Founded in 1926, Winter Haven Hospital (WHH) has an outstanding reputation for superior, patient-centered care. The PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency Program is based at Winter Haven Hospital’s main campus, with opportunities to gain experience throughout the BayCare Health System.
The Department of Pharmacy is responsible for the pharmaceutical care services for approximately 468 acute care beds with an average daily census of over 300 patients. It consists of over 50 team members, including 23 clinical pharmacists, 27 pharmacy technicians, along with administrative and support personnel. Additionally, the department leads several quality improvement programs, such as the Medication Use Safety Teams, Adverse Drug Reaction reporting, Medication Use Evaluations, Automatic Therapeutic Interchange, and other medication use activities.
Clinical pharmacists at Winter Haven Hospital are actively involved in medication order review, therapeutic monitoring, patient care planning and management, student and resident preceptorship, and interactive relationships as part of the health care team. Pharmacy technicians provide an integral component of the drug distribution process through the use of an automated, point-of-use dispensing system.
Winter Haven Hospital PGY1 Pharmacy Residency
Our ASHP-accredited residency program offers a comprehensive experience through a variety of training opportunities. The program builds on the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for pharmaceutical care of patients with a wide range of conditions.
Program Summary:
This adult PGY1 program is designed to provide 12 full, consecutive months of training at Winter Haven Hospital. The resident will collaborate with the medical staff to assure rational prescribing of medications, work with patients to enhance their knowledge of the medications they receive, and partner with nursing to improve the overall safety of medication use. Most of the residency can be adapted to the resident’s specific areas of interest.
All residents are required to complete learning experiences in core subject areas considered essential to pharmacy practice. A broad range of elective learning experiences are available that allow the resident to be flexible in pursuing individual goals.
As a teaching hospital, PGY1 residents interact regularly with medical residents from the Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program.
Additional learning experiences include:
- the development and completion of a research project
- medication use evaluation (MUE)
- Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) drug monograph
- development of oral and written communication skills
- participation in various departmental and hospital committees
- experiences in hospital administration
- rounding with FSU COM Family Medicine residents
- the ability to practice pharmacy in various areas throughout the health-care system.
The PGY1 residency program core rotations include:
- Cardiology
- Critical Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Disease
- Internal Medicine
- Orientation
- Practice Management/Therapeutic Policy
Required longitudinal rotations:
- Heart Function/Ambulatory Clinic
- Longitudinal Activities and Staffing
- Longitudinal Presentations
- Longitudinal Research
- Longitudinal Resident Well Being
Elective rotations may include:
- Advanced Rotations
- Ambulatory Care
- Central Pharmacy
- Hospitalist
- Medical Resident Rounding
- Oncology
- Transitions of Care
Program Benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- Medical Plan with prescription drug coverage
- Dental and Vision Plans
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Opportunity to Contribute Pre-tax Dollars to a 401 (k) Plan
- Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
- Professional Travel Reimbursement
- Team Member Services: Team members receive a discount rate on a variety of events, programs, and tickets to area attractions
Requirements for Acceptance:
- The applicant must participate in the MATCH process
- Online application through PhORCAS
- Letter of intent
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcript from all colleges of pharmacy attended
- The applicant must possess a Pharm.D. degree from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy
- The applicant must have active Florida Pharmacist License within 90 days of the residency start date
- The applicant must participate in an interview
Application Process:
Residency candidates should submit all requirements for acceptance through the PhORCAS website. Once submitted, applications will be reviewed and candidates will be selected for an on-site or virtual interview. After the interviews are completed, a rank list will be submitted to ASHP via the National Matching Service. The ASHP Resident Matching Program will provide the program with the matched candidates.
Deadlines:
PhORCAS application deadline: January 10
Program Leader
Jovino Hernandez, PharmD, BCPS
Jovino received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Florida. He completed training at Winter Haven Hospital. Jovino is the Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator for Winter Haven Hospital and Winter Haven Women’s Hospital.
Questions?
Jovino.hernandez@baycare.org
Availability M-F 7am-3:30pm
Program Coordinator
Somer Slappey, PharmD, MS, BCPS, BCCCP
Somer Slappey completed a Doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of Florida in 2015. Upon graduation, Somer completed a PGY1 and a PGY2 in emergency medicine at Lakeland Regional Health. She currently practices in the intensive care unit and the emergency department at Winter Haven Hospital. Somer is board-certified in pharmacotherapy as well as in critical care. Her interests include teaching, critical care, emergency medicine, and prehospital medicine. Somer has completed a Master of Science in Clinical Toxicology in 2021 through the University of Florida and is currently enrolled in the Ohio State University’s Master of Science in Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership program.
Questions?
Somer.Slappey@baycare.org
Research Coordinator
Karin Thatcher, PharmD, BCPS
Karin received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. She went on to complete a PGY1 residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. She currently works as a clinical pharmacist at Winter Haven Hospital where her primary practice areas include oncology and internal medicine. She also serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents and is board-certified in pharmacotherapy. In her role as Research Coordinator, Karin helps guide residents through the research process from writing a proposal and obtaining IRB approval to performing statistical analyses and presenting final results.
Questions?
Karin.Thatcher@baycare.org
Chief Wellness Officer
April Courrege, PharmD, BCPS
April completed her Doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of South Florida Taneja College of Pharmacy in 2019. She completed her PGY-1 residency at Winter Haven Hospital in 2020. She is currently the Chief Wellness Officer of the Winter Haven Hospital PGY-1 residency program. As Chief Wellness Officer, April offers residents a unique source of support during the residency journey. She ensures residents’ concerns are heard, stress levels are kept to the minimum, and implements activities to promote self-care while making time for fun. Her interests are Internal Medicine and pharmacy operations.
Questions?
April.Courrege@baycare.org
2025-2026 Residency Class
Victoria Isgett
PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I wanted to pursue a pharmacy residency program to further develop my clinical knowledge, enhance my patient care skills, and gain hands-on experience in a dynamic healthcare setting. Residency is an opportunity to build connections with experienced pharmacists and interdisciplinary teams. I see residency as a critical step towards becoming a more, well-rounded pharmacist who can make meaningful contributions to patient outcomes.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
I chose Winter Haven Hospital because of the culture amongst the team and the inviting nature they all had during the times I met with the team. WHH has an amazing team and I knew that I would enjoy not just my co-workers, but also residency as a whole. Residency is stressful, but with the right people it makes it all worthwhile. WHH just felt like the right fit when deciding where I wanted to be.
Victoria Isgett| PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I wanted to pursue a pharmacy residency program to further develop my clinical knowledge, enhance my patient care skills, and gain hands-on experience in a dynamic healthcare setting. Residency is an opportunity to build connections with experienced pharmacists and interdisciplinary teams. I see residency as a critical step towards becoming a more, well-rounded pharmacist who can make meaningful contributions to patient outcomes.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
I chose Winter Haven Hospital because of the culture amongst the team and the inviting nature they all had during the times I met with the team. WHH has an amazing team and I knew that I would enjoy not just my co-workers, but also residency as a whole. Residency is stressful, but with the right people it makes it all worthwhile. WHH just felt like the right fit when deciding where I wanted to be.
Jessica Simmons
PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I chose to pursue a PGY-1 residency as a way to challenge myself and continue growing as a pharmacy professional. My goal is to expand my clinical knowledge, strengthen my decision-making skills, and become a well-rounded pharmacist capable of delivering the highest quality of care to my patients. I believe that residency training will play a vital role in helping me achieve my long-term career goals by providing the advanced experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities essential for success in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
After being an intern at Winter Haven Hospital throughout pharmacy school, I had the opportunity to experience the unique culture that sets this hospital apart. What stood out to me most was the genuine sense of community I felt here. The RPD and preceptors are incredibly kind, approachable, and truly invested in your growth. It’s a place where I feel valued, challenged, and inspired to give my best every day. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue my journey here and grow alongside a team that has already played such a meaningful role in my development!
Jessica Simmons| PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I chose to pursue a PGY-1 residency as a way to challenge myself and continue growing as a pharmacy professional. My goal is to expand my clinical knowledge, strengthen my decision-making skills, and become a well-rounded pharmacist capable of delivering the highest quality of care to my patients. I believe that residency training will play a vital role in helping me achieve my long-term career goals by providing the advanced experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities essential for success in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
After being an intern at Winter Haven Hospital throughout pharmacy school, I had the opportunity to experience the unique culture that sets this hospital apart. What stood out to me most was the genuine sense of community I felt here. The RPD and preceptors are incredibly kind, approachable, and truly invested in your growth. It’s a place where I feel valued, challenged, and inspired to give my best every day. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue my journey here and grow alongside a team that has already played such a meaningful role in my development!
Roselee Loiz
PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I decided to complete a pharmacy residency after a truly impactful APPE experience, where I had the chance to apply my classroom knowledge in real-time during critical care rotations and complex cases. I was drawn to the way pharmacists played a vital role in clinical decision-making and how seamlessly they worked alongside physicians and nurses. Being part of that collaborative care model and seeing the direct influence on patient progress was incredibly motivating. Residency provides the ideal environment to continue developing my clinical judgment, communication skills, and confidence as a healthcare provider.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
I chose to pursue a pharmacy residency at BayCare Winter Haven because I was inspired by the exceptional professionals I met – each bringing diverse backgrounds and experiences, yet united by a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes. The environment was welcoming, collaborative, and deeply focused on patient-centered care. BayCare’s diverse healthcare system offers a wide range of clinical experiences that I know will challenge me and help me grow into a well-rounded pharmacist. I’m excited to learn from such a supportive team and contribute meaningfully to the health of our communities.
Roselee Loiz| PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I decided to complete a pharmacy residency after a truly impactful APPE experience, where I had the chance to apply my classroom knowledge in real-time during critical care rotations and complex cases. I was drawn to the way pharmacists played a vital role in clinical decision-making and how seamlessly they worked alongside physicians and nurses. Being part of that collaborative care model and seeing the direct influence on patient progress was incredibly motivating. Residency provides the ideal environment to continue developing my clinical judgment, communication skills, and confidence as a healthcare provider.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
I chose to pursue a pharmacy residency at BayCare Winter Haven because I was inspired by the exceptional professionals I met – each bringing diverse backgrounds and experiences, yet united by a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes. The environment was welcoming, collaborative, and deeply focused on patient-centered care. BayCare’s diverse healthcare system offers a wide range of clinical experiences that I know will challenge me and help me grow into a well-rounded pharmacist. I’m excited to learn from such a supportive team and contribute meaningfully to the health of our communities.
Bethanie Budlong
PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I wanted to complete a pharmacy residency to advance my pharmacy education under the guidance of mentors who would help me achieve my goal of becoming a clinical pharmacist. I knew coming out of pharmacy school, I would want additional training in a residency program to reinforce the education I had and expand my clinical knowledge. Residency would give me lots of experience to build my confidence in clinical decision-making and communicating with other healthcare providers to provide the best patient care.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
I chose Winter Haven Hospital because of the welcoming atmosphere of the RPD and preceptors during my interview, as well as the diverse rotations offered at this site. I felt very supported and comfortable while interviewing with the WHH team. During pharmacy school, I was an intern at another BayCare facility and wanted to continue as a resident in BayCare because of its culture and values. Winter Haven Hospital offers core rotations that help diversify my clinical experiences in both inpatient and ambulatory settings, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a safe learning environment for its residents as a teaching hospital to help me become a well-rounded pharmacist.
Bethanie Budlong| PGY1 - Winter Haven Hospital
Why did I choose to complete a residency?
I wanted to complete a pharmacy residency to advance my pharmacy education under the guidance of mentors who would help me achieve my goal of becoming a clinical pharmacist. I knew coming out of pharmacy school, I would want additional training in a residency program to reinforce the education I had and expand my clinical knowledge. Residency would give me lots of experience to build my confidence in clinical decision-making and communicating with other healthcare providers to provide the best patient care.
Why did I choose Winter Haven Hospital at BayCare?
I chose Winter Haven Hospital because of the welcoming atmosphere of the RPD and preceptors during my interview, as well as the diverse rotations offered at this site. I felt very supported and comfortable while interviewing with the WHH team. During pharmacy school, I was an intern at another BayCare facility and wanted to continue as a resident in BayCare because of its culture and values. Winter Haven Hospital offers core rotations that help diversify my clinical experiences in both inpatient and ambulatory settings, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a safe learning environment for its residents as a teaching hospital to help me become a well-rounded pharmacist.
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About Us
We strive to provide excellence in pharmacy training at all of our sites and offer a wide variety of training opportunities that prepare our graduates to excel at the next level of their career.
About Central Florida
Winter Haven Hospital lies at the center of Central Florida. Nearly equal distance from Tampa Bay and the space coast, our location provides quick access to a variety of theme parks, beaches and other unique experiences.
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