UW School of Pharmacy Celebrates Postgraduate Students Matching into Residency

Administrators and staff members from the University of Wyoming’s School of Pharmacy recently celebrated a group of postgraduate students who were matched into residency training and education before starting careers as professional pharmacists.

From the UW Doctor of Pharmacy class of 2026, 13 students -- 100 percent of those who entered the match process -- successfully matched into a postgraduate year one (PGY1) residency program through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) residency match process. 

The ASHP Resident Matching Program is a highly competitive, nationwide process that pairs graduating pharmacy students with accredited residency programs. These programs provide intensive, hands-on training in clinical practice, preparing pharmacists to take on advanced roles in hospitals, health systems and other patient care settings. Pharmacy residencies are increasingly recognized as a critical step for those seeking to specialize in areas such as internal medicine, critical care, oncology and ambulatory care.

During a PGY1 residency, pharmacists build on their foundational knowledge by working directly with health care teams, managing complex medication therapies and improving patient outcomes.

From the class of 2025, nine alumni are completing a PGY1 residency this academic year. Of those nine, six chose to pursue specialty training and all successfully matched into a postgraduate year two (PGY2) specialty pharmacy residency, also through the ASHP Resident Matching Program. Specialties pursued include psychiatry, pain and palliative care, and emergency medicine.

“Matching into a PGY1 or PGY2 residency is a remarkable accomplishment,” says Jeremy Vandiver, associate dean of academic affairs with the UW School of Pharmacy. “It reflects not only academic excellence, but also a strong commitment to patient-centered care, lifelong learning, and leadership and advocacy within the profession. We are very excited to see how our graduates continue to grow in these programs, and what impact they have on their patients and the profession throughout the rest of their careers.”

“Having more than two-thirds of our graduating class entering into a postgraduate residency program is truly remarkable,” Vandiver adds. “Similarly, having more than two-thirds of our alumni who are current PGY1 residents continue on into a specialty-pharmacy residency is fantastic to see. All told, our residency-bound graduates will be pursuing postgraduate training in 15 different states.”

“As dean, I could not be prouder of this outcome. It reflects a strategic priority we have emphasized to strengthen postgraduate pathways and elevate clinical training opportunities for our students,” says Patrick Hardigan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “Achieving a 100 percent match rate among those who entered the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Residency Match is not only a testament to the caliber of our students, but also to the intentional mentorship, faculty engagement and practice-ready curriculum we have built at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy.

“Just as importantly, the strong progression from PGY1 to PGY2 training among our alumni signals that we are developing pharmacists who are not only competitive at entry, but who continue to advance into highly specialized roles,” Hardigan continues. “This level of performance positions our program -- and our graduates -- as meaningful contributors to the evolving health care workforce, particularly in rural and underserved settings where advanced clinical expertise is critically needed.”

PGY1-bound Doctor of Pharmacy students (Class of 2026) listed by hometown and name:

Cheyenne -- Sydney Bell, Lily Hartigan and Braeden Stewart.

Denver, Colo. -- Selma Shepherd.

Douglas -- Bailey Kane and Tessa Raba.

Canby, Ore. -- Lily Guimont.

Gillette -- Sebastian Mooney and Joy Nguyen.

Greeley, Colo. -- Donta Valdez.

Berthoud, Colo. -- Hannah Stippich.

Omaha, Neb. -- Hailey Zuroske.

Windsor, Colo. -- Richelle Witt.

PGY2-bound alumni (Class of 2025) listed by hometown and name:

Laramie -- Sekoya Moran and Levi Sinn.

Cheyenne -- Jordan Conine.

Afton -- Abby Fry.

Sheridan -- Kairstyn Holden.

Spring, Texas -- Caitlin Loo.