Sydney P. Springer, PharmD, MS, BCPS, BCGP

Dr. Springer received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in 2015. After graduating, she completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and a PYG2 Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) St. Margaret Hospital. During her two years at UPMC St. Margaret she also completed a Faculty Development Fellowship alongside physician colleagues, an alternative to a teaching certificate that focused on effective presentation design and skills; interprofessional communication, teaching and precepting; as well as clinical research and professional development. After residency sparked her interest in geriatric pharmacotherapy research, she subsequently completed a Fellowship in Medication Safety and Pharmacy Outcomes at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, under the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) and the VA Center for Medication Safety (VA MedSAFE). During this time, she practiced as a clinical geriatric pharmacist in the Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) clinic and created and implemented a polypharmacy consult service for primary care patients. She also completed her Master’s of Science in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in 2019, where she completed her thesis on the prevalence and factors predicting aspirin discontinuation at end-of-life amongst VA nursing home residents with an indication for aspirin for secondary cardiovascular prevention.

Throughout residency and fellowship training, Dr. Springer worked closely with faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and began broadening her research in deprescribing of chronic medications at end-of-life. She continues to conduct outcomes research and quality improvement projects in the area of deprescribing, polypharmacy, and appropriate geriatric pharmacotherapy management. She is also interested in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and women’s health. Dr. Springer is board certified as a pharmacotherapy specialist (2016), and a geriatric pharmacist (2017).