HOPA 2019–2020 Publications Committee
Megan Dillaman, PharmD BCOP, Editor
Lisa M. Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP, Associate Editor
Christan M. Thomas, PharmD BCOP, Associate Editor
LeAnne Kennedy, PharmD BCOP CPP FHOPA, Board Liaison
Jessica Auten, PharmD BCOP BCPS
Andrea Clarke, PharmD
Jeff Engle, PharmD MS
Sarah E. Hoffman, PharmD BCOP
Sidney V. Keisner, PharmD BCOP
Bonnie A. Labdi, PharmD BCOP
Chung-Shien Lee, PharmD BCOP BCPS
Renee K. McAlister, PharmD BCOP
Heather N. Moore, PharmD BCOP
Jennifer S. Philippon, PharmD candidate
Kendall Shultes, PharmD BCOP
Andrew Tiemann, PharmD candidate
Candice M. Wenzell, PharmD BCOP
Michael J. Williams, PharmD
View PDF of HOPA News, Vol. 17, no. 3
Board Update: Accelerating to the Next Chapter
David DeRemer, PharmD BCOP FCCP FHOPA
HOPA President (2020–2021)
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Assistant Director, Experimental Therapeutics, University of Florida Health Cancer Center
Gainesville, FL
As we move into September, I think of this quotation from Henry David Thoreau: “One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” I hope that you and your family had the opportunity for some relaxation this summer and that you’ ll be able to enjoy the outdoors and observe the colorful autumn foliage despite the challenges of COVID-19.
Member Activity
Our organization was very active in advocacy efforts this past spring. I want to recognize specifically the activity of the Public Policy Committee. Members of this group collaborated with the pharmacy community on the Joint Policy Recommendations to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic, participated in two meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research regarding COVID-19, met with representatives of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding pharmacists and COVID-19 testing and billing, promoted the addition of pharmacists in the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act (H.R 6720), worked with the Pharmacy Health Information Technology Collaborative to support pharmacists in connection with the 2021 and 2022 Medicare Advantage and Part D Proposed Rule (CMS-4190-P) on telehealth, and created and disseminated an oncology drug shortage survey to our membership. The board is immensely grateful for the efforts of the Public Policy Committee and to HOPA staff member Dominic Sawaya and advocacy consultant Jeremy Scott.
This summer we were unable to gather in person at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, but through the virtual format we were able to sift through the abundant information on the valuable efforts of oncology pharmacists. Shannon Hough presented on the efforts of several oncology pharmacists at the University of Michigan in leading a remote care monitoring program for patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The team’s collaborative efforts led to a significant reduction in urgent care visits associated with nausea. Also, an abstract from PGY-1 resident Amin Virani reported that the interventions provided by an oncology pharmacist in a myeloma clinic were associated with a predicted annual value of $757,000. It is wonderful to see the value of the oncology pharmacist presented on national and international platforms.
Virtual Practice Management Program
Speaking of venues promoting the activities of oncology pharmacy, we hope your fall plans included joining us on September 11—just about the time this newsletter reaches your mailbox—for the eighth annual HOPA Practice Management program, to be held as a virtual meeting this year. Our Practice Management Program Committee has been busy converting our traditional meeting into a virtual format to accommodate our members’ needs. This program features a presentation on quality- and value-based strategy, practice pearls sessions, and a panel discussion on oncology systems. As all are aware, COVID-19 has dramatically changed the landscape of health care; this meeting will give oncology pharmacy managers and directors the opportunity to discuss their experiences during these challenging times. Additional educational content on practice management will be released following the 1-day meeting and also presented at HOPA's 2021 Annual Conference.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
HOPA members, committees, and task forces continue to be energetically engaged in activities outlined in our new strategic plan (2020–2023). The HOPA board wants to thank you again for your service to the organization, particularly during these unusual times. These groups have also observed our ongoing transition to a new management company. The decision to end our relationship with Association Management Center (AMC) was not easy: HOPA and AMC have had a longstanding partnership that has led to the growth of the organization and many meaningful relationships between staff and volunteers. The board would like to recognize the efforts and leadership of Steve Smith, AMC’s CEO, and Stacy Sochacki, who has served as HOPA’s interim executive director. Stacy has been a tremendous asset to the organization in providing guidance on strategy and governance. She has fostered a positive culture with the staff and has been essential in our work toward a seamless transition in the past several months. Another person I would like to recognize is Sarah Tiwana, HOPA’s director of operations. There isn’t enough room on this page for the positive adjectives that describe Sarah’s impact on HOPA during the past several years. I would encourage volunteers to communicate with these individuals and thank them for their service to HOPA.
Starting on October 1, HOPA’s management company will be Executive Director Incorporated (EDI) in Milwaukee, WI. EDI is one of the top association management companies in the United States, providing counsel and management for 35 national and global medical, health, and scientific associations and certifying bodies. Tara Withington, vice-president of EDI and current executive director for the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, has been working with AMC leadership on this transition. At the time of writing, the new HOPA team is being recruited. Announcements about the addition of key personnel will be made at a future time.
HOPA now has more than 3,650 members, and approximately 300 members participate on HOPA committees and task forces. The next chapter for HOPA is about to begin. The board hopes you share our enthusiasm and energy for our future! Much promise lies ahead.