MISSION STATEMENT
A Private Hematology and Oncology Specialty Practice offering exceptional care to each of our patients’ individual hematology and oncology specific needs.
PRACTICE DETAILS
Our comprehensive hematology/oncology program is devoted to delivering state-of-the-art treatments for blood diseases and cancer. Medical oncology is the specialty dedicated to the medical management of patients with cancer, while hematology addresses blood disorders.
Led by one of the nation’s most highly respected leaders in the Oncology Community, Dr. N. Simon Tchekmedyian, MD, FACP, our team consists of 13 extensively trained Physician Specialists and over 100 medical and administrative professionals providing highly specialized care for patients with cancer and blood disorders. We have cared for over 50,000 patients over the past 30 years, making our team one of the largest and most experienced in the country. Our team is committed to addressing the special needs and concerns of patients and families facing the diagnosis of cancer or blood disorders.
LOCATIONS
We are based out of Long Beach, Ca, however, we have 5 offices total throughout Orange and Los Angeles County.
- Long Beach, Ca – Elm Ave (Headquarters)
- Long Beach, Ca – Worsham Ave.
- Glendale, Ca – Eulalia Street
- Huntington Beach, Ca – Beach Blvd.
- Irvine, Ca – Sand Canyon Ave.
INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACY SERVICES STAFF
We have been dispensing to our patients directly from our office since 2007, however, in 2015 we hired 2 pharmacy technicians strictly dedicated to In-Office-Dispensing, Kristie Valentin and Jocelyn Reyes. Kristie has been a technician since 2010 and has previous experience in working retail and mail order. Jocelyn has been a technician since 2009, and has precious experience in working retail as well. They are led by Dr. Tchekmedyian, MD and supported with their team of Physician Assistants, Helene Au, PAC, Scott Thompson, PAC and Seda Barzegar, PAC. Kristie facilitates all of the back-end responsibilities, including contracting, audits, compliance and FWA, reconciliation, pricing, and all related operations duties in dispensing. Jocelyn is the processing technician, who manages all front end duties including processing, packing, and coordinating the dispense of all prescriptions dispensed from our office. She also manages refills, inventory, and the sales of Thorne Supportive Supplements, which are also distributed by physician recommendation to our patients. Both Kristie and Jocelyn assist patients in need of copay assistance, and have helped their patients who fill their medications in-office receive over $365,000 in co-pay assistance since 2015. Our team of PA’s review the accuracy in what Jocelyn and Kristie prepare, and conduct a Quality Assurance Check prior to dispensing. They also facilitate new RX counseling for all first fills and dose adjustments, as well as additional requests for counseling from the patient. Each of our PA’s are also REMS Certified Counselors who educate all of the patients we dispense to for Revlimid, Thalomid, and Pomalyst. The volume produced has grown by 300% since 2014, and we are steadily continuing to grow. Our current monthly average RX count is at 250 RX dispensed each month. Our top 5 dispensed drugs are
- Neupogen
- Zytiga/Prednisone
- Ibrance/Letrozole
- Revlimid
- Procrit
DISPENSING
We are a Physician Dispensing Practice .
SERVICES PROVIDED (BONE MARROW, RADIATION, CHEMO)
Here at Pacific Shores Medical Group we offer a variety of services to our patients, covering all areas of their specific needs, such as:
- Bone marrow transplant
- IV Infusion / Administration
- PET Scan
- Lab Screening
- Pharmacy Services
- Research / Clinical Trials
WHY DID YOU JOIN NCODA?
To participate in the alliance of the nations’ best providers in the Oncology Community..NCODA’s promise for support and guidance have exceeded our expectations in many ways. It’s nice to have someone to reach out to that is willing to provide insight, guidance, and experience to our practice as we continue to strengthen and grow our dispensing program.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A MEMBER?
Invited to join by Michael Reff when meeting with him via teleconference about distributing Thorne Oncology Supportive Supplements. We completed the Online Registration through the NCODA website.
HOW CAN NCODA HELP YOU?
By continuing to hold monthly webex conference calls, focusing on specific issues and challenges faced in a dispensing practice. We could also use some tips and strategies for data capture and reporting of statistics. What type of process is used by different members to demonstrate the growth or success or in some cases needs for improvement? Is there any particular programs that would be recommended that are simple and affordable that have helped other practices?
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACE NOW OR WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE OF ONCOLOGY?
Oncology is always a complex and challenging field when working as a healthcare or pharmacy professional. Some specific areas that we are currently facing or will be facing in the near future are definitely shared amongst the Oncology Community nation-wide, such as the new Medicare Cuts and possible Caremark Exclusion of dispensing practices. Another challenge we have continually faced this year has been with limited funding for patients in need of assistance with out-of-pocket responsibilities, specifically with Medicare beneficiaries that are in the coverage gap phase of their part D plan. We are in an ever-changing Community of Oncology so, I expect to see constant changes and strategies proposed and carried out indefinitely.
