The PQI Podcast

On this week’s episode of The PQI Podcast , we sit down with Alex Shantiai, PharmD, to discuss the dynamic realm of pharmaceutical careers and highlights NCODA’s Professional Student Organization (PSO). As an oncology health and science representative and a leader within PSO, Alex shares insights on diverse pharmacist career paths in the industry, recounting his journey from pharmacy school to pha...

This week, we sit down with Julie Kennerly-Shah, PharmD, MS, MHA, BCPS, to discuss the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s Drug Repository Program. Julie is an associate director in the Department of Pharmacy and is responsible for hematology/oncology, pain/palliative and ambulatory care clinical services in The James Cancer Hospital. She oversees our state-of-the-art specialty retail pharmacies. I...

This week we sit down with Jennifer Young Pierce, MD, MPH, FACOG to discuss her role, disparities in cervical cancer, and exciting advancements in her space.  Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce is a Senior Staff Physician and Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI). She joined USA Health MCI in 2017 with national expertise in Human Papillomavirus...

On this week’s episode of The PQI Podcast, we sit down with Renee Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM, to discuss her inspiring journey detailed in the acclaimed book Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well , where she intertwines her experiences as a veterinary oncologist and her personal battle with cancer. Dr. Alsarraf received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University. She compl...

On this week’s episode of The PQI Podcast , we sit down with Makenna Smack, PharmD, BCOP, from MD Anderson, to discuss molecular testing and targeted treatment in colorectal cancer.  Makenna obtained her bachelor’s in biochemistry from Brigham Young University and Doctor of Pharmacy from Roseman University in South Jordan, Utah. After graduation, she completed her PGY1 pharmacy residency at Memori...

The PQI Podcast is back, and season 6 is here to ignite your passion for patients! NCODA is thrilled to bring you another season that promises insights, inspiration, and a prescription for innovation in the field of oncology.  Our season premiere features Dr. Richard Safeer, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Well-Being for Johns Hopkins Medicine. A true expert in cultivating a healthy...

This week, on The PQI Podcast season 5 finale, we sit down with  Ellen J. Langer, Ph. D., to discuss her most recent book, THE MINDFUL BODY: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health, and her mindfulness work in oncology. Dr. Langer was the first woman to be tenured in psychology at Harvard, where she is still professor of psychology. The recipient of three Distinguished Scientists awards, the Arthur W....

This week, we sit down with Erica Kirschner and Jenn Perry to discuss Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and the Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Association. Erica is a former educator who has been undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer for the past eleven years. After being diagnosed at 27, she was referred for genetic testing and found to have Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. LFS is a hereditary TP53 variant that predis...

This week, we sit down with Natalie Kaufman, PharmD, to discuss NCODA’s Medically Integrated Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program and the recent Capecitabine: A New Approach to Dosing and Side Effect Management Positive Quality Intervention.  Natalie is originally from Syracuse, New York. She graduated with her PharmD from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, this past April. She is continuing her...

This week, we sit down with Nate Ramsbacher, PharmD, to discuss Exploring Intravenous Iron Products for Anemia Associated with Chemotherapy and Cancer. Nate is a pharmacist and faculty member at Washington State University in Spokane, Washington. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy education at the University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy and completed residency training at Providence St Pa...

On this week’s episode of The PQI Podcast , we sit down with Erica Marchese PharmD, MHA, BCPS, BCOP, BCSCP, Alexandria Callahan, LCPC, BC-DMT, GLCMA, and Jen Mikes from the City of Hope Chicago to discuss Cancer Survivorship, exploring their respective roles, the pharmacist's vital contribution to survivorship, and the remarkable patient programs they offer. Erica has been with the City of Hope Ch...

This week, we sit down with Collin Dempsey, PharmD, BCPS to discuss his path into oncology pharmacy, his clinic and pharmacy processes, and the NCODA Venclexta resources.  Collin has been a pharmacist in New York State for ten years and is currently a hematology/oncology pharmacist working in the SUNY Upstate Outpatient Specialty Pharmacy. His program is medically integrated with a large teaching...

On this week’s episode of The PQI Podcast, we sit down with Kafilat Salawu, DNP, FNP-C, AOCNP, BCPA, and delve into the vital role of healthcare advocates, explore how Kafilat's personal experiences were influenced by the complexities of navigating healthcare systems with cultural variances and language barriers. Additionally, we uncover how Kafilat's dedication to healthcare advocacy was ignited...

This week, in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we sit down with Jessie Huisken to discuss her daughter Phinley’s story and her book, Surviving to Thriving, Living Your Best Life with a Hospitalized Child. Jessie has a BSW and worked extensively in child welfare and hospital settings before earning her credentials as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist. She worked as an independent...

This week we sit down with Fitz Koehler to discuss her personal story and her book Your Healthy Cancer Comeback: Sick to Strong. Fitz Koehler of Fitzness.com is the author of multiple books, including My Noisy Cancer Comeback, Your Healthy Cancer Comeback: Sick to Strong, and the Healthy Cancer Comeback Journal. She’s one of America's most exciting keynote speakers, a premier race announcer, a fit...

This week, we sit down with Joanna Fawzy Doran, Esq. and Amy Terhune, RPhT, CPhT, PACS, to discuss patient navigation and Triage Cancer.  Joanna Fawzy Morales, Esq. is a cancer rights attorney and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national, nonprofit organization providing free education on practical and legal issues that impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers through events, material...

This week we sit down with Matt Saylor, PharmD, BCOP to discuss his personal brain tumor story and his career path into pharmacy.  Matt has had a passion for healthcare from an early age and developed his interest in oncology based on many of his personal experiences and a fantastic oncology mentor in school.   Matt earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from The Ohio State University and then went on to c...

This week, we sit down with Alice Rhoton-Vlasak, MD and Lauren Staley, ARNP to discuss fertility preservation in oncology patients. Alice Rhoton-Vlasak, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist and a professor at the University of Florida Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology working in the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Many of her clini...

This week we sit down with Myron Rolle, MD, MSc to discuss his book The 2% Way - How a philosophy of small improvements took me to Oxford, the NFL, and Neurosurgery.  Dr. Rolle is a chief neurosurgery resident and Global Neurosurgery Fellow at  Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital, Rhodes Scholar, author, and former professional football player in the National Football League. He holds a Doctor...

This week we sit down with Robert M Haberkorn, DDS, MBA, MLD to discuss oral cancer. Dr. Haberkorn graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and attended a surgical mini-residency at Baylor University for dental Implants. Immediately after graduation, he purchased a dental practice and began his career serving his patients in both metro and rural areas. His interest in treating oral ca...

The PQI Podcast is back with season 5! We’re thrilled to bring you another season of valuable insights from oncology experts across the globe, as well as heartwarming stories of hope and determination. We’re kicking off season 5 by welcoming Yen Nien (Jason) Hou, PharmD, Dipl. O.M, L.Ac, Herb Information Center Coordinator and Manager of the “About Herbs” website with Memorial Sloan Kettering Canc...

This month, we celebrate Cancer Immunotherapy and its impact on people's lives. In our season 4 finale episode of The PQI Podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with Mary Elizabeth Williams, who shares her inspiring story of overcoming metastatic melanoma and advocating for better access to clinical trials. Mary Elizabeth, a courageous stage 4 metastatic melanoma survivor, participated in...

On this week's episode of The PQI Podcast, we sit down with Bijoy Telivala, MD, to delve into the realm of anticoagulant therapy. Dr. Telivala, holding Board Certifications in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine, currently practices at Cancer Specialists of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Originally from India, Dr. Telivala completed his M.B.B.S. at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal...

This week we sit down with Jennifer Byer, MD and Rachel Clark to discuss the Sugar Bloom Foundation.  Dr. Jennifer Byer earned her medical degree and completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, FL. In 2014, she was awarded a Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Moffitt Cancer Center/University of South Florida. She is currently an oncologist at...

On this week's episode of The PQI Podcast , we sit down with experienced oncology pharmacy technicians Janine Brodeur, CPhT, COPhT, Nora Hansen, CPhT, COPhT, and Taryn Newsome, CPhT! We discuss the vital role of oncology pharmacy technicians in patient care, the Oncology Pharmacy Technician Association (OPTA), and the value of OPTA's new oral oncology certification for technicians. More informatio...