Geriatrics at South Texas Veterans Health Care System

South Texas Veterans Health Care System in conjunction with the University of Texas College of Pharmacy

Heather Payton Blacksmith, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP
Residency Program Director, PGY2 Geriatrics
South Texas Veterans Health Care System
7400 Merton Minter Blvd (119)
San Antonio, Texas 78229
(210) 617-5300 Ext. 14094
Heather.Blacksmith@va.gov

The PGY2 Geriatric Pharmacy Residency Program at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System has been accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists since 1986. This comprehensive clinical pharmacy training program is designed to develop autonomous geriatric clinical pharmacist practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge into the provision of advanced patient care. Residents who successfully complete this program are prepared for board certification, advanced practice settings, academia, or other specialized careers. Intended outcomes of the program include: function as an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team; provide comprehensive medication management to complex patients in a variety of care settings; serve as an educator for patients, caregivers, health care providers, and trainees; exhibit professional leadership and management skills; display self-motivation for professional and personal growth as an independent practitioner; and demonstrate the ability to proactively identify and meet opportunities available in the provision of pharmaceutical care to our aging population.

South Texas Veterans Health Care System serves more than 100,000 veterans throughout San Antonio and the surrounding region. A full range of primary, specialty, surgical, rehabilitative, acute, and long-term care services are provided across facilities including Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, Kerrville VA Medical Center, and numerous community-based outpatient clinics. The pharmacy department offers 24-hour coverage, decentralized drug distribution systems, sterile compounding, and a diverse team of more than 100 clinical pharmacist practitioners in various specialties with 20 in geriatrics. South Texas VA welcomes over 4,000 health professional trainees annually across multiple disciplines including four PGY1 and nine PGY2 pharmacy residents.

The 12-month residency year will be divided into 13 rotation blocks consisting of four weeks each. The resident will also participate in a geriatric primary care clinic one afternoon per week. Orientation will overlap with the first learning experience. The resident and residency program director will meet initially and quarterly to develop, revise, and update an individualized development plan to meet the personal and professional interests and needs of the resident. 

Required learning experiences include Community Living Center, Home Based Primary Care, and Transitions of Care. Selective learning experiences include Acute Care/Internal Medicine, Geriatric Primary Care, Hospital in Home, Hospice, and Palliative Care. A plethora of elective experiences are also available including Anticoagulation, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Cardiology, Psychiatry, Spinal Cord Injury, Substance Use Disorders, and Whole Health. Psychiatry is required if an equivalent experience was not completed during PGY1 residency. Required and selective experiences may be repeated. Off-site experiences require Texas Board of Pharmacy licensure and include Long-Term Care Consulting, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Geriatric Trauma. Additional experiences may be developed based on resident interest and preceptor availability.

Completion of a research project, medication use evaluation, grand rounds presentation, and other scholarly activities are required. Numerous conferences, seminars, and educational programs are available for resident attendance.