JOPLIN, Mo. – Receiving several hugs and chuckling through a mixed tape of songs that reflected his time at Freeman Health System, Jesse Dennison graduated recently from Freeman’s pharmacy residency program.

By completing Freeman’s PGY1 (post-graduate year one) pharmacy residency, Dennison gained the equivalent of three to five years of real-world experience condensed tightly into just 12 months. Residents contribute system wide by participating in patient care rounds and daily monitoring of patients for medication optimization in several key departments such as Cardiology, Critical Care, Infectious Disease, Oncology and more.

The two-hour graduation ceremony, held on June 21, included awards, speeches, a very large graduation cake and a catered dinner.

“Resident graduation is a time to celebrate the success of our graduating residents, preceptors and program,” said Amanda Adkins, Residency Program Director. “I am proud of the hard work, time and dedication that Jesse and our preceptors have put in over the last year. Graduating from a PGY1 residency is a major accomplishment.”

Dennison not only completed a PGY1 but is the first resident from the Freeman program to move on to a PGY2, moving north to accomplish that goal at M Health Fairview in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  

“Jesse is going to complete a PGY2 in Infectious Disease,” Adkins said. “We wish Jesse the best of luck in the next phase of his career.”

During the ceremony several awards were handed out. Winners included:

•    Jeff Huffman – Preceptor Educator of the Year
•    Sara Freitas – Five-Star Preceptor Award
•    Rebecca Isenmann – Staff Excellence Award
•    Dr. Uwe Schmidt – Physician Champion Award

To learn more about Freeman Pharmacy Department, or the Freeman Pharmacy Residency Program, call 417.347.3022 or visit freemanhealth.com.