1. When did the Memorial Sloan Kettering residency program begin?

The adult oncology residency program began in July 2007.

2. How many residents are accepted each year?

The program at Memorial Sloan Kettering is designed to accept two to four adult oncology residents.

3. Is the adult PGY-2 residency program accredited by ASHP?

In 2008, the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists granted our program full accreditation.

4. What rotations are required in the oncology residencies?

Core rotations for the adult residency include Leukemia, Lymphoma, Bone Marrow Transplant, Multiple Myeloma, Cellular Therapy Service, Neuro-oncology, Gastrointestinal Cancer (Outpatient), Gynecologic Malignancies (Outpatient), Genitourinary Malignancies (Outpatient), Breast Cancer (Outpatient), Pediatric Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Early Drug Development, Thoracic Malignancies, Melanoma, and Investigational Drug Services.

5. What elective rotations are available?

Many elective rotations are available, including several inpatient and outpatient services. Offerings currently include Pain and Palliative care, Leukemia (Outpatient), Lymphoma (Outpatient), Gastrointestinal Oncology Elective, Thoracic Oncology Elective. Elective rotations can be developed and tailored to meet the goals and interests of each resident.

6. What ambulatory care clinics are available?

Adult oncology residents have opportunities in a variety of required or elective clinics including Lymphoma, Bone Marrow Transplant, Multiple Myeloma, Cellular Therapy Service, Neuro-oncology, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Gynecologic Malignancies, Genitourinary Malignancies, Breast Cancer, Early Drug Development, Thoracic Malignancies, and Melanoma.

7. What teaching opportunities are available to residents?

Residents have many opportunities to teach through planned teaching experiences such as Case Presentations, Journal Club, and Oncology Didactic Lectures. Based upon requests from colleges of pharmacy, there may be opportunities to precept pharmacy students in the second half of the academic year. Additionally, when opportunities are available, residents may be able to participate in an elective teaching experience shared with Rutger’s University.

8. What are the other components of the residency?

In addition to clinical rotations and ambulatory clinics, oncology residents are required to discuss various oncology topics with their preceptors on a daily basis. Residents are also responsible for publication of the departmental newsletter. Pharmacy operations are an integral part of the residency program as well, but are limited to two evenings and one weekend per month. Every year, residents are required to present one continuing education presentation. Finally, all residents complete a research project and final manuscript.

9. Does a PGY2 resident need to be licensed in New York State?

Yes, all residents must be qualified for licensure in New York State and must successfully obtain their license by October 1st. Information about New York State licensure may be found through the New York State Education Department. Information about reciprocating pharmacy licenses can be found at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®.

10. Do residents have an office and desk area?

The residents from both the adult and pediatric programs share an office. Each resident is provided a desk, telephone, ipad, and personal computer connected to the Internet and hospital Intranet. Residents are able to print documents from a shared laser printer. General office supplies are readily available.

11. Does Memorial Sloan Kettering support travel to conferences?

Residents are expected to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting to support residency recruitment for the following year. Residents are also required to attend the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Annual Meeting to present their research projects. Meeting attendance for both conferences is fully funded.

12. What benefits are the residents offered during their residency?

Residents are compensated with an annual salary of $65,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package, medical/dental insurance, and 15 paid days off during the year. Memorial Sloan Kettering offers subsidized housing for pharmacy residents.