Joplin, MO. – Three years of intense learning condensed into a single year’s time – that’s how Andy Shi, Freeman Health System’s PGY1 (postgraduate year one) pharmacy residency program’s newest graduate – describes life over the last 12 months.

Very busy, he said with a smile.

“I feel like this program has helped me reach my goal,” Shi said, adding that he’s focused on specializing his pharmacy career in the field of oncology. “I’ve gotten a lot of my training done; it would have been very difficult for me to get that experience elsewhere.”

Shi represents the Freeman PGY1 pharmacy program’s ninth residency class. A graduation ceremony was held in his honor Friday afternoon that included a buffet lunch, awards, accolades, speeches, a video slide show, and a large graduation cake. It was announced during the ceremony that Shi had been accepted into the University of Iowa Healthcare PGY2 Pharmacy Oncology program.

“We are so proud of his accomplishments and hard work,” said Audrey Newcomb, Residency Program Coordinator. “He's accomplished what few people can, and he's procured an impressive PGY2 in his field of interest – that's amazing! He has been a joy to work with and has improved patient care. He leaves us a better place, and we're excited for him.”

The Freeman PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program is an intense, one-year program that further enhances skills and knowledge learned at pharmacy school. These top-performing licensed pharmacists go through a variety of learning experiences throughout the hospital to gain real-world experience in pharmaceutical care and medication optimization. 

“They further learn ‘right medication, right dose, right indication, and gain independence throughout the year,” Newcomb said. During his year at Freeman Hospital West, “Andy specifically completed several projects to enhance medication utilization and hospital policies before focusing on his passion in Oncology toward the end of the year.”

Next year marks the pharmacy residency’s 10th year, said Andi Sneed, Freeman’s Director of Pharmacy.

“Over the years, the program has continued to grow under the direction of strong department and residency leadership and phenomenal preceptors. The residents of the program have moved on to clinical and leadership roles and continue to contribute to the health and outcomes of patients,” she said. “I am proud to say that many of our past residents serve the patients of Freeman today. We will have three residents this coming year who will start their journey with us next Monday. I am excited to see how far our residency program has come and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

During the ceremony, four awards were handed out:

• Preceptor Educator of the Year – Molli Slauter
• Five-Star Preceptor Award – Bailey Mitchell 
• Staff Excellence Award – Katie Wiseman
• Physician Champion Award – Dr. Justin Wilberding