Member Spotlight

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.

Please describe your current position and the types of patients you see in clinical practice.

I am the Lymphoma Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute. My practice includes collaborating with healthcare providers in clinic to optimize patient care, serving as the drug information expert for my team, educating patients on their oral and IV treatment regimens, managing toxicities on treatment, involvement in clinical trials, and precepting/mentoring pharmacy learners including pharmacy students and residents.  I see aggressive and indolent B and T cell lymphomas in the outpatient setting.

Please tell us about your research interests and the potential impact of your research on patient care.

I have always had strong interest in research and feel very lucky to have been involved with great physician mentors. I am a co- investigator on several studies where I played a major role in developing the protocol. CARPET (Chimeric Antigen Receptor Predicts Efficacy and Toxicity) is a prospective pharmacokinetic study I started working on as a resident and have continued to work on looking at CD4:CD8 ratio of CAR-T cells at different time points after infusion of cells. DAMPEN- CI (Duvelisib Ameliorates Manifestations of Pneumonia in Established Novel Coronavirus Infection) is a prospective study that looked at duvelisib in hospitalized COVID positive patients where I was heavily involved in monitoring drug-drug interactions, dose adjustments and toxicity management while patients were actively on study. DEEP-T (Duvelisib Exposure to Enhance Immune Profiles of T Cells in Patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma) is a prospective study done prior to CAR-T that we are still accruing for currently. I also have done retrospective research in T cell lymphoma where I feel there is a great need for more information and data looking at cutaneous T cell lymphoma patients with N3 involvement, ropeginterferon’s use in cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and several peripheral T cell lymphoma studies.

What is one of the proudest moments of your career?

One of my proudest moments is being nominated as the clinical pharmacist to The Cellular Therapy Research Review Committee alongside a physician and pathologist where we review proposed protocols to use the blood bank received from my involvement with my CARPET pharmacokinetic study.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role?

Be patient, consistent, and innovative. It is the small steps and interventions made that build long term rapport and this can take some time to establish. Always evaluate how to improve and grow your position in ways that feel job satisfying to you and your interest. Be an advocate for your work life balance.

As a newer practitioner, what advice would you offer to other oncology trainees who are just beginning their career?

Enjoy connecting to patients and absorbing as much knowledge from those around you. The most important thing as a learner is not necessarily having the knowledge but knowing what you do not know. Learning team skills and how to uplift and empower those around you will take you far.

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.

Please describe your current position and the types of patients you see in clinical practice.

I am a Thoracic Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, GA. I practice under a collaborative practice agreement in a lung cancer clinic where I order anticancer therapies and supportive medications, educate patients on anticancer therapies, screen medications for safety and efficacy, monitor patients on active treatment, and recommend dose modifications and supportive treatments, when necessary. Although I primarily treat patients with non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, I also see patients with neuroendocrine tumors, thymomas/thymic carcinomas, and head and neck cancers.

Please tell us about your research interests and the potential impact of your research on patient care.

My current research interests include the optimization of anticancer treatments for my patients. Recently, the results of my PGY-2 oncology residency project were published regarding the use of immunotherapy in patients with preexisting autoimmune disorders. Our data supported the notion that patients with preexisting autoimmune disorders can safely receive immunotherapy treatments, without a significant increase in immune-related toxicities.

I am working to support trainee research projects. I am involved in case reports regarding secondary angiosarcoma of the breast and taxane-induced pneumonitis, medical chart reviews concerning the tolerability of lenvatinib/pembrolizumab in endometrial cell carcinoma, and the efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in combination with second-generation antiandrogens.

In alignment with my new role, we are hoping to publish a review article on targeted therapy updates in non-small cell lung cancer. The goal of this article is to provide insights into the data behind and our experience with these agents to lung cancer treatment decisions at an academic medical center and community practice sites.

Tell us a little bit about your outreach efforts and where your passion for this work comes from.

Currently, I serve on committees for HOPA and ASHP. I have been involved in pharmacy organizations since I was a pharmacy student. As a new practitioner, I think it is important to stay actively involved with these organizations to make connections with other pharmacists throughout the nation, learn and grow within your current practice, and help support the organization’s strategic plan.

I am currently an active member of the National Student Committee for HOPA this year. I am passionate about interested students having the ability to get involved with hematology and oncology early in their careers. Our group is working on expanding student member opportunities within HOPA.

I also serve as the Chair of the Clinical Practice Advisory Group of the New Practitioners Forum for ASHP. I am most excited about the opportunity to lead the group as they develop clinical and professional practice resources for our members.

What is one of the proudest moments of your career?

One of the proudest moments in my career was redeveloping the oncology course in my previous faculty role at a local college of pharmacy. I spent a lot of time and effort redesigning the syllabus and lectures to make learning the complex and vast field of oncology more manageable for third-year pharmacy students. In addition to focusing on more generalized cancer treatment and supportive care topics, I incorporated more active learning in the form of patient cases, assessment questions, and team-based learning activities. The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. It was extremely rewarding to spark oncology interest in so many students and to help those who wish to pursue an alternative pathway have a basic understanding when taking care of oncology patients.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role?

My advice to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their roles is to first be an observer. When establishing yourself at a new practice site, it is important to understand the current processes before jumping to make big changes. Slowly start to insert yourself in conversations regarding anticancer treatment, gently offer your opinion, and seek to understand when making recommendations. Over time, this will help to build trust amongst you and your colleagues.

I also recommend that you find a mentor or mentors to help guide you personally and professionally throughout this transition. It is important to recognize that despite all the training you have had so far, there is still so much to learn in your new role. Having someone to help you with clinical treatment decisions, deciding what projects to pursue, and how to advance in your career (e.g. research, precepting) is key.

As a newer practitioner, what advice would you offer to other oncology trainees who are just beginning their career? My advice to oncology trainees is to possess an open mind and willingness to learn. There are many pathways within oncology you may way to pursue such as focusing on solid or liquid tumors, inpatient or outpatient practice, and community oncology or subspecializing. There are also oncology opportunities in the areas of industry, academia, and research. I would encourage you have an open mind on each of your rotations as you might surprise yourself and realize you have an interest that you did not think you had before. Also, there is something to learn from each rotation and you may see many of the same anticancer treatments utilized in multiple disease states.

Being eager to learn and maintaining a positive outlook will make it more rewarding for your preceptors and may open the door to additional learning and career opportunities. You will also enjoy your time as a trainee more. Staying present and taking mindful walks really helped me as a trainee and can help you feel more refreshed and able to refocus your efforts.

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.

Please tell us about your research interests and the potential impact of your research on patient care.

My research interests are threefold and all tie into improving the care of patients. First, my research looks to improve outcomes in patients with leukemias and lymphomas, by optimizing the selection of therapies for patients and avoiding unnecessary toxicities. For example, our team has done a lot of work examining the optimal treatment of secondary AML, demonstrating in a multicenter, PharmD-led study, that purine analogue-cytarabine-based combinations (e.g., FLAG) perform as well (if not better) than CPX-351, with a better toxicity profile and lower cost. In addition, we continue to optimize the use of asparaginase, by predicting and avoiding key toxicities, and through risk-factor guided dose adjustments using therapeutic drug monitoring.

My second research area focuses on improving outcomes in immunocompromised patients with infectious diseases – in particular looking at risk factors for specific infections, examining early de-escalation of antibiotic therapy in high-risk patients, and optimizing prophylaxis.

Lastly, my final research area has focused on optimizing precision medicine therapy in patients with pediatric brain tumors. We have developed the CNS Targeted Agent Prediction (CNS-TAP) tool, a decision aid to more objectively choose targeted therapies for brain tumor patients with genetic sequencing results. This tool takes into account pre-clinical and clinical data, pediatric dosing information, and most importantly, blood brain barrier penetration data when selecting therapy. This tool is currently being used to help select therapies in ongoing phase II trials of precision medicine therapy in pediatric brain tumor patients.

Who was your mentor and how did they influence your career path?

This question is really tough because I have had so many excellent mentors throughout the years it is impossible to just pick one person. I’ve gotten really lucky to surround myself by so many supportive and brilliant people who were invested in my career path at the University of Michigan – it was like being a rookie on an all-star team.

I remember being a student on David Frame’s rotation as a student and thinking, “wow, this man is brilliant and they look to him before making ANY decision – he’s basically the attending. I want to be like him.” And through great advice, kindness, and mentorship, David pushed my creativity and critical thinking skills to another level.

As a student, resident, and early clinical specialist, I also had the opportunity to be shaped and guided by other brilliant clinical pharmacists – Shawna Kraft, Shannon Hough, Cesar Alaniz, Randy Regal, Peggy Carver, Jim Stevenson, and many others. Then, during my residency, when Anthony Perissinotti joined the team, I found a fantastic mentor (and heme nerd partner in crime) who pushed me to the next level as a clinical pharmacist. He taught me to question everything, how to be a dynamic presenter, and how to make a career in hematology fun.

What is one of the proudest moments of your career?

One of my proudest moments was when I was awarded the HOPA 2018 Foundation Grant for optimizing precision medicine therapy in patients with pediatric brain tumors using the CNS TAP tool. It was a very exciting project that I was very passionate about and had put a ton of work into, but I didn’t think I had a chance for actual grant funding! It was a great collaborative effort that really moved the CNS TAP tool forward, and I was lucky to have great support by my College of Pharmacy colleagues, my fellow hematology/oncology pharmacists, residents, and MD colleagues as well.

How long have you been a member of  and how have you been involved?

I have been a member of HOPA since my PGY2 Oncology Residency in 2013. I have been lucky to give several very fun debate talks at HOPA with phenomenal colleagues. I attend the HOPA Annual Meeting nearly every year, supporting my residents and networking with the many great hematology/oncology colleagues across the country. I have recently been involved on the HOPA Publications Committee working on the “Clinical Pearls” and “Highlights of Allied Meetings” columns.

Oncology pharmacists can have a profound influence on their patients and trainees. What would you like your patients, trainees, and colleagues to know about you?

I would like them to know that being a hematology/oncology pharmacist is one of the most rewarding careers one can have. Being able to work with hematology patients and trying to have an impact on their treatment in any way possible is incredibly rewarding and provides fuel for research, as well as the opportunity for training new excited and passionate hematology/oncology practitioners. It’s important to not forget why we do what we do – it’s for our patients.

Also, I’m a huge nerd, and every day I learn something new - sometimes it doesn’t feel like a job, it’s just fun! Embrace your inner nerd, explore the clinical areas that you find most interesting, and you’ll have a fun and rewarding career.

Finally, hematology/oncology pharmacy is a really small world, filled with brilliant, passionate pharmacists, so we have the unique ability to partner with colleagues across the country to make a tremendous impact on care. I can’t think of a single success I’ve had that was not due to collaborations with colleagues and friends – it’s a team effort!

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.

Please describe your current position and the types of patients you see in clinical practice.
I am a pediatric oncology clinical pharmacy specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).  My clinical practice includes rotating between inpatient oncology, outpatient leukemia/lymphoma and outpatient neuro-oncology clinical services.  I support the clinical team and patients by optimizing pharmacotherapy for oncology treatment and supportive care.

Please tell us about your research interests and the potential impact of your research on patient care.
Initially, my research interests were broad- supportive care in pediatric oncology.  I participated in institutional quality improvement and assurance projects in an effort to improve and standardize the supportive care of pediatric oncology patients at my institution.  Eventually, through networking at national organizations and sharing my research interests in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), I joined a multi-center, retrospective trial with 3 other centers describing the use of olanzapine in pediatric oncology for CINV.  From there, I have been on expert panels for clinical practice guideline (CPG) development for the classification and management of CINV in pediatric patients. From the literature, it is clear that patients experience more complete control of CINV when CPG-consistent prophylaxis is utilized; as is the same for many CPG-consistent practices.  I am proud to work on these endeavors and help to provide evidence-based answers to specific research questions that will ultimately impact the care of all pediatric oncology patients in the US.

My training is in pediatric pharmacotherapy and I am actively involved in pediatric medication safety at my institution and at a national level.  I was recently a member of the expert panel whom developed the inaugural KIDs List.  This project was commissioned by The Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) and is an evidence-based list of drugs that should be either avoided or used with caution in all or a subset of the pediatric population (similar to the Beers Criteria in the elderly population).  The KIDs List is an essential first step to improving mediation safety in pediatrics.

What is one of the proudest moments of your career?
I was raised in Oklahoma.  I attended college and pharmacy school in Oklahoma.  I moved to North Carolina for residency and then to New York City to pursue my career dreams.  In June of 2021, I received the Ralph D. Bienfang Outstanding Practitioner Award from the Alumni Affairs Board of The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy Alumni Association for my clinical and research career achievements.  Accepting this award in front of my family, especially with my oldest daughter (Reese 8 years old) was a highlight of my career. For my daughters, I want to model building of a career and life that inspires you and others to be the best version of themselves.  It was an honor and joy to receive this award.  Reese now thinks I am ‘a little famous’.

What would you define as keys to your success?
Surrounding myself with passionate, hard-working individuals has shown me there are many definitions of success.  While my career goal of positively impacting and easing the suffering of pediatric patients with cancer has not changed, my pathway to that goal has taken a few turns along the way.  In the beginning of my career, I took every opportunity that came my way and this helped me learn which activities bring me the most professional fulfillment.  I also learned about opportunity cost and how every yes is a no to something else.  I learned there is no shortage of roles and committees to volunteer for – just ask!  In the past few years, I have become more intentional in the opportunities I seek out and accept.  Now, as we navigate burnout in healthcare, it is even more important to maintain intentional volunteering and mentoring so that I can preserve my health and longevity in this career I love so dearly.

How long have you been a member of HOPA and how have you been involved?
I have been a member of HOPA for 10 years and been involved in much of the pediatric oncology programming since 2016 when participating in a ‘Pediatric Boot Camp’ pre-conference session.  I have given many presentations on pediatric oncology at HOPA annual conferences and have helped mentor residents in their research abstract and poster submissions to the annual conference.  I was also a member of the Tools and Resources Committee for a term.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role?
I have 2 pieces of advice.  First, reach out to colleagues who are 3-5 years ahead of you in their careers and learn about their experiences. They have most recently been in your position and are often excited to share their pearls and pitfalls.  Of course, it is wonderful to have mentors 10-20 years ahead of you as well, so you can continue to gain insight into all the pathways and avenues taken and continue to reach for those long-term career goals.

Second, is regarding leadership. Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s epic career has inspired many people, including myself, to listen and learn from others and to build something outside of yourself.  As you move through your career, you will find that all stakeholders will not be aligned and you will need to lead differently, sometimes not as the loudest voice in the room. Hone your fact-finding skills by asking questions of your colleagues and commit to finding a win-win solution.  “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
-Ruth Bader Ginsberg

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.

Please describe your current position and the types of patients you see in clinical practice.
I am a Stem Cell Transplant & Cellular Therapy Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. I care for autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell patients in both the inpatient and ambulatory setting, including many patients receiving therapy on clinical trials. We are a large transplant center, performing approximately 350-400 transplants per year.

What are your areas of interest pertaining to research and education?
My areas of interest for both research and education include veno-occlusive disease, graft-versus-host disease, and the impact of oncology pharmacists in ambulatory practice.

Please tell us about your American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Pharmacy Special Interest Group (SIG) New Practitioner Award and what this means to you?
I am deeply humbled and grateful to have received the 2021 ASTCT Pharmacy SIG New Practitioner Award. To have been nominated and selected to receive an award from your mentors and colleagues is one of the highest honors you can receive. It feels like I have truly “arrived” as a practitioner and that all the hard work and effort I have put in to establishing myself as a cellular therapy pharmacy expert and patient advocate has been worthwhile. However, I know this is only the beginning of my career and there is still so much more I can do to help improve the care of stem cell transplant patients and advance the role of the pharmacist in their care. This award gives me further motivation to keep working hard into the next phase of my career!

What have you done to improve oncology pharmacy care at your place(s) of employment that may have contributed to your winning this award?
When I started my position here, it was to help create the first pharmacist position in the ambulatory stem cell transplant clinic. My colleague and I worked very hard to establish the pharmacist role in the clinic and create collaborative practice agreements to accomplish our work and care for patients more efficiently. This is especially important in our transplant center as the vast majority of our transplants are performed in the outpatient setting. Since then, I have also assisted in getting our CAR T-cell program established and helping create many of the standard practice guidelines for management of CAR T-cell patients.

How long have you been a member of HOPA, and how have you been involved?
I have been a HOPA member since 2015, first joining when I was a PGY2 resident. I have greatly enjoyed being an active member and have been most heavily involved with the BCOP Annual Conference Programming Subcommittee, for which I am the current committee chair. I have also presented at the HOPA Annual Conference in both 2018 and 2019 as well as authored some articles for the HOPA Newsletter. I look forward to maintaining my activity in the organization for years to come as it has been very rewarding so far!

What is one of the proudest moments of your career?
The proudest moment thus far in my career was receiving the 2021 TCT Pharmacy SIG New Practitioner Award!

Oncology pharmacists can have a profound influence on their patients and trainees. What would you like your patients, trainees, and colleagues to know about you?
I would want them to know that I actually did not originally think I wanted to practice in oncology – so they should always keep an open mind throughout their training experiences! I went into residency wanting to practice in pediatrics. However, my first rotation was in a stem cell transplant clinic, and I found myself fascinated by the patient population and the immunology aspects of transplant. I wanted to learn as much as I could about it. It actually took some of my preceptors and mentors pointing this out to me during the rotation for me to fully realize my passion for it, and, from there, my career trajectory was forever changed.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role?
I would recommend to keep strong ties to mentorship both within pharmacy as well as with physicians on your team. As I have progressed more in my career, the physicians have really become some of my biggest mentors and supporters. They have helped me find new ways to become involved and contribute to research and other professional activities both within my own institution and within the transplant community as a whole. They also provide invaluable education that has helped me continue to advance my knowledge within my field and identify new and innovative opportunities for pharmacist involvement.

Interviewers
Jeff Engle, PharmD, MS
Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist
M Health Fairview Cancer Care
Minneapolis, MN

Sidney Keisner, PharmD, BCOP
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy
Little Rock, AR

Megan Brafford May, PharmD BCOP
Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Specialist
Baptist Health Lexington
Lexington, KY

Brandi Anders, PharmD BCOP
Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Winston-Salem, NC

In 2016–2017 HOPA invited members to submit proposals for a “Big Idea” regarding new initiatives that HOPA could undertake to fulfill the goals and objectives related to the 2016–2020 strategic plan. The winning idea selected by the membership this year for implementation was submitted by Michael Vozniak. His “Big Idea” was to establish a hematology/oncology pharmacy competency and certificate program.

Mike is the associate director of pharmacy for professional practice and the PGY-1 residency program director at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) in Philadelphia, PA. Mike initially worked as an oncology clinical pharmacy specialist for almost 10 years at HUP. He helped care for patients with a wide variety of malignancies—from gynecologic to hematologic and allogeneic stem cell transplant patients. In his current role he focuses on providing high-quality pharmacy services and meaningful pharmacist-patient engagement to enhance patients’ knowledge and understanding of medications.

Mike shared with us more about his “Big Idea” and the impact it will have on hematology/oncology pharmacy practice.

In which type of practice setting do you currently work? Do you specialize in a specific tumor type? Briefly tell us about the type and number of patients that you currently see in your practice.

I work in a large academic medical center. Our hospital has approximately 750 beds, and we have a very large ambulatory oncology practice. My focus is on inpatient pharmacy and specifically our clinical pharmacy services and pharmacy practice model. We have more than 110 inpatient beds dedicated to oncology. Our primary inpatient focus is leukemia, lymphoma, and stem cell transplant. We perform both allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplants, including umbilical cord transplantation.

What was your “Big Idea”?

My Big Idea was to create an Oncology Pharmacy Competency and Certificate Program that HOPA could offer to pharmacists.

How did you come up with that idea?

My institution is constantly training pharmacists to work in oncology. Through my engagement in HOPA, I’ve learned from many members that their institutions also have varied needs to do this same training. The commonality is the lack of a standardized format and content for the training, as well as an assessment or competence component.

HOPA members work in a variety of practice settings and sizes. No matter what the institution’s size or setting, the sentiment I heard was that every institution had some degree of difficulty with training pharmacists to work in oncology. My idea was to have HOPA do what it does best: provide education and training to pharmacists who are new to oncology in a structured format and to award a certificate for successful completion of the program that pharmacists could show to their employers.

What value do you think your “Big Idea” will have for the HOPA membership?

I believe the competency and certificate program will give HOPA the opportunity to expand its membership base to another group of pharmacists–both pharmacists who are new to oncology and those who may work not just in oncology but in a variety of practice settings. The goal is for the curriculum to cover the fundamentals of oncology from chemotherapy admixture technique and chemotherapy and biotherapy pharmacology to adverse event management and for the participant to become more confident working in oncology.

I also believe that the competency and certificate piece is critical. This is a visible recognition of successful completion of this curriculum—something that can be shown to someone’s employer and their peers.

How will members be able to implement your “Big Idea” in their practice sites?

The oncology pharmacy staff and leadership at each practice site should internally review their needs and assess whether their staff members or they themselves could benefit from completing the program. Initially, I see the benefit of oncology pharmacy leaders taking the course so they know firsthand the benefits and value the program affords. And then, going forward, I’d like for employers to perceive the program as valuable for their staff members when they are transitioning to roles in oncology pharmacy.

Oncology pharmacists are expanding in numbers and breadth of practice. More oncology pharmacists are now running their own clinics in pain management, bone health, and other specialties. With these advancements, how do you perceive the future of oncology pharmacy? How will current trends relate to your practice, and what changes will they bring to your practice?

Oncology pharmacists have been constantly expanding to meet the complex needs of patients as our treatments evolve. Oncology pharmacists have been breaking from traditional practice settings and techniques to meet patients’ needs. Oncology pharmacy will continue to expand into the ambulatory practice setting. This area will grow more rapidly if federal provider status legislation is enacted. Pharmacy leaders need to continue to find ways to demonstrate the value of pharmacy services as we expand our services and practice areas. In addition, it will become important for pharmacists to know how to appropriately document and bill for their services.

What piece of advice would you offer to oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or are expanding their role in patient care?

My advice to both groups is the same. I encourage you to set realistic and measurable goals for yourself at the outset and to be patient. Today, it seems, everyone wants instant gratification or responses. As you start your career or begin work in a new role, be patient and take time to make sure you are providing the right services at the right time and to the right patient population. Engaging in self-reflection and being honest with yourself are extremely important. Do this routinely! Finally, find a mentor either within or outside your institution (or both). Mentors are extremely important and provide much needed wisdom and feedback.

Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP
Bone Marrow Transplant Pharmacy Program Coordinator
PGY-2 Oncology Residency Program Director
St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute
Clinical Adjunct Faculty–Oncology
Idaho State University, College of Pharmacy
Boise/Meridian, ID

Robert “Bob” Ignoffo, PharmD FASHP FCSHP, received HOPA’s 2013 Award of Excellence. This award, first given in 2005, recognizes a HOPA member who has made a significant, sustained contribution to hematology/oncology pharmacy or has provided excellent leadership in improving or supporting the field. Recipients of the award are recognized at HOPA’s annual conference with a platform presentation on their contributions, and they receive a lifetime HOPA membership. Bob is currently professor of pharmacy and assistant dean of student services at Touro University and Clinical Professor Emeritus at the University of California–San Francisco.

In an October 2017 interview, he spoke about his involvement in HOPA and reflected on his career in oncology pharmacy.

What first drew you to HOPA, and how long have you been a member?

A few oncology pharmacy colleagues of mine, Phil Johnson and Jim Koeller, were developing bylaws for HOPA, arising from our efforts with Oncology New Concepts and on behalf of the Oncology Pharmacy Specialty through the Board of Pharmacy Specialists. They asked me to become a founding member of HOPA, and I gladly accepted. As one of HOPA’s 29 founding members, I have been with the organization since its inception in 2004. [More about the founding of HOPA is available at hoparx.org/about/history-of-hopa.].

How have you been involved in HOPA over the years?

I have been heavily involved with HOPA since the beginning days. I was a founding board member during the development of HOPA from 2002 to 2004 and then served as an official board member in 2004–2006.  Since then, I have served on numerous committees and task forces, often as chair or vice-chair: on the Publications Committee (vice-chair, 2007–2008, chair, 2008–2009), the Medscape Task Force (2010–2011), Recognition Committee (2015–2016), Task Force on the Value of the Oncology Pharmacist (chair, 2016–2017), and Practice Outcomes and Professional Benchmarking Committee (chair, 2017–2018). I have attended numerous HOPA meetings and given presentations at several.

What have you done to improve oncology pharmacy care at your places of employment?

Perhaps one of the biggest practice changes I have worked on was developing a collaborative practice protocol with physicians at the University of California Cancer Research Center. I have also worked on numerous practice improvement projects, including developing a methotrexate monitoring program, and performed research on managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Most recently, I worked on and published a Delphi Study on the shortfalls in oncology patient visits and the potential impact Board Certified Oncology Pharmacists (BCOPs) can make in reducing that shortfall.¹

What did winning the HOPA Award of Excellence mean to you?

It’s hard to express what winning an award of this significance meant. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is how gratifying it was to be acknowledged by my peers for my expertise in oncology pharmacy practice.

How has receiving this award affected your career development or career path?

It has certainly led to many students and residents coming to me for advice on how to become an oncology pharmacist and how to pursue their own career paths. I’d say that it gave me the opportunity to assume more of a mentoring role than I might have had otherwise.

What career or personal advice do you have for established or new oncology pharmacists?

My advice for success both in life and in work is to be gritty and resolute. Persevere in your endeavors, and be unwavering in efforts to achieve your goals—most of them can be achieved. Be true to yourself. Find a mentor or team of collaborators to help you, whether you are working on developing a program, doing research, or improving your skills. Be grateful for their help. There will be ups and downs in career and life; accept them knowingly, let the dust settle, and get back to work. But remember that it’s important to leave time for family and fun.

If you could describe oncology pharmacists in one sentence, what would you say?

Oncology pharmacists are professionals who are dedicated to improving outcomes related to cancer treatment in patients with cancer.

Reference
1. Ignoffo R, Knapp K, Barnett M. et al. Board-certified oncology pharmacists: their potential contribution to reducing a shortfall in oncology patient visits. J Oncol Pract. 2016;12(4):e359-368). doi: 10.1200/JOP.2015.008490. Epub 2016 Mar 22

Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP
Bone Marrow Transplant Pharmacy Program Coordinator
PGY-2 Oncology Residency Program Director
St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute
Clinical Adjunct Faculty–Oncology
Idaho State University, College of Pharmacy
Boise/Meridian, ID

Rowena “Moe” Schwartz, PharmD BCOP, was the winner of the 2014 HOPA Award of Excellence. This award, first given in 2005, recognizes a member who has made a significant and sustained contribution to improving or supporting hematology/oncology pharmacy or has given excellent leadership in that area. The award winners receive a lifetime membership in HOPA and are recognized at an awards ceremony at HOPA’s annual conference and given a platform presentation regarding their contributions. Moe serves as an associate professor of pharmacy practice with a focus in hematology/oncology at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. She also works with UC Health and aids participation in phase 1 clinical trials.

In a December 2017 interview, she spoke about her career and what this award has meant to her.

What first drew you to HOPA, and how long have you been a member?

I was fortunate to be at the 2004 Making a Difference in Oncology (MAD-ONC) meeting when the idea of an oncology pharmacy organization was presented to the participants by a group of oncology pharmacy leaders. As I listened to the pitch, I recognized an opportunity to be part of an organized group that could provide a foundation for pharmacists working in hematology and oncology.

I am proud to have signed on to the concept at that meeting through a donation that makes me a “founding” member. I was also asked to participate in a work group following the MAD-ONC meeting that helped to develop the concept of HOPA, and I have been an active HOPA member ever since its founding.

How have you been involved in HOPA over the years?

I joined HOPA because I value the collaboration of oncology pharmacists. I have served on a number of committees since the organization began, and I have enjoyed working with other dedicated HOPA members to carry out the work of the organization.

I didn’t think about running for the board of directors when HOPA began—I had not held a leadership role in any other organization. I wanted to learn how to work in an organization. I was able to learn more about organizational leadership through HOPA and subsequently served on the board and as president. My experience with HOPA helped provide a broad understanding of organizations, and when I ran for president of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP), it was because of what I had learned during my time on the HOPA board.

Once you have been on a board, it can be difficult to watch others lead the organization, but new leadership is so important if an organization is to evolve. New leadership is crucial to HOPA’s continued growth.

What have you done to improve oncology pharmacy care at your places of employment that may have contributed to your winning this award?

I became an oncology pharmacist at the University of Pittsburgh early in my career. I was fortunate to have the support of a dean and my department chair at the University of Pittsburgh and the clinical leadership of University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) to develop pharmacy services for the newly formed institute. The services were developed in collaboration with a group of oncology pharmacists who took a big leap in starting oncology pharmacy services in inpatient, outpatient, and investigational drug services. Right place, right time, right team—and the energy to change the status quo.

What did winning this Award mean to you?

One of the best parts of winning this award was taking time to think about the people I have met during my career. So many people have touched my life and helped me learn how to be a better oncology pharmacist, but I realize that I haven’t always expressed my thanks. I wanted to publicly say “thank you” to those people, even if they weren’t present. This award gave me that opportunity.

How has receiving this award influenced your career development or career path?

It helped me realize how important it is to thank people at every opportunity. My successes were almost always shared successes. As oncology pharmacists, we see, far too often, that life can change in a moment. It is so important to show people that you appreciate them, in the moment.

What career or personal advice do you have for established or new oncology pharmacists?

As I age, I find I have more advice than people want to hear, so I am going to try to hit just a few key points.

• Lead with your strengths. I realize that this is not an original thought, but when I finally understood this concept during a leadership program, I realized the power of going forward with your strengths and partnering with people who have skills and strengths that you don’t have.
• Mentors are not assigned. I value the people who have helped me throughout my career, and they were often people with very different world views.
• Expressing your ideas is important, but learning when not to express those ideas is even more important. (I still work on this, obviously.)

If you could describe oncology pharmacists in one sentence, what would you say?

An oncology pharmacist is an individual who contributes to optimal cancer care through the application of individualized drug therapy.
(That was really hard!)

Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP
Bone Marrow Transplant Pharmacy Program Coordinator
PGY-2 Oncology Residency Program Director
St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute
Clinical Adjunct Faculty–Oncology
Idaho State University, College of Pharmacy
Boise/Meridian, ID

David “Dave” W. Henry, MS BCOP FASHP, was the winner of the 2015 HOPA Award of Excellence. This award, first given in 2005, recognizes a member who has made a significant and sustained contribution to improving or supporting hematology/oncology pharmacy or has given excellent leadership in that area. The award winners receive a lifetime membership in HOPA and are recognized at an awards ceremony at HOPA’s annual conference and given a platform presentation regarding their contributions. Dave is chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy.
In a January 2018 interview, he spoke about his career and what this award has meant to him.

What first drew you to HOPA, and how long have you been a member?

I joined HOPA a few months after its formation. Many of the founding members were oncology pharmacists whom I knew from attending previous national meetings. About this time it seemed to me that other organizations had fewer oncology programs at their national meetings, so having an organization, meetings, and opportunities for networking that were connected purely to oncology appealed to me at the time and still does.

How have you been involved in HOPA over the years?

In the early years of HOPA my involvement did not go beyond attending all the annual meetings and presenting at a few of them. From 2006 to 2011, I served on the Board of Pharmacy Specialists (BPS) Oncology Specialty Council, and I intentionally did not get too involved in HOPA because it was suggested to me that being heavily involved in HOPA or the American College of Clinical Pharmacy might represent a conflict of interest. (The BPS Oncology Specialty Council approves board certified oncology pharmacist [BCOP] continuing education and also oversees the BCOP examination.) In more recent years I have participated on HOPA’s committees working in the areas of nominations, awards, and leadership development.

What have you done to improve oncology pharmacy care at your places of employment that may have contributed to your winning this award?

I am a faculty member of the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, although I practice at the University of Kansas Health System. I can’t honestly say that I have directly improved care processes much, but I was the only experienced pediatric oncology pharmacist for about 30 years. I go on rounds with the team most of the time and try to follow patients in the electronic medical records close to 365 days per year and help in any way I can. I have helped in the training of our PGY-2 oncology residents every year, and I participate in most of their research projects, many of which I believe have affected oncology practice at our institution.
I served as chair of the Pharmacy Committee of the Pediatric Oncology Group from 1991 to 2000 and then was active in the Pharmacy Committee of the Children’s Oncology Group until 2010. I also served on the BPS Oncology Specialty Council for 6 years. I have coauthored the pediatric malignancies material in Applied Therapeutics for the last six editions and published a fair amount. I suspect that these activities played a large part in my receiving the award.

What did winning this award mean to you?

I have received other awards, but receiving this award from my oncology pharmacy colleagues at HOPA was the thrill of a lifetime. I was also lucky to have a number of past residents, current University of Kansas colleagues, and my pediatric oncology colleagues there at the conference; some of them arranged a group dinner for that evening that magnified the fun of the event.

What career or personal advice do you have for established or new oncology pharmacists?

My best advice is to always give your best effort and be reliable—people will notice. You also need to have patience because expertise and most forms of success usually come only with time. Last, do what you love doing, not what pays the most.

How would you describe oncology pharmacists in one word or one sentence?

I could describe them with one word: colleagues. The fact that so many oncology pharmacists are selfless patient advocates is what impresses me the most about my colleagues and makes me proud to be one.

Robert Mancini, PharmD BCOP
Bone Marrow Transplant Pharmacy Program Coordinator
PGY-2 Oncology Residency Program Director
St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute
Clinical Adjunct Faculty–Oncology
Idaho State University, College of Pharmacy
Boise/Meridian, ID

Niesha Griffith, RPh MS FASHP, was the winner of the 2016 HOPA Award of Excellence. This award, first given in 2005, recognizes a member who has made a significant and sustained contribution to improving or supporting hematology/oncology pharmacy or has given excellent leadership in that area. The award winners receive a lifetime membership in HOPA and are recognized at an awards ceremony at HOPA’s annual conference and given a platform presentation regarding their contributions. Niesha serves as an oncology services consultant for health care and industry and as an advising partner and consultant for McGivney Global Advisors. She has previously served as vice-president of cancer services for West Virginia University Medicine, administrator for oncology pharmacy and infusion services at the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University (OSU), and director of the health-system pharmacy administration residency program at the OSU Medical Center.

In a June 2018 interview, she spoke about her career and what receiving this award has meant to her.

What first drew you to HOPA, and how long have you been a member?
I have been a member of HOPA since the very beginning of the organization. I remember first hearing about this new organization and was excited to learn that it was dedicated solely to advancing oncology pharmacy practice. HOPA began around the time that I was in the process of building our clinical practice model at the James Cancer Hospital at OSU. I had recently visited MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and was impressed with the clinical specialist model and clinical services there. I knew that the pharmacy program at our hospital would need to become similar to meet the needs of the growing cancer program at Ohio State. With HOPA beginning about the same time that our own practice model design was under way, I felt that it would be good for the pharmacists to become members and take advantage of HOPA’s educational and networking opportunities. I sought approval from our CEO to pay for the memberships for all the pharmacists in that inaugural year.

How have you been involved in HOPA over the years?
I started my involvement in HOPA with membership on the legislative/health policy committee. Tim Tyler and Phil Johnson were both on the committee then, and I was fortunate to have their mentorship. Tim surprised me one day by letting me know that I would be vice chair and then, the following year, the chair.

In 2010, I became a member-at-large on the HOPA Board of Directors. In 2012, while on the board, I worked with Julie Ichiba, HOPA’s director of professional relations, to create the Industry Relations Task Force (now the Industry Relations Committee). Together we have worked to nurture and expand this committee into what it is today, providing HOPA the opportunity to work with and learn from members of the pharmaceutical industry. These relationships have brought great value and insight to our organization.

In 2012, I was elected HOPA president-elect and then served as president in 2013–2014. One of my primary goals was to create and launch a meeting focused solely on the unique oncology pharmacy practice management issues that face oncology leaders. With all the challenges that oncology pharmacy leaders face, our profession was lacking a meeting to help prepare future leaders and provide networking and information-sharing opportunities for those already in leadership positons. The meeting was successfully launched in the fall of 2013 and is now an annual offering that continues to grow in attendance and relevance. This year, the HOPA board honored my contribution by establishing the Niesha L. Griffith Keynote Lecture, to be given by an invited guest each year at the introduction of each Oncology Pharmacy Practice Management program.

What have you done to improve oncology pharmacy care at your places of employment that may have contributed to your winning this award?
I believe there are two key accomplishments that my colleagues felt qualified me as a candidate for this award—one being practice directed and one being patient care directed. First, I was involved in launching the disease-specific oncology clinical specialist model for both inpatients and outpatients at the James Cancer Hospital, one of just a handful of similar models in the country that put clinical specialists in the outpatient setting. Second, I started our medication assistance program to assist patients who could not otherwise afford their infused or oral chemotherapy and supportive care medications. We were one of the few organizations at the time to launch a robust program, first at James and then across the entire OSU system, that offered copay assistance or free medication for oral medications, copay assistance or free (replacement) medications for infused meds, and off-label support.

What did winning this award mean to you?
First and foremost, it was very humbling. Considering those who are past and current recipients, I count it an honor to become part of this group of outstanding individuals. I am extremely appreciative of the time and effort of Susannah Koontz, Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, and my co-workers and colleagues who provided the information needed for the award nomination. What meant the most to me in receiving this award was knowing that these individuals believed I was worthy and provided letters of support. As all of us in the pharmacy profession can attest, we put our patients and our profession first. I have worked hard my entire career to make a difference in the lives of my patients, co-workers, staff, and colleagues.

How has receiving this award influenced your career development or career path?
I think the biggest impact has been the way it helps me in my work today as a consultant. If someone had told me at the beginning of my career that in 25 years I would become a consultant, I never would have believed them. But with the growth of the cancer patient population, the expansion and mergers and affiliations of cancer programs across the country, the innovation and personalization of cancer care, and, frankly, the cost of cancer care, many organizations are seeking the help of outside experts. I am excited about the opportunity to assist individuals and programs in meeting their goals and providing a safe, high-quality, exemplary patient experience. This award highlights and recognizes the work I have done throughout my career to do just that, which certainly is a benefit.

What career or personal advice do you have for new or established oncology pharmacists?
I would say, “Do what makes you happy.” You can’t do something well if you don’t love what you do and are not passionate about it. If you wake up and dread going to work, it’s time to make a change. There are plenty of opportunities to diversify in our profession and go outside the traditional patient care and leadership roles—in the areas of research, teaching, industry, advocacy, and consulting, to name a few.

For most of my career I have told my residents, “Do what I say, not what I do” because I felt as though I did not have a good work-life balance. A wise friend once told me, “Your job will never love you as much as you love it.” Oh, how right she was! Organizations change as leaders change, and despite how much you have accomplished or how hard you have worked, your personal sacrifices are not as important to them as they are to you. Learn to balance the needs of your patients and organizations without sacrificing your own health and quality time with others. If you can’t find that balance, then it’s time to step back and consider what’s really important to you. There is a reason that so many HOPA members are making significant career changes today and leaving traditional healthcare roles. Though I applaud their decisions, I see this trend as a sad commentary on the state of health care today. Make work-life balance a priority in your life. You will never look back on your life and wish you had spent more time at work.

If you could describe oncology pharmacists in one sentence, what would you say?
Oncology pharmacists are dedicated, compassionate individuals who have committed their lives to working to improve the safety and quality of patients’ experience on their cancer care treatment journey.

R. Donald Harvey, PharmD BCOP FCCP FHOPA, was the winner of the 2018 HOPA Award of Excellence. This award, first given in 2005, recognizes a member who has made a significant and sustained contribution to improving or supporting hematology/oncology pharmacy or has given excellent leadership in that area. The award winners receive a lifetime membership in HOPA and are recognized at an awards ceremony at HOPA’s annual conference and given a platform presentation regarding their contributions. Dr. Harvey is an associate professor of hematology/medical oncology and pharmacology at Emory University School of Medicine. The developer of the Phase I Program at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute, he currently directs the Clinical Trials Section of that program.

During his first position at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Harvey developed one of the first anticoagulation services for hematology/oncology patients. He is a national and international speaker and served as the president of HOPA from 2010 to 2013. He has led several HOPA initiatives, served on a number of committees, and been a strong advocate for hematology/oncology pharmacists in research.

In a November 2018 interview, he spoke about his career and what the HOPA Award of Excellence has meant to him. 

Please describe your clinical practice setting and your research program.
I serve as the director of the Phase I Clinical Trials Section and Unit at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. The director’s office adjoins the unit, and I see patients enrolled in clinical trials on a daily basis. Our center enrolls approximately 250 patients in early-phase protocols annually, and, in conjunction with superb advanced practice providers and physician colleagues, we take care of them during all parts of their cancer treatment and supportive care while on trial. My research program is focused on the use of clinical pharmacology concepts and tools to improve treatment across all cancer types and phases of drug development. Some examples have been our collaborations on abiraterone dosing with food to improve pharmacokinetics and reduce costs, an ongoing intranasal ketamine bioavailability trial in opioid-refractory cancer pain, and predictive biomarkers of response to novel immunotherapeutics. I oversee a research team of 11 members, and we are moving to a new phase I unit space in January 2019, tripling in size and adding patient views of downtown Atlanta. It’s been an incredibly humbling and exciting time since I joined the Emory staff in 2007.

How long have you been a member of HOPA, and how have you been involved?
I joined HOPA in late 2004, began on the Education and Standards Committee, and have served as a member or chair of six committees or task forces, with a focus on research activities. I served on the board of directors as president from 2010 to 2013 and am on the Recognition Committee this year. I have been fortunate to speak regularly at the annual conference and to serve as an abstract reviewer and poster award judge. HOPA is and always will be my primary organizational home, and I will work to help make it the best organization for oncology pharmacists to call their own.

What would you define as keys to your success?
I try to look at all situations and people with an open mind and to surround myself with colleagues who are smarter than I am, to ensure that I am a lifelong learner. My professional goals are always patient focused, and I am driven by curiosity and a willingness to fail. I have a very supportive family, which also keeps me grounded. And there’s coffee.

Who was your mentor, and how did that person influence your career path?
Celeste Lindley was the first person who opened my eyes to the world of hematology/oncology pharmacy and where it could take me. She was a tireless mentor who taught me critical thinking skills. She also taught me that depth is more important than breadth and that we have to be the drug experts in the room of oncology. I learned a lack of boundaries from Dr. Lindley and since then have perpetually refused to stay in my professional lane.

What does winning the HOPA Award of Excellence mean to you personally?
The award is a pure reflection of the people around me who have influenced me, knowingly or unknowingly. I share the award with many of the giants of hematology/oncology pharmacy, and I am proud and humbled to be in their company.

What is one of the proudest moments of your career?
My proudest moments have come when someone I mentor has a “wow” moment. It may be understanding a new concept, getting an abstract or paper accepted, deciding on a research hypothesis, or selecting a career path. The ability to help others learn and grow has always been a top priority for me, partly because of the power of these moments.

Oncology pharmacists can have a profound influence on their patients and trainees. What would you like your patients, trainees, and colleagues to know about you?
I would like everyone to know these three things: (1) We have to continually place patients at the center of all that we do, and I have attempted to base my entire career on this concept; (2) I never thought I would be doing what I’m doing—any career path is likely to be circuitous rather than direct; and (3) I firmly believe in and live by a work-hard, play-hard philosophy—cancer has taught me to be the best father, husband, friend, clinician-researcher, and teacher today, not tomorrow. Work-life balance doesn’t mean you work less. It means you give your all every day to the things that matter most.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role in patient care?
I would say this: Don’t be afraid of hard work, of being uncomfortable, or of being wrong. Growth happens only in these three areas. If you find yourself overly comfortable, boredom, followed by dissatisfaction, is likely to ensue.

Interviewers
Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP
Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Educator
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD

Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Hematology/Oncology
Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center
Charleston, SC

Alex Shillingburg, PharmD BCOP, was the winner of HOPA’s 2018 New Practitioner Award, which recognizes an early-career HOPA member who has made a significant contribution to developing or supporting clinical hematology/oncology pharmacy services. Dr. Shillingburg is a clinical pharmacy coordinator at Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, where she specializes in malignant hematology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Early in her career, Dr. Shillingburg developed the role of a clinical pharmacist in the malignant hematology and stem cell transplant outpatient clinics at West Virginia University (WVU). Because of her innovative perspective and leadership skills, she quickly was asked to assume the post of director of the stem-cell collection and apheresis program. Dr. Shillingburg has continued to advance pharmacy practice at her new position with Atrium Health. She has identified several opportunities for patient care improvement and optimization. She is also highly dedicated to teaching and mentoring students and residents in the field of oncology and has recently become the PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Program Director at Atrium Health. She has served on a number of HOPA committees and has also spoken at HOPA’s annual conferences in the last several years. In November 2018, we asked Dr. Shillingburg to share some thoughts on her career and what winning the New Practitioner Award has meant to her.

In what practice setting do you work? Do you specialize in a specific tumor type? Briefly tell us about the type and number of patients that you see in your practice.
I currently practice at the Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) and Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), both part of the Atrium Health hospital network. CMC is a large public nonprofit hospital licensed for 874 beds, with a dedicated oncology unit and stem cell transplant unit, together comprising 52 beds. The Levine Cancer Institute is a comprehensive cancer care center with 25 regional facilities. The main building, where the majority of the 200 oncologists practice, consists of 68 infusion chairs (the number will increase to more than 100 in spring 2019) and offers numerous clinic and supportive services.

I specialize in malignant hematology and stem cell transplantation, along with five other pharmacists in my group. The six of us rotate monthly between the outpatient clinics (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and posttransplant) and the two inpatient service teams. Because we are a tertiary referral center, many patients with rare and highly refractory diseases are referred to us, and because we are the only stem cell transplant facility within a 75-mile radius, most patients with leukemia are referred to our care. On average, each of us cares for 20–30 patients daily.

How long have you been a member of HOPA, and how have you been involved during that time?
I became a member of HOPA as a PGY-1 resident in 2012 when I was planning to apply for PGY-2 residencies in oncology and wanted to become more involved in the leading oncology pharmacist organization. After joining, I was immediately incorporated into the Publications Committee and served as a member for 2 years. During that time, I authored several articles for HOPA News. I also proposed initiating “The Resident’s Cubicle” column, which would focus on issues relating to residents and residency programs. I wrote the three inaugural columns and have been thrilled to see its continued inclusion in HOPA News.

In 2014, I spoke at both HOPA’s Practice Management meeting and the Annual Conference on topics related to my experience at the WVU Cancer Institute when the institute was seeking Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) certification from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

In 2015, I sat on the BCOP Updates Course Committee for one term and worked with the group to develop the topics, review the content, and organize the review course program.

Early in 2018, I had the opportunity to join the Leadership Development Committee. I am really enjoying being involved with the numerous initiatives that group has planned, including launching the Mentorship Pilot Program and focusing on issues related to women in pharmacy leadership.

What have you done to improve oncology pharmacy care at your places of employment that may have contributed to your winning this award?
In my first position as a clinical specialist at WVU, I instituted and developed the outpatient clinical pharmacist’s role in the malignant hematology and stem cell transplant clinics. I instituted a pharmacist-run tacrolimus monitoring program for all patients after allogeneic transplant, revised the posttransplant immunization process, and implemented processes for monitoring many posttransplant complications. I was also asked to direct the stem-cell collection program and work with the nursing, physician, and stem-cell processing technicians to coordinate care of our healthy donor collections, autologous collections, and extracorporeal photopheresis patients.

I was also involved in many quality improvement initiatives and worked with cancer center leaders to maintain American College of Surgeons/Commission on Cancer and Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) accreditations. When the center was planning to apply for QOPI certification by ASCO in 2014, I was asked by the section chief of oncology to oversee the process. Over the course of a year, I coordinated this massive effort to update and submit the required policies, collate data from chart abstractions, and validate data collection processes; I then oversaw the onsite visits, after which we received our accreditation and an excellent review.

Since transitioning into my role at LCI, I have worked with our group to develop several new chemotherapy order sets, implement criteria for the use of glucarpidase, optimize the administration of high-dose etoposide, and revise the posttransplant immunization standards.

What would you identify as keys to your success so far in your career?
I think the major key to the success I have had so far is that I don’t set limits on where I can be involved. If I have the knowledge and ability to contribute to something and improve the care that we provide, I want to do that. Many of the roles I have taken on have been tasks that are not traditionally considered “pharmacy roles.” I often get surprised looks when I talk about my involvement with the stem-cell collection team or the QOPI certification team because it’s not typical for a pharmacist to fill those roles. I took the time to understand the needs and abilities of each group, I understand the clinical processes, and the rest is just good communication, desire, and effort. Instead of assuming it’s not something we can do, I ask, “Why not?” Be a peer reviewer for a journal as a resident? Why not? Mentor student research projects as a resident? Why not? Teach nursing classes on stem-cell processing? Why not?

What are your areas of interest pertaining to research and education?
My clinical areas of interest are chronic leukemias, growth-factor support, posttransplant complications, and posttransplant immune reconstitution.

My greater passion is the education and development of pharmacy residents. I have always loved being closely involved with residency training, providing professional and personal mentorship and guidance, and helping the residents progress to reach their full potential. Since moving to LCI, I have been extensively involved with both the PGY-1 program and the PGY-2 oncology residency, and I assumed the role of residency program director for the PGY-2 oncology program in July 2018. I have really enjoyed devoting time to improving the program and, most important, to developing my first official resident. I also have kept in touch over the years with several former residents whom I precepted or mentored. Seeing their successes as clinicians, as pharmacy advocates, as organization leaders, and as people is truly my greatest motivator.

What does winning the New Practitioner Award mean to you personally?
Receiving this award was a true honor, and I was incredibly thankful to have been selected from what I can only imagine was a pool of remarkable pharmacists. It feels very gratifying to know that others have recognized and appreciate the effort I have invested into my role as an oncology care team member. As I move forward in my career, I hope to continue to be a role model in the pharmacy profession and practice at a level deserving of this recognition. Being selected by a group of peers for whom I have so much respect and admiration has also given me the desire to inspire other early-career pharmacists to excel and be actively involved in collaborative efforts to improve the care of our cancer patients.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role in patient care?
My advice is to find something that motivates you, something that drives you to be more involved, something that interests and excites you. Whatever that is, you will need it to inspire you as you wade through the mundane, tedious, and politically sensitive tasks that are part of every job. Don’t let the fact that something may not be a typical role for a pharmacist stop you from jumping in and making a difference. And last, find something outside of your job that grounds you and gives you purpose beyond being a pharmacist. These friendships, hobbies, relationships, sports, charities, churches, and families—or whatever your release may be—allow you to appreciate complexity and gain perspective in life. These things make you a more well-rounded and satisfied person. These things will keep you from burning out and allow you to return to your very important job of improving the lives of our patients with cancer. Treating cancer every day tends either to make us blasé about very serious matters or to be a serious emotional drain. It is crucial to find a respite outside of work in order to stay focused and engaged while at work.

Interviewers
Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP
Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Educator
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD

Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Hematology/Oncology
Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center
Charleston, SC

Ashley Glode, PharmD BCOP, received HOPA’s 2019 Patient Advocacy Award at the association’s annual meeting, held in April 2019 in Fort Worth, TX. In an interview in spring 2019, she spoke about this award, her career, and her involvement with HOPA.

Please describe your clinical practice setting and the type of patients you currently see in your practice?
In my current clinical practice, I spend 2 days per week in the phase 1/gastrointestinal/head and neck/sarcoma clinic at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. We have a big clinic space to accommodate the large multidisciplinary team that provides care to these patients. I primarily meet with patients in the clinic to provide education on their new treatment regimens and help them navigate the complicated supportive care regimens that may accompany their treatment. I also help secure patients’ consent for participation in clinical trials and conduct toxicity assessments.

I serve as a resource to help manage side effects and unique toxicities and work with our support services to optimize a patient’s quality of life throughout the treatment journey. The remainder of my time is spent at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences teaching oncology topics to third-year pharmacy students and generating scholarship related to oncology pharmacy practice.

How long have you been a member of HOPA, and how have you been involved during your membership?
I became a member of HOPA during my PGY2 oncology residency in 2008. The expectation of the residency was that I would present my research at HOPA’s annual conference, so it made sense to join the organization at that time. I was blown away at the annual conference to have so many pharmacists in one place who were passionate about oncology. My prior exposure to pharmacy meetings had been those of American Pharmacists Association and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. I felt that I found a home in HOPA. I became a member of the Publications Committee in 2012 and remained on that committee until 2019. In 2014, I was selected to serve as the vice-chair of the committee and in 2016 I began serving as chair. It has been a great honor to work with so many talented and dedicated individuals on that committee and see HOPA News evolve over the last 7 years. I have also served as course director for the investigational drug services preconference at the annual conference (2016–2017), vice-chair for the Oral Chemotherapy Education Task Force (2017–2018), and chair of the HOPA Journal Task Force (2018–present).

What does winning the HOPA Patient Advocacy Award mean to you, personally?
It is a great honor to win this award. It means so much to be nominated by my peers and selected by the Awards Committee. Advocating for patients and improving their quality of life is what makes oncology pharmacy such an amazing career. We are lucky to meet inspiring patients in our clinical practice and learn from them so we can improve the treatment for others.

What would you define as keys to your success?
It is important to surround yourself with great people who will challenge you when you need it and support you when you’re on the right track.

Who was your mentor, and how did he or she influence your career path?
I have been fortunate to have a number of important mentors and cheerleaders throughout my career. During my PGY1 residency, Sam Abdelghany always took time out of his busy day to provide me with advice and sometimes the necessary distraction of challenging me to a Sudoku game. During my PGY2 residency, Grazyna Riebandt, my residency program director, took a vested interest in me as an individual and an oncology pharmacist. She taught me how to make pierogis from scratch in her home and how to conduct a thoughtfully designed research project. In my first position at the Medical University of South Carolina, Shannon Knight and Kathy Edwards were my rocks. Straight out of residency I thought I knew what I was doing, but I often second-guessed myself. When I needed a little push, they were always there to provide encouragement, and when I needed a friendly ear to bounce ideas off of or just to help me get through the day, they were there to listen. These are just a few of the many mentors I have had in my career.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role in patient care?
Make sure to listen to the advice of others, think about the information you are given, and then make the decision for yourself. Surround yourself with a network of mentors and nurture those relationships. As your career advances, you will need the advice of sage individuals more than you think. Provide mentorship to others as you are able and remember to pay it forward.

Interviewers
Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP
Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Educator
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD

Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Hematology/Oncology
Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center
Charleston, SC

In October 2018, Jill S. Bates, PharmD MS BCOP CPP, was awarded a research grant for her project “Implementation of a Preemptive Approach to Pharmacogenomics in Oncology.” The University of North Carolina School of Medicine and the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute awarded the grant. In an interview in May 2019, she spoke about her research, her career, and the sources of inspiration and motivation for her work.

Please describe your current position and the types of patients you see in clinical practice.
My current position is precision therapeutics pharmacist. In this role, I initiate, maintain, and develop strategic relationships and scientific communications to support the growing University of North Carolina (UNC) precision therapeutics program (PTP). I work collaboratively to create programmatic infrastructure for precision therapeutics. This includes creating tools such as clinical decision support in the electronic health record, increasing internal and external awareness of the UNC PTP, disseminating precision therapeutics education to patients and providers, developing institutional processes and guidelines for clinical implementation of precision therapeutics, and creating metrics for programmatic success. In addition, I develop and plan precision therapeutics–specific advanced training opportunities, actively contribute to the body of knowledge in precision therapeutics by publishing articles on the topic, and design and conduct precision therapeutics research. The focus of my position is working interprofessionally with the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Center for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy and throughout the UNC Healthcare’s department of pharmacy to utilize precision therapeutics as a foundational and proactive strategy for ensuring patient safety. [Note: In July 2019 Jill assumed the position of pharmacy program manager (pharmacogenomics) for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC.]

Please tell us about your research grant award and the potential impact of your research on patient care.
My research grant was awarded by the UNC School of Medicine and the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute for the study of emerging challenges in biomedical research. The study, which focuses on the implementation of pharmacogenomics in oncology, has two specific aims: (1) to evaluate whether leukemia and gastrointestinal oncology pharmacists, nurse practitioners/physician assistants, and oncologists who participate in continuing education programming and training on pharmacogenomics gain knowledge and self-efficacy, and (2) to integrate functionality into the electronic medical record by using discrete reporting and a clinical decision support platform to test implementation of six pharmacogenes relevant to 6-mercaptopurine, fluorouracil, capecitabine, rasburicase, voriconazole, allopurinol, and tacrolimus. The drug-gene pairs being evaluated have high levels of evidence to support their use. Given strong evidence, pharmacogenomics practices should be in place for these drug-gene pairs.

Pharmacogenomics is a proactive patient safety strategy. It hinges on pharmacokinetic mechanisms that affect drug disposition and can be applied to practice in a way similar to that used to adjust a medication for hepatic or renal dysfunction, allowing more data to accurately individualize a patient’s treatment. If there are data that can better individualize a patient’s treatment for a patient, those data should be applied.

How long have you been a member of HOPA, and how have you been involved?
I have been a member of HOPA for 13 years. Over this time I have been involved in multiple committees (related to standards, programming, education, and board certification review), and I served as a HOPA research grant proposal reviewer and a member of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Scope of Practice Task Force.

Who was your mentor, and how did he or she influence your career path?
I have had several wonderful mentors during my career. When I was a graduate student, Dr. John Mitchell (my masters thesis advisor) believed in me, took me onto his lab staff, and personally worked with me so that I could grow academically. During pharmacy school I had the honor of being mentored by Drs. Sandra Durley and Nicholas Popovich. Sandra is a wonderful role model of a woman in leadership. Nick (“Dr P”) created in me a deeper love of teaching and showed me how education can have an impact on the future of our profession.

As a clinician, I have been mentored by Drs. John Armistead, Sharon Murphy Enright, John Valgus, and Lindsey Amerine. I feel very grateful to have had such wonderful mentors—each has influenced my career path in a special way. John Valgus and Lindsey Amerine are coworkers of mine and have provided me with guidance and friendship over the years. Sharon and I worked together on the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ women in leadership task force, and whenever we connect, she consistently offers a refreshing and creative perspective on being a woman and having a career. Last, John Armistead has had a profound impact on my growth. He and I have regular telephone calls in which I usually am coming to him with a request for guidance. I asked John to mentor me outside of a formal structure, and he graciously agreed to do so. John has much experience and is a strong leader. In addition, we have many shared interests, including continuous professional development and advancement of the pharmacy profession. I highly regard his advice and perspective and seek them when needed. He has had a tremendous influence on my life. I feel truly grateful to have had such amazing mentors and can certainly say that I stand on the shoulders of giants.

What would you define as keys to your success?
My faith in God has been the primary key to any success I have had. In addition, my desire for connection and prioritization of connecting with others has been invaluable. I naturally like to meet people, to visit with and learn from others. I really do not think that I consciously recognized the value of this until much further on in my career path. Luckily for me, I have always been involved in professional organizations, and because I naturally enjoy people, I fostered many connections, albeit serendipitously. As I have matured into a more experienced clinician, and especially since moving into my pharmacogenomics role, I realize the value of connecting with others to grow as a person and in my practice and my program and to be the best I can be for any trainees that I am responsible for.

There are so many intelligent and awesome people out there—we should strive to surround ourselves with role models who have more experience and insight than we do. In addition, humility, openness to feedback with a growth mindset, and an interest in continuous professional development have been key for me. Though an emphasis on networking may seem a cliché, it is truly one of the most important things you can do to build a personal brand.

What is one of the proudest moments of your career?
My proudest moments are all about people. I love thinking about special patients with whom I have shared special moments, sometimes involving very intimate and vulnerable life circumstances. Or watching the success of residents and students with whom I have provided educational care. I love the year-end residency banquet, which gives a platform for reflecting on a resident’s growth over the course of the PGY2 oncology year. It is so amazing to see these graduates. I also am truly excited and proud of the students I have taught who come to share their “big wins” with me. I love watching these learners succeed and at times getting a little glimpse of a piece of me in their practice. I feel very proud to have influenced these learners and potentially others whom they will influence, as well as our profession as a whole.

Oncology pharmacists can have a profound influence on their patients and trainees. What would you like your patients, trainees, and colleagues to know about you?
I am a working mom. I have two children, Alex (9 years old) and Payton (7 years old), whom I adore. I have interests outside of pharmacy; for example, I am an avid runner and enjoy yoga. I love being outdoors, and I am deeply committed to my faith. I think that all these things are important because they are part of what makes me who I am. I bring all of myself to my career, and I work hard to integrate everything in a harmonious way. All these things have an impact on my growth and ultimately on those I connect with. I care deeply about people and relationships, and I think this is really important when managing yourself.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role in research?
I would say this: make a commitment to continuous professional development (CPD). In addition to having a good mentor, focusing on CPD is the best way to strategically grow into yourself. It takes practice to understand things that are life-giving and things that are life-sucking for you. Additionally, times change, and life-giving activities are not static; nor are they always the best option. It is well worth the effort it takes to identify areas of your passion and skill. Once you have identified these, stay open, seek feedback, practice essentialism, and work hard.

I like to move in accordance with this quotation from Theodore Roosevelt (it was brought to my attention by Brené Brown, one of my favorite authors): “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Interviewers
Lisa Cordes, PharmD BCOP BCACP 
Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Educator
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD

Kasey Jackson, PharmD BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Hematology/Oncology 
Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center
Charleston, SC

In February 2019, Kathryn (Katie) Culos, PharmD BCOP, was awarded the Pharmacy Special Interest Group (SIG) New Practitioner Award by the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). The award is presented to an ASTCT Pharmacy SIG member who has spent 1–5 years in the field and has made significant contributions in the area of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In an interview in November 2019, she spoke about her career, her involvement in HOPA, and the sources of inspiration for her work.

Please describe your current position and the types of patients you see in clinical practice.
Since finishing residency, I have worked as an adult cellular therapy clinical pharmacy specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). The majority of my patients are undergoing autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT); however, more patients are also receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. My involvement begins as early as when the patient is being presented as a candidate to receive HCT and includes preparation of all chemotherapy, prescribing of all prophylactic and supportive care medications, and monitoring through day 100 after HCT. We are fortunate to have the resources to do the majority of treatments on an outpatient basis, which allows me to rotate—with my colleague Dr. Katie Gatwood—every 3 months between our outpatient transplant clinic and the inpatient HCT unit. The variety of clinical settings involves different patient care roles and clinical duties, which keeps me engaged and on my toes!

Tell us about your ASTCT New Practitioner Award and what this means to you.
Receiving the ASTCT New Practitioner Award was truly an honor. I have been working very hard to establish my practice since residency, and it was very satisfying to be recognized for my dedication and hard work. It was also gratifying to feel appreciated by my peers at VUMC, whom I value highly. I was also greatly honored to be included in the company of the past awardees.

What have you done to improve oncology pharmacy care at your place of employment that may have contributed to your winning this award?
Since my arrival at VUMC, I have been a fierce proponent of advancing clinical pharmacy services for oncology patients. Particularly with the HCT team, I expanded the pharmacy role to direct patient care related to immunosuppression, supportive care, and an ambulatory collaborative practice agreement. Three years ago, we added a second HCT PharmD position, which created a full-time presence in the outpatient transplant clinic. This had a dramatic impact on the continuity of care as HCT patients move between inpatient and outpatient care and increased the quantity and quality of pharmacy patient visits. Within our HCT team, the pharmacist now provides a vital presence on committees responsible for quality, staff education, the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures, and the creation of an immune effector cell program, I have also been able to capitalize on the academic environment at VUMC and collaborate with interdisciplinary practitioners on numerous practice-changing research projects, publications, and presentations.

What first drew you to HOPA, and how long have you been a member?
I have been a HOPA member since I started my residency in 2011 and found it essential to define myself as an oncology pharmacy specialist. Involvement with HOPA has provided me many educational resources, important practitioner forums, and countless networking opportunities to develop my career and practice.

Who was your mentor, and how did that person influence your career path?
I am very fortunate to have had several key mentors during my career development. At my pharmacy school, the University of Illinois at Chicago, I had tremendous instructors and preceptors who guided and prepared me to pursue residency training. An early mentor, Dr. Shellee Grim, was brave enough to mentor my first publication during my second year in pharmacy school and set a bar for quality that I still strive to meet. Dr. Brad Cannon, a very impactful mentor to me throughout pharmacy school, was always available with honest and insightful advice. Both of my residency directors, Dr. Frank Paloucek and Dr. Sandra Cuellar, gave me independence while constantly challenging me to do more and think bigger. At VUMC I currently have an amazing group of physicians and colleagues who teach, challenge, and support my career growth.

What would you define as keys to your success?
I would point to having a clear vision of my goals, a strong work ethic, knowledgeable mentors, and an extremely supportive family. Within the first few months of pharmacy school I knew I wanted to be a clinical pharmacist, and not long after that I was drawn to oncology. Mentors coached me on how to get there, and I stayed focused and worked! Choosing my first position out of residency, I looked for an institution where I could continue to learn and be challenged. At VUMC I have been fortunate to work with a challenging and complex patient population alongside expert clinicians who trusted me with opportunities I appreciated. Each day I try to practice with an intense sense of ownership and respect for our profession and patients.

What advice would you offer to other oncology pharmacists who are either just beginning their career or expanding their role?
For new practitioners I say put yourself out there and welcome responsibility. Volunteer for committees, work groups, projects, and presentations. During your residency training you are constantly expected to take on new challenges, and that shouldn’t stop when you transition into practice. In order to expand your role, be curious. Educate yourself on the “why” of all your clinical practices and workflows. Often this process will help you identify areas of excellence to promote about your institution and practice or areas for improvement to investigate. Continual assessment will ensure that your practice is on the cutting edge and is focused on optimizing patient care.

What are your areas of interest in research and education?
I am interested in anything related to HCT or CAR T cell therapy! However, in the past few years our practice has evolved to include a much larger population of haploidentical-donor HCTs. We have conducted multiple investigations examining immune reconstitution following haplo-HCT, specifically looking at infection rate and type and post-transplant diabetes risks and impact. As the treatment armamentarium for acute myeloid leukemia has exploded, we are very interested in learning how to use these agents in the setting of post-HCT relapse. Finally, the approval of commercial CAR T cell therapy has created an exciting new treatment avenue with continual opportunities for education and innovation.

Interviewers
Sidney Keisner, PharmD BCOP
Assistant Director, Evidence-Based Prescription Drug Program
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy
Little Rock, AR

Renee McAlister, PharmD BCOP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Genitourinary/Melanoma Outpatient Clinics
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN