by Clem Boyd, Communication Content Manager
First, they imagined. Then, they established. Now, they’re accredited.
The first postgraduate pharmacy residency program associated with Cedarville University, based at the Rocking Horse Community Health Center in Springfield, Ohio, and Cedar Care Village Pharmacy in Cedarville, Ohio, was recently accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
The Rocking Horse program began in the summer of 2018 with its first postgraduate resident. The residency is led by Dr. Andrew Straw, assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Cedarville University.
“ASHP has granted this status for four years, which is one of the best possible outcomes,” Straw said. “There is still much to do, but we are very excited about this news and our continued growth.”
The one-year program provides post-pharmacy school graduates with the opportunity to care for underserved populations in collaboration with a health care team.
“I was looking for a way to expand the services at Rocking Horse and also provide opportunities for postgraduate training, so a residency really made the most sense,” Straw added. “Given all the services available, the population and the variety of disease states and medications that are available, it makes a great place for a resident to receive that intense additional training.”
“Very few pharmacy residencies offer an experience in a federally qualified health center — Rocking Horse — and an independent pharmacy in a rural community —Cedar Care Village Pharmacy,” added Justin Cole, chair of the department of pharmacy practice. “This combination allows the resident to develop as an expert in the care of underserved populations.”
The Rocking Horse program also provides the chance to gain teaching experience in the classroom through Cedarville’s teaching certificate program. Residents can also complete training on providing spiritual care to patients.
Approximately 20% of residents’ time is spent at Cedar Care Village Pharmacy. “They provide prescription and nonprescription medication services, administer vaccinations, teach students from the school of pharmacy and participate in quality improvement initiatives that enhance the health of the Cedarville community,” Cole said.
The successful accreditation affirms that the Rocking Horse Community Health Center residency program meets the high standards of postgraduate training for pharmacists.
“Accreditation legitimizes the standing and rigor of the residency program,” Cole added. “We have seen interest in the program from students across the country, in part because of this achievement.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,380 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its
Doctor of Pharmacy program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.