South County Health's Post Graduate Year One Pharmacy Residency Program (PGY1) was established in 2012, accepting its first class in July 2013. South County Hospital, located in the beachside community of Wakefield, RI, is a Joint Commission Accredited, 100-bed acute care community hospital.
The PGY1 residents work closely with a dedicated group of specialized pharmacy preceptors that mentor and train future pharmacist practitioners. The intense 52-week program provides experiences in a variety of settings, focusing on the core areas of practice specified in the American Society Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Accreditation Standards. Our program offers training opportunities in acute care, ambulatory care, drug information, drug use policy development, clinical services and practice leadership. Residents will gain the necessary experience and develop critical thinking skills needed to practice in a hospital, ambulatory care or teaching environment.
The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program at South County Health stands out from others by providing an individualized, holistic residency experience, emphasizing the resident’s strengths and practice interests through a supportive and engaged Residency Program Director (RPD) and preceptor team, individualized rotation schedule to support PGY2/post-residency goals, flexibility of elective rotation selection and/or development as well as interest-based research topic selection.
Our pharmacy leadership and staff are committed to the success of South County Health pharmacy residents and the RPD and preceptors foster a personalized approach with a wellness focus. Additional benefits to our program include spacious resident office with close proximity to RPD to facilitate communication and team building, time off for PGY2 interviews with advanced notice to preceptor and RPD, daily meal stipend to use in our cafeteria as well as discounts to local businesses with your SCH badge!
For more information about this program, email Marissa Palm (mpalm@southcountyhealth.org), PGY1 Residency Program Director, or call 401-788-1823.
Residents completing this program will be competent educators in pharmacy practice and obtain valuable teaching experience at the University of Rhode Island (URI) College of Pharmacy.
Residents will serve as co-preceptors for pharmacy student rotations, participate in pharmacy staff development programs and provide pharmacy presentations to the medical and nursing staff. Academic rotations may be offered through the URI. Residents may also serve as teaching assistants to participate in patient counseling activities, teach weekly P2 and P3 pharmacy lab sections at the University of Rhode Island, and will complete the URI’s Teaching Certificate program.
Research ActivityResidents are required to complete a research project. Selection of a project is based upon clinical interests and presentation of project ideas to residency preceptors. Residents will develop a formal research proposal and submit the proposal for IRB approval. Residents will present their research project at a poster session at the Eastern States Residency Conference. Additionally, residents will provide a final manuscript write up prior to residency graduation.
Residents are trained to support both clinical and pharmacy practice service at South County Hospital.
The role and responsibilities of the resident is to support all pharmaceutical services for the patient care area assigned and may include but is not limited to the following:
PGY1 residents work every other weekend, rotating between staffing on a weekend and performing medication reconciliation on the other weekend. Time off is scheduled after resident’s staffing weekend
All residents work at least one major (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and/or New Years) and one minor (Labor Day and Memorial Day) holiday throughout the year.
Core Rotations (52 weeks)
Longitudinal Rotations
Program Specifics
Residency Program: PGY1 Residency Program
ASHP Program Code: # 15003
NMS Code: #- 208413
Accreditation Status: Full Accreditation
Duration/Type: 52 Weejs
Number of Positions: 2
Application Deadline: January 2 (Please note this program will participate in PhORCAS)
Starting Date: July 1
Estimated Stipend: $40,000
Interview Required: Yes
Training Site: Hospital
Model Type(s): Community Hospital
Tax Status: Nonprofit
Professional Staff: 11 pharmacists
Non-professional Staff: 10 non-pharmacist staff
Total Beds (Licensed): 100 acute care
Average Daily Census: 60
Maria DePalma
University of Rhode Island
Maria, originally from Queens, NY, graduated from the University of Rhode Island. Her clinical interests are emergency medicine, cardiology, and internal medicine. Maria has experience working as a student intern at South County Health. Her positive experience as a student and friendly staff is what strongly influenced her decision to want to stay at South County. Her desire to continue her education, develop critical thinking skills, and build confidence as a pharmacist is what drove her to pursue residency training. Outside of pharmacy, Maria enjoys skiing, hiking, going to concerts, and cooking.
Lauren Shallcross
University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy
Lauren Shallcross graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. She grew up in coastal Rhode Island. Her professional interests include infectious disease, emergency medicine, academia, and psychiatry. Lauren recognized her enthusiasm for infectious disease in the classroom, while her other interests evolved primarily from her role in conducting medication reconciliation interviews in a psychiatric hospital emergency department setting. Her desires to practice as a pharmacist in an acute care setting, perform clinical research, develop teaching skills, and continue her learning in a team-oriented environment, are what motivated her to pursue residency at South County Health. In her free time, Lauren enjoys playing piano, exploring new places, and skiing.
Alexis Batjiaka, Pharm.D.
University of Rhode Island
Alexis 'Lexy' Batjiaka, Pharm.D., originally from Massachusetts, graduated from the University of Rhode Island. Her clinical interests include oncology, infectious disease, critical care, and cardiology. Lexy has experience working as a student intern in the retail setting at CVS Pharmacy. Her desire to go above and beyond for her patients and passion for clinical research are what drove her to pursue residency here at South County Health. In her free time. Lexy enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.
After graduating from South County Health PGY1 residency program, Lexy matched with the PGY2 Oncology program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jennifer Merritt, Pharm.D.
Western New England University
Jen is from a small town in Northwest Connecticut and graduated from Western New England University. Her clinical interests include intensive care and cardiology. She has prior pharmacy experience at an independent retail pharmacy and in the hospital setting. Jen has a desire to be a decentralized clinical pharmacist in the hospital setting which has led her to pursue a PGY-1 residency. Outside of school and work Jen enjoys playing soccer and basketball as well as relaxing by the pool or at the beach.
After graduating from South County Health PGY1 residency program, Jen accepted a clinical pharmacist position at Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Katherine McCann, Pharm.D.
University of Rhode Island
Kate, a Massachusetts native, graduated from the University of Rhode Island. Her clinical interests include infectious disease, psychiatry, and oncology, influenced strongly by her favorite rotations as a student. Kate has experience working as a student intern in both a retail and psychiatric/general medicine hospital setting in MA and RI. Her desire to further her education and skills as a pharmacist is what drove her to pursue residency training. When Kate is not at the hospital, she enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her two dogs, George and Xander.
After graduating from South County Health PGY1 residency program, Kate accepted a clinical pharmacist position at South County Health.
Ryan Virgin, Pharm.D.
University of Rhode Island
Ryan, originally from Boston’s north shore, graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. His interests include teaching, diabetes management, pain and palliative care, and cardiology. Ryan has experience working as a student intern in the retail setting at CVS. His desire to impact patient care and practice to the fullest extent of his licensure are what led him to pursue residency here at South County Health. His hobbies outside of pharmacy include avidly following New England sports teams, playing basketball, and video games.
After graduating from South County Health PGY1 residency program, Ryan accepted a clinical pharmacist position at Massachusetts General Hospital and obtained his BCPS.
Demetria Malone, Pharm.D.
University of Saint Joseph
Demetria, originally from “The Seacoast” of New Hampshire, graduated from the University of Rhode Island where she majored in pharmaceutical sciences with a minor in English writing and rhetoric. She then pursued her Pharm.D. at the University of Saint Joseph in Hartford, CT where she gained exposure to a myriad of disease states during her rotations including transplant, psychiatry and emergency medicine. Demetria has worked as a community pharmacist and has experience in medication therapy management and 340b formulary management. Her passion for continuity of care, clinical research and academia is what drove her to continue her education as a PGY-1 resident pharmacist at South County Hospital. Demetria’s current areas of interest include behavioral health, HIV therapy management and academia. Outside of the hospital, Demetria loves to be behind the lens of a camera taking pictures, traveling, and doing yoga.
During her residency year, Demetria helped to establish her current role as Transitions of Care and Inpatient Diabetes Management Pharmacist at South County Health.
Shiler Mohammed, Pharm.D.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Shiler, a Rhode Island native, obtained her Bachelor of Science from Rhode Island College and then went on to MCPHS University for her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She has experience working as a student intern at a large academic teaching center. Her interests in pharmacy include anticoagulation and critical care. In her free time, Shiler enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and shopping.
After graduating from South County Health PGY1 residency program, Shiler accepted a clinical pharmacist position with the Miriam Hospital.
Christie Denton, Pharm.D.
University of Cincinnati
Christie, an Ohio native, graduated from the University Of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College Of Pharmacy. Her interests include drug information, ambulatory care, and academia. Her previous experience as a pharmacist at a large institution, her desire for a new perspective, and the close-knit community of the hospital is what helped her decide to pursue a residency here at South County Health. In her free time, Christie enjoys spending time with her pets, running, and traveling. Christie has been accepted to the RJW Barnabas Health PGY2 Specialized Pharmacy Residency in Drug Information program.
Renee Morin, Pharm.D.
University of Rhode Island
Renee, a Rhode Island native, graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. Her clinical rotations as a student influenced her current interests in informatics and ambulatory care. When she is not at the hospital, Renee enjoys eating delicious food with her friends and family and reading novels. Renee has accepted a position with Kent Hospital where she will be involved in the inpatient and anticoagulation management settings.
Kerry Baeder, Pharm.D. 
University of the Sciences
Kerry, a native of Philadelphia, graduated from the University of the Sciences. Her interests include oncology and infectious disease, which has been reflected in her previous experiences as a student and choice of elective rotations. In her free time, Kerry enjoys spending time visiting with her family and traveling. Kerry has accepted a position as an Oncology Pharmacist at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
David Krok, Pharm.D. 
University of Rhode Island
David, a Massachusetts native, graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. His interests include infectious disease and intensive care. He has experience working as a student intern in both a community hospital named Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA and commercially at Rite Aid. These experiences, in addition to his clinical rotations, are what helped him decide to pursue a residency here at South County Health. His passions outside of pharmacy include watching New England sports teams like the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics, and enjoying outdoor activities like fishing, golf, and the beach.
After graduation, David accepted a clinical pharmacist position CharterCare in Providence, RI, then returned to South County Health to take on the Pharmacy Manager role in 2022.
Morgan Roy, Pharm.D.
Northeastern University
Morgan is originally from Maine and attended the University of New England, earning a Pharm.D. degree. She participated in a year-long longitudinal rotation at a large academic hospital in northern Maine. Morgan has a passion for infectious disease and excelled during her time in the Intensive Care Unit. Her research focused on the proper utilization of anticoagulants in post-op orthopedic patients. In her free time, Morgan enjoys baking, painting and spending time with family and friends.
Morgan is working as an Emergency Department Pharmacist at Maine Medical Center and obtained board certification in emergency medicine.
Caitlin Skenyon, Pharm.D.
University of Rhode Island
Email: cskenyon@southcountyhealth.org
Caitlin is a local Rhode Islander and graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. Her interests include policy and transitions of care. She has experience working as a student intern in both a large academic teaching center and a small community hospital emergency room. Caitlin has focused her research on the reimbursement of pharmacy initiated medication therapy management services in a community hospital. Caitlin is completing a Postdoctoral Fellow at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Regulatory Affairs.
Michelle Fishburn, Pharm.D.
University of Rhode Island
Email: mfishburn@southcountyhealth.org
Michelle is a local Rhode Islander and graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. Her interests include Critical Care and Emergency Medicine and she has experience working as a student intern at a large academic medical center. Michelle focused her research on the use of dexmedetomidine for acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome in a community hospital ICU. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, boyfriend and, of course, her dogs. Michelle initially worked as the Oncology Pharmacist at South County Hospital and successfully became BPS Pharmacotherapy Board Certified. Michelle is now a clinical pharmacist at Rhode Island Hospital.
Stephanie Tang, Pharm.D.
Northeastern University
Email: Stang@southcountyhealth.org
Stephanie is originally from New Jersey. While going to school in Boston, she worked as a student in a large academic hospital. Stephanie has a passion for ambulatory care and excelled at her time in the Anticoagulation Clinic and was instrumental in initiating pharmacist involvement in a CHF clinic. Her research focused on implementing a pharmacist-managed vancomycin dosing and monitoring service. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys visits with her family and travel. Stephanie accepted a position at Yale-New Haven Hospital as a Multi-clinical Specialist and is now completing a PGY2 in Ambulatory Care at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Mitchell Chan, Pharm. D.
University of New England
Mitchell is an enthusiastic young man who is originally from Oregon. Mitchell obtained his Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University and then went on to the University of New England for his Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Mitchell is very interested in global health and started FACE AIDS at Oregon State University, an HIV/AIDS awareness student-led program. He has also performed hands-on medical work in Honduras, Rwanda, and Ghana. Mitchell’s residency project was the implementation of a Pharmacist-Managed Vancomycin Dosing Protocol. Post-residency, Mitchell was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Services and is served as a Clinical Pharmacist at Northern Navajo Medical Center. He is currently working as a Regulatory Project Manager at the FDA.
Casey Mashl, Pharm. D.
Creighton University
Casey has followed a unique path on her way to her Pharmacy Residency. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and French Language, Literature, and Culture, and has a Biomedical Engineering Interdisciplinary Study from Colorado State University. She served four years in the United States Air Force as a Test Engineer, Operations Analyst, and Program Manager before going back for her Doctor of Pharmacy at Creighton University. Her research was absolute lymphocyte count as biomarker for clinical efficacy of nivolumab. Casey is employed at Washington Adventist Hospital as a clinical pharmacist.
Ernest Kwasi Nyannor, Pharm. D.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
Ernest graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Ernest also has a BS degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana and a MS degree from Purdue University. Ernest is an accomplished author with several publications in his previous field of animal nutrition. Ernest has returned to South County Health as our Medication Safety and Informatics’ Pharmacist and has been instrumental in the implementation of Smart Pump technology and a new Oncology EHR for the Cancer Center.
Mallory Sherwood, Pharm.D.
University of New England
Mallory is a graduate of the University of New England in Portland, Maine. Mallory has had a variety of professional experiences while in school, including Ambulatory Care, Psychiatric Research, Community Pharmacy and an international rotation in Granada, Spain. Mallory found her passion in Emergency Medicine while completing her residency and accepted a newly created position as an Emergency Room pharmacist at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire.
Michael Halse, Pharm.D.
University of Rhode Island
Dr. Halse, originally from Troy, NY, received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island College Of Pharmacy in May 2013. His practice areas of interest include emergency medicine and pain management. His current research focused on the post-operative patient’s involvement in their management regimen. Upon completion of his PGY1 residency, Dr. Halse accepted a staff position at Danbury Hospital.
Christine Smelstor, Pharm.D.
University of New England
Dr. Smelstor is originally from Vermont and is part of the inaugural graduating Pharmacy class of the University of New England in Portland, Maine. Dr. Smelstor has a passion for ambulatory care and conducted her research in the area of congested heart failure and a pharmacist’s role in patient education. After graduation, Christine accepted a position as a clinical pharmacist in the Anticoagulation Clinic at the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont and is now the inpatient supervisor.
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