Member Spotlight
Learn about all the ways HOPA Members are making news and contributing to the field of oncology pharmacy.
HOPA members are leaders in the field of hematology/oncology pharmacy. We’re always pleased to share with you news about our members' accomplishments, including awards, research endeavors, and speaking engagements.
Tell us About Outstanding Members!
The HOPA Membership Committee wants to hear from you! Who has done outstanding work? Who has made a difference in cancer treatment and patient care? Let us know who you recommend for the next Member Spotlight (hint: maybe it's you!)
Aseala Abousaud, PharmD, BCOP
HOPA member Aseala Abousaud, PharmD, BCOP is a Lymphoma Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute whose practice includes collaborating with healthcare providers in clinic to optimize patient care, among other responsibilities.
" One of my proudest moments is being nominated as the clinical pharmacist to The Cellular Therapy Research Review Committee alongside a physician and pathologist where we review proposed protocols to use the blood bank received from my involvement with my CARPET pharmacokinetic study. "
Jordyn Paige Higgins, PharmD, BCOP
HOPA member Jordyn Paige Higgins, PharmD, BCOP is a Thoracic Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, she is a member of the National Student Committee for HOPA.
" My current research interests include the optimization of anticancer treatments for my patients. Recently, the results of my PGY-2 oncology residency project were published regarding the use of immunotherapy in patients with preexisting autoimmune disorders. Our data supported the notion that patients with preexisting autoimmune disorders can safely receive immunotherapy treatments, without a significant increase in immune-related toxicities. "
Bernard Marini, PharmD, BCOP
Bernard Marini, PharmD, BCOP is an Inpatient Hematology Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Michigan and an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. In his practice, he primarily sees patients with acute leukemias, aggressive lymphomas, and other challenging hematologic malignancies.
"One of my proudest moments was when I was awarded the HOPA 2018 Foundation Grant for optimizing precision medicine therapy in patients with pediatric brain tumors using the CNS TAP tool. It was a very exciting project that I was very passionate about and had put a ton of work into, but I didn’t think I had a chance for actual grant funding! It was a great collaborative effort that really moved the CNS TAP tool forward, and I was lucky to have great support by my College of Pharmacy colleagues, my fellow hematology/oncology pharmacists, residents, and MD colleagues as well."
Jennifer Thackray, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS
Jennifer Thackray, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, is a Pediatric Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She was recently awarded a Presidential Citation by The Pediatric Pharmacy Association for her contribution to the publication, Key Potentially Inappropriate Drugs in Pediatrics: The KIDs List and also awarded the 2021 Outstanding Practitioner Award by the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy Alumni Affairs Board for her professional accomplishments.
"My advice for those just starting out comes from Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s epic career. She inspired many people, including myself, to listen and learn from others and to build something outside of yourself. As you move through your career, you will find that all stakeholders will not be aligned and you will need to lead differently, sometimes not as the loudest voice in the room. Hone your fact-finding skills by asking questions of your colleagues and committing to finding a win-win solution. As Bader Ginsberg said, 'Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.'"
Katie Gatwood, PharmD, BCOP
HOPA member Katie Gatwood, PharmD, BCOP, practices at Vanderbilt University as a Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Clinical Pharmacist Specialist. She was recently honored to receive the 2021 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Pharmacy Special Interest Group New Practitioner Award. In this Member Spotlight, Dr. Gatwood reflects on her award and career.
"The proudest moment thus far in my career was receiving the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Pharmacy Special Interest Group (SIG) New Practitioner Award. I actually did not originally think I wanted to practice in oncology, so I want other new practitioners to know they should always keep an open mind throughout their training experiences. I went into residency wanting to practice in pediatrics. However, my first rotation was in a stem cell transplant clinic, and I found myself fascinated by the patient population and the immunology aspects of transplant. I wanted to learn as much as I could about it. It actually took some of my preceptors and mentors pointing this out to me during the rotation for me to fully realize my passion for it, and, from there, my career trajectory was forever changed."
More Member Spotlights will be added Soon! Please check back - and in the meantime, nominate a colleague or yourself.
