2016 ASHP Match program finds success

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) second Match program concluded this week with 4,273 individuals matched with more than 2,000 pharmacy residency programs nationwide.

The 2016 version of the Match program, which was successful, contained two phases in order to meet the needs of the exponentially increasing number of pharmacists and student pharmacists looking for residencies and the residency programs in search of applicants. This year’s Match program saw the addition of more than 300 residency positions.

Janet Silvester, VP of ASHP Accreditation Services Office, said she was pleased with the success of the Match program. She added that the results are a clear indication that the capacity of the program is growing and, as part of the organization’s commitment, the ASHP will seek ways to further improve the process next year by continuing to provide an organized procedure to help pharmacists and student pharmacists find residency positions.

The first phase of the Match program, which took place in March, saw 3,940 positions filled. The second phase of the process saw an additional 333 individuals placed in positions. Compared to 2015, there were 45 percent fewer unmatched applicants and 90 percent fewer unfilled positions.