Pharmacy Residency Program Year 2 (PGY2) Infectious Disease Program

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Post Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

The 12-month residency is an organized and directed program that builds upon knowledge, skills, and abilities gained

from the undergraduate pharmacy degree education and the post-graduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residency program.

Pharmacists completing a PGY2 pharmacy residency become clinical pharmacists specialized in a certain area of practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings.

Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are well prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the PGY2 Residency in Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offer?

The PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Program is designed to provide a challenging, well-rounded training environment in a variety of clinical areas. Our hospital is currently designated as a Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Stewardship by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). This provides residents with the opportunity to complete their training at a state-of-the-art facility with the latest technology in the management of infectious diseases.

Pharmacy residents completing the program will receive the necessary training to develop clinical expertise in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy and antimicrobial stewardship.

The program is in candidate accreditation status with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

What are the core rotations?

The core rotations include Orientation rotation, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Adult Infectious Diseases Consult Service I,

Adult Infectious Diseases Consult Service II, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program I, Solid Organ Transplant Infectious Diseases, Hematology-Oncology Infectious Diseases, and Medical Surgical Intensive Care Service.

Longitudinal rotations include the Clinical Research Longitudinal Rotation, Longitudinal Antimicrobial Stewardship Service which includes involvement with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Subcommittee of the Formulary and Therapeutics Committee and Presentations and Teaching Longitudinal Rotation. Residents are required to complete staffing through the Staffing Rotation. Residents in our program have a broad range of clinical and research opportunities and the flexibility to integrate their professional goals.

What is the Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency curriculum?

The PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency curriculum consists of the following requirements, including core rotations:

• Orientation Rotation: 1 week (for internal candidates) and 3 weeks (for external candidates)
• Clinical Microbiology Laboratory: 2 weeks
• Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology: 2 weeks
• Adult Infectious Diseases Consult Service I: 4 weeks
• Adult Infectious Diseases Consult Service II: 4 weeks
• Antimicrobial Stewardship Program I: 4 weeks
• Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Service: 4 weeks
• Solid Organ Transplant Infectious Diseases: 4 weeks
• Hematology–Oncology Infectious Diseases: 4 weeks
• Clinical Research Longitudinal Rotation: 12 months with 2 weeks scheduled for research projects
• Longitudinal Antimicrobial Stewardship Service (12 months)
• Presentations and Teaching Longitudinal Rotation (12 months)
• Staffi­ng Rotation (every other third weekend)

Residents may choose from among the following for their elective rotations for a total of 3 elective rotations. Other elective learning experiences may be developed based on resident interest and preceptor availability.

• Infectious Diseases in the Emergency Department: 4 weeks
• Infectious Diseases and Travel Clinic: 2 - 4 weeks
• Neurocritical Care Infectious Diseases: 4 weeks
• Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Rotation: 4 weeks
• Internal Medicine with focus on Cystic Fibrosis: 4 weeks
• Antimicrobial Stewardship Program II: 4 weeks
• Bone and Joint Infectious Diseases: 4 weeks
• Bone Marrow Transplant Infectious Diseases: 2 - 4 weeks

Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency Longitudinal Experiences:

• A scholarly research project, the results of which will be presented at a national or international infectious disease meeting
• Clinical in-house coverage every third weekend
• Participation in antimicrobial medication use evaluation projects
• Participation in the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Subcommittee
• Participation in the Infection Control and Prevention Committee
• Participation in a teaching certificate program (available through our college of pharmacy affiliation)
• Presentation and teaching to healthcare providers, pharmacy caregivers, pharmacy residents, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy students
• Participating in continuing education programs
• Opportunity to participate in publishing such as case reports or review articles.

What are the Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency research requirements?

As a requirement of the residency program, PGY2 residents must complete a scholarly research project in infectious diseases. We encourage residents to choose a topic of

interest that contributes to the advancement of infectious diseases clinical practice.

What are the eligibility criteria for the program?

• Eligibility for pharmacy licensure in the UAE
• Minimum 5-year BS degree in Pharmacy or Pharm. D, minimum GPA 3.0
• Successful completion of a 24-months American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited post-graduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residency program
• Attained board certified pharmacotherapy specialist (BCPS) credential.

How do I submit to the program?

To be considered, candidates must submit a completed application by the deadline through the Department of Health Abu Dhabi MEAD application system on Tamm website. Required documents for the application include but are not limited to:

• Academic transcripts
• Board certification in pharmacotherapy specialty credential (BCPS) certificate
• Post-graduate year one (PGY1) residency certificate
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of intent
• Three letters of recommendation

Candidates meeting the requirements for the position may be contacted for an onsite interview.

Additional Information:

Duration/Type: 12 months

Number of Positions: 1

Application Deadline: March 31

Starting Date: September 1

Estimated Stipend: Fixed stipend, non-negotiable

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information about the pharmacy residency program, please contact Rania El-Lababidi, Director of Pharmacy Residency Programs, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, or visit the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists website.

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Got a Question?

For more information on any of the Undergraduate Medical Education Programs offered at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, please send an email to