by Victoria | Nov 6, 2018 | Practice In Focus | 0 comments
Organization: NCODA
Location: Cazenovia, NY
Michael Reff, RPh, MBA, is the Founder & Executive Director of NCODA. NCODA is the first patient-centered organization dedicated to shaping the value proposition for medically integrated oncology practices. NCODA supports a membership of over 5,000 healthcare practitioners employed at over 900 practice settings. Michael established The Patient Rx Center at Hematology/Oncology Associates of Central New York, a medically integrated oncology pharmacy service focused on positive patient experiences with oral oncolytics.
Michael serves on the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Oncology Medical Home Certification Program Task Force and served on their Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Steering Committee. He also served on the Association of Community Cancer Centers’ Editorial Board, Government Affairs Committee, National Renal Cell Cancer Advisory Committee, and Dispensing Pharmacy Project Committee. He shares his passion for patients through delivering presentations and publishing articles addressing the importance of the continuity of care for oral oncolytics. Michael has extensive pharmaceutical industry experience, spanning many disciplines including oncology research, corporate compliance, international supply chain and biologics manufacturing.
Organization: Georgia Cancer Specialists
Location: Atlanta, GA
James Gilmore, PharmD is the Chief Pharmacy and Procurement Officer with American Oncology Network. Dr. Gilmore’s responsibilities include overseeing all pharmacy and procurement functions for the network. After earning his PharmD degree from Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, Dr. Gilmore received advanced clinical training in neonatal, pediatric and adult pharmacokinetics from Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta. Dr. Gilmore is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology, the Atlanta Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is a reviewer for Community Oncology and Advances in Therapy, and has co-authored over 65 published articles, abstracts and book chapters.
Organization: Florida Cancer Specialists
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Ray has been Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Services of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute since 2010. He is responsible for overseeing the operations of Florida Cancer Specialists’ Oncology Specialty Pharmacy, Rx To Go, including financial management, business development, new drug access, purchasing contracts, and overall formulary management. He served as a Staff Pharmacist at Naples Community Hospital, owner of a pharmacy in Pine Island, FL, and President/Chief Executive Office/Owner of OptionCare of Southwest Florida. Ray joined FCS as Pharmacy Manager. From 2005 to 2007, he served as General Manager of Walgreens/OptionCare of Southwest Florida. Ray serves as a member of Advisory Board at RT Oncology Services Corporation. Licensed in the state of Florida since 1981, he is active in numerous professional organizations, including the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the national Community Pharmacist Association and the Florida Pharmacy Association. Ray earned his bachelor and graduate degrees from the University of Georgia.
Organization: Oncology Consultants
Location: Houston, TX
Yen obtained a BS from Texas A&M University in College Station and her PharmD from the University of Texas in Austin. Being a pharmacist for 20+ years, her pharmacy background consist of PBMs, hospital, mail-order, retail chain, and community oncology. As a pharmacy manager at Kroger, she was awarded three years straight as the fastest growing pharmacy in sales for the Southwest Region of over 140+ stores. She then followed her passion of oncology by joining Oncology Consultants 16 years ago as their in-office dispensing pharmacist. Fast forward, Oncology Consultants is now the largest independent physician private practice in Houston with 14 clinical sites. Since then, she has started 2 additional specialty pharmacies and has obtain dual specialty accreditation with URAC and ACHC designation. The pharmacy has been the top producing pharmacy of the Oncology Circle Organization from across the country. Yen is one of the original Advisory Members and speaker for Specialty Oncology Network for ION and currently serves on the Executive National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA). She initiated the NCODA’s Cost Avoidance Waste Tracker and Financial Assistance Tool. Yen has extensive knowledge on GPOs, payer process, PBM contracts, pathways, etc. With her extensive experience, she is a currently a referral source for difficult cases throughout her practice.
Organization: AON
Location: Spokane, WA
Alicia Barnes, CPhT – Alicia has been a pharmacy technician for 7 years. She worked several years in retail before moving to Summit Cancer Centers in Spokane, WA as their Oral Chemotherapy Technician in their Medically Integrated Dispensary in 2018. In May of 2021, Summit Cancer Centers merged and became part of the American Oncology Network. With that merger, she came onto the Patient Assistance Team with AON Pharmacy. She has taken a huge liking to oncology as it is always changing and challenges her in new ways with every patient. In the past she has worked on prior authorizations, dispensing, patient assistance, IV Chemo preparation, as well as many of the IOD administrative duties. Currently, her main priority is to obtaining medications for patients at no cost. Alicia states that it is truly one of the most gratifying positions she has ever held and there is nothing better than those tears of joy when telling a patient that they will be able to receive their medication at no out-of-pocket cost to them.
Alicia has been a member of NCODA since 2018 and has participated on several committees, written articles for Oncolytics today, and participated in several PQI’s. She is also a mom of two human boys and two fur babies. You can often find her on the sidelines of some sporting event for her boys or camping somewhere in the mountains with my husband.
Organization: Executive Director of Oncology Pharmacy Services, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New
Haven Health
Location: New Haven, CT
Sam Abdelghany is the Executive Director of Oncology Pharmacy Services at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Health. Prior to his current role, he was the Coordinator of the Investigational Drug Service, where he supported Yale investigators conducting NIH, pharmaceutical, or Yale-sponsored clinical studies. Sam received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University Of Connecticut School Of Pharmacy and completed a residency in Oncology at Yale-New Haven in 2001. He also completed a Masters of Health Care Administration degree from Ohio University School of Management. He currently serves on various committees including the Yale Cancer Center Protocol Review committee, Yale University Science and Safety Committee, and the Yale University Institutional Review Board, as the Chair of the oncology board. Sam’s current research interest areas are real-world data with cancer therapies and oncology health economic and outcomes research.
Organization: NCODA President
and Executive Director of Pharmacy Operations, Texas Oncology
Location: Plano, TX
Jim obtained a BA from Northwestern University and his BS in Pharmacy from the University of Houston. After serving as supervisor or director of pharmacy for many years, he began work with Texas Oncology in 1995. After serving as a site pharmacy manager and then pharmacy area manager, he assumed his current position, Executive Director of Pharmacy Operations, in 2014. Texas Oncology, as the largest provider of oncology care in Texas, employs 420 physicians (med/onc, rad/onc, gyn/onc, urologists, and cancer surgeons) in 120 sites throughout the state. Oncology Pharmacy Services (dba Texas Oncology Pharmacy), owned by Texas Oncology, PA, has retail pharmacy operations in 40 of its sites. With the help of three area managers, Jim provides oversight for retail operations and also the provision of infusion drugs at all sites. He works with physician leadership on formulation and implementation of therapeutic interchange and cancer pathways at all sites. Jim serves on the US Oncology Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and the pharmacy operations subcommittee and is a member of TSHP and ASHP.
Organization: Lancaster Cancer Center
Location: Reading, PA
Bob has over forty years of increasing responsibility and varied experience in the hi-tech defense industry and health care. For the past twenty-nine years, Bob has worked in all aspects of medical practice management and consulting for various private groups, primarily as Chief Operating Officer for private hematology & medical oncology practices. Currently, he is COO for Lancaster Cancer Center, Ltd. He has authored numerous articles and presented to audiences nationally and internationally on business, HR, and management topics. He is on the Executive Council for the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association and various professional editorial and advisory boards.
He is a member of the International Society for Human Resource Management and the local SHRM affiliated Berks County Chapter #179 for over 33 years. For Chapter 179, he’s held all officer positions multiple times, including President twice, held several committee Chairs, and leads the Chapter’s professional certification study groups. He is also a subject matter expert for the SHRM Learning System. Bob was an Adjunct Instructor at local colleges for over 20 years, teaching business, management, and HR college credit courses. He produces and hosts a live 1-hour cable television show covering HR and business management topics.
He is a decorated combat veteran, having served three tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps as a machine gunner and infantry squad leader. Upon his Honorable discharge, he received his BS degree from The Pennsylvania State University and his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He also earned a Paralegal certificate and is a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Organization: Ironwood Research and Cancer Centers
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Linda has been a pharmacist since 1981 when she received her PharmD degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She spent over 20 years as a hospital pharmacist, working in Med-Surg, ICU, and Oncology Services. In January of 2004, Linda started with Arizona Oncology. She was the pharmacy manager for their infusion clinics in Phoenix, northern Arizona sites, and the Tucson area, being responsible for the drug management for 20 oncology sites as well as in-office dispensing of oral chemotherapy 12 locations throughout the state. Currently, Linda is working at Ironwood Research and Cancer Centers, also located in Phoenix, Arizona. This includes 10 sites of service and one central MID location that services all 10 sites. There are 51 medical oncologists and APPs, 10 radiation oncologists, 8 breast surgeons, and 3 gynecological oncologists, as well as urologists within the Ironwood practice. Linda’s role is similar to her prior role with the addition of an increased emphasis on providing clinical education to the nursing team.
Organization: Utah Cancer Specialists
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Randy is currently the chief executive officer of Utah Cancer Specialists, leading Utah’s largest community oncology practice, consisting of 16 medical oncologists, 3 radiation oncologists, 17 advanced practitioners, and 1 supportive care physician. The practice continues to grow and has over 250 employees spanning 11 locations. It also offers medically integrated dispensing and has a robust research program: community-focused, research-driven.
Prior to Utah Cancer Specialists, Randy worked for 18 years at UPS (United Parcel Service) in operations, health, and safety and ultimately as the Region Occupational Health Manager in Louisville, Kentucky, directing a department responsible for the occupational health of over 20,000 employees.
Randy is a Registered Nurse and earned his BSN in 1995 from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and his MBA from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, in 2009. Randy is married to his wife of 29 years, has four daughters and five grandchildren, and lives in Riverton, Utah.
Organization: Retail Pharmacy Manager, Alabama Oncology
Location: Birmingham, AL
Austin has been a pharmacist since 2006, when he received his PharmD at Auburn University. He has over eleven years of experience in retail pharmacy. In 2016 he assisted in the establishment and currently manages Alabama Rx, a retail dispensing pharmacy for Alabama Oncology. Alabama Oncology is a privately owned practice consisting of 22 oncologists across 7 sites in Birmingham, Alabama. Austin is responsible for the clinical aspects as well as the business side of the pharmacy operations, where he is in charge of the development of pharmacy protocols and daily operation procedures. Payer contracts, oral oncolytic education, and drug access are the primary focus of his job.
Organization: Tennessee Oncology
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Stacey McCullough, PharmD, is the Senior Vice President of Pharmacy for Tennessee Oncology, PLLC, one of the nation’s most prestigious community-based oncology practices. She works with executive and clinical leadership in synchronizing business acuity to clinical excellence and developing strategy for system implementation across multiple clinical sites. A passion for patients and collaboration with payers, pharma, and technology has catalyzed her successful and innovative approach to the development of Park Pharmacy, a medically integrated URAC and ACHC accredited pharmacy.
Dr. McCullough is a member of the Pharmacy advisory board (COPA) for Community Oncology Alliance (COA), the executive council for National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA), ASCO, and Tennessee Pharmacy Association (TPA). She serves on the editorial board for Pharmacy Time’s Directions in Oncology Pharmacy and has presented at national COA, NCODA, PCOC, AVBCC, AJMC, ASCO Quality, and numerous GPO and pharma conferences. She is published in Direction in Oncology, AJMC, and JOP, has been interviewed for NPR, presented posters and abstracts at NCCN and ASCO Quality, and is actively engaged in numerous advocacy and advancement efforts and integration of pharmacy practice.
She received her BS and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Auburn University and completed pharmacy practice residency at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.
Organization: Florida Cancer Specialists
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Paul is the CPO for Florida Cancer Specialists with responsibilities and oversight for the in-clinic IV drugs and our Medically Integrated Oral Specialty Pharmacy. Prior to joining FCS he worked for ION Solutions in may roles for the GOP including Account Manager, East Coast Director, and Director of Sales and Corporate Services, acting in many different capacities as the liaison between industry and clinical practices. Formerly, Paul was a published pathology researcher and previously a Financial Analyst for an oncology practice in New York City. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego and is currently working on his Masters in Applied Mathematics at Hunter College in New York City.
Organization: Retail Pharmacy Manager, Alabama Oncology
Location: Birmingham, AL
Austin has been a pharmacist since 2006, when he received his PharmD at Auburn University. He has over eleven years of experience in retail pharmacy. In 2016 he assisted in the establishment and currently manages Alabama Rx, a retail dispensing pharmacy for Alabama Oncology. Alabama Oncology is a privately owned practice consisting of 22 oncologists across 7 sites in Birmingham, Alabama. Austin is responsible for the clinical aspects as well as the business side of the pharmacy operations, where he is in charge of the development of pharmacy protocols and daily operation procedures. Payer contracts, oral oncolytic education, and drug access are the primary focus of his job.
Organization: Norton Cancer Institute
Location: Louisville, KY
Oral Oncology Nurse Mary is a graduate of the University Of Kentucky College Of Nursing. She has over 30 years’ experience in oncology at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, KY. She started her career in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant before caring for the adult oncology population in the outpatient sector. In her current role, Mary serves as the oral oncology nurse navigator for the Norton Cancer Institute. Mary collaborates with the Norton Specialty Pharmacy and the interdisciplinary staff in the institute’s 8 outpatient clinics. She co-developed and oversees the nursing oral chemotherapy process, educates staff and provides ongoing support and education to patients taking oral oncolytics. Mary is past- President of the Greater Louisville Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. She authored chapters for the 2018 edition the of Oncology Nursing Society’s Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice, including the chapter on oral adherence. Mary is a community champion in the ONS Oral Adherence virtual community. She also has a strong interest in advocating for patients and her profession, having participated in the first ONS Capitol Hill Days in September 2016.
Organization: Memorial Cancer Institute
Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida
Luis E. Raez is the Chief Scientific Officer & Medical Director at Memorial Cancer Institute (MCI)/Memorial Health Care System. He is also the Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program. He is the immediate past President of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) and CoDirector of the MCI/FAU Florida Cancer Center of Excellence designated by the Florida governor, one of the five cancer centers in Florida. He is also a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Florida International University (FIU), Visiting Professor of Medicine at Cayetano Heredia University in Peru, and Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). He was an Associate Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health, and a Co-Director of Thoracic Oncology at Sylvester Cancer Center/University of Miami for 10 years (2001-2011). He has expertise in medical oncology in lung cancer and head and neck cancer. He designs phase I-III clinical trials with new chemotherapeutic agents and combinations. In addition, Dr. Raez does translational research and clinical research. He has been funded by NCI and the pharma industry. He has given oral presentations and lectures in national and international meetings in the US, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. He has been the Chairman of the IASLC Latin American Group (LATAM) since 2018; Chair of the IASLC Membership Committee from 2015-2018; International Chair of the IASLC-Latin-American Meeting (LALCA) since 2014; Chairman for the “Miami Best of ASCO” since 2014, Chair and Founder of the “Miami Cancer Meeting (MCM)” since 2002, Co-Chairman at the “Puerto Rico Fall Cancer Symposia (FCS)” since 2010.
He is one of the founder members of the Oncology Latin-American Association (OLA). He is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. He is board eligible in Hematology. He is a member and serves in several committees at AACR, OLA, ESMO, ASCO, IASLC, ALLIANCE, NCCTG, ACCP, ACP, ACSG, SLACOM, FLASCO, among other institutions.
Organization: Geisinger Cancer Institute
Location: Bloomsburg, PA
Dr. Rajiv Panikkar is Chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute, a multispecialty oncology practice serving the majority of central and northeast Pennsylvania. He leads several large clinical practice groups across 11 hematology/oncology, 6 radiation oncology, and 4 palliative medicine sites in the state. He also serves as the Principal Investigator of Geisinger Cancer Institute’s National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) award, a collaborative network designed to conduct oncology clinical trials and generate new knowledge through cancer care delivery research.
In 2016 he led the establishment of the Center for Oncology Research and Innovation (CORI) to align oncology research, innovation, analytics, and education. CORI maintains a broad and growing project portfolio that involves the conduct of clinical trials, cancer care delivery research, advanced data analytic programs, care redesign implementations, and a focus on patient and family engagement. In addition, he leads the clinical oncology programs, which leverage Geisinger’s high-quality patient care, fully-integrated healthcare system, large, stable patient population, advanced electronic health record, and clinical data warehouse to advance cancer care while developing novel value-based delivery models.
Organization: South Carolina Oncology Associates
Location: Columbia, SC
Jan Montgomery graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in Pharmacy and attended the University of Florida for her PharmD. She has worked in many facets of pharmacy during her career – hospital, retail, home infusion, psychiatry, and oncology. Jan has been the Director of Pharmacy at South Carolina Oncology Associates (SCOA) for approximately 25 years. SCOA is a private oncology practice in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, with 11 Medical Oncologists, two GYN Oncologists, and five Radiation Oncologists. Jan oversees the infusion pharmacy as well as the retail pharmacy. In March 2016, the Southern Carolina Oncology Retail Pharmacy received URAC accreditation. Jan has responsibility for the clinical aspects as well as the business side of the pharmacy operations. Contracting and GPO management are important parts of her job duties. She has served on numerous advisory boards, speaker bureaus, and forums during her tenure as a pharmacist.
Organization: Chesapeake Urology Associates
Location: Towson, MD
Benjamin Lowentritt, MD, serves as Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotics and Director of the Prostate Cancer Care Program at Chesapeake Urology. Dr. Lowentritt has been selected as a “Super Doctor” by his peers in The Washington Post Magazine and a “Top Doctor” in Baltimore magazine numerous times. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Baltimore City Medical Society and is President of the AUA, Mid-Atlantic Region.
Organization: UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica Hospital
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Dallas is an oncology nurse by trade and by heart. She graduated from California State University Channel Islands with her BSN in 2014 and has worked at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, CA since then. During this time, she has spearheaded quality improvement projects that have been presented across the country, she has published an article on chemotherapy desensitization, and has led groups of nurses overseas to volunteer in providing basic medical screenings to the Tibetan Buddhist refugee population in India.
Her nursing niche is oncology and palliative care, where she fiercely advocates for patients along the entire trajectory of cancer care, from diagnosis to survivorship or hospice. Her passions include symptom management, increasing access to care, and improving the death literacy of communities through end-of-life education.
Dallas is at the forefront of her career, recently graduating with her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Loyola University New Orleans (2021). She implemented a novel referral program to increase access to cancer support services for oncology patients in Southern California for her DNP project. She has received the Nurse Scientist of the Year (UCLA, 2018) and the Nightingale Award (Loyola University New Orleans) for her commitment to the profession of nursing. She hopes to work in either palliative care or oncology as she embraces her new role as a nurse practitioner. She lives in her hometown of Ventura, CA, where she is surrounded by family.
Organization: M Health Fairview
Location: Maple Grove
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Dr. Hanna’s research interests are focused on outcome measures for patients with rare diseases, B-cell malignancies, and genitourinary cancers. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed manuscripts in various journals, including Pharmacotherapy, AJHP, JOPP, AJMC, and JHOP. He is also an active member of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
Organization: Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
Location: Gainesville, FL
Dr. Lucio Gordan earned his medical degree from the State University of Londrina College of Medicine in Londrina, Brazil. He later completed his internship and residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. After finishing his residency, Dr. Gordan was awarded a fellowship in Medical Oncology/Hematology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. He is Board-certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine.
Currently, Dr. Gordan serves as the president & managing physician of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) and practices at the FCS Gainesville Cancer Center. He also serves as a member of the board of directors for Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and Florida Association of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO).
As a cancer researcher and the recipient of research grants, Dr. Lucio Gordan is actively engaged in clinical studies. His work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals. In addition, he serves on the editorial board of several oncology journals. In 2013, Dr. Gordan was awarded the prestigious FRIST Award from the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in recognition of his service in the Gainesville community and at North Florida Regional Medical Center. Frequently, he participates in national and international meetings as a speaker and key thought leader.
Married and the father of one child, Dr. Gordan enjoys traveling, reading, horseback riding, and photography.
Organization: Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Stuart Genschaw is the Chief Executive Officer for Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan (CHCWM). The practice has numerous locations throughout West Michigan. He serves on numerous local, state, and national boards, such as Community Oncology Alliance (COA). He is an active consultant and advisor to physician practices and pharmaceutical companies. Stuart received his MHA from Western Michigan University and MBA for the University of Colorado.
Organization: New York Oncology Hematology
Location: Albany, NY
Dr. Egerton earned a BS from Niagara University and a BS and PharmD from the Albany College of Pharmacy. She attained her Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy in 2006. Dr. Egerton is currently employed as Area Manager of Pharmacy Services for New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH) in Albany, NY. She is responsible for managing the practice’s chemotherapy infusion program, stem cell transplant, investigational products for research/clinical trials, and in-office dispensing of oral therapies. Dr. Egerton has extensive experience in collaborative discussions with managed care organizations related to clinical pathways, therapeutic interchange, and contracting for the dispensing of oral oncolytics at the practice level. Dr. Egerton has authored several articles and presented at various meetings on topics related to cancer therapeutics and patient management in the outpatient setting. She also serves on the US Oncology Pharmacy and Therapeutics and Collaborative Care subcommittees.
Organization: Texas Oncology
Location: Dallas, TX
Neal Dave is the Executive Director of Pharmacy for Texas Oncology which
oversees both oral and IV medications. Neal joined Texas Oncology in 2005
and has previously held roles as a Pharmacy Manager and Area Pharmacy
Manager. In addition, he is currently on the US Oncology’s P&T Exec Committee
and has been a member since 2018. Neal earned his PharmD degree from the
University of Texas.
Organization: HOACNY
Location: Syracuse, NY
Jonas graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy in 1989 and has practiced as an oncology pharmacist for almost all that time. He has a broad range of oncology experience ranging from hospital inpatient, outpatient, and community oncology practice. He currently serves as the Director of Pharmacy Services for Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York (HOACNY), a large multi-specialty community oncology practice with four practice locations, 17 physicians, and 260 employees. Pharmacy services at HOACNY include clinical drug information management by oncology pharmacists, infusion chemotherapy delivered from USP 797 certified clean rooms, oral chemotherapy and supportive medications dispensed from The Patient Rx Center, our physician dispensing department, and clinical research support with protocols provided through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
Organization: Medical Director of Oral Oncolytics, Texas Oncology
Location: Dallas, TX
Barry Brooks is a physician shareholder who specializes in medical oncology and hematology, working in Texas Oncology, the world’s largest community oncology practice with 430 oncologists. Dr. Brooks is a founding member of Texas Oncology and currently serves as chairman of P&T for TOPA. Texas Oncology is part of the US Oncology Network and Dr. Brooks has served as its physician lead on the US Oncology drug contracting committee since 2005. He has been a member of the executive committee of P&T for US Oncology since 2005 and served as chairman of P&T from 2011 until 2019. He currently serves as Medical Director for Oral Oncolytics for McKesson Specialty Health and the US Oncology Network. Dr. Brooks was a founding member of the US Oncology’s Pathways Task Force which was the originator of putting clinical pathways into everyday use in oncology practice. He is a member of the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA) executive committee and is an active member of the US Oncology and Texas Oncology legislative political action committees where he advocates for the interests of community oncology. He is also a member of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). Dr. Brooks still sees patients about half time and spends the rest of his time talking to drug manufacturers, providers, and pharmacists about all aspects of oncology medications. When he is not working, Dr. Brooks can be found on his golf course or in the water with a fly rod in his hand.
Organization: Karmanos Specialty Pharmacy
Location: Troy, MI/p>
Lucius Daniel, PharmD, ACE, has been a member of the Karmanos Cancer Center since March 2018, and has diverse pharmacy background with experience in medical affairs/market development in the pharmaceutical industry. Lucius earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Wayne State University and completed his Doctor of Pharmacy studies at the University of Florida-Gainesville. He began his career in the pharmaceutical industry with Eli Lilly and Company, and later transitioned Merck and Company as the Regional Health Science Associate covering a large geography in Michigan. Lucius also has experience in retail pharmacy and before joining, the team at Karmanos Cancer Center held a position at McLaren Oakland as the 340(b) Program Manager. Since joining the specialty pharmacy team at Karmanos, Lucius has been involved in establishing the initial activities with specialty pharmacy. These activities range from oral oncolytic product procurement within limited distribution networks, to involvement with all planning activities associated with bringing KSP online. Additionally, he has been able to forge strong collaborative relationships with all the MDT teams at Karmanos Cancer Center Network. He has also been instrumental in helping the KSP team manage oral chemotherapy with a focus side effect management, improving medication adherence, and aiding care teams by documenting clinical information back to MDT care teams. Lucius has spearheaded development of policies/procedures, established clinical pharmacy protocols with physicians that have been useful in prior authorization processes and aided in reducing treatment gaps for inpatient hematology cases. He has compiled documentation for URAC accreditation, streamlined processes related to workflow and prescription order processing, created a protocol to identifying oral oncolytic copay funding mechanisms and developed the current KSP workforce.
Organization: Alabama Oncology
Location: Birmingham, AL
Brandi Gudwien, CPhT (Member-at-Large) – Brandi is a patient advocate and a nationally certified pharmacy technician with a master’s in public health. She has three years’ experience in an oncology practice setting, as well as three years’ experience in specialty pharmacy. As someone who has lost a loved one to cancer, Brandi understands how important it is to have a multidisciplinary team willing to help navigate what can sometimes feel like the unknown. She loves being a part of that caring system for her patients.
Organization: Arizona Oncology
Location: Prescott, AZ
Teri is an Oncology Pharmacy Technician, Admixture and Oral Medications at Arizona Oncology. She has been there for 14 years. Teri has her Certified Pharmacy Technician Certificate from Yavapai College & a Medical Records Specialist Degree from Arizona Institute of Business and Technology.
Organization: Gettysburg Cancer Center
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Sara has been working as a nationally certified pharmacy technician for 12 years. She has worked in both the retail and hospital settings before coming to Gettysburg Cancer Center. She received a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration from Shippensburg University. In her spare time, she loves to cook and bake and enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, their two boys, and her family and friends.
Organization: Virginia Cancer Specialists
Location: Fairfax, VA
Linda Grimsley is a Certified Pharmacy Technician working as a Retail Pharmacy Supervisor who works with patients to provide quality, ethical and lasting care. Linda assisted in the development and success of the In-Office Dispensary (IOD), now Retail Pharmacy, at Virginia Cancer Specialists. Her current focus has been cost effective medication management programs, therefore, creating and implementing work processes to ensure patients are able to expeditiously start treatment with the minimal out-of-pocket medication expense. Linda believes that we are not here just to treat a person’s cancer but the entire person which often includes financial support. Linda has worked in a pharmacy setting for 15 years and is licensed in Virginia and Maryland along with being Nationally Certified by PTCB. Linda holds an Associate degree in Pre-Pharmacy and a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Organization: Kelsey-Seybold Cancer Clinic
Location: Houston, TX
Joel Sanchez is the designated person of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Cancer Services, Joel received his bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of San Carlos in 1993 and since then he started working as retail pharmacist in 3 different countries, (Philippines, Qatar, Bahrain), he had worked as procurement pharmacist in London, UK for 13 years, since moving to the United States, he had been working as pharmacy technician. Joel is involved in the implementation of USP 800 by writing new SOPs and maintaining USP 797 standards, training, audits, and competencies for all staff.
Organization: M Health Fairview
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Emily is a Business Operations Coordinator at M Health Fairview for the Ambulatory/Oncology Infusion Pharmacies in Minneapolis, MN. Emily provides support for four hospital and academic based outpatient infusion pharmacies/clinics, and an oncology infusion finance team. Emily has been with M Health Fairview for 4 years and has previous experience with compounding and preparing intravenous and injectable medications, as well as managing compounding pharmacy technicians. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Benedict and completed a post – baccalaureate Public Health Certificate at the University of Minnesota.
Organization: Clearview Cancer Institute
Location: Huntsville, AL
Christine Robinson is a Clinical Data Analyst at Clearview Cancer Institute, where she performs data mining, analysis, and interpretation of results. Christine has experience working as a Lead Pharmacy Technician for over 10 years. In her spare time she loves to be outdoors with her two children and golden retriever, Ruby.
Organization: The Ghosh Center IOD
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Becki Tinder, CPhT (Chair) – Becki has been a pharmacy tech for over 25 years in just about every possible setting. Currently, she serves as the Director of Dispensing Services at The Ghosh Center IOD in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Her role includes managing all operations of the medication dispensary, prior authorizations, financial assistance, and all mixing of the chemotherapy for their infusion center.
She has a passion for being able to help others, especially during difficult times in their lives. “If I can help to relieve the stress of one patient, for even one moment of this journey, then I have succeeded,” states Becki.
Organization: Sutter Health
Location: Lafayette, CA
Dr. Taymuree earned a BA from UC Berkeley and PharmD and MBA from the University of Maryland. Dr Taymuree is currently employed as Oncology Manager, Pharmacy Services for Sutter Health, system wide. Sutter Health, a not for profit organization, serves over 100 communities and provides coordinated care to 3 million lives in Northern California. Dr Taymuree is responsible for managing Clinical Pathways, authoring guidelines and policies and developing pharmacy initiatives. She serves as the liaison for pharmacy between Sutter Health’s medical oncology providers and nursing. Her previous experience includes community oncology, community pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry. At her previous community oncology medical group, Dr Taymuree developed and managed a MID as well as infusion services.