A group of pharmacy postgraduates recently completed their pharmacy residencies, and other recent graduates are stepping into their shoes.

The Pharmacy Residency Graduation Banquet, held June 26 at the Iowa Memorial Union, honored 24 residents for completing a residency in Iowa.

These graduates have the distinction of being part of a 50-year milestone for pharmacy residency programs. In 1963, the UIHC PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program became the first accredited pharmacy residency training program in the United States.

“There is no doubt that the skills these residents have learned and the knowledge they have gained will benefit greatly all those whom they will serve in the years ahead,” says Donald Letendre, dean of the College of Pharmacy. “Through perseverance and great personal commitment they have completed a program that will serve them extremely well through their professional journeys.”

Indeed, pharmacy residencies help postgraduates stand out in a competitive job market and offer further career preparation. They also offer networking opportunities and help residents further define their professional goals.

Information is available for the 24 pharmacists who were honored this year for completing a pharmacy residency in Iowa, including details of each resident’s program and the year they completed, along with his or her project title.

A new group of pharmacy residents began on July 1.

Additional information about pharmacy residency programs is available on the College of Pharmacy website.