Pharmacy Intern Program
Overview
Open to first-year PharmD students, the UCSF Pharmacy Intern Program offers an 18-month, three-rotation experience that builds progressively from foundational operations to clinical exposure to leadership and strategy across eight UCSF hospital sites. Interns serve as integral members of their pharmacy teams year-round, maintaining a consistent presence during the academic year, school breaks, and holidays to support high-quality patient care.
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Ranked #1 in California, #2 in U.S. - U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll 2025-2026
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3 Intern-authored publications within the past 2 years
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Top 10 nationally in 7 adult specialties, including cancer, neurology, and pulmonology
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100% of interns from class of 2026 achieved postgraduate training roles
Program Structure
The UCSF Pharmacy Intern Program offers a structured 18-month training experience in which interns progressively build skills across pharmacy operations, clinical care, and leadership. Interns rotate through key UCSF Health sites, including: Parnassus, Benioff Children's Hospital, Mount Zion, the Ambulatory Infusion Center, and Owens Central Pharmacy, cross-training between campuses and functioning at an APPE-student level alongside clinical pharmacists. By the start of their P3 year, interns are equipped to function as confident, independent contributors on APPE rotations and to present strong, well-rounded residency applications.
Program Opportunities
CUDA/Satellite:
- Automated dispensing system management and medication delivery
- Prescription and cart filling
- Non-hazardous IV compounding
Clinical Intern Shift/Transitions of Care:
- Transplant medication card development and counseling
- Insulin, glucometer, and sliding scale education
- Anticoagulation education
- Best possible medication histories (ED and medicine floors)
- Discharge prescription follow-up
- Medication inventory and pick-up requests
Outpatient:
- Outpatient medication counseling and education
- Medication dispensing
- Medication therapy management
- Patient safety and quality assurance
- Vaccine and long-acting injectable administration
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Medication access assistance
Precision Care Medicine Building (PCMB):
- Hazardous and non-hazardous compounding
Clinical Intern Shift/Transitions of Care:
- Parent/patient device and medication teaching
- Vancomycin analysis
- Best possible medication histories
- Test claims processing
- Copay/coverage verification and prior authorization support
Outpatient:
- Outpatient medication counseling and education
- Medication dispensing
- Medication therapy management
- Patient safety and quality assurance
- Vaccine and long-acting injectable administration
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Medication access assistance
- Cart filling
- Hazardous and non-hazardous prescription filling
- Non-hazardous IV compounding
- Automated dispensing system management and medication delivery
- Prescription and cart filling, including hazardous and non-hazardous medications
- Non-hazardous IV compounding
Our community hospitals include our Hyde campus and our Stanyan campus, where students will have the opportunity to practice in a setting that emphasizes core pharmacy operations within a community hospital environment, building a strong foundation in dispensing, compounding, and medication distribution workflows.
- Automated dispensing system management and medication delivery
- Prescription and cart filling, including hazardous and non-hazardous medications
- Non-hazardous IV compounding
At our Benioff Children's Hospital campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, interns gain exposure to pediatric pharmacy operations, developing skills in weight-based dosing considerations, specialized compounding, and patient- and family-centered care.
- Automated dispensing system management and medication delivery
- Prescription and cart filling, including hazardous and non-hazardous medications
- Non-hazardous IV compounding
Ambulatory Care Center:
- Hazardous and non-hazardous compounding
The Clinical Intern Shift is a cross-campus experience that exposes interns to adult care, pediatric care, and/or ambulatory/outpatient settings, allowing them to apply and expand their clinical knowledge alongside pharmacists across UCSF Health's diverse patient populations.
Clinical Intern Shift/Transitions of Care:
- Transplant medication card development and counseling
- Insulin, glucometer, and sliding scale education
- Anticoagulation education
- Best possible medication histories (ED and medicine floors)
- Discharge prescription follow-up
- Medication inventory and pick-up requests
Outpatient:
- Outpatient medication counseling and education
- Medication dispensing
- Medication therapy management
- Patient safety and quality assurance
- Vaccine and long-acting injectable administration
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Medication access assistance
Additional details coming soon!
Application Details
How to Apply
The UCSF Pharmacy Intern Program is only open to current P1 students at the UCSF School of Pharmacy, as the internship is tailored to the unique year-round structure of the UCSF PharmD program. Applications open in early August and close in mid-September.
To apply, applicants should submit the following through our online application portal, which will be distributed to the P1 class by August of each academic year:
- Current CV or resume
- Cover letter
- Professional headshot
Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by late September, with interviews taking place in early October. At that stage, candidates will be asked to complete an additional online application and provide three professional references, including at least one from a recent manager. Following the interview and reference verification, selected candidates will receive an offer letter, with the program beginning in November.
What surprised me the most about this program was how much we were able to learn and accomplish in such a short amount of time…
The UCSF Health Internship program is a really unique experience and has been the highlight of my pharmacy school career thus far. It has provided me with early exposure to hospital operations, transitions of care, IV compounding, and inpatient clinical practice through working closely with the Solid Organ Transplant pharmacy team and patient population. Additionally, my role as co-Lead Intern has offered unique opportunities, as I've had the chance to work closely with intern leadership to recruit, hire, and onboard the next cohort of interns.
What surprised me the most about this program was how much we were able to learn and accomplish in such a short amount of time. Looking back, it's amazing how many hard and soft skills we learned through hands-on, practical experience in tasks such as medication reconciliation, IV compounding, and patient counseling. Additionally, I was very pleasantly surprised by how quickly the interns became close with one another - I got to know so many people from class that I never even talked to, which made this experience even more fun and rewarding! All in all, this one-of-a-kind program offers interns endless opportunities to learn and develop as future pharmacists and to explore many different facets of inpatient pharmacy.
I don't think I would have been able to gain insight into all these different areas of pharmacy had I worked anywhere else.
The UCSF Pharmacy Internship is a unique program that allows interns to have hands on inpatient and clinical pharmacy experiences. I have been able to learn about hospital operations, IV compounding, transitions of care, and pediatric inpatient clinical pharmacy. I don't think I would have been able to gain insight into all these different areas of pharmacy had I worked anywhere else. The UCSF Internship program is unique in that it allows you to learn more about each of these areas and get a head start learning things that you haven't learned in school yet. I specifically was able to learn more about vancomycin dosing before it was taught in school and was able to start developing early clinical skills. Learning more about the basics of each aspect of inpatient pharmacy will help me become a better clinician in the future.
Some things that I would tell a P1 who is on the fence about applying is to not let fear stop you from gaining an unforgettable learning experience. I also had fears about being able to do well in this internship, but everyone here was so supportive of my learning and growth. I was able to not only gain clinical skills and insight into the inpatient pharmacy world, but lifelong friends. You will never truly be "ready" for the challenge, but you can be ready to see yourself grow and develop more than you ever will elsewhere. The time commitment is considered small in comparison to the benefits you will receive.
- Daniel Ky
UCSF Co-Lead Intern Pharmacist
- Mineda Tour
UCSF Co-Lead Intern Pharmacist
Meet our Interns
Daniel Ky Hometown: Mountain House, CA Undergraduate School: UCSD Degree: Biochemistry B.S. Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I love collecting Smiskis! |
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Mineda Tour Hometown: El Monte, CA Undergraduate School: UCI Degree: B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences Primary Site: Mission Bay Fun Fact: I love traveling! My goal would be to travel to all the Disney Parks in the world! |
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Sakshi Akki Hometown: San Ramon, CA Undergraduate School: University of Arizona Degree: Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) Primary Site: Mission Bay Fun Fact: I started a Bollywood dance team in college and performed at showcases and competitions :) |
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Michael Cudal Hometown: Riverside, CA Undergraduate School: UC Riverside Degree: B.A. Psychology Primary Site: Parnassus/ACC Fun Fact: Every year I try to start one new hobby! Previous years included learning how to juggle, how to read tarot cards, and learning bass guitar! |
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Nam Hoang Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam Undergraduate School: UCSD Degree: Biochemistry B.S. Primary Site: Owen and Mission Bay (CIS) Fun Fact: I despise onion but my go to order at In-N-Out is “Flying Dutchman with grilled onion wrapped”. |
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Pooja Kini Hometown: Milpitas, CA |
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Jason Leong Hometown: Folsom, CA Undergraduate School: UCSB Degree: Microbiology (major) and Applied Psychology (minor) Primary Site: ACC and Parnassus (CIS) Fun Fact: I am a big foodie! I love trying new dishes and exploring restaurants on Beli! |
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Calvin Park Hometown: Chino Hills Undergraduate School: University of California, Irvine Undergraduate Degree: Pharmaceutical Sciences Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I was born in LA but grew up in Georgia for a few years before moving back! |
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Brenna Quon Hometown: San Francisco Undergraduate School: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Degree: B.S. in Public Health Primary Site: PCMB and Parnassus (CIS) Fun Fact: I love reading! My current favorite book series is Dune, and I’m always looking for new book recommendations. |
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Trang Tran Hometown: Sacramento Undergraduate School: UCLA Degree: B.S. in Mathematics/Economics Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I love traveling! My goal is to travel to at least one new country every year. |
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Tam Trinh Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Undergraduate School: UC Davis Undergraduate Degree: B.S Pharmaceutical Chemistry Primary Site: UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Fun Fact: I’m a pharmacy student by day and a licensed nail tech by night, balancing clinical rotations with my love of nail art and working overtime as a personal assistant to my 14lb cat, Bepo! |
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Caroline Tjoe Hometown: San Jose, CA Undergraduate School: University of California, San Diego Degree: Pharmacological Chemistry B.S. Primary Site: Mount Zion and Mission Bay (CIS) Fun Fact: I love to bake and my favorite dessert to make are cakes! |
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Felicia Wei Hometown: Foster City, CA Undergraduate School: UCLA Degree: B.S. Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I go skiing almost every season and have been down a double black diamond! |
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Arielle Chang Hometown: Chino Hills, CA Undergraduate School: UCLA Degree: Biochemistry Primary Site: Mission Bay Fun Fact: I really enjoy collecting photo strips and plushies! |
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Gwyneth Do Hometown: Cupertino, CA Undergraduate School: USC Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Pharmacology and Drug Development Primary Site: UCSF Hyde Fun Fact: I did gymnastics for 11 years! |
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Kimaya Goomer Hometown: Cupertino, CA Undergraduate School: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH Degree: Biomedical Engineering Primary Site: Parnassus Ambulatory Infusion Center Fun Fact: I like to explore the city by walking, my goal is to do both sides of the SF Crosstown trail! |
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Jayd Hanna Hometown: Pawleys Island, SC Undergraduate School: University of South Carolina Degree: Biology Primary Site: MB Outpatient Fun Fact: As part of my master's research, I performed DNA analysis on a Scottish mummy. |
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Martin Hernandez Hometown: Delano, CA Undergraduate School: California State University, Bakersfield Degree: Business Administration/Accounting Primary Site: Parnassus and Mission Bay Outpatient Pharmacy Fun Fact: |
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Man Yi (Ashley) Lee Hometown: Daly City, CA Undergraduate School: University of California, Irvine Degree: Chemistry/Biology Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I love watching horror movies! |
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Shannon Ly Hometown: Union City, CA Undergraduate School: UC Davis Degree: Human Biology Primary Site: Owen and Mission Bay (CIS) Fun Fact: I foster international cats! |
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Nora Ming Hometown: China Undergraduate School: The Ohio State University Undergraduate Degree: Pharmaceutical Sciences Primary Site: UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital at Oakland Fun Fact: I have a cat even though I’m allergic. |
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Kaeli Miller Hometown: Greensboro, NC Undergraduate School: University of South Carolina Degree: BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I’m a classically trained pianist and love attending performances at the SF Symphony in my free time! My favorite composer is Rachmaninoff. |
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Mikayla Ng Hometown: San Francisco Undergraduate School: UCI Degree: B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences Primary Site: Stanyan and Parnassus (CIS) Fun Fact: |
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Cassandra Taylor Hometown: Barrington, Rhode Island Undergraduate School: University of Washington Degree: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology Primary Site: Mount Zion and Mission Bay (CIS) Fun Fact: I once ran from Parnassus to the Pacifica Taco Bell Cantina! |
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Derrick Vu Hometown: Fountain Valley, California Undergraduate School: University of California, Irvine Degree: Biological Sciences Primary Site: PCMB and Parnassus (CIS) Fun Fact: I love to go fishing, especially crab netting! |
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Lili Wan Hometown: Fremont, CA Undergraduate School: UCSB Degree: Pharmacology Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I love karaoke and once did a 4-hour karaoke session all by myself :D |
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Jenica Wang Hometown: Palo Alto, CA Undergraduate School: Johns Hopkins University Degree: B.A. Public Health Studies Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I performed at Carnegie Hall as a clarinetist in my youth chamber orchestra! |
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Jasmine Watkins-Griffin Hometown: Atlanta, GA Undergraduate School: Xavier University Undergraduate Degree: BS Chemical Science Primary Site: Benioff Children's Hospital - Oakland Fun Fact: I come from a huge family—more than 50 cousins between my mom’s and dad’s sides. |
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Abel Wu Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Undergraduate School: UCI Degree: Biological Sciences Primary Site: Parnassus Fun Fact: I love collecting Pokémon cards and have been collecting since I was 8 years old! |
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Johnson Zhang Hometown: Claremont, CA Undergraduate School: UC Berkeley Degree: Chemical Biology, B.S. Primary Site: Parnassus and Mission Bay Outpatient Pharmacy Fun Fact: My family has 5 dogs and 4 cats |
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| Class of 2026 |
| Balpreet Badhesha Alinda Deng Joanna Feng Alisa Koay Kailey Lee Eilee Mendoza Elizabeth (Arden) Nguyen Sammy Nguyen Jeremiah (Jay) Samson |
| Class of 2025 |
| Celeste Noelle Bustria Jakob Decano Valerie Htun Jenny Hu Timothy Kein Lynn Nguyen Celine Tran |
| Class of 2024 |
| Aniqa Azad Rachel Lee Selena Li Ellie Mehrabani Michelle Nguyen Ingrid Zhou |
| Class of 2023 |
| Jiyong Ahn Aileen Lu Wesley Nguyen Jethro Pobre Rachel Roehl Christian Santamaria |
| Class of 2022 |
| Angela Choi Raymond Chu Katherine Jung Megan Phan Nguyen Tran |
| Class of 2021 |
| Janelle Agustin Lauren Chen Omar Gomez Estrada Brian Gac Steven Pham Bryan Stender |
| Class of 2020 |
| Sae Lome Lee Jonathan Nguyen Saumya Papneja Jennifer Shieh Wendi Yamasaki |
| Class of 2019 |
| Shani Choi Gabriella Hernandez Carolyn Hua Trung Ky Angela Lee Andrea Setiawan Priya Vallabh |
| Class of 2018 |
| Ellen Choi Lois Chung Steven Samuels Kenneth Tham Lucia Zhao |
| Class of 2017 |
| Kari Ehm James Go Scott Hampton Meghan Whalen |
More than an intern role - a launchpad for APPEs, residency, and beyond
Our intern program is a supportive, high-expectation environment where student pharmacists truly grow. From day one, interns are valued team members. They're encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and participate in patient care. The structure balances challenge and support, helping interns build confidence alongside clinical reasoning.
What sets us apart is intentionality. This goes beyond staffing or completing tasks; interns build the skills, confidence, and professional identity needed for success in APPEs and beyond, with meaningful exposure to clinical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world problem solving.
A unique strength is the breadth of opportunities across the Pharmacy Enterprise. Interns choose a primary practice area (community hospital, outpatient pharmacy, or adult and pediatric services) and all complete a Clinical Intern Shift in ambulatory, adult acute care, or pediatric acute care for direct patient care exposure.
Former interns often highlight the same things: the relationships they built, the confidence they developed, and feeling genuinely prepared for advanced practice and residency.
- Mandy Brown, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS, DPLA
UCSF Pharmacy Intern Program Director
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants must provide a minimum of three references, including at least one current or former manager.
Interns rank their preferred rotations at the beginning of the program. If multiple interns request the same rotation, assignments are determined through a randomization process.
Interns submit their holiday preferences to the lead interns, who then coordinate and randomize assignments to ensure fairness.
Each site offers unique experiences and responsibilities. Detailed descriptions of available opportunities and expected tasks can be found on our website.
This program is structured as an 18-block internship with the potential for extension. It provides a wide variety of hands-on experiences across different areas, offering a more comprehensive and flexible learning environment compared to traditional internships.
For more information, please visit our Instagram page. We also maintain a list of current and past interns - prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out to them directly to learn more about their experiences.
Connect With Us on Social Media
Contact Us
Still have questions? Send us an email!
Program Coordinator
Aira Calapini
Program Director
Mandy Brown