practice in focus
Creating a Collaborative Community Environment
NCODA is committed to creating a collaborative community environment, providing a platform for practice members to share everyday experiences and help one another succeed. Each month, our Practice in Focus participants have the opportunity to talk about their practice during the NCODA International Monthly Webinar. Practice in Focus is an ideal way to highlight the work being done within our members’ facilities while connecting cancer care specialists.
PRACTICE IN FOCUS
This practice stands out for its seamless integration into the oncology care team at Fred Hutch and the University of Washington Medical Center. By working directly alongside oncologists, nurses, and specialists, the team provides a holistic approach to cancer treatment, focusing on personalized pharmacy care. With a strong emphasis on therapy reviews, patient education, and side effect management, this practice ensures that every patient receives comprehensive support and expert care throughout their cancer journey.
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Could you provide us with details about your practice?
We are a clinical oncology pharmacy practice closely affiliated with Fred Hutch, working in partnership with the medical oncology teams and the gynecologic oncology team at the University of Washington (UW) Medical Center. Fred Hutch is an independent organization that serves as the cancer program for UW Medicine. Our pharmacy team works directly in the clinic, collaborating with providers, nurses, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care to cancer patients.
Our primary responsibilities include:
- Reviewing anti-cancer therapies to ensure safety, efficacy, and appropriateness after oncologists place orders.
- Providing patient education on therapies, conducting follow-up phone calls to monitor adherence, and addressing any concerns or side effects.
- Serving as a drug information resource for our clinic, assisting with cancer-related pharmacotherapy as well as managing comorbidities, side effects, and other health issues such as blood pressure management and pain control.
Why did your practice join NCODA?
Our practice was initially approached by a colleague when NCODA sought a content expert on enfortumab vedotin-ejfv, a therapy we have significant experience with as a trial site. After contributing to a PQI on this treatment, we found a great opportunity to engage with NCODA, writing and sharing our expertise. From there, we’ve expanded our involvement to include speaking at international summits, webinars, and continuing to contribute to resources that support our peers in oncology pharmacy.
How is your practice involved with NCODA?
In addition to contributing to PQIs and being involved in the PQI in Action, we have written for Oncolytics Today, been featured on the NCODA podcast, and, more recently, we have taken on the role of Regional Leader. As a Regional Leader, we are committed to connecting our team of oncology pharmacists with NCODA opportunities and encouraging colleagues to engage in speaking and writing roles. By facilitating these connections, we aim to enhance our practice’s involvement and impact within the NCODA community.
What are some challenges your practice faces now or anticipates in the future of oncology?
One of the most significant challenges we face is the increasing use of novel anti-cancer therapies in the metastatic or recurrent setting, where there are no definitive treatment endpoints. These therapies often require ongoing treatment as long as they remain effective or the patient doesn’t experience severe toxicity. This creates complications with insurance providers, who sometimes impose site-of-care restrictions, forcing patients to transfer their infusions to outpatient centers. This often leads to safety concerns and logistical challenges, as we provide specialized care that ensures proper monitoring of patients, which is crucial for their treatment success.
Additionally, insurance pushback over off-label therapies and non-standard treatment regimens creates a further hurdle. Despite advocating for patients, we often face denials and must rely on pharmaceutical companies to cover the cost of these essential treatments. This ongoing struggle highlights the challenges in oncology care, especially for patients who do not fit the typical treatment profile.
How can industry partners better support the Medically Integrated Team/Pharmacy?
We believe that pharmaceutical companies can play a key role in easing the financial and logistical burdens faced by patients and providers. Offering vouchers to initiate cancer therapies at no cost would alleviate some of the stress caused by the lengthy prior authorization process, which can delay treatment and create unnecessary financial strain. While some manufacturers already provide this support, more widespread access to these resources would help ensure that patients start their treatments promptly and without delay. Additionally, we urge industry partners to consider offering continued financial support for long-term therapies, understanding that many of these treatments will be used for extended periods, potentially months or years.
Share Your Experience
The Practice in Focus application process is simple and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Once an application is submitted, NCODA will help develop an online profile for your practice. To be considered:
- An application must be completed and submitted by an NCODA member.
- One person from each facet of your practice/organization’s medically-integrated team (i.e., provider, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, financial counselor, etc.) must be an NCODA member.
- One or more members of your medically-integrated team must agree to present during the National Monthly Webinar as the featured practice for Practice In Focus.
PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS
Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute
MISSION STATEMENT/PHILOPSOPHY:
To provide the most powerful team of cancer experts investing in the health of our patients by pursuing the most advanced and innovative treatment methods and providing unrelenting dedication to our patients.
LOCATIONS:
Tulsa Oklahoma
Bartlesville Oklahoma
McAlester Oklahoma
PRACTICE DETAILS (how many providers, how many employees, etc):
10 Medical Oncologists
4 Gyn Oncologists
4 Rad. Oncologists
3 Dermatologists specializing in cancer
14 Mid-levels
2 Pharm. Ds
QUALIFICATIONS/CREDENTIALS (are you QOPI certified, etc.):
QOPI Certified
ACHC Certified Specialty/Oncology Pharmacy
INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACY SERVICES STAFF W/ BRIEF BIO:
Darrell Willyard Pharm. D.
Linda Purdom RN OCN
Shelly Striplin Pharmacy Tech
Orlando Franco Pharmacy Tech, MA
DISPENSING TYPE (RETAIL VS DISPENSARY):
Oklahoma Licensed Retail Pharmacy
SERVICES PROVIDED (BONE MARROW, RADIATION, CHEMO):
62 Chair infusion Suite (Tulsa) 14 Chairs (Bartlesville) 12 chairs (McAlester)
Radiation (Tulsa)
Dermatology (Mohs Surgery) Tulsa
WHY DID YOU JOIN NCODA?
Terrific way to meet and share ideas with other people with similar jobs/goals.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US?
Mike Reff called and spoke to me.
HOW CAN NCODA HELP YOU?
My favorite part is networking at meetings.
As a small pharmacy with only 1 retail pharmacist- I appreciate the PQI and Oral Chemo Drug information sheets. These save me time and manpower in having the work performed for me.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH NCODA?
I am open to helping in any way that I am needed.
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACE NOW OR WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE OF ONCOLOGY?
We are working hard to manage DIR fees and to stop the outflow of prescriptions to other Specialty Pharmacies.
Beacon Cancer Care
MISSION STATEMENT/PHILOPSOPHY:
To meet patients wherever they are on their cancer journey and walk with them on that journey; to provide compassionate, personalized cancer care for an unparalleled patient experience.
LOCATIONS:
Coeur D’ Alene, ID
PRACTICE DETAILS (how many providers, how many employees, etc):
3 MO/DO
2 ARNP
20-25 employees
INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACY SERVICES STAFF W/ BRIEF BIO:
From Left to Right: Nicole Davis CPhT Oral Chemotherapy, Beverly Ward PharmD, Valerie Frodin CPhT IV Infusions)
DISPENSING TYPE (RETAIL VS DISPENSARY):
Medically Integrated Dispensing (MID)
SERVICES PROVIDED (BONE MARROW, RADIATION, CHEMO):
Patient Centered Care
IV Chemo Infusions
On-site MID
Genetic Testing
Clinical Trials
Nutrition Counseling
Financial Counseling
WHY DID YOU JOIN NCODA?
I was shown NCODA by a fellow member and I appreciated all of the resources NCODA offered.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US?
Referred by a team member.
HOW CAN NCODA HELP YOU?
By assisting Beacon in our Mission to provide the highest quality patient centered care with treatment support kits, education and the latest news in oncology.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH NCODA?
Encouraging more co-workers to join NCODA, everyone can benefit!
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACE NOW OR WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE OF ONCOLOGY?
Being a newly opened, smaller clinic can be challenging in an environment where privately owned clinics are dwindling. NCODA offers the support we need to have the latest news in treatment and great support and education options for patients.
Cone Health Cancer Center at Wesley Long
MISSION STATEMENT/PHILOPSOPHY:
Our vision is to provide an exceptional, unsurpassed health care experience at the Cone Health Cancer care program. Our mission is to create a patient-centered, safe, high-quality, comprehensive program to meet the needs of our community. Through an empowered team, we will provide outstanding, collaborative, coordinated care with empathy and compassion that will exceed our patients, customers and communities expectations.
LOCATIONS:
Cone Health Cancer Center at Wesley Long – Greensboro, NC
Cone Health Cancer Center at Annie Penn- Reidsville, NC
Cone Health Cancer Center at Alamance Regional – Burlington, NC
Cone Health Cancer Center at MedCenter High Point – High Point, NC
Cone Health Cancer Center at MedCenter Mebane – Mebane, NC
Randolph Health Cancer Center – Asheboro, NC
PRACTICE DETAILS (how many providers, how many employees, etc):
19 Medical Oncologists/Hematologists, 5 Gynecologic Oncologists, 1 Neuro-Oncologist
13 Advance Practice Providers
11 Oncology Pharmacists
1 Director of Oncology Pharmacy Services
1 Oncology Informatics Pharmacist
2 Oral Chemotherapy Pharmacists
2 Oral Oncology Specialty Patient Advocates
2 IV Drug Assistance Patient Advocates
1 Ambulatory Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Resident
QUALIFICATIONS/CREDENTIALS (are you QOPI certified, etc.):
Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) certified
Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC)
Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC)
Radiation Oncology (American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited)
INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACY SERVICES STAFF W/ BRIEF BIO:
DISPENSING TYPE (RETAIL VS DISPENSARY):
Retail pharmacy (Medically Integrated Pharmacy)
6 Medical offices with chemotherapy infusion suites
SERVICES PROVIDED (BONE MARROW, RADIATION, CHEMO):
CHCC offers outpatient chemotherapy (oral and infusion) services, inpatient chemotherapy, radiation oncology, specialty pharmacy services, genetics testing and counseling, nutrition support, clinical social workers, financial counselors, patient support and cancer survivorship programs. The CHCC pharmacy team support learners from four colleges of pharmacy and two PGY1 pharmacy residency programs. Our pharmacists are dedicated preceptors to our ASHP accredited, PGY2 Ambulatory Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Residency which began in 2005. We have an active clinical trials program receiving NCI and ASCO recognition for high-quality clinical research and excellence in patient enrollments among community oncology practices.
WHY DID YOU JOIN NCODA?
I joined NCODA to collaborate with similar community oncology practices dedicated to excellence in patient care and to participate in the numerous educational opportunities including PQI, Oral Chemo Education Sheets, and Clinical Corner Webinars.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A MEMBER?
I joined NCODA online. Becoming a NCODA member is quick and easy.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US? I learned about NCODA from colleagues and by reading an issue of Oncolytics Today.
HOW CAN NCODA HELP YOU? NCODA offers an oncology resource team from across the country to share knowledge, best practices, valuable experience and educational opportunities. NCODA provides engaging, up-to-date education for our patients and for colleagues.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH NCODA?
Our passion is to educate and empower patients, colleagues and future colleagues to the highest quality, personalized, cancer care. I would like to see our students and residents involved in NCODA activities including Student Educational Talks (SETs), Oncology Journal Clubs, etc. I would also like to expand and promote NCODA’s Intravenous Chemotherapy Education (IVE).
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACE NOW OR WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE OF ONCOLOGY?
1) Financial barriers to oral oncology agents
2) Excessive out-of-pocket costs for IV chemotherapy medications
3) Creating and maintaining oncology treatment plans in the electronic medical record
4) Staying current with payer requirements including biosimilars
RESOURCES
Cost Avoidance Waste Tracker
PQI in Action
OCE Sheets
IVE Sheets
Treatment Support Kits
PQI Podcast
Members
Member Resources
OPTA
Committees
Member Login
Events
Webinars
Spring Forum
Oncology Institute
PSO Annual Meeting
Fall Summit
315-655-4640
P.O. Box 468
Cazenovia, NY 13035
