Community Pharmacy Residency Program

Weis Markets is a regional supermarket chain with 144 pharmacies in PA, MD, NY, NJ, WV, VA and DE. The Nanticoke pharmacy location is committed to the provision of patient care and advancing the pharmacy profession. With a private consultation room, they offer MTM services, point-of-care testing, diabetes education and immunizations. In addition, they belong to the Pennsylvania Pharmacists’ Care Network and are part of the Flip the Pharmacy national initiative.

The Wilkes University/Weis Pharmacy PGY1 Community Residency Program is a 12-month training program that will develop the resident into an innovative community pharmacist practitioner with diverse experiences in patient care and leadership.

The resident will have the opportunity to work in an interprofessional, collaborative environment in experiences in community pharmacies, outreach clinics, underserved practices and with our Pennsylvania Pharmacist Care Network. The resident will develop the skills, confidence and experience to catalyze change and advance patient care services in community pharmacy practice.

As a fully integrated member of the team at the residency site, you will:

• Learn first-hand what works and what areas could be improved upon in a community pharmacy
• Partner with experienced practitioners to initiate new programs and expand and enhance existing services
• Provide fresh perspectives and insights for the site staff

Please review the manual below for more information on the Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program.

Community-based Pharmacy Residency Manual (.pdf)

This teaching certificate program is designed to provide pharmacy residents and fellows with foundational knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for effective teaching and learning in various academic and practice settings.

Participants will develop their pedagogical abilities, engage in active learning strategies, refine their presentation skills, and gain exposure to curriculum development and assessment. The program aims to prepare residents and fellows for future roles as educators, preceptors, and leaders in the field of pharmacy education.

Required Program Components

• Didactic/Workshop Sessions (Approximately 1-2 hours per month, typically virtual or in-person evenings)

• Practical Teaching Experiences, including a minimum of one (1) 50-minute didactic lecture to pharmacy students, co-precepting of at least one (1) pharmacy student IPPE or APPE rotation, facilitate and/or assess at least one (1) small group learning activity and more

• Mentored Activities & Portfolio Development

• Program Reflection & Evaluation

General Information

• Start date: July 1, 2026
• Application requirements via PhORCAS by: Jan. 3, 2026
• Wilkes University / Weis Markets NMS Code: 278715

ASHP Website Directory external website

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Application Requirements

• Candidates for this residency must meet the following requirements:
  • Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
  • All residents must be eligible for pharmacist licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • Participate in the National Matching Service (NMS).
  • Submit the standard application requirements via PhORCAS by January 3, 2026.
  • Letter of intent, CV, transcripts, and 3 letters of recommendation are required to be submitted through PhORCAS.
  • On-site interview is required.

Amanda Stewart, PharmD is the Director of Pharmacy Services at Weis, where she has been a dedicated team member for the past eight years. She brings a strong foundation in patient-centered care and leadership, having earned her degree from Wilkes University in 2010. Amanda is committed to advancing pharmacy operations and ensuring excellence in patient care. She enjoys leading teams and finding ways to improve how we serve our communities. Amanda is one of the preceptors for the Practice Management and Leadership learning experience.

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Brittany Venturella, PharmD, CSP is the Manager of Clinical, Specialty, and Central RX Services at Weis Pharmacy. She has served in a variety of roles during her tenure at Weis, most recently being District Manager. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Thomas Jefferson University and is a Certified Specialty Pharmacist (CSP). She is passionate about specialty pharmacy and clinical advancement, and has led Weis through a successful URAC and ACHC specialty pharmacy accreditations.

She actively contributes to the broader pharmacy community as a member of the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP), where she serves on the Clinical Outcomes Committee. She believes in driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and creating meaningful programs that enhance patient outcomes and optimize the way care is delivered. Her focus remains on expanding clinical services, supporting pharmacy teams, and helping shape a more integrated, outcomes-driven specialty pharmacy model. Brittany precepts the Practice Advancement and Practice Management and Leadership learning experiences.

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Kimmy Nguyen, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, TTS is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacy specialist and associate professor of pharmacy practice at the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy in Wilkes-Barre, PA. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. She then completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA before pursuing a PGY2 in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System in Wappingers Falls, NY.

Her practice site is at Volunteers in Medicine, a free clinic that serves the working uninsured population of Luzerne County, PA. Her clinical responsibilities include conducting direct patient care appointments to help manage chronic health conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She also precepts pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other healthcare trainees.

She is certified in advanced diabetes management and is a tobacco treatment specialist. Clinical and teaching interests include motivational interviewing, health literacy, and therapeutics of diabetes and pulmonary conditions. Kimmy precepts the Ambulatory Care learning experience.

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Nick Cicco, PharmD is the Vice President of Pharmacy at Weis Markets and is responsible for pharmacy strategy development and overseeing the day-to-day merchandising, operation and management of Weis Markets’ 127 pharmacies. He is also responsible for managing the company’s team of dietitians. Prior to this role he served as Senior Director of Pharmacy Operations, amongst multiple other leadership positions since joining Weis as a pharmacist in 2011. Nick received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. Nick serves as the primary preceptor for the Practice Management and Leadership learning experience.

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Danielle Kieck, PharmD is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and maintains a clinical practice site at Weis Markets in Nanticoke, PA. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University at Buffalo in 2018 and completed a PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency with The Ohio State University and Uptown Pharmacy.

At her community pharmacy practice site, she provides comprehensive medication therapy management (MTM) services, conducts disease state screenings, and performs payer-contracted visits for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and COPD. She is also leading efforts to implement a Diabetes Prevention Program and expand point-of-care testing services. Dr. Kieck is committed to advancing community pharmacy practice and training future pharmacists to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. She serves as the primary preceptor for the Patient Care and Precepting and Education learning experiences.

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Erica Mabry, PharmD is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy where she also earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2021 with a concentration in Public Health. She completed a PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency with the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the practice site of Eden Drug and served as Chief Resident for her class.

After residency, she moved to Asheville, NC and worked as an ambulatory care pharmacist specializing in Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). During this time, she also served as a preceptor for the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy and clinical experience and research preceptor for PGY1 community-based pharmacy residents and outpatient pharmacy practice fellows.

She currently teaches in a variety of topics including joint and muscle disorders, autoimmune diseases, intergenerational care, motivational interviewing, and more. She practices at Volunteers in Medicine where she sees uninsured patients and helps them to manage their chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She serves as an active member in the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association (PPA), and Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS). She precepts the Ambulatory Care learning experience and the Research learning experience.

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Rachel DiPaolantonio, PharmD is a 2022 graduate of the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and an alumna of the Wilkes University/Weis Markets PGY1 Community-Based Residency Program, which she completed in 2023. She now serves as a preceptor for the program and continues her work with Weis Markets at both the Central Fill and Specialty Pharmacy as a Clinical Program Coordinator.

Her current role builds on projects initiated during residency, including patient education through the Diabetes Prevention Program, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN), and the in-house Livewell Associate Wellness Program. Outside of pharmacy, Rachel enjoys hiking and exploring new countries. She precepts the Practice Advancement learning experience.

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Sophia Hoppe, PharmD is a 2013 graduate of Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. She has held several community pharmacy positions since completing her degree; most recently she has been the Pharmacy Manager at Weis Markets Nanticoke since 2019.

This position has been the most gratifying as it allows her to provide direct patient care to the community in which she lives, while contributing to the development of future pharmacists and advancing the community pharmacy profession via collaborations with Wilkes University and Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network. She is the preceptor for the Patient-Centered Dispensing learning experience.

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Kelly Sklanka, PharmD, CDCES serves as the Residency Program Director and is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, where she graduated from in 2018. She is passionate about developing the next generation of pharmacists, and precepts IPPE students, APPE students and residents.

Her teaching interests include pharmacotherapeutics, motivational interviewing and geriatrics. She is an active member in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists (PHSP), the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). She is the preceptor for the Research learning experience.

Nicole is originally from Yardley, Pennsylvania, and earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Wilkes University. Her professional interests include chronic disease state management, with a particular focus on diabetes, as well as teaching and precepting students. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, watching reality TV, and cheering on all things Philly sports.

• Litvak I, Pezzino NC. “Community Pharmacists’ Perceptions on their Role in Counseling Patients on Lifestyle Modifications”. PPA Foundation. $1,000. January 2022.
• Lovett S, Pezzino NC. “Evaluating Community Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Their Role in Caring for Mental Health Issues”. PPA Foundation. $1,000. January 2021.