HOPA Now

It’s possible to come back from a breast cancer diagnosis at a young age – but not everyone who does decides to make it their mission to help others going through treatment. That’s exactly what Stephanie Adams, PharmD did. A HOPA member and infusion pharmacist at UAB medicine in Birmingham, Alabama, Stephanie isn't just a survivor, but a caregiver as well – and a passionate volunteer for breas...

Advocating for cancer care requires a deft touch from someone who can effortlessly navigate the halls of congress with a expert and bipartisan approach - and HOPA is lucky to have Jeremy Scott of CRD Associates on the hill on our behalf. Peter and Matt grill Jeremy on how HOPA members can get involved in our virtual and in-person hill days in Washington, D.C., as well as his personal connection to...

The HOPA Now Podcast is back! Matt and Peter chatted with patient advisory panel member and cancer survivor Kathryn Redden to learn about her effective methods for self-advocacy, and how it can benefit the practitioner as much as the patient.  Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org  

Matt and special guest co-host Jeremy Whalen sit down with HOPA members to discuss their unusual hobbies, how they strike a successful work-life balance, and explain how their side-hustles have actually helped them in their careers. Classical Hindustani vocalist Divya Khandekar; Professional Carolina Shag dancer and small business owner LeAnn Norris; and Harp-playing Past President LeAnne Kennedy...

HOPA wrote a book! Healing, Optimism, Pharmacy, and Advocacy: Stories and Perspectives from Oncology Pharmacists is the brainchild of President Robert Mancini and a dedicated task force headed by Kristen McCullough and Latha Radhakrishnan. This collection of 30 contributions from oncology pharmacists across 5 continents provides some incredible viewpoints and experience – some moving, some profoun...

One of the most common pathways to becoming a hem/onc pharmacist is through pharmacy school, followed by residency. It’s a path many of our members have undertaken. But what’s it like to experience that journey now?   Peter and Matt explore the student-to-resident pipeline with members who are currently undertaking it - LB Mason, a final-year pharmacy student at the University of Georgia in Athens...

Sick of hearing about AI in every aspect of your life? Want to know where it's actually needed, and where it can make a real difference in oncology pharmacy? Matt and Peter cut through the noise to figure out where it really fits into the future of Cancer Care in a special roundtable episode. They’re joined by experts in their field – Alan Yee, PharmD, MS, Research Pharmacist at Mayo Clinic in...

If you’re a new or expecting parent, finding the perfect work-life balance between your family and your profession (not to mention getting a good night’s sleep) can be tricky. HOPA Now is here to help – call it an early Christmas present!  We assembled an expecting mother, a new father, and a mother of twins to join Matt and Father-of-Four Peter to share their stories and tips on raising children...

Telehealth is not just on the rise – it's the new normal. And, in some cases, a vital lifeline for both isolated patients and overwhelmed, under-resourced institutions. Like every emerging healthcare trend, it has its ups and downs. But what are the nuances of delivering effective patient care through telehealth? What innovations are happening in this field that we can learn from? And what are the...

Cancer Care Deserts are becoming increasingly common across the United States. Vast areas of rural America in need of cancer care are underserved, under-resourced, and under strain. But sometimes the best and most creative solutions come under pressure.  Join Matt and Peter Stuessy, PharmD, BCOP, to learn about the efforts being made to combat the growing crisis with guests Wade Swenson MD, MPH, M...

Imagine if you had to contend with patients scheduling their treatments around Transpacific flights, "island time", and fishing season! What if everyday problems like drug shortages where even more challenging because you’re 6000 miles away from the mainland, or the only major cancer care center in your state? On this episode of HOPA Now, Matt takes on solo hosting duties, but he’s not alone. Join...

It’s hard enough being an Oncology Pharmacist, but it’s even harder when you have cancer yourself. Matt is joined by Peter Stuessy, PharmD, BCOP for a very special conversation with Ebtesam “Sammi” Ahmed, PharmD, MS, BCMTMS  – Oncology Pharmacist, triple cancer survivor, and Fulbright Specialist Grant recipient.  Sammi discusses how the journey is far from over when you ring the bell, survivor gui...

Psychedelic therapies remain controversial in some parts of the Hem/Onc Pharmacy space, but are beginning to enter the mainstream. It’s an area of cancer care that remains shrouded in misconception, but it might offer patients, caregivers and the bereaved exactly what they need if it is increasingly accepted and more effectively regulated on a wider scale.   Ben and Matt are joined by a panel of e...

Pain Management and Palliative Care are multi-faceted parts of Cancer Care that are sometimes misunderstood. Ben and Matt are joined by HOPA member Peter Stuessy, PharmD, BCOP, and Katrina Buretta, NP to learn about their work together at Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.   In this special joint interview, they find out about the realities of palliative care, different types of pain, and...

Climate Change affects everyone – but did you know how much of an impact it has on cancer care? And how much cancer care can contribute to climate change?  Matt and Ben learn about what can be done to combat climate change, and the cost of what happens if we don’t prepare for it on every level. To talk through everything from the staggering carbon footprint of cancer care, to how certain cancers a...

HOPA Now is back, and ready to talk burnout – something every listener will have experienced at some point – and alternative career pathways, an all-too-familiar part of the great migration. But there’s a glimmer of hope that things are improving!   Join Ben and Matt as they check in with Alison Gulbis, PHARMD, BCOP, FASTCT and Spencer Yingling, PharmD, BCOP to discuss everything from how to take...

Ben and Matt are back to delve into the world of Classical Hematology, with the help of HOPA member Justin Arnall, PharmD, FCCP, BCOP. The trio discuss everything you always wanted to know about Classical Hematology but were afraid to ask. Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org

Our first ever bonus episode! Matt and Ben continue the discussion on how we can improve the safety and accessibility of cancer clinical trials for the benefit of all patients, as well as wider access to treatments. HOPA members Lisa Janssen Carlson, PharmD, BCOP and Elyse MacDonald, PharmD, BCPS join them for wide-ranging conversations about AI and data analysis, as well as their institutions' ef...

Welcome to the first ever episode of HOPA Now, a podcast from the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, providing insight into the topics that Hem/Onc pharmacists and cancer patients are talking about. Hosts Benjamin Andrick, PharmD, BCOP and Matt Mueller are joined by HOPA member Jennifer Murphy, PharmD, BCOP and Shaunna Newton of CMRignite to discuss improving diverse representation in cance...