pharmacy residency program

pharmacy residency at Dayton Children’s

Dayton Children’s PGY1 pharmacy residency program provides an exceptional opportunity to train within a leading freestanding children’s hospital known for research, innovation, and family-centered care. Residents gain diverse clinical experiences across inpatient, outpatient, and specialty areas while working alongside expert pediatric pharmacists and interdisciplinary teams. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and more our program helps residents build the confidence and clinical judgment needed to provide safe, effective and compassionate care for children.

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pediatric pharmacy services

Dayton Children’s Hospital provides pharmacy services through inpatient, outpatient, specialty, and home infusion pharmacies. The inpatient pharmacy practice model consists of centralized medication distribution with decentralized clinical services in the areas of general pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, newborn intensive care, hematology and oncology, infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship, pulmonary, psychiatry, neurology, complex care, and emergency medicine.

locally focused, nationally recognized

While our pediatric experts are nationally recognized, it’s our specialty in caring for kids locally that truly sets us apart. No one is more committed to the health and wellbeing of the children of our community than Dayton Children’s – and that includes providing support, training and development to the future physicians in pediatric healthcare.

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Forbes 2025 America’s Best-in-State Employers badge
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Parents Most Innovative Children’s Hospitals 2021 badge

related resources

program leadership

Get to know the pharmacists who will support and guide you during your residency. Our preceptors are leaders in pediatric pharmacy, ready to share their knowledge, experience and commitment to exceptional patient care.

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Alysia DiPaola, PharmD, CNSC, BCNSP, BCPPS

pharmacy residency program director, clinical pharmacy manager

Learning experience precepted: pharmacy orientation, staff

Education and training:

  • BS in Chemistry, University of Hawai’i, 2011
  • BA in Pharmacy Studies, University of Hawai’i 2015
  • PharmD, University of Hawai’i, 2015
  • PGY1, Children’s National Hospital, 2016

Celeste Williams, PharmD, BCPS

clinical pharmacy generalist, specialty pediatrics

Learning experiences precepted: general pediatrics, academia

Education and training:

  • BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Education of the Hearing Impaired, Missouri State University, 1998
  • PharmD, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2006
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Della Marie S. Zona, RPh

clinical pharmacy specialist, hematology oncology

Learning experiences precepted: hematology/oncology

Education and training:

  • BS in Pharmacy, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, 1994

Julia Heilers, PharmD, BCPPS

clinical pharmacy specialist, complex care, neurology

Learning experiences precepted: complex care, neurology

Education and training:

  • PharmD, Ohio Northern University, 2005
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Julie Dennison, RPh, BCPPS

clinical pharmacy specialist, pediatric intensive care

Learning experiences precepted: PICU, nutrition support

Education and training:

  • BS in Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 2002

Kayley Liuzzo Carney, PharmD, BCPPS

clinical pharmacy specialist, newborn intensive care unit (NICU)

Learning experiences precepted: NICU, nutrition support

Education and training:

  • PharmD, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, 2017
  • PGY1, Children’s of Alabama, 2018
  • PGY2, Critical Care/Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital Colorado, 2019
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Lauren Faragalli, PharmD

CIS pharmacy coordinator

Learning experiences precepted: pharmacy informatics

Education and training:

  • BS in Business Administration, 2011
  • PharmD, Ohio Northern University, 2011
  • PGY1, Children’s National Medical Center, 2012
  • Epic Willow Certification, 2014 – present
  • Epic Inpatient Clinical Documentation, 2017 – present

Marie Backus, PharmD, BCPPS

clinical pharmacy specialist, pulmonary, population health

Learning experiences precepted: ambulatory care

Education and training:

  • BS in Biology, Wright State University, 2004
  • PharmD, Palm Beach Atlantic University, 2009
  • PGY1, Promedica Toledo Hospital/Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital, 2010
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Matt Schubert, PharmD

clinical pharmacy specialist, emergency medicine

Learning experiences precepted: emergency medicine

Education and training:

  • PharmD, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy – Twin Cities, 2023
  • PGY1, Dayton Children’s Hospital, 2024

Meaghan Horrigan, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS

medication safety officer

Learning experiences precepted: medication safety

Education and training:

  • PharmD, University of Toledo, 2010
  • ASHP Medication Safety Certificate, 2021
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Paris Balfour-Ducharme, RPh, BCPPS

clinical pharmacy specialist, infectious disease, research coordinator

Learning experiences precepted: infectious disease/antimicrobial stewardship

Education and training:

  • BS in Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 2010

Stacy Roehrs, PharmD, BCPPS

director of inpatient pharmacy

Learning experiences precepted: pharmacy administration

Education and training:

  • BS in Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 1997
  • PharmD, University of Cincinnati, 1999
  • Specialty Residency, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 2000
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pharmacy residency curriculum

The PGY1 pharmacy residency program at Dayton Children’s Hospital is thoughtfully designed to support residents in achieving their professional and clinical goals. Over 12 months, residents complete 10 required and elective rotations, along with several longitudinal experiences, all based at our main campus. Each rotation lasts five weeks and provides immersive, hands-on learning across a range of pediatric specialties.

Every resident receives an individualized training plan tailored to their interests, career aspirations, and prior experience. The program also includes the opportunity to earn a teaching certificate and develop skills in precepting and education.

Upon successful completion, residents receive a residency certificate and become eligible for board certification and postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

  • Orientation
  • General pediatrics
  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Newborn Intensive Care
  • Hematology/Oncology
  • Infectious Disease/antimicrobial stewardship
  • Pharmacy administration
  • Preceptorship

  • Complex care/neurology
  • Emergency medicine
  • Nutrition support
  • Pharmacy informatics
  • Psychiatry

  • Ambulatory Care
  • Medication Safety
  • Research
  • Academia
  • Weekend staffing

pharmacy residency salary & benefits

The estimated stipend for a pharmacy resident is $57,000.

Pharmacy residents are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • 401(k)
  • Professional travel allowances

life in Dayton 

As the birthplace of aviation, Dayton is a city where innovation takes flight, and the quality of life is just as inspiring. The region offers diverse neighborhoods, excellent schools, top-ranked health care and plenty of recreation and culture.

Dayton is consistently ranked among the nation’s most affordable cities, making it a great place to build a career, raise a family, or enjoy your next chapter. Located at the “Crossroads of America,” Dayton’s central location and extensive highway network make it easy to get anywhere you need, from work and school to parks, dining and weekend getaways.

Dayton offers rich cultural experiences, from world-class art to aviation history.

  • Dayton Art Institute and Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
  • Schuster Performing Arts Center – home to the Philharmonic, Opera, and Ballet
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force – the world’s largest aviation museum
  • Dayton History sites including Carillon Historical Park and Hawthorn Hill

 

The Five Rivers MetroParks system features 19 parks with:

  • Hiking, biking, and fishing
  • Children’s gardens and waterfalls
  • Family-friendly spaces for picnics and play

Dayton’s food scene has something for every taste — from local favorites to upscale dining. You’ll find hidden gems, family-friendly spots, and unique flavors across the city.

Dayton combines big-name retailers with local shopping experiences.

  • Dayton Mall
  • Mall at Fairfield Commons
  • The Greene and Austin Landing
  • 2nd Street Market – a European-style market with local growers, bakers, and artisans

Dayton is a sports town with something for everyone.

  • Dayton Dragons – minor league baseball, record-breaking sellouts
  • University of Dayton basketball – home of NCAA March Madness First Four
  • Wide range of college and community sports events year-round

 

our pharmacy residents

Braden Cowell, PharmD

Pharmacy school: Cedarville University School of Pharmacy

Paisley Hudson, PharmD

Pharmacy school: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy

why residents chose Dayton Children’s

“I was familiar with Dayton Children’s Hospital through my school but did not know much about the program until I decided to pursue a pediatric residency. As I began my research, it was evident to me that this program was planned with residents in mind. Everyone I spoke with throughout the application process was engaged, friendly, and interested in my success as a learner. I had the unique opportunity of matching as a future resident while I was on an APPE rotation here, and the professionalism, care, and enthusiasm for teaching were on display even before they knew I would be coming back as a resident.” 

– Braden Cowell, PharmD –Cedarville University School of Pharmacy

“I found an interest in pediatrics during my APPE year when I observed how resilient this population is. I found Dayton Children’s to be an ideal place to continue exploring pediatric pharmacy because of their outspoken efforts to create an environment conducive to learning. The program is established with clear intent to both meet the needs of their team and set their residents up for success as we navigate the transition from pharmacy student to pediatric pharmacist.”

– Paisley Hudson, PharmD – Philadelphia College of Pharmacy

our residents’ careers are soaring

We take pride in being part of our residents’ journey to achieving their goals. After successfully completing our program, our residents have found employment at Dayton Children’s Hospital, Children’s National Hospital, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center as clinical pharmacists in a variety of practice areas including newborn intensive care, emergency medicine, endocrine and transitions of care.

applying for pharmacy residency

Dayton Children’s PGY-1 pharmacy residency program offers two positions each year. Applicants must be licensed as a pharmacist in the state of Ohio by September 1st. Application and submission of supporting documents must be completed through PhORCAS by January 2 of the residency year. An interview is required and will be offered to select candidates.

Required supporting documents:

  • Letter of intent
  • Pharmacy college transcripts
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 3 letters of recommendation

For additional information, contact our pharmacy residency program director:

Alysia DiPaola, PharmD, CNSC, BCNSP, BCPPS

937-641-5290

DiPaolaA@childrensdayton.org

ready to take the next step?

Build your expertise and prepare for board certification with Dayton Children’s PGY1 pharmacy residency program.

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