Oncology at South Texas Veterans Health Care System

South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Hospital in conjunction with the University of Texas, College of Pharmacy

Photo of John Malamakal

John Malamakal, Pharm.D., MS, BCPS, BCOP 

Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner, Oncology/Hematology
PGY2 Oncology Residency Program Director
South Texas Veterans Health Care System
7400 Merton Minter Blvd, Dept 119
San Antonio, TX 78229
john.malamakal@va.gov

Major areas of clinical involvement are supportive care and prevention or management of antineoplastic drug toxicity. Accordingly, oncology/hematology pharmacists are involved in nausea and vomiting prevention, pain management, infection treatment, nutritional support, antineoplastic toxicity of prevention and management, therapeutic drug monitoring, chemotherapy regimen dosing and design, and extravasation management. These services are provided to the medical oncology and hematology/BMTU services at STVHCS in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Other areas of involvement are coordination and supervision of chemotherapy preparation, patient and staff education, investigational drug control for all southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) protocols and provision of drug information.

Oncology Pharmacy Residents are involved in all of these activities to ensure the development of a clinician with comprehensive oncology pharmacy skills. Teaching and clinical research opportunities are also available.

Responsibilities and activities are structured to meet or exceed ASHP standards for oncology pharmacy practice.

The University of Texas at Austin and its affiliated institutions are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  Qualified women and minorities are encouraged to apply.  Security sensitive; conviction verification conducted on applicant selected.

Critical Objectives

In collaboration with the health care team, provide comprehensive medication management to oncology patients following a consistent patient care process.

Ensure continuity of care during transitions of oncology patients between care settings.

Manage and facilitate delivery of medications to support safe and effective drug therapy for oncology patients.

Demonstrate ability to manage formulary and medication-use processes for oncology patients, as applicable to the organization.

Demonstrate ability to conduct a quality improvement or research project.

Demonstrate leadership skills for successful self-development in the provision of care for oncology patients.

Provide effective medication and practice-related education to oncology patients, caregivers, health care professionals, students, and the public (individuals and groups).

Appropriately manage oncology investigational drugs and oncology investigational drug services.

Required Learning Experiences

  • Oncology Pharmacy Orientation (1 month)
  • Medical Oncology Consults (2 months)
  • Hematology Consults (2 months)
  • Bone Marrow Transplant (Brooke Army Medical Center) (1 month)
  • Chemotherapy Infusion Clinic (1 month)
  • Breast Cancer Clinic (1 month)
  • Research/Administration (1 month)
  • Gynecologic Malignancies** (1 month)
  • Medical Oncology Longitudinal Clinic (once per week during oncology focused clinical rotation month)
  • Hematology Longitudinal Clinic (once per week during hematology focused clinical rotation)
  • Inpatient Hematology/Oncology Weekend Staffing every 3rd weekend

**Gynecologic Malignancies will be covered via Virtual Rotation with Purdue University

Elective Learning Experiences (3 months, limit 2 months off-site*)

  • Repeat Required Rotation
  • Bone Marrow Transplant (Brooke Army Medical Center or Nashville Veterans Affairs**)
  • Palliative Care
  • Phase I Clinical Trials (NEXT Oncology)
  • Precision Oncology (Virtual rotation with Durham VA)
  • Malignant Hematology Consults (University Hospital)

*Additional off-site rotation experiences may be possible on a case-by-case basis, but are not guaranteed

**Nashville VA BMT rotation experience would be funded on own by the resident

Other Requirements for Completion

  • Research/Quality Improvement Project
  • Poster Presentations
  • A Manuscript/Publication
  • Medication Use Evaluation
  • Drug Information Questions/Pharmacy Newsletter
  • VA Pharmacology Grand Rounds
  • In-Services
  • Journal Club and Case Presentations
  • Didactic Lectures
  • Pharmacy Committees
  • University of Texas Pharmacotherapy Rounds
  • University of Texas Pharmacotherapy Seminar

Residency Details

Location

San Antonio, Texas

Length of Residency

1 year

Start Date

Early July

Positions Available

1

Application Requirements

U.S. citizen

Pharm.D. degree from ACPE-accredited institution

Eligible to practice pharmacy in Texas

An ASHP accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency (PGY-1)

Stipend

Competitive salary

Attractive benefits package

Vacation (13 days)

Sick leave (13 days)

Health insurance is available

Previous Residents Include

Idris Yusuf, Pharm.D. (2023-2024) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Lymphoma/Myeloma, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Uyen Tran, Pharm.D. (2023-2024) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, GI Malignancies, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Eduardo Garcia, Pharm.D. (2022-2023) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Inpatient Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Health

Cheyanne Shook, Pharm.D., MBA (2022-2023) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Hematology/Oncology, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and Clinics

Terra Furney, Pharm.D., MHA, BCOP (2021-2022) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Hematology/Oncology, VA Dublin Health Care

Elizabeth Meszaros, Pharm.D. (2021-2022) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant/Oncology, Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center

Lindsey Lu, Pharm.D., BCOP (2020-2021) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Hematology/Oncology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Cassandra Walker, Pharm.D., BCOP (2020-2021) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Hematology/Oncology, New Mexico VA Health Care System

Anndee Gritte, Pharm.D., BCOP (2019-2020) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Hematology/Oncology, Audie L. Murphy, STVHCS

David Pham, Pharm.D., BCOP (2018-2019) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Texas Medical Branch

Erin Yeung, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCOP (2017-2018) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Lymphoma/Myeloma, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Chelsea Minor, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCOP (2016-2017) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Bone Marrow Transplant, Washington University School of Medicine

John Malamakal, Pharm.D., MS, BCPS, BCOP (2015-2016) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Hematology/Oncology, Audie L. Murphy, STVHCS

Darren Luon, Pharm.D., BCOP (2014-2015) Clinical Manager, Oncology Pharmacy Services, Yale New Haven Hospital

Shardae Young, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCOP (2013-2014) Medical Science Liaison, Immunology, Octapharma