Scripps Mercy Hospital Pharmacy Residency
Pharmacy residency programs at Scripps Mercy

Pharmacy residency programs at Scripps Mercy
Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego offers four 12-month postgraduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residency positions and three postgraduate year two (PGY2) positions — one PGY2 emergency medicine pharmacy, one PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy and one PGY2 oncology pharmacy residency position.
The PGY1 program has been fully accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) since 2002. The PGY2 program in psychiatric pharmacy enrolled their first resident in 2017 and is fully accredited. The PGY2 oncology pharmacy residency started on July 27, 2020 and is also fully accredited. The PGY2 emergency medicine pharmacy starts July 2023 and is in pre-candidate status. We are affiliated with four pharmacy schools and train more than 100 medical, family practice, trauma and podiatry residents as well as more than 30 fourth-year PharmD candidates each year.
Please note: Some of the footage and images in this video were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Scripps is currently following all CDC guidelines, and has implemented special protocols, to keep our facilities safe for our patients and staff. Read more about our precautions or watch the video.
Program highlights
The Scripps Mercy Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program offers residents a challenging academic experience in a progressive environment that prepares residents for leadership roles in the pharmacy profession. Clinical and distributive services are provided by full-time, unit-based pharmacists — many of whom have advanced clinical training. Scripps Mercy’s pharmacists enjoy sharing their breadth of knowledge by precepting both pharmacy residents and students.
- The pharmacy department is open 24/7 and includes a main pharmacy, oncology infusion center, 11 clinical pharmacist practice settings, nine satellite locations and telepharmacy services.
- More than 30 clinical pharmacists on staff provide a broad range of clinical services, carry out pharmacist-driven medication protocols, staff our oncology infusion center, and teach pharmacy students, medical and pharmacy residents.
- Pharmacy residents have direct access to pharmacy faculty, are integrated into the medical teaching program and are considered “house staff” with similar privileges as medical residents.
- Residents complete a broad depth of clinical rotations tailored to individual experience, interests and career goals, and each resident may participate in programs throughout Scripps’ five campus locations.
- Residents conduct IRB-approved research, present at international and national meetings, and have the opportunity to earn a teaching certificate.
Message from director

Message from director
Hear directly from the residency program director about what to expect from this pharmacy residency program.
Harminder Sikand, Pharm D; FCSHP, FASHP, FCCP, Director of Clinical Services and Residency Programs
Rotations and teaching sites
The Scripps Mercy Hospital Pharmacy Residency Programs are uniquely situated in a variety of acute care settings, which exposes residents to the highest-quality learning experience possible.
Faculty and residents
Residents at Scripps Mercy Hospital work under the mentorship of experienced pharmacy experts who have Board Certification (BPS) in Pharmacotherapy and/or specialty area of practice. With academic scholarship at the core of the pharmacy residency program, our team is dedicated to delivering superior medical education and guidance to meet your interests and career goals.
Scripps Mercy Pharmacy Residents Celebrate Graduation June 2022

Research projects, presentations and publications
Scripps Mercy Hospital pharmacy residents conduct institutional review board IRB-approved research during their resident year.
The research project is chosen based on the resident’s interest and the feasibility of completion during the resident year. From inception to completion, the resident manages the research project and is required to present the abstract at a national meeting.
View a list of Scripps Mercy Hospital pharmacy resident publications and presentations (PDF, 73 KB).
Salary and benefits
The terms and conditions of resident training and employment are specified in the employment agreement that also includes training obligations, stipend and benefit provisions. The pharmacy residency manual fully describes policies, practices and procedures. Copies of the employment agreement, yearly rotation schedule and other pertinent materials are provided at the time of the interview.
The annual stipend and specific benefits are listed in the employment agreement, discussed in the residency manual and summarized below.
Residency showcase
Virtual Open House – All Pacific Standard Time
PGY1 program:
Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 from 2-7 pm PST
PGY2 programs:
- Psychiatric Pharmacy: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 from 3-5 pm PST
- Oncology Pharmacy: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 from 3-5 pm PST
- Emergency Medicine Pharmacy: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 from 3-6 pm PST
To attend, please schedule an appointment.
Personalized meetings to answer your questions about the program after you have had a chance to review our website. Sessions will be no more than six individuals at a time.
Contact the individual RPD listed below to schedule time on that day:
PGY1 Pharmacy - Dr. Sikand (sikand.harminder@scrippshealth.org)
PGY2 Emergency Medicine - Dr. Smith (smith.andrew@scrippshealth.org)
PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy – Dr. Tallian (tallian.kimberly@scrippshealth.org)
PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy – Dr. Garrett (garrett.john@scrippshealth.org)
We will be at Residency showcase (PGY1 and PGY2 Emergency Medicine, Oncology, Psychiatric Pharmacy) at both ACCP Annual Meeting and ASHP Residency Showcase in 2022. ASHP Showcase will be Tuesday morning, December 6 at Booth #5516.
How to apply
The Pharmacy Practice Residency is a 12-month commitment starting on July 1 (PGY1) and August 1 (PGY2). To be considered for the pharmacy residency program, candidates must be a graduate of an accredited college of pharmacy and eligible for California licensure. Candidates also undergo a personal onsite interview.