The PGY2 Critical Care Residency program at Maine Medical Center offers residents quality training in a pharmacy-friendly institution where resident learning is of utmost importance. Maine Medical Center is a welcoming environment that appreciates work-life balance and is supportive of the resident and their experience. We are dedicated to the care of our patients.
As Maine’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and a comprehensive stroke center, our residents see a diverse array of pathology. Our pharmacists have 24/7 coverage in the emergency department. Pharmacists are key members of the multidisciplinary teams in our ICUs. Our providers expect us to be on rounds and are hunting us down if we are not!
Our faculty is comprised of a tight-knit group of well-respected and accomplished preceptors. Faculty work closely with colleagues from every discipline which is highlighted by our multidisciplinary research efforts and our residency advisory committee, consisting of pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and advanced practice providers. Learn more about our faculty.
Our program supports our resident’s desire to be involved in quality improvement projects as well as research. Our strong research mentorship with established clinical researchers and aspiring researchers often leads to publications (on average 5-10 per year in an interdisciplinary fashion). Learn more about our research projects.
Located in beautiful Portland, Maine, our setting provides an added bonus to the resident experience at Maine Medical Center. Maine is called “vacationland” for a reason - Lonely Planet and Fodor’s have given shout-outs to Maine as one of the best places to visit in the world. Having easy access to a range of outdoor activities and top-notch food and beer establishments to quench our foodie palates allows residents to enjoy life outside of work.
From start to finish, our staff is dedicated to our resident’s progression and ensuring they have the training and experience necessary to graduate to a competitive position. Learn more about our alumni.
Below are some examples of recent PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency research projects:
- Midodrine initiation criteria, dose titration, and adverse effects when administered for shock: a systematic review.
- Derivation and Validation of a New Equation for Estimating Free Valproate Concentration in Critically Ill Adults
- Publication Rate and Impact Stratified by Gender amongst Pharmacists Designated Fellow in the American College of Critical Care Medicine
- Safety of Dexmedetomidine Administration for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in Intensive Care Units at Maine Medical Center
- Phenobarbital-based Protocol for Trauma Patients at High Risk of or Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal – retrospective before-and-after
- Acute Pain Management in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Requiring Critical Care – narrative review
- Risk Factors for an Elevated Free Fraction of Valproate in Critically Ill Adults – two-center retrospective cohort
- Methadone Bioavailability and Dose Conversion Implications with Intravenous and Enteral Administration – scoping review
- Evaluation of Enteral Phosphate Replacement in the Intensive Care Unit – retrospective cohort
- Non-Opioid Analgesics in the Intensive Care Unit – narrative review
- Intensive Care Analgesic Review and Opioid Use Disorder – retrospective cohort
MMC PHARMACY RESIDENT PUBLICATIONS 2019-2023 (Bold = PGY2 Resident authors, italic = preceptor)
- Liu J, Brown CS, Riker RR, Mara KC, Riker RR, Rabinstein AA, Fraser GL, May TL, Armstrong KJ, Seder D, Gagnon DJ. Derivation and validation of a new equation for estimating free valproate concentration in critically ill patients. Crit Care Explor. 2023 (in press).
- Weaver P, Sherman K, Smith K, Wampole C, Glisic E, Berger K, Gagnon D. Publication rate and impact stratified by gender among pharmacists designated Fellow in the American College of Critical Care Medicine. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2023;63:178-181. DOI 10.1016/j.japh.2022.08.018.
- Wampole C, McKenna A, Riker RR, May TL, Seder DB, Abram D, Fraser GL, Gagnon DJ. Opioid Prescribing Patterns Before, During, and After Critical Illness: An Observational Study. Crit Care Explor 2022;4:e0735. DOI 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000735.
- Brown CS, Liu J, Riker RR, Mara KC, Rabinstein AA, Fraser GL, May TL, Seder D, Gagnon DJ. Evaluation of free valproate concentration in critically ill patients. Crit Care Explor. 2022;4:e0746.
- Riker RR, Weaver P, Torr H, Gosling K, Gagnon DJ. Comment: a review of pharmacologic neurostimulant use during rehabilitation and recovery after brain injury. Ann Pharmacother 2022;56:858-860. DOI: 10.1177/10600280211052629.
- Smith KE, Wang M, Abdukalikov R, McAuliffe A, Whitesell D, Richard J, Sauer W, Quaye A. Pain Management Considerations in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Requiring Critical Care. J Clin Pharmacol 2021 [in press]. DOI 10.1002/jcph.1999.
- Liu J, Smith KE, Riker RR, Craig WY, McKelvy DJ, Kemp HD, Nichols SD, Fraser GL. Methadone bioavailability and dose conversion implications with intravenous and enteral administration: a scoping review. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2021;78:1395-1401. DOI 10.1093/ajhp/zxab166.
- Wampole CR, Smith KE. Beyond Opioids for Pain Management in Adult Critically Ill Patients. J Pharm Pract 2019;32:256-70. DOI 10.1177/0897190019834479.
- Kovacic N, Gagnon DJ, Riker RR, Fraser GL. An analysis of psychoactive medications initiated in the ICU but continued beyond discharge: a pilot study of stewardship. J Pharm Pract 2019;33:760-767. DOI 10.1177/0897190019830518.
- Brown CS, Zemrak WR, Dyer KJ, Rolfe S. Low-Dose Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices. ASAIO J 2019;65:e21-e24. DOI 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000783.
Our curriculum is deeply rooted in foundational experiences within critical care with many unique opportunities to experience a wide range of specialty areas. Every year our curriculum is customized to the interests and needs of the resident. The program director and preceptors will work with the resident to optimize and adjust the program and learning experiences. Please refer to our manual for more information on learning experiences.
Kathryn Smith, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
PGY2 Critical Care Residency Program Director
Hometown: Lumberton, New Jersey
Pharmacy School: University of Connecticut
Residency: University of Utah (PGY 1 and PGY2 Critical Care)
Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, outdoor recreation, cooking
Favorite Place in Maine: Rangeley Lakes Region
Favorite Maine Activity: Exploring coastal towns
Why MMC? The high acuity and complexity of the patients, in addition to the academic spirit of research and education at MMC, make it a great environment for personal and professional growth.
Contact Us
Questions? Contact our Program Director
Kathryn Smith, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Kathryn.e.smith@mainehealth.org
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Virtual Open House
November 29, 2023 from 6-7pm EST
Programs available:
- Ambulatory Care
- Critical Care
- Infectious Disease
- Oncology
Leadership
Learn more about our Program Director, Kathryn Smith, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP.