PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program
CHOC’s ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency aims to foster passionate pediatric pharmacists. For over 10 years, our program has been training residents to become future pediatric pharmacy leaders.
Residency statement of purpose
VPGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.
CHOC PGY1 Residency Program Objectives
- Cultivate future leaders in pediatric pharmacy practice
- Master the principles of pharmacotherapy and be competent and confident practitioners capable of providing direct patient care in various subspecialties
- Understand the principles of a sound pediatric pharmacy operational system and be able to integrate these principles into their clinical practice
- Be skilled in educating other health care professionals, patients, and the community on medication-related issues
- Be capable of conducting basic clinical research to answer medication-related questions
- To demonstrate professional maturity by following a personal philosophy of practice, monitoring their own performance, exhibiting commitment to the profession, and exercising leadership in improving the safety of the medication-use system
Program Overview
The PGY-1 Residency Program is a one-year training program. The Clinical Pharmacy Manager serves as the Director and the Clinical Educator serves as the Co-Director of the Residency. Twenty-two other Clinical Pharmacists serve as mentors and preceptors to the resident in their respective practice areas.
The residency is designed to foster clinical expertise in pediatric pharmacotherapeutics, an understanding of the practical and administrative considerations of providing pharmaceutical care to pediatric patients and experience in teaching as well as clinical research. The resident will function as an active member of various multidisciplinary pediatric teams. He or she will be able to tailor the learning experiences to best meet his or her professional goals. The residency program consists of nine months of required rotations and three months of elective rotations.
The resident will attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in December, CSHP Seminar in October and the Western States Residency Conference in May or June of their residency year. The resident is also encouraged to attend local pharmacy meetings as well.
Institution Overview
Since 1964, CHOC has been steadfastly committed to providing the highest quality medical care to children. Medically affiliated with the University of California, Irvine, our regional pediatric healthcare network includes a state-of-the-art 334-bed main hospital facility in the City of Orange, and a hospital-within-a-hospital in Mission Viejo. CHOC also offers many primary and specialty care clinics, more than 100 additional programs and services, a pediatric residency program, and four centers of excellence – The CHOC Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes.
CHOC is the first hospital devoted exclusively to caring for children in Orange County. Since opening its doors, CHOC has led the way in many areas of pediatric health care. CHOC has a PICU, level 4 NICU, CVICU, neuroscience unit, oncology unit, Tidwell procedure center and surgical unit, medical unit, transport services, and CHOC at Mission Hospital. CHOC has the only pediatric emergency department and inpatient mental health unit in Orange County.
Pharmacy Department
The Department of Pharmacy Services provides pharmaceutical care through decentralized teams of staff pharmacists and technicians to meet the needs of patients and health care professionals. The Department maintains state-of-the-art inpatient pharmacies and a clinic pharmacy. We have 3 satellite pharmacies in the following areas: ED, PICU/CVICU, and OR. Our clinical pharmacist currently round with/follow patients of 8 units including general pediatrics, ED, PICU, CVICU, NICU, OR, oncology, and mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we submit our application?
Please submit applications to PhORCAS
What are the accreditation standards of ASHP for a PGY-1 residency program?
CHOC fulfills the accreditation requirements as detailed on ASHP.org
What residency showcases will CHOC be attending?
ASHP Midyear and CSHP Seminar are the 2 residency showcases that CHOC attends yearly. CHOC may attend additional showcases as applicable.
Does CHOC have an open house for prospective residency candidates?
Yes, typically CHOC holds an open house for residency candidates in late December of every year.
Where do most residents end up after completing the program?
Many stay on at CHOC, while some take positions at other children’s hospitals.
Contact Us
Residency Program Director
Allison Jun, Pharm.D., BCPPS
[email protected]
714-509-8806
Residency Program Coordinator
Grace Lee, Pharm.D., BCPPS
[email protected]
714-509-8334
Required Rotations (5 weeks)
- Emergency Medicine
- Pharmacy Orientation
- General Pediatrics
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Pediatric Intensive Care
- Pharmacy Administration
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Longitudinal Experiences (6 – 12 months)
- Epilepsy Clinic
- Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
- Pharmacy Staffing (currently 2 weekend days per month)
- Project Management
- Investigational Drug Service
- Pharmacy Quality Reporting
Elective Rotations
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care
- Oncology 2 (Bone Marrow Transplant)
- Breath mobile
- Other pediatric subspecialties based on interest and availability
Stipends and Benefits
- A competitive annual stipend
- 26 days paid-time-off (which includes holiday, vacation and sick days)
- Hospital Benefits Program: medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability, life insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts, 403b plans
How to apply
- Submit and apply all materials on PhORCAS
Application Requirements
- Be a graduate of an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program
- Be eligible for licensure in the state of California
To complete the applications package, the following must be received by the deadline indicated on PhORCAS:
- Headshot of applicant (preferred)
- Letter of intent
- Curriculum vitae
- Pharmacy school transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
Current Residents
Mai Vy Tran, Pharm.D.
2024-2025 Clinical Pediatric Resident
[email protected]
Mai Vy obtained her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at University of California, Los Angeles and completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of California, San Francisco. Her interest in pediatric pharmacy was solidified after volunteering at Bearskin Meadow Camp, a camp for kids with type 1 diabetes, and through her pediatric clinical rotations in the Central Valley. As a PGY-1 resident at CHOC, she is excited to further her clinical, teaching, and interprofessional skills so that she can effectively advocate for patients and ensure that they receive equitable care. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, stargazing, spending time with family and friends, and feeding the stray cats in her neighborhood.
Lissette Tordera, Pharm.D.
2024-2025 Clinical Pediatric Resident
[email protected]
Lissette received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmaceutical Science and Public Health from UC Irvine and completed her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at UCSF School of Pharmacy. Her interest in pediatrics began as a volunteer teacher at Karate for All, but it was her clinical rotation at CHOC that solidified her decision to pursue a career in pediatrics. She is excited to be back as PGY1 resident and is eager to continue strengthening her skills as a clinical pharmacist and preceptor while working amongst some of the brightest minds. She hopes she can continue to do her best in ensuring that patients and their families are well cared for during their time at CHOC. In her free time, Lissette enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places (especially coffee shops & national parks), cooking, crafting, staying active, and trying new skin care products.
Past Residents
Kelsie Morioka, Pharm. D.
2023-2024 Clinical Pediatric Resident
[email protected]
Kelsie obtained her BSc in Genetics & Plant Biology at UC Berkeley and worked in academic research before completing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at UCSF. She sees clinical pharmacy as an opportunity for her to make positive change in mental health and psychiatric care. Kelsie developed her interest in pediatrics during pharmacy school through clinical rotations and seminars with pediatric pharmacists. She chose to complete her PGY1 residency at CHOC to build her knowledge and skills as a clinical pharmacist, preceptor, and educator. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, trying new coffee shops, learning via podcasts and books, and giving her dog his best life.
Shasta Erickson, Pharm. D.
2023-2024 Clinical Pediatric Resident
[email protected]
Shasta received her Bachelor of Science in Health Communications from Pacific Union College and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Loma Linda University. Her interest in pediatric pharmacy piqued when she volunteered as a medical staff member at Camp Conrad Chinnock, a camp for kids with type 1 diabetes, and continued to grow throughout her clinical rotations. As a PGY-1 resident at CHOC, she is excited to strengthen her clinical skills and learn alongside a diverse group of healthcare professionals. In her spare time, Shasta enjoys skiing, going to Disneyland, attending concerts, exploring new boba shops, eating her way through Orange County, and traveling with friends and family. She hopes to travel to 30 countries before turning 30.
Nicole Farah, Pharm. D.
2022-2023 Clinical Pediatric Resident
[email protected]
Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages from Wayne State University and a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Michigan. Her interest in the pediatric realm of pharmacy developed early on in life and continued to flourish throughout her peds experiences. As a PGY-1 at CHOC, she is striving to build on her skills as a clinical pharmacist, preceptor, and leader in pediatric pharmacy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, coffee and eating all foods.
Michelle Vu, Pharm. D.
2022-2023 Clinical Pediatric Resident
[email protected]
Michelle received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Minnesota. She also has an interest in information science and is working on her Masters in Health Informatics. Michelle has always had a passion for pediatrics and has explored this area through volunteering, student groups, and rotations. As a PGY-1 resident at CHOC, she is excited to expand on her clinical and inter professional skills. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys hiking, stargazing, exploring all things nature and of course, traveling.
Allison Nguyen, Pharm. D.
2020-2021 Clinical Pediatric Resident
Allison received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry at UCLA and Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from UCSF School of Pharmacy. Previously a patient at CHOC, she is excited to return as a first-year pharmacy resident to gain experience and explore her interests in infectious diseases and oncology to be a core part of patient care. Allison is using her love of people, teaching, and all things science to become a pediatric pharmacist that can help others the same way she was. Outside of the hospital, she loves drawing/painting, staying active, playing piano, and exploring new places and foods with family and friends.
Maki Usui, Pharm. D.
2020-2021 Clinical Pediatric Resident
Maki received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of California, San Francisco. She first became interested in pediatrics while volunteering at the pediatric oncology clinic as a college student, and her passions for the pediatric population and team-based patient care grew as she completed her clinical rotations. As a PGY-1 resident, she is excited to strengthen her clinical skills in various pediatric settings and to work alongside various healthcare professionals at CHOC. In her free time Maki enjoys reading, baking, and exploring coffee shops (pre-social distancing times).
Monica Huynh, Pharm.D.
2019-2020 Clinical Pediatric Resident
Monica received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Irvine and her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Monica’s interest in pediatric pharmacy developed during her many outreach events as a pharmacy student. Through her rotation experiences, she was able to shadow pediatric pharmacists and learn the intricacies of this population. Through her PGY-1 residency experienceat CHOC, she strives to make a positive impact on a child’s life by becoming a vital part of the child’s health care. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new food places, playing board games with friends, and traveling.
Ruquaya Quraishi, Pharm.D
2019-2020 Clinical Pediatric Resident
Ruquaya received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of New Mexico and her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. Ruquaya’s passion for pediatrics developed when she volunteered in a pediatric urgent care in high school. Through various clinical rotations, she has been able to recognize her strong desire for patient-centered care, interdisciplinary teamwork and pediatrics. As a first-year resident at CHOC, she is excited to gain clinical and practical experiences in NICU and oncology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and trying new foods.
CHOC is conveniently located within the heart of Orange county. With 278 days of sunshine and only a short 10-minute drive from Disneyland Resort, you will never be bored. One of the hospital’s visionaries is Walt Disney, which is why CHOC has many events sponsored by Disney. Within the hospital, you will be sure to bump into a familiar Disney character from your childhood.
We are within walking distance from many great places to eat and grab coffee. We are within 15 miles of beautiful beaches, including Huntington and Newport beach. In addition, we are 9 miles away from one of the biggest malls in Southern California. CHOC’s location is prime for many reasons, but most of all you will never run out of things to do!