HOPA Now Podcast Archive

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 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 accessed 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

Cancer care deserts are becoming increasingly common across the United States. Vast areas of rural American in need of cancer care are underserved, under-resourced, and under strain. But sometimes the best and most creative solutions come under pressure.

Join HOPA Content Strategist Matt Mueller 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, co-founder 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 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/

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 were even more challenging because you're 6,000 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 pharmacist 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/home

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 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

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 experts to discuss the opportunities, risks, and challenges of psychedelic therapies in cancer care. Paul Hutson; Andrew Whitman, PharmD, BCOP; and Kelan Thomas share some fascinating insights into why microdosing is problematic, drug-drug interactions, potential therapy for those suffering from chronic grief, socioeconomic inequities in access and usage, as well as assessing portrayals in popular culture.

• Learn more about the Psychedelic Pharmacists Association, including how to become a member: https://psychedelicpharmacist.org/
• Find out about any upcoming psychedelics clinical trials through the NIH's website: https://clinicaltrials.gov/
• Learn more about Oregon and Colorado's Psilocybin practices, respectively, through their official state health authority websites: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/pages/oregon-psilocybin-services.aspx (Oregon) and https://dpo.colorado.gov/NaturalMedicine (Colorado)

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 the secrets to a successful working relationship between nurse and pharmacist.

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 are on the rise, and from the best way to tackle climate anxiety, to why institutions should be prioritizing disaster planning, they're joined by two experts in their field.

Shellyza Sajwani, PharmD, co-chair of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment (CAPhE), a cancer survivor whose treatment was once disrupted by multiple tornadoes, and now plays a key role in global cooperation between oncology and pharmacy experts to tackle climate change; and Joan Schiller, MD, an oncologist and co-founder of climate advocacy group Oncologists United for Climate and Health (OUCH).

• Find out more about OUCH on their website: https://www.ouchforclimate.org/
• You can learn more about Climaceutics here: https://www.climaceutics.com/
• The International Pharmaceutical Federation's SustainabilityRx site offers a wealth of useful and relevant resources: https://sustainability.fip.org/
• And Rx for Climate here: https://www.rxforclimate.org/

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 those first steps into career transition, to the best true crime podcasts for unwinding!

• You can read Alison's original co-authored paper on the oncology pharmacy workforce survey here: https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jac5.1693
• And its 2024 follow-up here: https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jac5.1954
• You can find Spencer's recommended book, The Medical Science Liaison Career Guide: How to Break Into Your First Role by Dr. Samuel Jacob Dyer, here: https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Science-Liaison-Career-Guide/dp/0989962636

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.

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' efforts in patient care.

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 cancer clinical trials.