HOPA members are leaders in the field of hematology/oncology pharmacy. We’re always pleased to share with you news about our members' accomplishments, including awards, research endeavors, and speaking engagements. If you would like us to share news about yourself or a HOPA member colleague, please complete one of the following forms:
Recent News
Spotlight on Aseala Abousaud, PharmD, BCOP, Lymphoma Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Marietta, Georgia
HOPA member Aseala Abousaud, PharmD, BCOP is a Lymphoma Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute whose practice includes collaborating with healthcare providers in clinic to optimize patient care, among other responsibilities. Read more about Aseala Abousaud.
Spotlight on Jordyn Paige Higgins, PharmD, BCOP, Thoracic Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia
HOPA member Jordyn Paige Higgins, PharmD, BCOP is a Thoracic Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, she is a member of the National Student Committee for HOPA. Read more about Jordyn Paige Higgins.
Spotlight on Bernard Marini, PharmD, BCOP, Inpatient Hematology Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Michigan and Associate Professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
Bernard Marini, PharmD, BCOP is an Inpatient Hematology Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Michigan and an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. In his practice, he primarily sees patients with acute leukemias, aggressive lymphomas, and other challenging hematologic malignancies. Read more about Bernard “Bernie” Marini.
Spotlight on Jennifer Thackray, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, Pediatric Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Jennifer Thackray, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, is a Pediatric Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She was recently awarded a Presidential Citation by The Pediatric Pharmacy Association for her contribution to the publication, Key Potentially Inappropriate Drugs in Pediatrics: The KIDs List and also awarded the 2021 Outstanding Practitioner Award by the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy Alumni Affairs Board for her professional accomplishments.
Spotlight on Katie Gatwood, PharmD, BCOP, Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Vanderbilt University
HOPA member Katie Gatwood, PharmD, BCOP, practices at Vanderbilt University as a Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Clinical Pharmacist Specialist. She was recently honored to receive the 2021 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Pharmacy Special Interest Group New Practitioner Award. In this Member Spotlight, Dr. Gatwood reflects on her award and career.
Spotlight on Kathryn Culos, PharmD BCOP, Recipient of the New Practitioner Award from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy’s Pharmacy SIG
In February 2019, HOPA member Kathryn Culos, PharmD BCOP, received the New Practitioner Award from the Pharmacy Special Interest Group of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Read the reflections on her career and award that she shared in a November 2019 interview with Sidney Keisner, PharmD BCOP, and Renee McAlister, PharmD BCOP, members of HOPA’s 2019–2020 Publications Committee.
Spotlight on Jill S. Bates, PharmD MS BCOP CPP, Awarded a Research Grant to Study Emerging Challenges in Biomedical Research
In October 2018, the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute awarded a research grant to HOPA member Jill S. Bates, PharmD MS BCOP CPP, to study emerging challenges in biomedical research. Read the reflections on her career and involvement with HOPA that she shared in a May 2019 interview with Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP, and Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP, members of HOPA’s 2018–2019 Publications Committee.
Spotlight on Ashley Glode, PharmD BCOP, Winner of HOPA’s 2019 Patient Advocacy Award
In April 2019 HOPA gave Ashley Glode, PharmD BCOP, its Patient Advocacy Award, which recognizes a HOPA member who demonstrates leadership and collaboration while advocating for outstanding patient care. Read the reflections on this award, her career, and her involvement with HOPA that Ashley shared in a recent interview with Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP, and Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP, members of HOPA’s 2018–2019 Publications Committee.
Spotlight on R. Donald Harvey, PharmD BCOP FCCP FHOPA, Winner of HOPA’s 2018 Award of Excellence
HOPA has recognized R. Donald Harvey, PharmD BCOP FCCP FHOPA, for making a significant and sustained contribution to hematology/oncology pharmacy. Read the reflections on his career and involvement with HOPA that he shared in a recent interview with Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP, and Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP, members of HOPA’s 2018–2019 Publications Committee.
Spotlight on Alexandra Shillingburg, PharmD BCOP, Winner of HOPA’s 2018 New Practitioner Award
HOPA has recognized Alexandra Shillingburg, PharmD BCOP, for her contributions to patient care and the practice of oncology pharmacy. Read the reflections on her career and involvement with HOPA that she shared in a recent interview with Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP, and Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP, members of HOPA’s 2018–2019 Publications Committee.
Spotlight on Niesha Griffith, RPh MS FASHP, Winner of HOPA’s 2016 Award of Excellence
HOPA has recognized Niesha Griffith, RPh MS FASHP, for making a significant and sustained contribution to hematology/oncology pharmacy. Read the reflections on her career and involvement with HOPA that she shared in a recent interview with Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP, member of HOPA’s 2017–2018 Publications Committee.
Spotlight on David Henry, MS BCOP FASHP, Winner of HOPA’s 2015 Award of Excellence
HOPA has recognized David Henry, MS BCOP FASHP, for making a significant and sustained contribution to hematology/oncology pharmacy. Read the comments on his career and involvement with HOPA that he shared in a recent interview with Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP, member of HOPA’s Publications Committee.
Spotlight on Rowena “Moe” Schwartz, PharmD BCOP, Winner of HOPA’s 2014 Award of Excellence
HOPA has recognized Rowena “Moe” Schwartz, PharmD BCOP, for making a significant and sustained contribution to hematology/oncology pharmacy. Read the comments on her career and involvement with HOPA that she shared in a recent interview with Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP, member of HOPA’s Publications Committee.
Joshua Elder, PharmD BCOP BCPS, Winner of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2017 New Preceptor Award
HOPA member Joshua J. Elder, PharmD BCOP BCPS, of Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY, received the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2017 New Preceptor Award and was recognized at a reception on December 2, 2017, at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Orlando, FL.
“Serving as a preceptor has provided me the opportunity to continue to pay forward what so many mentors have gifted to me along my journey,” said Dr. Elder. “Watching learners grow and flourish has provided invaluable career and life lessons. It is truly a humbling experience to be selected for this honor and will only continue to fuel my drive to train the upcoming generation of clinical pharmacists.”
Watch a short video about the New Preceptor Award, and read the press release about all of ASHP’s 2017 Pharmacy Residency Excellence Award recipients.
HOPA Members Win ASHP 2017 Best Practices Award
Three HOPA members were part of a pharmacy team winning one of five 2017 Best Practices Awards given by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) at its 52nd Midyear Clinical Meeting, held December 2, 2017, in Orlando, FL. The award, sponsored in cooperation with Amgen, was established in 1999 and recognizes pharmacists who demonstrate leadership and innovation in enhancing patient care and other areas of pharmacy practice.
HOPA members LeAnne Kennedy, PharmD BCOP CPP FHOPA, Brandi Anders, PharmD BCOP CPP, and Brian Marlow, PharmD MBA, along with their colleagues Ali Cook, PharmD, and Dianna Howard, MD, were recognized for their project “Evaluation of a Pharmacist Led Outpatient Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Program” at Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC.
“These notable practitioners are on the leading edge of pharmacy practice and patient care,” said ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, PharmD FASHP. “The programs and tools developed by these talented teams will serve as models for other pharmacists who are interested in expanding patient care services.”
Learn more about all five pharmacy teams that received ASHP’s 2017 Best Practices Awards.
HOPA Members Featured in December 2017 ASH Clinical News
HOPA members R. Donald Harvey, PharmD, Danielle Schlafer, PharmD, and Elyse Hall Panjic, PharmD, of Emory University, were interviewed on the evolving role of the hematology/oncology pharmacist in the December 1, 2017, issue of ASH Clinical News, published by the American Society of Hematology. Read the interview to learn what they said about the expanding role of the oncology pharmacist and the importance of ongoing patient education and communication.
George Carro, RPh MS BCOP: Interviewed by ASCO Connection About Quality Improvement Project
As part of National Pharmacy Week (October 15–21, 2017), which recognizes the contributions of pharmacy professionals to patient care and safety, HOPA member George Carro, RPh MS BCOP, shared his experience participating in the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2016 Quality Training Program (QTP). Carro, who currently serves on HOPA’s Governance Committee and chairs the Nominations Subcommittee, is the director of oncology pharmacy services at NorthShore University HealthSystem near Chicago, IL. His team’s quality improvement project centered on decreasing the risk of financial toxicity in an ambulatory oncology practice, with a focus on the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Read the interview, “Pharmacy Professionals: An Integral Component of the Quality Training Program,” which appeared in ASCO Connections on October 25, 2017.
Spotlight on Robert Ignoffo, PharmD FASHP FCSHP, Winner of HOPA’s 2013 Award of Excellence
HOPA has recognized Robert Ignoffo, PharmD FASHP FCSHP, for making a significant and sustained contribution to hematology/oncology pharmacy. Read the comments on his long involvement with HOPA that he shared in his recent interview with Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP, member of HOPA’s Publications Committee.
HOPA’s “Big Idea” Winner: Michael Vozniak, PharmD BCOP FHOPA
The “Big Idea” of Michael Vozniak, PharmD BCOP FHOPA, was recently selected by HOPA members as the one that would best help to fulfill HOPA’s strategic plan for 2016–2020. Learn more about his "Big Idea" proposal from an interview with him conducted in April 2017 by Megan Brafford May, PharmD BCOP, and Brandi Anders, PharmD BCOP, members of HOPA’s Publications Committee.
Research Presented at 2014 HOPA Annual Conference Published in Journal of Oncology Practice
We are pleased to feature HOPA Members Jennifer L. Niccolai, PharmD and Danielle L. Roman, PharmD along with their colleagues whose research presented at the 2014 HOPA Annual Conference was recently published in the Journal of Oncology Practice, titled "Potential Obstacles in the Acquisition of Oral Anticancer Medications."HOPA Board Member Edward Li Provides Examples of Oncology Targeting Biosimilars Nearing Approval
Edward Li, PharmD MPH BCOP, associate professor at the University of New England College of Pharmacy, recently discussed some examples of oncology targeting biosimilars that are nearing approval. Watch the video.
Please take a moment to read this article regarding the HOPA Entry-level Competencies Task Force Response Statement to the 2016 American College of Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit.
Please take a moment to read this interesting article from UC Health. It highlights the important role oncology pharmacists have in cancer care and features several fellow HOPA members working in the Denver area.
LeAnne Kennedy, PharmD BCOP CPP FHOPA, Recognized by HOPA
LeAnne Kennedy, winner of HOPA’s first Award of Excellence in 2005 and a member of the inaugural class of HOPA Fellows in 2016, was interviewed in February 2017 by Megan Brafford May, PharmD BCOP, and Brandi Anders, PharmD BCOP, members of HOPA’s Publications Committee. Read about LeAnne’s reflections on her role as a clinical pharmacy specialist and her involvement with HOPA.
HOPA Members Share Their Research at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting
Justina Frimpong, PharmD BCOP
Jigar Trivedi, PharmD MS BCOP
Tracy Wiczer, PharmD BCOP and Lauren Levine, PharmD
Ali McBride, PharmD MS BCOP BCPS
At the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Dr. McBride was recognized with a Best Practice Award for his work to move inpatient chemotherapy to the outpatient setting at his institution. HOPA member Christopher Campen, PharmD BCOP BCPS, was part of Dr. McBride’s team, as well.
Alex Ganetsky, PharmD BCOP
Alex Ganetsky presented his recent research at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. Dr. Ganetsky’s research was featured in the ASCO evening post – a publication that highlighted just four to five topics each day. Congratulations!
Kristin Wheatley, PharmD BCOP, 2016 HOPA New Practitioner
Each year at the HOPA Annual Conference, we acknowledge members for their contributions to patient care and the practice of oncology pharmacy. The HOPA New Practitioner Award is given to a practitioner who is early in their career and has made a significant contribution to developing or supporting clinical hematology/oncology pharmacy services. Learn what Dr. Wheatley shared concerning her role as a clinical pharmacist and her vision for the future of oncology pharmacy from her recent interview with HOPA colleagues.
Chris Fausel, PharmD BCOP
2016 NIOSH Hazardous Drugs List: NIOSH recently published its 2016 NIOSH Hazardous Drugs List. HOPA was asked to collaborate on this project and we were delighted to have HOPA’s and a pharmacist’s involvement. Chris Fausel, PharmD BCOP was asked to represent HOPA as a reviewer. Chris worked with a very well respected group and this was the first time HOPA was included in the process. Thank you Chris for your fine work!
Christine Gegeckas, RPh BCOP
September 7, 2016 (Cape Coral News): Christine Gegeckas, RPh BCOP, earns the 2016 Pharmacist of the Year Award from the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FSHP). The Pharmacist of the Year Award is given annually to a Florida pharmacist who is recognized for his or her outstanding performance and achievements during his or her pharmacy career. Judging criteria include self-improvement efforts, job accomplishments, and contributions to the general welfare of the community. Read more.
HOPA President Sarah Peters, PharmD MPH BCOP
August 30, 2016 (Vermont Biz): HOPA President Sarah Peters, PharmD MPH BCOP, delivers keynote address at the white coat ceremony for incoming Doctor of Pharmacy Students at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Vermont campus. Read more.
James Natale, PharmD BCOP
July 26, 2016 (OncLive): HOPA Member James Natale, PharmD BCOP, joins panel discussion regarding chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). He adds, "It’s really important that we start off on the right foot and control nausea and vomiting from the outset so that we can prevent problems later down the line of therapy." View the discussion.