Podcast
HOPA Now
Hosted by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association · EN
Welcome to HOPA Now, a podcast from the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. Join hosts Peter Stuessy, PharmD, BCOP and Matt Mueller as they interview guests in the Hem/Onc pharmacy world to provide insight into the topics that Hematology/Oncology pharmacists and cancer patients are talking about.
Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you.
Email us at communications@hoparx.org
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
All You Have To Do Is Ask: Making Your Own Case For Self-Advocacy
2d ago00:34:32Tap to summarizeThe 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
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HOPA Off-Script: Hobbies, Side Hustles, and How Members Make It All Happen
Apr 2800:46:47Tap to summarizeMatt 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 joined us onstage for a fun and fascinating chat, followed by a lively audience Q&A.You can watch some of Divya's performances on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@musicroomchicagoInterested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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Inside Healing, Optimism, Pharmacy, and Advocacy: Stories and Perspectives from Oncology Pharmacists
Mar 1000:26:56Tap to summarizeHOPA 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 profound, and all designed to share what it’s like to be part of our unique profession. Peter and Matt sat down with Robert and one of the contributing authors, ISOPP member Gisele Fraga Moreira, who joined us from Boise and Brazil, to discuss their contributions to the publication, and offered a preview of what readers can expect from it. It will be available onsite to everyone attending this year’s HOPA Annual Conference in New Orleans – not registered yet? It’s not too late! Check out rates and more at https://hopa.cventevents.com/x9y7R3 And if you’re going, why not join us for the first ever live episode of HOPA Now, in front of an audience? It’s taking place on Friday March 27 @ 5.30PM in Rooms 388-90. Kristen McCullough’s article can be read here: https://ascopubs.org/do/do-you-see-me-candid-message-pharmacist-physician Joseph Kalis’ article can be read here: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-chemotherapist Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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What I Wish I Knew Then: A Conversation Between Students and Residents
Feb 2400:54:36Tap to summarizeOne 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; Tyler Vaglivelo, a PGY1 resident at the University of Connecticut; and Megan Wolff, a PGY2 resident at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Our roundtable discussion covers everything from the best advice they can share with others in their position, and tips for improving patient interactions, to decompress through cooking. Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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AI in Cancer Care: A New Era or New Error?
Feb 1000:50:16Tap to summarizeSick 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 Rochester, MN; and Nada Alsuhebany, PharmD, BCOP Chairman of Clinical Trial Management at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Ravi B. Parikh, MD, MPP, FACP, Medical Director of the Winship Data and Technology Applications Shared Resource, and Director of the Human Algorithm Collaboration Laboratory at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Learn the essentials; discover the key differences between types of AI; consider its role in education; understand the intricacies and guardrails of patient privacy; assess whether it’s a threat to the pharmacy workforce; and so much more. RESOURCES MENTIONED You can access FIP’s AI Toolkit for Pharmacy here: https://www.fip.org/file/6202 Open Evidence: https://www.openevidence.com/ JAMA AI: https://jamanetwork.com/channels/ai https://sdaia.gov.sa/en/Research/Pages/EducationIntelligence.aspx https://snih.gov.sa/en/ https://www.sfda.gov.sa/en https://ecsme.ksu.edu.sa/en https://lean.sa/index.html https://executive.mit.edu/course/artificial-intelligence-in-health-care/a056g00000URaaTAAT.html https://xpro.mit.edu/courses/course-v1:xPRO+AIHCx+R1/ https://execonline.hms.harvard.edu/artificial-intelligence-in-health-care-from-strategies-to-implementation https://online.stanford.edu/programs/artificial-intelligence-healthcare HOPA does not endorse any of these resources, and these recommendations reflect the individual opinions of our guests. Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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Balancing Parenting and Oncology Pharmacy - How Do We Do It All?
Dec 1601:01:47Tap to summarizeIf 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 and how their attitudes to their jobs have changed. Former HOPA Now host Benjamin Andrick, PharmD, BCOP joined us alongside Renee McAlister Jones, PharmD, BCOP and Emma Garrison, PharmD, BCOP for a wide-ranging chat about everything you might want to know if you’re a HOPA member looking to start a family, or are already on the way to starting one. Our podcasting parents cover everything from date night advice and the surprising amount of protein in Costco bagels, to the challenge of finding mess-free crock pot recipes, and the joys of Lucky Charms cereal. Featuring a shocking mid-episode reveal you won’t see coming (our producer and one of the co-hosts didn’t when we were recording this, either!), you won’t want to miss our bumper Christmas edition of HOPA Now! And don’t forget to share your hobby, side-hustle or passion project with us for a chance to join us onstage at Annual Conference for our first-ever live episode! And if you’re selected, get your conference registration and select expenses reimbursed! Submit before Sunday, January 11, 2026 at https://apps.hoparx.org/forms/call_for_guests/ Renee, Emma, Ben and Peter recommended the following books and items: HALO SleepSack Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp The “What to Expect” Series by Heidi Murkoff HOPA does not endorse any of these items, and these recommendations reflect the individual opinions of our guests. Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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Calling On Telehealth for Cancer Care Solutions
Nov 1800:48:13Tap to summarizeTelehealth 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 challenges facing this form of patient care? Matt and Peter head down south to talk to a pair of HOPA members with plenty of telehealth experience – Clarissa Wilkins, PharmD, BCOP, a clinical oncology pharmacist at Texas Oncology; and Marcus “Tad” Autry, PharmD, Regional Medical Science Liaison for BeOne Medicines in Norman, OK. Clarissa and Tad help bust myths, map out how to avoid feeling isolated, and explain the positive impact that telehealth can have, as well as offering tips and tricks to any pharmacists who are looking to enter telehealth or expand their knowledge in this area. The multi-organization collaboration on Patient Education Sheets can be accessed at https://patienteducationsheets.com/ The HHS’ Telehealth resources can be access at https://telehealth.hhs.gov/ Find out more about the American Telemedicine Association and its resources here: https://www.americantelemed.org/ Tad’s recommended article on providing more thoughtful patient care by Doug Flora, MD can be accessed here: https://douglasflora.substack.com/p/theyre-not-looking-for-ivermectintheyre Access HOPA’s resources on cultural competencies here: https://www.hoparx.org/about-us/access-representation-opportunity-at-hopa/aro-toolkit/dei-toolkit-patient-care-resources/#ruralurbancare Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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An Oasis in the Cancer Care Desert Crisis
Oct 2800:48:39Tap to summarizeCancer 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, MBA, FACP, FACHE, cofounder of the Rural Cancer Institute and the Rural Oncology Conference; and Rachel Wagemann, MBA, Vice President of Operations at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD - the largest rural healthcare system in the country. Wade and Rachel share their experiences, the benefits of close-knit community support, and suggestions for what bigger urban institutions can learn from their rural counterparts, as well as advice for smaller cancer care institutions looking to replicate their successes. Find out more about the Rural Cancer Institute here: https://www.ruralcancer.org/ The 2nd Rural Oncology Conference takes place in April 2026 in Minneapolis – find out more here: https://www.ruraloncologyconference.org/ Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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Exploring Oncology Pharmacy in Alaska, Hawaii and Guam
Oct 1400:39:24Tap to summarizeImagine 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. Joining him to discuss what it’s like working as an oncology pharmacists in some of the most remote corners of the United States, are HOPA members Tarah Hibbs from Anchorage, Alaska; Renee Shirakawa Kwock from Kailua, Hawaii; and Jasmine Bazinet from Guam City, Guam. If you’re a HOPA member, make sure to visit HOPA Central for all kinds of useful discussion, as recommended by our guests: https://central.hoparx.org/ Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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Surviving Cancer as an Oncology Pharmacist
Oct 100:48:00Tap to summarizeIt’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 guilt, lessons learned from experiencing palliative care on multiple continents and, crucially, where to find hope when faced with daunting odds. Sammi’s latest paper for the New England Journal of Medicine, about the silent opioid crisis, can be read here: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.24.0380 You can find out more about Sammi’s recommended yoga course for cancer patients here: https://www.mskcc.org/departments/division-subspecialty-medicine/integrative-medicine/programs/yoga-patient Following our discussion with Sammi, she recommended this article on the work of Dr. Diane Meier: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/18/health/scientist-at-work-diane-meier-providing-care-when-the-cure-is-out-of-reach.html Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org
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