FirstHealth Pharmacy Residency Programs Earn Prestigious Accreditation

FirstHealth of the Carolinas

Press Release

Contact: Emily Sloan

Strategic Marketing & Communications

(910) 715-5376

NAMELINE:

Pictured are (top from left) William Markle, PGY-2 Resident; Matthew Bamber, Pharm.D., MBA, BCCCP, emergency department pharmacy supervisor and director of the PGY-2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Residency Program; Drew Kessell, Pharm.D., MBA, M.S., director, clinical pharmacy services at FirstHealth; Christina Thurber, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, pharmacy clinical coordinator and PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program coordinator; (bottom from left) Shayan Tavassoli, PGY-1 Resident; Kristin Lanier, PGY-1 Resident; Sarah Seward, PGY-1 Resident; Sydney Hege, PGY-1 Resident

FirstHealth Pharmacy Residency Programs Earn Prestigious Accreditation

PINEHURST, N.C. — FirstHealth of the Carolinas is proud to announce that its pharmacy residency programs have achieved significant milestones following a thorough survey conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) earlier this year. 

FirstHealth achieved the following accreditations:

• PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program: Granted reaccreditation

• PGY-2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Residency Program: Awarded initial accreditation

ASHP’s accreditation process is comprehensive, evaluating both the academic and experiential quality of the training provided to residents, as well as the overall pharmacy services available to FirstHealth patients. Accreditation is granted based on rigorous standards designed to ensure high-quality learning environments that prepare pharmacists for advanced clinical practice.

“These accreditations reflect the dedication of our pharmacy team and our commitment to providing exceptional care and education,” said Drew Kessell, Pharm.D., MBA, M.S., director, clinical pharmacy services at FirstHealth. “ASHP’s endorsement underscores the strength of our residency programs and the services we offer to patients and the broader health care community.”

The PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program, established in 2011, provides foundational training to pharmacy graduates and has a longstanding history of excellence. The reaccreditation confirms the program’s continued ability to meet ASHP standards and support residents in developing the skills necessary for clinical and leadership roles.

“I have been part of the pharmacy department and the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Moore Regional for eight years,” said Christina Thurber, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, pharmacy clinical coordinator and PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program coordinator. “Participating in the program in various roles and watching it grow and change into the strong entity it is today has been a rewarding part of my career. I have always known the pharmacy residents that we produce are a head above the rest but to have that reaffirmed by ASHP this year is a great honor. We couldn't have accomplished this full accreditation without the preceptors, pharmacists and technicians that help us mold our residents into the skilled practitioners they become.”

The PGY-2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Residency Program launched in 2023 and offers specialized training for pharmacists seeking expertise in emergency care settings. This year’s initial accreditation reflects the program’s success in delivering high-level education and clinical practice opportunities for residents.

“We are very proud of the PGY2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Residency Program and how much it has developed over the last couple years,” said Matthew Bamber, Pharm.D., MBA, BCCCP, emergency department pharmacy supervisor and director of the PGY-2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Residency Program. “A huge amount of the credit needs to be given to the preceptors, pharmacy department and providers, especially those in the emergency department and ICU.  It is exciting to be able to see this program continue and thrive, not only in producing residents who graduate with robust pharmacy knowledge, but, more importantly, develop them as individuals who will be positive influences on others and serve their community in the future.”

Bamber also acknowledged the support and teamwork provided by pharmacy team members John Norris, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, and Caitlin Rousseau, Pharm.D.  “They have been integral partners in making this program what it is.”

FirstHealth’s pharmacy residency programs are surveyed by ASHP every eight years, underscoring the importance of maintaining high standards between reviews.

For more information about FirstHealth’s pharmacy residency programs, call (910) 715-1105.