Creighton pharmacy class of 2026 outperforms national averages in ASHP residency match
Congratulations to the 2026 graduates of the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. This year, the University proudly conferred Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degrees on a cohort of 69 new healthcare leaders, marking another milestone in Creighton’s long history of academic excellence.
As the home of the oldest distance pharmacy program and the first distance PharmD program in the United States, Creighton continues to set the national standard for flexible, high-impact clinical education. This legacy of innovation ensures that whether students learn in Omaha or across the country, they graduate with the clinical readiness and professional identity required to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Exceeding the national standard
The success of the Class of 2026 is underscored by recent results from the ASHP Pharmacy Residency Match, where Creighton students significantly outperformed their peers nationwide. Out of the 22 student pharmacists from the Class of 2026 who participated in the match, 21 were successfully placed—resulting in an exceptional 95.5% match rate. This far exceeds the national match rate of 86.6% for 2026 graduates.
When including previous Creighton graduates also seeking PGY1 positions, the University’s overall match rate stands at 91.7%, notably higher than the national average of 84.4%. These results were bolstered by perfect 100% match rates in both the Phoenix and Omaha pathways.
Ryan Dull, PharmD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, notes that “Creighton students consistently outperform national averages because their education is intentionally designed to prepare them not only to learn pharmacy, but to succeed in practice and postgraduate training.”
Through targeted coursework and mentorship, Dr. Dull adds that “students graduate with the skills, confidence and professional identity needed to be truly practice ready.”
Clinical readiness from day one
What truly distinguishes a Creighton pharmacist is their ability to step into high-stakes environments with immediate competence. Kim Begley, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice, observes that graduates are ready “because they have been trained to think and act as pharmacists throughout their education.”
“They are expected to make clinical decisions, explain their reasoning and prioritize patient safety in settings that reflect real practice,” Dr. Begley continues. “By the time they graduate, they are comfortable organizing complex information, navigating uncertainty and taking responsibility for their recommendations.”
A mission of purposeful care
Rooted in the Jesuit value of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, Creighton’s mission extends beyond clinical mastery. Graduates leave with a sense of responsibility to make a meaningful impact in every patient interaction.
“They carry a standard that pushes them to do more than what is required and to approach their role with purpose,” says Dr. Begley. “That is what defines their contribution to the profession from the very beginning.”
As these new pharmacists enter hospitals, clinics and research institutions across the nation, they carry with them a reputation for excellence and a deep-seated commitment to improving patient outcomes with compassion. We celebrate their achievements and look forward to the leadership they will provide to the profession of pharmacy.
