Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (LAPPEs) are reshaping how Doctor of Pharmacy students prepare for residencies and professional practice.
Unlike traditional Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), which consist of nine distinct five-week rotations, LAPPEs allow students to complete multiple rotations within a single healthcare system or geographic area over an extended period. This structure fosters deeper connections to the institution, sustained mentorship, and exposure to the continuity of care in pharmacy practice.
At the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, three LAPPE programs are currently offered: the UI Health Care LAPPE Residency Track (LAPPE-RT) in Iowa City; the Mayo Clinic LAPPE in Rochester, Minnesota; and a newly launched Waterloo, Iowa-based LAPPE. Each program provides students with immersive, long-term experiences tailored to their professional aspirations and the evolving demands of the pharmacy profession.
The UI Health Care LAPPE-RT focuses on preparing students for postgraduate year-one residencies. Participants gain valuable experience through a mix of required and elective rotations within the UI Health Care system, monthly residency preparation discussions, and mentorship from current residents and preceptors.
The program also includes a longitudinal research component, enabling students to complete a project and present their findings at professional conferences. Students develop skills in project management, clinical presentations, and teaching while integrating into the multidisciplinary environment of an academic medical center.
For the 2025–26 academic year, six students were selected for this highly competitive program.
Brock Dantuma, ambulatory clinical pharmacy manager at UI Health Care, and Jared Frye, assistant director of pharmacy informatics, business intelligence, and automation, were inspired to create the LAPPE-RT program after completing residency track programs at their respective colleges.
“It was the framework from those programs that we used to create the LAPPE-RT program here at UI Health Care,” Dantuma said. “The second thing that inspired us to create this program was seeing all the great things the students were doing at the College of Pharmacy across the street. We wanted to create a program to help guide students in shining during residency interviews.”
Dantuma shared that while the LAPPE-RT program at UI Health Care is still in its infancy, feedback from the first class has already led to helpful changes, such as covering additional topics to better prepare students for midyear and residency interviews.
Katharyn Smith, adult clinical pharmacy manager at UI Health Care, helps manage the LAPPE-RT program. She pointed out that UI Health Care is uniquely equipped to offer such an experience because it’s a comprehensive academic medical system that provides learning experiences in a variety of patient care settings.
“LAPPE-RT students complete five rotations within UI Health Care and are afforded a very personalized rotation schedule,” Smith said. “This prepares students to pursue residencies in any area of interest and provides a solid foundation to build upon.”
"Whether you have a strong interest in pursuing residency or are uncertain about your future career path, the LAPPE-RT program can provide long-lasting benefits." -- Katharyn Smith
Smith added that as healthcare continues to specialize, she hopes to expand the rotation offerings within UI Health Care and grow the program to accommodate more students seeking an advanced APPE experience.
Another LAPPE program is offered at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This experience emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and research opportunities. Students participate in structured activities such as clinical discussions and journal clubs while completing rotations in one of the country’s most prestigious healthcare systems. Three students have been accepted into the program for the upcoming academic year.
The Waterloo, Iowa-based LAPPE takes a more community-focused approach, with seven students participating in its inaugural year. This program allows students to gain diverse pharmacy practice experience while benefiting from the continuity and mentorship inherent in the LAPPE model.
Overall, the appeal of LAPPEs lies in their ability to combine professional growth with practical benefits. By staying in one location, students save on travel and relocation costs while gaining familiarity with a single healthcare system’s operations. These programs also position students competitively for postgraduate opportunities, offering structured residency preparation and the chance to complete significant research projects.
However, LAPPEs do present challenges. Students must balance rigorous research and clinical responsibilities, and some may prefer the variety of experiences offered by traditional APPEs. Additionally, the limited number of available slots makes these programs highly selective.
But for students seeking an alternative APPE experience, a LAPPE could be a great fit.
“Whether you have a strong interest in pursuing residency or are uncertain about your future career path, the LAPPE-RT program can provide long-lasting benefits,” Smith said. “The breadth of exposure to various facets of pharmacy, along with the guidance and mentorship provided, offers candidates a competitive edge during the application process.”