   • Verbal Communication
   • Time Management
   • Teaching
   • Clinical/Patient Care 
6. Submit the required application materials through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) on or before the 1st Monday of January. The PhORCAS website is available at http://www.ashp.org/phorcas or https://portal.phorcas.org/.

Contact Information:

PGY1/PGY2 Residencies
Jennifer A. Bolduc PharmD, BCPS
Residency Program Director
Education Program Manager
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
One Veterans Drive (119)
Minneapolis, MN 5547
(612) 467-3119
Fax: (612) 727-5654
Email: Jennifer.Bolduc@va.gov