Salem Health PGY1 Pharmacy Residency
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in pharmacy residency training at Salem Health.
The Salem Health PGY1 pharmacy residency program offers a diverse range of patient care and professional experiences within a large and well-established community-hospital. The residency program purpose is to build on the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.
Upon completion of the Salem Health PGY1 residency, we believe you will be a confident and highly capable general practitioner who is well-prepared for board certification and the next steps in your career.
About Salem Health
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics are part of a network of state-of-the-art medical facilities located within the heart of the Willamette Valley. Located in Oregon's capital city, Salem Hospital is a 643-bed, not-for-profit, community-based level II trauma center operating one of the busiest emergency departments on the West Coast. Salem Health is a Magnet-designated hospital and boasts award-winning cardiovascular and orthopedic service lines.
Learn more about life in Salem and the Willamette Valley.
Pharmacy Department services at Salem Health
The Pharmacy Department at Salem Health provides a broad range of services including a diverse inpatient practice, medication management in ambulatory care clinics, outpatient retail pharmacy, and infusion clinic.
Inpatient pharmacy services are provided throughout the hospital and includes extensive collaborative practices following evidence-based guidelines and leverages emerging technologies to provide the highest pharmaceutical care for patients. Pharmacists work side-by-side with physicians, nurses and other health care providers to ensure optimal patient outcomes and maximize patient safety, including multidisciplinary rounding on multiple care units.
At Salem Health, the pharmacy department focuses on continuous quality improvement, and as a pharmacy resident you will have an opportunity to directly contribute to this goal of providing an exceptional patient experience and improving the health of the communities we serve.
About the position
Currently there are two annual positions offered at the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Salem Health.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a graduate of an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy or have a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
- Have a pharmacist license or be eligible for licensure in Oregon
- Prospective residents are expected to obtain Oregon pharmacist license as soon as possible, with a required deadline of Oct. 1
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US
- All residency candidates must register with the ASHP Resident Matching Program, which determines all pharmacy residency position appointment
Contact us
To connect with our pharmacy residency program contacts and ask questions, please send an email to Pharmacy.Residency@SalemHealth.org.
Salary and benefits
The current PGY1 pharmacy resident salary is ~$60,000 per year.
Pharmacy residents are eligible to receive Salem Health employee benefits, including:
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance coverage
- Employer-paid life insurance and short term disability insurance
- Paid time off for vacation, recognized holidays, and sick leave
- Retirement benefit options including a 401K
- Covered expenses for professional meeting attendance and travel fees for ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Northwestern States Residency Conference
- Free parking
Learning opportunities
As a pharmacy resident at Salem Health, you will gain broad exposure to a wide variety of patient populations and have the opportunity to further develop your skill sets in many areas including clinical pharmacy services, pharmacy operations, administration and leadership, and project management.
Required rotations
The following are core learning experiences:
- Adult Internal Medicine I & II (1 month each)
- Adult Critical Care I & II (1 month each)
- Cardiovascular Care Unit (CVCU) (1 month)
- Emergency Department I (1 month)
- IV Room & Operating Room (1 month)
- Neonatology – Pediatrics – Obstetrics (1 month)
- Orientation (1 month)
- Pharmacy Operations (longitudinal)
- Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Medication Safety Committee (longitudinal)
- Teaching and Learning Experience (longitudinal), includes Oregon Pharmacy Teaching Certificate (OPTC)1
- Pharmacy Staffing (longitudinal)2
- Pharmacy Residency Project (longitudinal)3
Elective rotations
Inpatient elective rotations are generally a month in duration. Opportunities for electives may be reduced by the need to extend core rotations for remediation. The following elective rotations are available:
- Adult Internal Medicine III (1 month)
- Ambulatory Care (1 month)
- Emergency Department II (1 month)
- Oncology (Adult) (1 month)
- Operating Room II (2 weeks)
- Neonatology – Pediatrics – Obstetrics II (1 month)
1 Oregon Pharmacy Teaching Certificate (OPTC): The OPTC is an elective opportunity offered jointly by Oregon State University and Pacific University Colleges of Pharmacy to enhance the teaching skill of residents (and other pharmacist staff) in the Portland Metro area. There are two didactic classes offered on how to teach, and one or two opportunities to put what was learned into practice. The most common place for residents to do the teaching is locally, at the Chemeketa Community College Pharmacy Technician program, but other opportunities exist (explained during the initial Teaching Certificate didactic session).
2Pharmacy Staffing Commitment: Service commitment is crucial to the development of professional practice skills. Residents will gain proficiency in both operational and clinical skill sets during the staffing experience, which includes exposure to both central and decentral pharmacy practice. This exposure will provide valuable experience and insights into key inpatient pharmacy processes for acute care facilities, increasing one’s ability to lead practice improvement initiatives. Residents are expected to staff approximately 40 hours per month, 10 hours per staffing shift.
3Residency Project: Each resident completes a year-long project during the residency year. Potential projects are identified by the Residency Advisory Committee and presented to the residents for consideration and ranking early in the year. Residents participate in all stages of the process including developing a timeline, obtaining IRB approval, data collection and analysis, submitting an abstract for presentation of the project at the Northwestern States Conference for Residents and Preceptors and a poster for ASHP Midyear, and completing a manuscript.
Residency Leadership
Welcome and thank you for considering Salem Health as the site for your residency training! Our goal, as program leadership for the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Salem Hospital, is to support the development of skilled clinical pharmacists who will have a sound understanding of hospital pharmacy practice, and improve care at the patient and healthcare system levels. To that end, our preceptors will challenge you to improve your abilities to:
- Better the care of the patients you serve each day
- Improve medication safety by participating in evaluation of medication events
- Improve the system by enacting changes in the electronic health record to further enhance patient care
Our preceptors are a critical part of your journey down this path. Please take a few moments to meet some of the people who will help you improve as a clinician pharmacist if you join us. We look forward to the opportunity to provide a residency experience that will prepare you for patient care and career advancement in any healthcare setting!
Residency Program Director
Wesley Porter, PharmD, BCPS
Wes graduated with his PharmD degree from the University of Colorado in 2017. He completed his PGY-1 inpatient residency training at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, in 2018. He stayed as a Staff Pharmacist at Renown until 2021 when he and his family moved to Salem, Oregon, where he began working as the ICU Clinical Pharmacist at Salem Health.
Wes served as the Residency Program Coordinator from 2023 to 2025 before taking on the PGY-1 Residency Program Director role in July 2025. In addition to the director’s role, Wes precepts for the Adult Critical Care I & II and Orientation learning experiences.
When not at work, Wes loves to explore the Oregon coast and frequent the nearby farmer’s market with his family.
Residency Program Coordinator
Gregory Junior Vera Cruz, PharmD, BCEMP
Greg received his PharmD from the University of Southern California in 2021. He then completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Antelope Valley Medical Center in Lancaster, CA. He would go on to practice as an Emergency Medicine pharmacist in Southern California until moving to Oregon in 2024, as one of the ED pharmacists at Salem Health. Greg became board certified in Emergency Medicine at the end of 2024.
Greg will serve as the Residency Program Coordinator starting 2025, working closely with the program director, residents, and preceptors to organize the residency year. In addition, Greg will serve as a preceptor for the Teaching & Learning and Emergency Department I & II rotations.
Outside of pharmacy, Greg enjoys exploring the lakes and waterfalls of Oregon with his wife and two dogs.
Preceptors
Aron Howe, PharmD
Aron received his PharmD from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Since 2012, Aron has been one of Salem Health’s Emergency Department pharmacists and serves as preceptor for Emergency Department I & II learning experiences.
Caroline Houston, PharmD
Caroline received her PharmD from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. She began her career at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, in 2002. She joined Salem Health in 2012 as an IV pharmacist and serves as the primary preceptor for the IV Room learning experience. Caroline was awarded Pharmacist APPE Preceptor of the Year, 2017-2018, by Oregon State University. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys camping, hiking, and exploring with her family.
Cejae Legal, PharmD
Cejae received her PharmD from Oregon State University. She has been with Salem Health since 2001 first as a student, a clinical pharmacist in 2004 and specialized in cardiovascular ICU in 2008. She serves as the primary preceptor for the Cardiovascular ICU learning experiences, and has received the Outstanding Resident Mentor Award three years in a row. Additionally, she teaches the cardiac pharmacology class to new cardiac nurses.
Chelsea Zipse, PharmD, BCPS
Chelsea received her PharmD from the University of Kansas in 2017. She completed a PGY-1 residency at Saint Alphonsus in Boise, Idaho. In 2021, she moved to Oregon and joined the Salem Health Pharmacy team as an Oncology and Medical-Surgical Pharmacist. She transitioned into the Decentral Pharmacist Supervisor role in 2022 and became the Clinical Pharmacy Operations Manager for Salem Health’s Inpatient Pharmacy in 2024. Chelsea serves as a preceptor for the longitudinal Pharmacy Operations learning experience.
Grozdana Fundak, PharmD
Grozdana received her PharmD from University of Washington and completed an ASHP-accredited residency training at the University of Washington, Harborview Hospitals. She started at Salem Health in 2002 and has been recognized multiple times by the organization for her service excellence as an oncology pharmacist. Currently she serves as preceptor for the Adult Internal Medicine I & II and Oncology learning experiences.
Jade Bryant, PharmD, BCPS
Jade received her PharmD from University of Colorado in 2017. She completed a PGY-1 residency at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She joined Salem Health in 2025 and is the Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator and serves as the preceptor for the P&T longitudinal rotation.
Kate Janssen, PharmD, BCGP
Kate graduated with her PharmD from Oregon State University in 2019. She started at Salem Health in 2019 and has worked in the inpatient, outpatient and transitions of care branches of pharmacy. She is currently the Decentral Pharmacy Supervisor and serves as a preceptor for the Internal Medicine I & II learning experiences.
Lindsey Bartos, PharmD, BCACP
Lindsey received her PharmD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She completed a PGY-1 in Pharmacy Practice at Providence Portland Medical Center and a PGY-2 in Ambulatory Care at Providence Medical Group before joining Salem Health as an Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist in 2020. She now works as the manager of the Salem Health Medication Management Clinics in Salem and Dallas, OR, where she continues to provide patient care. Currently she serves as a preceptor for the Ambulatory Care elective learning experience.
Mariska Moore, PharmD, MBA, BCPS
Mariska received her PharmD from the Oregon State University/Oregon Health and Sciences University College of Pharmacy. She completed her PGY-1 residency training at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and then earned her MBA from Oregon State University. Prior to being in pharmacy leadership, Mariska worked clinically in inpatient, ambulatory infusion/oncology, ambulatory care, and rural health pharmacy settings. She serves as a preceptor for the Pharmacy Operations longitudinal rotation.
Nathan Brabham, RPh
Nathan received his pharmacy degree from Oregon State University. Nathan has been Salem Health’s operating room pharmacist for more than two decades and has received numerous awards for service excellence from the organization over the years. He serves as preceptor for the IV Room / OR learning experience.
Rick Rochetto, RPh
Rick received his pharmacy degree from Oregon State University. He started his inpatient pharmacy career at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, OR and joined Salem Health in 1996 as an ICU Clinical Pharmacist. He has been awarded the Pharmacist Award of Excellence in 2000 and has been involved in numerous protocol work. Rick serves as the primary preceptor for the Adult Critical Care I & II learning experiences.
Stephanie Cassidy, PharmD
Stephanie received her PharmD from Pacific University in Oregon. She been with Salem Health since 2017. Stephanie works in various positions at the hospital including Critical Care, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. Stephanie has served as chair and preceptor for the Clinical Pharmacy Practice Council learning experiences, Internal Medicine I, II & II as well as staffing preceptor. Stephanie is the newest member of the Residency Advisory Committee. Outside of work she likes to spend time outdoors kayaking or snowboarding and spending quality time with her husband and son.
Tae Yu, RPh, BCPS
Tae received his pharmacy degree from Oregon State University in 1999. After graduation, he worked retail pharmacy and started at Salem Health in 2003 as a night shift pharmacist. He was awarded his Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy in 2013. Tae serves as a preceptor for the Neonatal, Pediatric and Obstetrics learning experiences.
Current residents
Emma Gusman
About me:
I am from Aiea, Hawaii, and moved to Oregon seven years ago to start my undergraduate studies at Pacific University where I then went on to complete pharmacy school as well. My pharmacy interests include ambulatory care, internal medicine, and glycemic control. Outside of pharmacy, during my free time, I love to bake, travel, discover new restaurants, and hang out with friends and family!
Why Salem Health?
While I did not have the opportunity to complete any rotations at Salem Health during pharmacy school, I had heard nothing but great things about the team and the learning environment they create. While doing more research about the program, I learned that Salem Health provided many opportunities in rotations I was interested in such as ambulatory care and a plethora of inpatient rotations that would allow me to gain experience with many different patients and disease states. During my interview I had the opportunity to interact with the pharmacy team and not only were they all so welcoming, but it was evident that they create a well-rounded experience for the residents to get the most out of the year, and I could see myself growing as a pharmacist in the PGY1 program!
Megan Ronco
About me:
I’m originally from Dallas, Oregon, and completed both my undergraduate studies and graduate education at Oregon State University, earning my PharmD and MBA. My professional interests include critical care, ambulatory care, and pharmacy administration. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Why Salem Health?
As a student, I had the opportunity to complete several rotations at Salem Health, where I experienced firsthand the supportive, collaborative environment and the expertise of the staff. That experience confirmed my belief that Salem Health would be an ideal place to continue growing as a new pharmacist. The rotation offerings also closely align with my clinical interests, providing a strong foundation for my future career in pharmacy.
Past residents
Mahneet Malhi
About me:
Originally from California, I moved to Oregon ten years ago and now it has become home. I completed my undergraduate studies at Oregon State University then went on to Pacific University for pharmacy school. My pharmacy interest areas include critical care, ambulatory care, and transitions of care. Outside of pharmacy, my interests include hanging out with my family and friends, trying new food/coffee places, and traveling!
Why Salem Health?
I had the pleasure of meeting some of the Salem Health staff during a career fair and learned about the opportunities provided for their PGY1 program. After doing more research, I learned that Salem Health offered a wide range of opportunities through rotations that were of interest to me such as critical care, ambulatory care, and NICU. During my interview, I got to interact with more of the pharmacy staff and residents which solidified that this was a place I would be able to clinically grow and really enhance my knowledge!
Nicholas Young
About me:
Why Salem Health?