HOPA Publications Committee

Bonnie Labdi, PharmD RPh, Chair

Ashley Glode, PharmD BCOP, Vice Chair

Geroge Carro, RPh MS BCOP, Board Liaison

Megan Bodge, PharmD

Megan Brafford, PharmD BCOP

Christine Gegeckas, Rph BCOP

Lindsay Hladnik, PharmD BCOP

Lisa Lohr, PharmD BSPharm BCOP BCPS

Katie Long, PharmD 

David Reeves, PharmD BCOP

Lisa Savage, PharmD BCOP BCPS

Alexandra Shillingburg, PharmD

Candice Wenzell, PharmD BCOP

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Board Update

Michael Voznial, PharmD BCOP
HOPA President

Happy new year! This time of year is hectic and exciting for everyone as we return to our normal routines after a busy holiday season. It also is a time when numerous “Top Events of the Year” lists are published and discussed on the radio, in press, and on social media. I figured why should HOPA be any different?

The following is my Top 10 List of HOPA Highlights for 2014 (in no particular order as they all are important):

1. The HOPA 10th Annual Conference in New Orleans breaks attendance records.
2. The 2nd Annual Fall Practice Management Course saw growth in the number of participants.
3. HOPA held the first mini-HOPA Hill Day in September.
4. HOPA’s Industry Relations Council (IRC) grew in participation and sponsorship levels.
5. The Health Policy Committee introduced two new issue briefs: Pain Management and Counterfeit Drug Prevention.
6. HOPA supported the passage of HR 4190!
7. My mentor and friend, Moe Schwartz, won the HOPA Award of Excellence.
8. HOPA published the Scope of Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Practice document.
9. HOPA published our first best practice standard, HOPA Investigational Drug Service Best Practice Standards.
10. Countless number of outstanding members volunteered their time and efforts for the advancement of our profession!

Although there are numerous other highlights from the past year that were not included above, this reflection is helpful to recognize all that HOPA has accomplished in 2014. It also is a good time to look ahead and see what the organization needs to achieve this year.

Strategic Planning

HOPA’s strategic plan was last reviewed and updated in November 2012. Typically, strategic plans are updated or revised approximately every 3–5 years. In consideration of this and based on the progress HOPA has made toward fulfilling its strategic objectives, HOPA’s Board of Directors has decided to undergo strategic planning in 2015. The board of directors and key stakeholders participated in an in-per- son strategic planning session in January 2015.

HOPA has contracted Marsha Rhea, president, Signature i, LLC, to serve as HOPA’s strategic planning consultant. Signature i utilizes a methodology called forward design, which is a “systematic and creative process for exploring an organization’s current and future context, analyzing strategic issues and opportunities, inviting aspirations for design, and then using this learning to inspire an organization’s future.” Before creating Signature i, Rhea was a senior futurist with the Institute for Alternative Futures, where she honed an aptitude for environmental scanning, scenario planning, visioning, and strategy development for associations, governments, and businesses. In her career as an association executive, Rhea has held executive positions in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), as director of education and then executive vice president of the foundation; the National Recycling Coalition as executive director; and the American Subcontractors Association as vice president of communications and education. Signature i specializes in not for profits and associations. The board’s intention is to share the new HOPA strategic plan at the annual conference in March.

HOPA’s Collaborative Efforts

Throughout 2014, HOPA engaged and worked with numerous organizations to advance our goals and the care of oncology patients. Our collaborative efforts have spanned from working with pharmacy organizations such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy to working with nonpharmacy organizations such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology and Oncology Nursing Society. In addition, our efforts have extended to organizations such as Medscape and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. HOPA recognizes the importance of establishing partnerships with outside organizations so that we may improve cancer patient care and provide professional development opportunities for our members.

HOPA has taken steps to become a member of the Joint Com- mission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP). JCPP is comprised of 11 pharmacy organizations, and their vision statement is “Pharmacists will be the healthcare professionals responsible for providing patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes.” The HOPA Board of Directors determined this organization would be a great conduit to solidify existing relationships with other pharmacy organizations and help us to form new relationships with other pharmacy organizations. HOPA has been accepted into “observation” status and is expected to attend four meetings before being reviewed for full membership. The observation status is a great opportunity for HOPA to better understand JCPP and evaluate whether it is in HOPA’s best interest to formally join, if invited. I attended their last meeting in November in Alexandria, VA. My attendance gave me a much better understanding of what other pharmacy organizations are working on and what is impacting them. It also gave me a better perspective on what opportunities there may be to collaborate with JCPP and the individual member organizations.

In other exciting news, HOPA learned in late December that our organization has been accepted into the Patient Access to Pharma- cists’ Care Coalition. The mission of the coalition “is to develop and help enact a federal policy proposal that would enable patient access to, and payment for, Medicare Part B services by state-licensed pharmacists in medically underserved communities.” Concisely, this is the coalition that is pushing for passage of HR 4190 legislation. Some notable coalition members include the American Public Health Association, ASHP, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, and several community pharmacy companies, such as Albertsons, CVS Caremark, and Walgreens, to name a few. HOPA will partner with the coalition to see how we can help drive the passage of this legislation as we enter a new congressional year. During HOPA’s Hill Day in September, pharmacists’ provider status was one of the main topics we discussed with the congressional offices. I hope the momentum continues!

HOPA’s 11th Annual Conference

Believe it or not, HOPA’s 11th Annual Conference is a short time away! Conference registration is open. Our Program Committee has planned another outstanding conference that includes three different preconference offerings. We are excited to hold the conference in Austin, TX, and are looking forward to having a great meeting. Please check Conference Web Central at www.hoparx.org for more information.

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2015!