I haven't received my match number from ASHP yet; does that make me ineligible?
At this busy time of year it is common for the match system to get overwhelmed and be delayed in getting out numbers. ASHP recommends that applicants should return their Agreements to National Matching Services Inc. to register for the Match by Jan 12th which is after our deadline, so we operate on the honor system that you have pursued getting your match number. You can send me the number by email when you receive it. We will not invite for interview candidates that are not registered (or pending registration) with the ASHP Match.

Are the letters of recommendation you ask for truly intended to be letters? Everyone else uses the checkbox form.
Yes. We do not use the ASHP Resident Recommendation Form. A letter on the letterhead of your reference’s place of business addressed to the Resident Selection Committee or me is what we want. If your reference has already completed the ASHP form they may attach it to the letter they send.

Do you need all of my transcripts?
We are only interested in any School/College of Pharmacy transcripts.

I’m concerned about the internship requirement in Oregon. What if I won’t have 2000 hours?
Most states require 1500 hours of internship. Oregon requires 2000 hours before you can sit for the state law exam and receive your license. 2000 hours was to try to insure some post-graduate intern hours for Oregon graduates before the all PharmD program began. They haven't changed the law since because Oregon students already gain the 2000 hrs through their program by the time they graduate...however, it doesn't always work as well for out of state students wanting to license here. By contract our residents have until October to become licensed. This is usually more than enough time to earn any additional intern hours needed. We can discuss the details during your interview. Generally it means you transfer all of your intern hours from your state, obtain an intern license in Oregon, and earn intern hours during the first months of your residency. In the last 10 years, we have not had any residents from out of state who have been unable to become licensed by our deadline.

Tell me more about required vs. elective learning experiences? How many electives does a resident usually get?
OHSU PGY1 residents required experiences: longitudinal (meaning that they are distributed throughout the year as a few days here and there or a week's focus): geriatric assessment clinic, major project, practice management (administration), citywide residency meeting, staffing training and every other weekend staffing. Rotational: general medicine, general inpatient practice (IV room, triage, plus focus on some patient groups we don't round with such as general surgery, mother baby/L&D, psychiatry), and drug information/drug policy. Most rotational offerings are of a fixed length of 6 weeks to coincide with the clerkship schedule. Residents will choose about 4 x 6 weeks of electives. Some of the electives may be in 3 week increments. This plan is consistent with ASHP's goal of having the PGY1 residency year create clinical generalists.

Who can I talk to while you are out of the office?
I am generally in the office M-Th, but if you need to connect with someone and I am not available, contact the OHSU Drug Information Service (druginfo@ohsu.edu, 503-494-7530). The pharmacist staffing the service can usually answer your questions or will triage you to one of the current residents. They know how to reach me if it is an emergency.

Kate Farthing, Pharm.D, BCPS
OHSU Drug Information/Drug Policy Service
Pharmacy Practice Residency Director
503-494-4250 (M-Th)
503-494-8100 (f)
farthing@ohsu.edu