Status: ASHP-Accredited
Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026
Beginning Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Number of Residents: 4
Stipend: $70,669
NMS Code: 121213
The Palomar UC San Diego Health PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency is based at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California. Residents completing this program will learn to provide evidence-based pharmacology. Major selling points of the residency are personal attention to foster learning, developing a clinical mindset and an emphasis on becoming pharmacy leaders. Opportunity exists to mature in one’s practice, manage and improve the medication-use process and enhance drug information skills. Residents are required to complete a research project during the year.
Upcoming Events
SoCal Residency Showcase
Location: Yorba Linda Community Center
Date/Time: Friday, September 26 | 2pm-6pm
Virtual Open House
Location: Palomar UC San Diego Health Virtual Meeting: Zoom/Teams
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 11 | 6:30pm–8pm
RSVP: Please RSVP using the designated form linked here by Monday, November 10 at 5:00pm and a corresponding Zoom/Teams link will be sent.
ASHP Midyear 2025 Residency Showcase
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | Booth #6263
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 10 | 1pm-4pm
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited School of Pharmacy
- Participate in the ASHP Match and submit completed applications using PhORCAS by Friday, January 9, 2026. Complete applications must include the following:
- Personal letter of interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- School of Pharmacy transcript
- On-site/virtual interview
- Pharmacist Intern License: Matched residents must possess a California Intern Pharmacist License prior to July 1
- Pharmacist License: Matched residents must obtain a California Pharmacist Licensure within 90 days of the start of the residency program
Required Core Learning Experiences
| Rotations | Duration |
| Orientation | 4 weeks |
| Critical Care | 6 weeks |
| Emergency Medicine | 6 weeks |
| Infectious Disease | 6 weeks |
| Trauma | 2 weeks |
| Medicine | 4 weeks |
| Pharmacy Services | 4 weeks |
| Sterile Products | 4 weeks |
| Parenteral Nutrition | 4 weeks |
| Medication Safety | 4 weeks |
Elective Learning Experiences
Residents will have 6 weeks allotted for elective rotations, and may choose however many may fit into their schedule. Duration of elective rotations is flexible.
| Rotations | Duration |
| Academia (with KGI or UCSD School of Pharmacy) | 4 weeks |
| Administration | 4 weeks |
| Outpatient Oncology Infusion Center | 4 weeks |
| Critical Care (Advanced) | 6 weeks |
| Emergency Medicine (Advanced) | 4 weeks |
| Infectious Disease (Advanced) | 4 weeks |
| Informatics | 4 weeks |
| Medication Safety (Advanced) | 4 weeks |
| Additional rotations may be available upon request |
Longitudinal Learning Experiences
- Leadership Collaborative
- MUE (Medication Use Evaluation)
- Chief Resident (1 quarter)
- Pharmacy Services (Staffing) – 40 staffing days
- Residency Research Project
For additional information, please contact:
Hershel Schaftel, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Residency Director
Email: Hershel.Schaftel@PUCSD.org
Phone: 442.281.2911
Address: Palomar UC San Diego Health Escondido
2185 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, CA 92029
2025-2026 PGY-1 Residents
Kayla Frick, PharmD.
School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
Email: Kayla.Frick@PUCSD.org
Parisa Karimian, PharmD.
School: UC San Diego School of Pharmacy
Email: Parisa.Karimian@PUCSD.org
Rebecca Kim, PharmD.
School: UC San Diego School of Pharmacy
Email: Rebecca.Kim@PUCSD.org
Marina Naiem, PharmD.
School: Chapman University School of Pharmacy
Email: Marina.Naiem@PUCSD.org