Medication-Use Safety and Policy Program

Our combined PGY1 and PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy (MUSP) program aims to ensure you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an advanced pharmaceutical care practitioner and organizational leader in MUSP.

This program has the same rotation and entrance requirements as our traditional PGY1 residency, where residents are introduced tocommon medication-use safety and policy practice areas through longitudinal research experiences, rotations, and committee assignments.

PGY1 Residents will work closely with program leadership to select rotations that build a foundational understanding of Medication-Use Safety and Policy principles. This helps you get an exceptional clinically focused PGY1 experience while jumpstarting your MUSP PGY2.

During the PGY2 year, the learning experiences offered aim to provide the resident with an advanced understanding and practical experience with medication-use safety and policy pharmacist responsibilities. The resident will actively participate in the medication-use process, including the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee (P&T) and its subcommittees, formulary management, precepting, developing medication-related guidelines and policies, conducting research, and improving medication safety and quality. The aim of the program is to provide the resident with skills necessary to succeed in a variety of health care settings including health-system pharmacy, industry, or academia.

Key Information

  • Application deadline: January 2, 2026
  • Start date: July 1, 2025 (flexible)
  • Estimated stipends: 
    • PGY1 resident: $52,000
    • PGY2 resident: $56,160

Please refer to the PGY1 Residency Program webpage for more details on how to apply. Use NMS Code 319617 for the combined PGY1 and PGY2 MUSP Residency Program.

  • MUSP Learning Experiences
  • Rotations
  • Additional PGY2 Activities
  • Staffing
  • Program Staff

We aim to provide a well-rounded training experience. As a resident, you will participate in the medication-use process, including:

  • The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee (P&T) and its subcommittees
  • Formulary management
  • Precepting
  • Developing medication-related guidelines and policies
  • Conducting research
  • Improving medication safety and quality

Rotations are four weeks unless otherwise specified.

Required Rotations

  • Orientation
  • Drug Information
  • Advanced Drug Information
  • Medication Safety
  • Medication Safety & Quality
  • Formulary Management
  • Advanced Formulary Management
  • Pharmacy Operations & Drug Shortages
  • Pharmacy Informatics
  • Medication Use Policy (longitudinal)
  • Medication Safety Practice (longitudinal)
  • Pharmacy Practice (longitudinal)

Longitudinal Rotations

  • Longitudinal Pharmacy Practice
  • Longitudinal Medication-Use Policy
  • Longitudinal Medication Safety
  • Longitudinal Research
  • ACPE-Accredited Continuing Education Seminar

Elective Rotations

  • Medical Writing
  • Medication-Use Policy Administration
  • Astellas Patient Centricity (Industry)

Additional elective rotations will be developed on resident interest and preceptor availability

As a resident, you will:

  • Complete a longitudinal research project and present it at a regional or national conference.
  • Complete two formal presentations to the Pharmacy Department and one continuing education presentation for pharmacists. We expect residents to present their research project defense and final research presentation.
  • Participate in the System P&T Committee and subcommittees, as well as local P&T and Medication Safety committees.
  • Precept PGY1 residents and pharmacy students during their learning experiences.
  • Be able to participate in a teaching certificate program and present didactic lectures based on available opportunities.

We expect residents to staff:

  • Every third weekend, both Saturday and Sunday
  • One weeknight a week during your first year
  • One winter holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day)
  • One summer holiday (Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day)
Brittany Karas, PharmD, BCPS

Brittany Karas, PharmD, BCPS
PGY1/2 Medication-Use Safety & Policy Pharmacy Residency Program Director
312.695.4631
brittany.leel@nm.org

Brittany Karas is the residency director for the Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) PGY 1/2 Medication-Use Safety & Policy Residency Program. She is also the Medication-Use Policy Program Manager where she oversees the Center for Medication-Use Policy.

Brittany Karas is from the Chicagoland area and received her Bachelors of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She went on to complete a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at NMH and a PGY2 Drug Information Residency at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Upon completion of residency, Brittany returned to NMH as a medication-use policy pharmacist. During this time, Brittany, along with medical and pharmacy leadership, led the formation of the Northwestern Medicine (NM) System Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee. With expanded roles at the System Level, the medication-use policy team has grown from 2 pharmacists to 4 pharmacists. Brittany is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) and an active member of Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP). Prior to becoming PGY2 MUSP Residency Director, Brittany was actively involved with the residency program and served as primary preceptor for the required PGY1 Medication-Use Policy rotation. In her free time, Brittany enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her French bulldog Mack. You can always find her cheering on her favorite sports teams - Go Chicago Bears and the Fighting Illini!


Lauren Endriukaitis, PharmD, BCPS

Lauren Endriukaitis, PharmD, BCPS
PGY1/2 Medication-Use Safety & Policy Pharmacy Residency Program Director
312.694.2210
Lauren.endriukaitis@nm.org

Lauren earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is originally from the Chicagoland area and completed a PGY1/2 residency in Medication Use Safety & Policy at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her professional interests include pharmacy law and compliance, medication safety, and formulary management. Lauren is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS). Outside of work, Lauren enjoys traveling and cooking for friends and family