Pharmacy

The mission of the Pharmacy Residency Program is to offer the opportunities, instruction, and guidance to instill superior skill and caring philosophy in graduates of ACPE accredited pharmacy schools.

This will provide additional patient care and public health services and improve medication use and drug distribution systems at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
We are proud of what the program has to offer and are seeking residents who are equally committed and excited about this next step in their professional development. The primary goal of the PGY-1 pharmacy residency is to partner with the resident to develop the clinical knowledge and skills that will ensure future success in either a specialty residency or clinical practice as well as Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy. Acute care experiences consist of active participation in medical team-based services with established clinical pharmacy services. Experiences in ambulatory care involve participation in specialty clinics with established clinical pharmacy services and protocols. 
  • Residency Type: PGY1 
  • Duration: 12 months 
  • Number of Positions: 3 
  • Application Deadline: January 1st 
  • Approximate Starting Date: Last week of June 
  • Estimated Stipend: $60,000 
  • Interview Required: Yes 
  • Interview Notification: Early February 
  • Benefits included 
  • ASHP Code: 41013 
Department Vision 
We have a vision that the Cook County Health Department of Pharmacy will project the following characteristics: 
  • A department that practices responsiveness to the needs of our customers 
  • A department that fosters a respectful, professional and caring atmosphere 
  • A department that provides state of the art Pharmaceutical Care in a safe and cost effective manner 
  • A department that has a staff that is motivated and works together as a team 
  • A department that is committed to mentoring and training to enhance professional development 
Pete Antonopoulos, PharmD 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Wisconsin at Madison 
  • Practice Area: Family Medicine, Cardiology Critical Car
Sol B. Farias, PharmD, CDE 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Ambulatory Care Division – Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Anticoagulation 
Robert C. Glowacki, PharmD 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist, Pyxis Coordinator 
  • Education: Creighton University School of Pharmacy & Health Professions 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Infectious Disease, HIV Service 
Patricia Gutierrez, PharmD, BCACP, CDE 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center 
  • Practice Area: Ambulatory Care Division – Diabetes, Anticoagulation, Asthma 
Gail Itokazu, PharmD 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science, University of the Sciences 
  • Training: Infectious Disease Fellowship: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago; Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Infectious Disease, HIV Service 
Sadaf Khan, PharmD 
Blake Max, PharmD, AAHIVP 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of California at San Francisco College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Infectious Diseases Specialty Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago; Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Ambulatory Care Division – Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center 
Sukhraj Mudahar, PharmD, BCPS 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacy Manager, PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency Director, Co-Chairperson Drug & Formulary Committee 
  • Education: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital 
  • Practice Area: Critical Care, Pharmacy Administration 
CaTanya A. Norwood, RPh, PharmD 
  • Title: System Director of Pharmacy Services; Quality Assurance, Compliance and Medication Safety Officer 
  • Education: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Pharm.D., Xavier University College of Pharmacy of Louisiana 
  • Practice Area: Administration, Medication Safety, Quality Assurance, Compliance 
Zorina Oakley, PharmD 
  • Title: Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: 17 years of community and hospital experience 
  • Practice Area: Hospital Pharmacy 
Aura K. Platakis, PharmD, BCPS 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Internal Medicine 
Angela M. Plewa-Rusiecki, PharmD, BCPS 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Critical Care Specialty Residency: University of Arizona University Medical Center; Pharmacy Practice Residency: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital 
  • Practice Area: Surgical ICU, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery 
Molly Rockstad, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist, PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Coordinator 
  • Education: University of Maryland School of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: NorthShore University Health System 
  • Practice Area: Ambulatory Care Division – Anticoagulation, General Medicine Clinic 
Joanne C. Routsolias (Witsil), PharmD, RN, BCPS 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: State University of New York at Buffalo College of Pharmacy, St. Boniface School of Nursing 
  • Training: Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Emergency Department, Toxikon Consortium 
Natasa Stevkovic, PharmD, BCPS 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist , ACPE Coordinator 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Critical Care Specialty Residency: University of Kentucky, Chandler Medical Center; Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Trauma, Burn 
Ryan Szynkarek, PharmD, BCPS 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Internal Medicine Specialty Residency: University of Chicago Medicine; Pharmacy Practice Residency: Mercy Hospital and Medical Center 
  • Practice Area: Internal Medicine 
Sonia Vibhakar, PharmD, AAHIVP 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: HIV Specialty Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Primary Care Pharmacy Residency: John Cochran VA/St. Louis College of Pharmacy 
  • Practice Area: Ambulatory Care Division – Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center 
Eureva Walker, PharmD 
  • Title: Director of Pharmacy 
  • Education: Xavier University College of Pharmacy of Louisiana 
  • Training: Option Care, PGY-1 General Pharmacy Practice Residency 
  • Practice Area: Hospital Administration and Management 
Renee Xamplas, PharmD, BCPS 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Critical Care Specialty Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago; Pharmacy Practice Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago 
  • Practice Area: Medical ICU 
Barbara Yim, PharmD, BCOP 
  • Title: Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Education: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 
  • Training: Oncology Specialty Residency: Karmanos Cancer Center at Detroit Medical Center; Pharmacy Practice Residency: DMC Harper University Hospital 
  • Practice Area: Hematology/Medical Oncology, Infusion Center 

Application

General Requirements 
General Requirements for application to the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency program: 
  • Anticipated graduation with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy 
  • Doctor of Pharmacy degree or anticipated graduation with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy 
  • Eligibility for licensure in the state of Illinois 
  • Personal and leadership qualifications for successful completion of a residency program 
  • U.S. Citizenship or eligible for employment in the U.S. 
Specific Requirements & Deadlines 
To apply to the PGY-1 Pharmacy residency, application materials must be submitted by January 1st.  This deadline is necessary for us to evaluate potential candidates in time for interviews before the match deadline. Applicants will not be considered for interviews if these deadlines are not met. 
The following must be submitted via PhORCAS: 
  • Current Curriculum Vitae (include completed and anticipated rotations) 
  • Letter of Interest stating why the applicant desires a residency at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County 
  • Most recent official pharmacy school transcripts 
  • Three (3) letters of reference 
Interviews will be scheduled in early February. For additional questions, please contact Dr. Molly Rockstad, pharmacy residency coordinator at (312) 864-2200 or mrockstad@cookcountyhealth.org. 

Didactic Curriculum

The goal of a residency program is to assist the resident in his or her professional development through experiencing various practice settings mentored by a clinical practitioner. 
Policies and Expectations 
Rotation requirements, policies, overview of expectations, resident responsibilities, grading, and other important information are located on CCBHS Intranet in accordance with John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Policy and Procedures. 
Activities 
Participation in teaching, journal club presentations, newsletters, Drug and Formulary reviews, seminars, M&Ms, and a research project is required. Residents are encouraged to participate in formal and informal teaching of pharmacy clerkship students. 
Staffing 
Staffing is an integral component to your experience as a resident. Residents staff every third weekend. Residents are permitted to take a day off in the week (utilizing paid time off) if it is cleared with their preceptor. 
Research Project 
The resident will work on a research project. The project must be approved by the directors of the residency program. Upon completion of the residency, the resident will submit a written copy of the project, suitable for publication. 

Clinical Schedule

Required Rotations 

  • Orientation 
  • Pediatrics 
  • Internal Medicine 
  • Critical Care 
  • Medical ICU 
  • Burn ICU 
  • Pediatric/Neonatal ICU 
  • Surgical ICU 
  • Neurosurgical ICU 
  • Trauma ICU 
  • Cardiology/Cardiac ICU 
  • Administration/ Drug and Formulary 
  • Research 
  • Ambulatory Care (Longitudinal) – Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Anticoagulation 
  • Pharmacy Practice/Staffing (longitudinal) 

Elective Rotations 

  • Advanced Ambulatory Care (block) 
  • Advanced Critical Care 
  • Advanced Medicine 
  • Emergency Medicine/Toxicology 
  • Hematology/Oncology 
  • HIV (ambulatory block) 
  • Infectious Disease/HIV (inpatient) 
  • Additional elective rotations may be made available based on resident interest 
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