LeAnne Kennedy PharmD, BCOP, CPP, FHOPA
President-Elect Candidate

Election Statement
As I have served on the HOPA Board of Directors for the past three years, it has been an honor to witness all the incredible things our many volunteers have accomplished despite living and practicing in a pandemic. We have all been challenged both in our professional and personal lives but yet we have worked hard to provide the best care for our patients. I have been a stem cell pharmacist for the past 25 years at what is now known as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. I understand that it is very rare to practice in one institution for your whole career but feel that the department and the section of hematology and oncology has become like a family to me and our goal is providing great patient care. Through my career, I have had the opportunity to be a manager of our practice area, precept students and residents, and serve on many committees. My greatest love is caring for our patients while teaching students and residents about the opportunities that oncology pharmacy can provide. My roles have changed and I have had to learn to adapt to changes in the healthcare setting. I believe that HOPA should continue to look at the many changes in healthcare including equity and diversity as well as helping our pharmacists with burnout. I am excited to continue to be a part of this great organization.

Laura Boehnke Michaud, PharmD, BCOP, FASHP
President-Elect Candidate

Election Statement
The demands of the last 18 months have been daunting and have pushed many health care professionals to the brink of burnout and leaving the profession. Despite these challenges, HOPA has continued to flourish and sustain its role as an educator and leader for hematology/oncology pharmacists. This is wholly due to the dedication of so many volunteers who have led the way and supported the organization through many changes. As one of those volunteers since the beginning of HOPA, I believe I have grown and traveled a similar journey in my own career that will lend itself well to providing leadership to HOPA moving forward.

My experience, strength and skills support all areas of HOPA's strategic plan and would support advancing HOPA's mission and goals. My 28+ years of practice experience, 15+ years of management experience, numerous research initiatives and publications, and many years of experience in professional organizations have allowed me the opportunity to grow and evolve my skills in all aspects of our profession. I have extensive experience developing, leading and establishing standards of practice in the area of hematology/oncology pharmacy. I believe this experience allows me a broad awareness of hematology/oncology pharmacy practice and will provide me with insight to support the mission of HOPA and its membership.

As a leader, I believe in leading with my values, including diverse perspectives to innovate, solve problems and serve people, and speaking up when faced with hard things. I don't believe I will have all the answers, but I will listen to you as members and keep asking questions.

"Only when diverse perspectives are included, respected and valued can we start to get a full picture of the world." Brene Brown, Dare to Lead

In the coming years, we will no doubt face challenges we have yet to identify and will need innovative ideas to solve these problems. HOPA is well-situated with a robust strategic plan and an active membership to execute that plan. I hope to work with you all to continue the legacy of this organization while growing to meet the demands of the membership and our profession as it evolves.

Jason Bergsbaken, PharmD, MBA, BCOP
Treasurer Candidate

Election Statement
It is an honor to be nominated for the Treasurer position of the HOPA Board of Directors. I currently serve as Pharmacy Coordinator, Regional Oncology Services for UW Health and as Clinical Assistant Professor for the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy in Madison, WI. My previous HOPA involvement includes Chair of the BCOP Oversight Committee and Chair of the BCOP Annual Conference Subcommittee. I have also served as a member of the Oral Chemotherapy Education Task Force and BCOP Prep Course Task Force.

As hematology/oncology pharmacists, we have the significant privilege, opportunity and responsibility to optimize the care of individuals affected by cancer. Our ability to best serve our patients is currently challenged by multiple threats, including increasing drug costs, drug shortages, complex payment models, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. As an organization, HOPA helps support and promote oncology pharmacy practice to overcome these challenges and help our patients. The core goal areas within the organizational strategic plan of Professional Development, Professional Resources and Tools, Research, and Advocacy guide HOPA's focus and resources to support hematology/oncology pharmacy practitioners and ultimately cancer patients.

As a growing organization, financial stewardship within HOPA is critical to allow the organization to best deploy resources to support its over 4000 members. In 2020-2021, HOPA offered $225,000 in research grants/training programs to support members. By maintaining the organization in strong financial position, we will be able to continue to support member-led programs, research, and advocacy efforts. We should continue to explore collaborations that would benefit HOPA and allow the organization to expand the reach of professional resources. Ultimately, securing the financial well-being of the organization will allow continued support for cancer patients.

I am humbled by the nomination for the Treasurer position of the HOPA Board of Directors and greatly appreciate your consideration.

Amy Hatfield Seung, PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA
Treasurer Candidate

Election Statement
I am honored to be consider as a candidate for the Treasurer position of the HOPA Board of Directors. During my more than 16 years as a member of HOPA, I have seen tremendous growth in our organization, the skills and strengths of our membership, and our organization's visibility to external organizations. Although my primary roles have evolved, my focus remains on education of practitioners to better care for their patients. My passions include the use of technologies, analytics, and evidence-based data to support these initiatives. My current position includes oncology education business strategy including development of innovative programming, forming external partnerships, and driving team members to meet revenue goals. While I have been involved in leadership roles and as a member on multiple committees over a number of years, I currently serve as a member of the BCOP Oversight Committee as well as HOPA's representative to ASCO's CancerLinQ Oncology Leadership Council.

If elected, I would work with the Board of Directors and members to continue to develop resources to help you strengthen your roles, show your value, anticipate changes to our profession, and be an advocate for your patients as our cancer care landscape continues to rapidly evolve. In the role of treasurer, I will work to ensure that HOPA continues to grow and stays financially responsible. My ability to see the larger viewpoint and needs for our organization will help contribute to successfully executing the organization's strategic plan. One strength of HOPA is the ability to use members talents and vigor to prioritize goals and execute priorities efficiently. The teamwork mentality within our oncology pharmacy networks are lifelong and critical for continued maturation of our profession.

For HOPA to continue to grow and be recognized as relevant in our evolving oncology practice landscape, it's important to utilize our diversity in practice settings from small community settings to large academic centers to different specialty pharmacy models, and oncology pharmacists in non-traditional roles including industry, managed care, technology, and others. Our ability to see the big picture and think of ways to create systems-change is a huge asset to HOPA's membership.

I appreciate the opportunity to work with you and support this enthusiastic strong organization. Thank you for your time and consideration of your vote.

Shannon Hough, PharmD, BCOP
At-Large Candidate

Election Statement
I am honored to be considered for the HOPA Board of Directors Member At-Large. In this role I will support HOPA in the execution of the Strategic Plan, following our mission to support pharmacy practitioners and promote and advance hematology/oncology pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals affected by cancer.

As an oncology pharmacist, I have spent most of my career advocating for the exceptional value of oncology pharmacy services. To succeed in this endeavor, I spent several years developing my skills in inpatient and ambulatory clinical pharmacy practice in an academic health system. During this time, I developed a strong foundation of experience navigating diverse team interactions, critically appraising evidence, and practicing empathetic patient care. These skills enabled personal growth to new roles to mentor and advocate for oncology pharmacists and patients within the organization. During this time, I refined skills in professional development, mentorship, and execution of pharmacy practice research. This growth also facilitated the opportunity to shift my focus to the role of the pharmacist within community oncology practice sites. In this new role, I have polished skills of gathering consensus in broad, varied practice settings, and the implementation of new or large-scale initiatives.

In addition to these professional experiences gained to date, I firmly believe that patient care is improved with the inclusion of an oncology pharmacist as an integral member of the care team and have found a professional home within HOPA to advocate for this change. I have been an active member of HOPA as a committee member, vice-chair, and chair, as well as a presenter at annual conferences and practice management programs. If given the opportunity, in the role as a board member at-large, I will support the work and growth of HOPA members and committees. It would be an honor to support HOPA in this way, and I am grateful for this consideration.

Sandra Cuellar, PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA, FASHP
At-Large Candidate

Election Statement
It is my sincere honor to be nominated for the Member-at-Large position for the HOPA organization. I am an ambulatory oncology pharmacist (19 years) and co-chair of the IRB at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. I am also an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy (18 years) and PGY-2 Oncology Residency Director (15 years). I have been a member of HOPA since its inception in 2004 and have had the opportunity to collaborate with oncology pharmacists on several different task forces and committees. I have leadership experience as previous chair of the Industry Relation Council and BCOP recertification committee. These experiences have sharpened my leadership skills including communication, self-development, team development, and strategic thinking.

As I reflect on my career as an oncology pharmacist and look to the future of oncology pharmacy, the HOPA organization has been and continues to be the fertile landscape for oncology pharmacists and pharmacy. The HOPA organization fosters growth, development, and more importantly, create paths that lead to better patient care through professional development, professional tools, research, and advocacy. The HOPA organization is the heart of our profession as oncology pharmacists and it is important for us as members to continue to develop the profession, represent the membership and provide oversight to the implementation of the strategic plan. Personally, I feel I am at the right time in my career to step up my contribution to the aforementioned activities and am confident that my experience, skills, and commitment to the profession will fortify my abilities to collaborate with others with the same collective goal. If elected, I will work with the Board of Directors and strengthen the voice for our vision. Thank you for your consideration.