Program Overview

Mercy Health – West Hospital is proud to offer a comprehensive PGY-1 pharmacy residency program designed to empower two residents each year with the foundational and advanced skills needed for a rewarding career in clinical pharmacy. By the program's culmination, our graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in a clinical pharmacist role, pursue board certification or pursue specialization through PGY-2 residency.

Our residency offers a blend of required and elective rotations that expose residents to a broad spectrum of pharmacy practice areas. Required rotations include orientation, internal medicine, emergency medicine, critical care, antimicrobial stewardship, ambulatory care and administration. These are complemented by longitudinal rotations in anticoagulation clinic, drug information, medication safety, pharmacy practice and a research project. In addition, residents can personalize their experience based on their personal interests by selecting electives in anesthesia/surgery, cardiology or through advanced experiences in core rotations. Other elective learning experiences may be developed based on resident interest and preceptor availability.

As part of our commitment to comprehensive development, all residents are provided with the opportunity to obtain a Teaching and Learning Certificate through the University of Cincinnati, further enhancing their skill set and preparing them for a fulfilling and impactful career in the field of pharmacy. Residents will also have the opportunity to precept APPE students during advanced learning experiences. 

About the hospital:

Mercy Health – West Hospital is a premier health care facility serving Cincinnati’s West Side, bringing advanced medical services and a patient-centered approach to the local community. Established in 2013, this state-of-the-art, 241-bed community hospital operates with an average daily census of 200. By combining a personal, community-focused approach with the resources and expertise of Bon Secours Mercy Health, the fifth-largest Catholic health systems in the nation, we provide exceptional care to our patients.

Our unwavering dedication to high-quality, safe patient care has earned Mercy Health – West Hospital numerous prestigious awards, reflecting our excellence across key areas in health care:

Five-Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 

 This top rating recognizes our success across 57 quality measures, including patient safety, care effectiveness, timeliness and patient experience. Our five-star status reflects our commitment to delivering superior outcomes in areas such as heart attack and pneumonia care, as well as achieving low readmission and mortality rates.

The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® 

Our facility has been awarded The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® in Advanced Heart Failure Management, Primary Stroke Certification, and Hip & Knee Replacement. These certifications reflect our dedication to providing safe, effective and specialized care to our patients.

American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines” Gold Plus Award for Heart Failure 

This award recognizes our success in providing heart failure patients with high-quality treatment that aligns with nationally accepted standards, furthering our mission to meet the needs of our cardiac patients.

Healthgrades Top 100 Hospital with Specialty Excellence in Critical Care 

This distinction celebrates our outstanding patient outcomes in critical care, including in conditions such as pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, sepsis and diabetic hospitalizations, positioning us among the best hospitals for critical care in the nation.

Magnet® Recognition for Nursing Excellence 

Magnet® status highlights our commitment to exceptional nursing care, underscoring our hospital as a top choice for both patients and health care professionals who value compassionate, patient-centered care.

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade “A” 

Our “A” grade from Leapfrog highlights our dedication to patient safety, placing us among the safest hospitals in the United States.

Healthgrades 50 Top Hospital 

Recognized by Healthgrades as one of the top 50 hospitals, our facility demonstrates exceptional clinical outcomes and patient safety across multiple specialties, setting us apart as a leader in delivering safe, high-quality care.

PINC AI™ Top 100 Hospital

The PINC AI™ Top 100 Hospitals award honors our superior performance in clinical quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. This recognition highlights our innovative practices and effective use of technology to enhance patient outcomes.

Becker’s 100 Great Community Hospitals

Named among Becker’s 100 Great Community Hospitals, our hospital stands out for its deep commitment to the community and its excellence in quality and operational efficiency. This distinction emphasizes our role as a trusted provider of health care within Cincinnati’s West Side.

With these resources and recognitions, Mercy Health – West Hospital is an ideal training ground for pharmacy residents seeking to grow within a compassionate, innovative and high-quality health care environment.

Accreditation Status

Program Name: Pharmacy Residency Program at Mercy Health – West Hospital
Accreditation Status: Candidate
ASHP Program Code: 44937
Length of Training: One year
Program Size: Two residents