CUTLINE: Melissa Smith (left) of Maryville, TN, and Regina Ittner of Augusta, GA, are HCMC’s two newest pharmacy residents.
Paris, TN – Henry County Medical Center is excited to welcome its latest class to its PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program: Melissa Smith and Regina Ittner. The pair began their one-year stint at HCMC on July 5.
Smith is originally from Maryville, TN, while Ittner comes to HCMC from Augusta, GA.
Henry County Medical Center’s PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program prepares residents with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required to become a competent pharmacy practitioner and an adjunct pharmacy school faculty member serving a community hospital.
“We are excited to have Melissa and Regina join us for the coming year,” said Paula Bell, Director of Pharmacy at HCMC. ”Making the decision to complete a post-graduate residency is never an easy one for new graduates, but they are committed to expanding their clinical knowledge and experience to pursue a clinical specialist position after this year. Completing a residency is an excellent way to have an advantage in the job market especially with the number of graduates in and around the state of Tennessee. The interdisciplinary team here at HCMC provides exceptional care to our patients and having clinical pharmacists participating on that team is great for our community and patients.”
A pharmacy resident is a licensed pharmacist that pursues additional training to gain a better understanding of how to apply the knowledge and skills learned in school to real patients, situations, and settings. Residency training is crucial to new pharmacists, who are going into a healthcare environment that involves ever-changing roles and responsibility.
During a residency, the resident will get the chance to work with patients as part of an interdisciplinary team, sharpening their critical thinking skills, and learning the subtleties of leadership. They also will have the opportunity to be exposed to different facets of practice and learn about the many and varied career paths available to pharmacists today. The 12-month program provides the necessary opportunities for highly motivated pharmacists to achieve their professional goals.
For more information about HCMC, go online at www.hcmc-tn.org.
About Henry County Medical Center
Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 8 provider clinics in various specialties. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.