The PQI Podcast

Life didn’t pause when Ashley Cartun was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2023. She was teaching college full-time, raising two kids under six, and traveling to support her husband’s NCAA basketball season. Then came five months of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries — and the work of staying whole while everything changed.  In this episode, Ashley shares what truly helped: friends...

What do pharmacy, the United Nations, and a love of art have in common? For Dr. Ornesha Watson, Associate Director at Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, global health advocate, and cancer survivor, each step has shaped her passion for equity and patient-centered care. In this episode, she talks about growing up in Jamaica, working in international health, and how both her father’s cancer diagnosis a...

How can genetic insights change the way we treat cancer? In this episode of the PQI Podcast, Dr. Soni Tuteja , Director of Pharmacogenomics at Penn Medicine, shares how her team put pharmacogenomic testing into practice — and the impact it’s had on patients. She highlights findings from her Journal of Clinical Oncology article on DPYD and UGT1A1 testing in GI cancers, showing how pre-treatment tes...

Cancer now accounts for nearly two-thirds of firefighter line-of-duty deaths — a risk that extends long after the sirens fade. After 25 years with the Georgetown, Kentucky Fire Department, retired Chief Tim Thompson has made it his mission to change the way fire service approaches cancer prevention. On this episode of The PQI Podcast , Chief Thompson shares how his department integrated advanced c...

On this episode of the PQI Podcast, we sit down with Jenny Hoang, PharmD , a 2024 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and pharmacist at Texas Oncology. Jenny shares how her uncle’s cancer diagnosis inspired her career — and how she’s already making an impact through an innovative pilot program that brings the Five Love Languages into oncology care. This 6-week program, developed in colla...

We are thrilled to open Season 9 of the PQI Podcast with a powerful episode featuring Deborah Wong, MD, PhD, Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA and Director of the Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program. This conversation spans the full spectrum of oncology care — from groundbreaking trial data to the everyday realities of supporting patients, families, and care teams. Dr. Wong offers a timely l...

What does the future of cancer care look like? From replacing IV chemo with oral agents to game-changing advances in bispecific and trispecific therapies, this special bonus episode dives deep into the most exciting—and practice-changing—developments from the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. NCODA’s Kelly Brunk, PharmD, BCOP, returns from ASCO energized and ready to share his top takeaways in a candid co...

What happens when cancer becomes part of your life—but work doesn’t stop? In the Season 8 finale of The PQI Podcast, we sit down with Rebecca Nellis, MPP , Executive Director of Cancer and Careers , for an eye-opening conversation about a part of survivorship that often gets overlooked: navigating work during and after treatment . From the stress of disclosing a diagnosis to managing side effects...

With more adults living longer, oncology is facing a critical challenge: how to provide cancer care that reflects the realities of aging. In this episode, Dr. Dale walks us through the creation of SOCARE (Specialized Oncology Care and Research in Elders), a clinic that evaluates patients’ physical function, cognitive health, and social environment before treatment begins. This kind of assessment l...

In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Heimall , President and CEO of the HealthWell Foundation, to talk about the growing importance of financial assistance in oncology and chronic illness care. Michael shares his journey from leading some of the nation’s top military and veterans’ medical centers to helping patients access critical treatment through HealthWell’s innovative funding programs. He...

Melanoma treatment has advanced significantly over the past decade, and it continues to evolve. In this special Melanoma Monday episode, we are joined by Kendra Rodriguez, PharmD, PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident at UW Medical Center / Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, to explore where we are now in the treatment landscape—and what’s on the horizon. Kendra walks through recent data from the NADINA and...

Lorlatinib is reshaping first-line treatment for ALK-positive NSCLC—but its distinct side effect profile demands proactive, personalized management. In this episode,  Stefanie Houseknecht, PharmD, BCOP (Johns Hopkins Medicine) and Monica Chintapenta, PharmD, BCOP (Parkland Health)share how they’re navigating real-world use of lorlatinib, from interpreting long-term data to counseling patients thro...

When Madison Marsh stepped into the spotlight as Miss America 2024, she brought more than just a crown—she brought a mission. In this episode of the PQI Podcast, Madison shares the deeply personal story behind her advocacy for cancer awareness and early detection. A Harvard student,  founder of the Whitney Marsh Foundation, and first active duty military member to be crowned Miss America, she is t...

As bispecific therapies become more available in the outpatient setting, community oncology practices are adapting to support safe and effective treatment. In this CE episode, we sit down with Nick Bouchard, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy Services at Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York (HOACNY), to explore how his team built a successful outpatient bispecific therapy program from the...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Hughes, PharmD, BCOP, MPH, Senior Medical Director at Pfizer, who shares his expertise on the clinical trial landscape. With years of experience in oncology research and clinical pharmacy, Dave breaks down the key phases of clinical trials—from early-stage safety assessments to confirming effectiveness in large populations. Understanding these phases is essent...

Effective oncology care thrives on collaboration, and in this episode, we’re joined by two trailblazing oncology nurses, Elizabeth Bettencourt, MSN, RN, OCN, and Mary Anderson, BSN, RN, OCN, who share their wealth of experience and passion for improving cancer care. Together, they introduce a newly developed Positive Quality Intervention (PQI) within the Oral Anticancer Medication (OAM) Care Compa...

How can we truly deliver patient-centered care without understanding our patients’ cultural backgrounds? In this episode of The PQI Podcast , Kafilat Salawu, DNP, FNP-C, AOCNP, BCPA, nurse practitioner, and Founder of FIDES Health Advocates, shares powerful insights on culturally competent care in oncology. Drawing from her personal journey and over 15 years of experience, she provides valuable in...

In this episode of The PQI Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Samira Daswani, founder and CEO of Manta Cares. As a cancer survivor, Samira knows firsthand the challenges of navigating the cancer journey. Driven by her own experience, she created Manta Cares to provide survivors and caregivers with tools that offer both practical support and peace of mind. We'll talk about how her personal story sha...

For many cancer patients, the journey to treatment can be just as challenging as the treatment itself. What if that journey could be shortened—by bringing care directly to their homes? In this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Jennifer Hunsey, BSN, RN, Nursing Program Coordinator at Mayo Clinic Florida, to explore the innovative Cancer Care Beyond Walls initiative. This groundbreaking progra...

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re joined by Chara Reed, Senior Director of National Sales, who has spent over 30 years making an impact in pharmacy and healthcare. From her start as a pharmacy technician to leading in the specialty medication space, Chara has built a career centered on leadership, mentorship, and advocating for women in the field. As the founder of the Pharmacist...

Staying connected during a health journey is essential for both patients and their loved ones. In this episode, we welcome Jay Drayer, founder of CareFlash, and Steven Paulson, MD, President and Chairman of Texas Oncology, to discuss how CareFlash communities provide a unique space for sharing updates, offering support, and easing the emotional challenges of caregiving. Jay founded CareFlash in 20...

Ilana Graetz, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at the Winship Cancer Institute. Dr. Graetz’s research centers on leveraging health information technology to transform care delivery and improve patient outcomes. As the principal investigator and co-investigator on numerous federally...

In this premiere episode, Jessica White, PharmD, VP of Speciality Portfolio & Programs at McKesson, brings over 20 years of experience to the table. From managing oncology’s generics portfolio to fostering manufacturer relationships, Jessica shares her unique insights into the strategies that can help navigate drug shortages and ensure continuity in patient care. Tune in as Jessica emphasizes the...

In this special bonus episode of the PQI Podcast, we’re celebrating NCODA’s own Sharita Howe, Associate Director of Partner Development and Strategy, and a 2025 MM+M 40 Under 40 honoree. Sharita takes us through her career journey, from her early days as a retail pharmacist to her current leadership role at NCODA, where she’s driving meaningful changes in oncology care through collaboration and pa...

In this special holiday episode, they’re looking back on 2024’s highlights, sharing their personal journeys that led to NCODA, and looking ahead to all the exciting possibilities in 2025. Get ready for some holiday cheer with Christmas trivia, spirited cookie debates, and heartwarming stories about why NCODA’s mission continues to inspire.