Milwaukee, WI (February 17, 2021) The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) has joined with 13 other pharmacy organizations to call on the White House to ensure pharmacy professionals are represented in the administration’s newly appointed COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. The joint letter to Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Chair of the task force, highlights the pharmacists’ role as medication use experts across diverse populations nationwide.
The request recommends Lakesha Butler, Pharm.D, BCPS, immediate past president of the National Pharmaceutical Association, be appointed to the task force. Dr. Butler is a leading advocate for cultural competency in health care settings. Her work centers on decreasing health disparities among minorities who historically may have been underserved as patients.
Integral to Dr. Butler’s advocacy are the core concepts of improving health literacy among patients and dismantling structural racism. She also will deliver the John G. Kuhn Keynote Lecture at the HOPA Annual Conference, which will be presented online.
The letter to Dr. Nunez-Smith also reiterates ASHP’s nomination of Vivian Bradley Johnson, Pharm.D., M.B.A., FASHP, senior vice president of clinical services for Parkland Health and Hospital System.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Sieg, Director of Communications 414.231.8104 or msieg@hoparx.org
About HOPA: The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) supports hematology/oncology pharmacy professionals and promotes the role of the pharmacist in collaborative cancer care. Founded in 2004, HOPA provides crucial education, networking, and advancement opportunities frequently sought by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, residents, fellows, students, technicians, researchers, and administrators who specialize in hematology/oncology pharmacy. Its vision is to ensure that all individuals affected by cancer have a hematology/oncology pharmacist as an integral member of their care team.