Abu Dhabi : Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the largest healthcare network in the UAE, is bridging the gap between university medical qualification and clinical professional practices with its Pharmacy Residency Program – the country’s first and only training initiative accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The two-year program has been specially designed to advance the practice of post-graduate pharmacists, providing them with experiential learning and on-the-job exposure to pharmaceutical care in various hospital settings.

SEHA has selected eight pharmacists to join the first cohort from its affiliated centers in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) and Tawam Hospital, empowering them to benefit from opportunities to accelerate their growth beyond entry-level professional competence. Upon successful completion, graduates will be able to advance their careers in pharmacy operational services, or build stronger credentials through advanced training programs, specialized residencies, or fellowships.

Dr. Anwar Sallam, Group Chief Medical Officer, SEHA, said: “As we continuously adapt to meet the ongoing demands of an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, we are always on the lookout for new and promising talent to drive us forward. SEHA’s Pharmacy Residency Program provides us with young, knowledgeable, and eager professionals with novel and innovative ideas who have the opportunity to refine our pharmaceutical offerings and services. By giving the residents access to a collaborative and nurturing environment, we are opening doors for them to integrate into the real world and gain valuable on-the-job experience that will shape their careers in the years to come.”

Program residents will be trained and evaluated under the continuous preceptorship of SEHA’s industry leading, multi-disciplinary healthcare consultants, with modules encompassing acute and ambulatory care, drug use policy development, clinical services and pharmacy leadership, as well as research across a diverse range of integrated healthcare systems and practice-based experiences. Residents will also be able to improve their overall clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and self-evaluation skills and develop crucial leadership skills that can be applied in any position across any practice setting.

Dr. Waiel Al Naeem, Director of SEHA Pharmacy Residency Program, noted that the launch marks a stellar opportunity for the future leaders of the UAE’s pharmaceutical industry. “The SEHA Pharmacy Residency Program is testament to SEHA’s commitment to elevate the provision of world-class healthcare services to the people of the UAE. The first-of-its-kind, and pioneering, academic training program in the country is on par with international best practices, enabling our nation’s healthcare professionals to not only gain necessary experience but also develop critical thinking skills to move forward and achieve success in the ever-changing world of pharmacy practice.”

Successful graduates of the SEHA Pharmacy Residency Program are evaluated against six outcome measures: managing and improving the medication-use process; providing evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy management with interdisciplinary teams; implementing leadership and practice management skills; demonstrating project management skills; providing medication and practice-related education/training; and utilizing medical informatics.