The PQI Podcast

In this episode of The PQI Podcast, we sit down with Jenny Ahlstrom, founder of the HealthTree Foundation, to discuss how her own multiple myeloma diagnosis led to the creation of an organization focused on empowering patients and accelerating research.
Jenny shares the story behind HealthTree and its mission to help people with blood cancer better understand their disease, navigate treatment, connect with resources, and contribute to research.

A major focus of the conversation is the HealthTree Personal Health Record and the importance of giving patients one place to organize and understand their health information. Jenny discusses how bringing medical records, treatment history, labs, and other information together can help patients become more engaged in their care, prepare for appointments, explore treatment and clinical trial options, and more easily share information across their healthcare team.

The episode also explores how oncology professionals can help patients take greater ownership of their health information and why better access to personal health data can support both individual care and cancer research.
 

Learn more about HealthTree Foundation: https://healthtree.org/

In this episode of The PQI Podcast, we welcome Joseph W. McCollom, DO, a medical oncologist and palliative care physician passionate about integrating supportive care into oncology practice.

Dr. McCollom shares his personal experience with burnout, the lessons patients have taught him, and how palliative care helped him reconnect with meaning in his work. The conversation explores time, boundaries, whole-person care, and the importance of recognizing the emotional weight oncology professionals carry.

They also discuss how the multidisciplinary care team can better support patients, families, and one another throughout the cancer journey.

The PQI Podcast, Season 11 Episode 5
Keep Marching On: Changing the Story of Pancreatic Cancer
In Season 11, Episode 5 of The PQI Podcast, we are joined by Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).
Julie shares how losing her father to pancreatic cancer led her to PanCAN, where she became the organization’s first employee and has spent more than 25 years helping drive change for the pancreatic cancer community. 
Julie and Ginger discuss PanCAN’s comprehensive approach to supporting patients and families through patient services, education, clinical trial and specialist resources, research funding, and advocacy. Julie also explains how individual patient and caregiver stories can become a powerful collective voice for advancing pancreatic cancer research and influencing federal investment. 
The conversation also looks at the growing momentum in pancreatic cancer, including advances in KRAS-targeted therapies, opportunities in early detection and combination treatments, and the potential role of AI. Julie shares why connecting patients and healthcare professionals with PanCAN resources can make an important difference as families navigate an overwhelming diagnosis. 
Learn more about PanCAN and its resources at PanCAN.org.

This week on The PQI Podcast, we are joined by Manojkumar Bupathi, MD and Matthew Garmezy,MD genitourinary oncology experts and hosts of the Oncology Decoded podcast. 

Dr. Bupathi is President and Managing Partner of Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers and Executive Chair of the Genitourinary Research Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Dr. Garmezy serves as Associate Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Research Program and Associate Director of the Drug Development Unit at Sarah Cannon Research Institute Oncology Partners. 

Together, they bring perspectives spanning community oncology, clinical research, drug development, and real-world cancer care. In this episode, we discuss recent updates in prostate cancer and, just as importantly, how oncology teams can take new data and translate it into decisions that make sense in everyday practice. 

We also talk about Oncology Decoded, their approach to breaking down new research and treatment advances, and why understanding how to actually use emerging evidence is just as important as knowing the latest data. 

Listen to Oncology Decoded: https://www.cancernetwork.com/podcasts/oncology-decoded 

This week on The PQI Podcast, we are joined by Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, Co-founder and CEO of The Max Foundation.

Founded in 1997 in honor of Pat’s stepson, Maximiliano “Max” Rivarola, The Max Foundation has grown into a global organization focused on accelerating health equity and helping patients access cancer treatment and care. Today, the foundation works in more than 80 low- and middle-income countries and channels more than 10 million doses of cancer medications to patients each year.

Pat joins us to share Max’s story, how the foundation has evolved over nearly three decades, and the challenges patients around the world continue to face in accessing diagnostics, medications, and cancer care. We also discuss the importance of global partnerships, patient advocacy, and creating sustainable pathways to treatment.

Learn more about The Max Foundation.

This week on The PQI Podcast, we are joined by Geoffrey Rogow, Executive Editor of BBC Studios in New York, award-winning journalist, cancer survivor, founder of After Treatment, and author of the upcoming book I’m Alive. Now What?

Geoffrey shares his experience being diagnosed with cancer at age 30 and how survivorship continued to shape his life long after treatment ended. The conversation explores the transition out of active treatment, the importance of finding support and purpose, and the need to better prepare patients for what comes next.

Geoffrey also discusses the gap many survivors feel once the structure of treatment ends and the challenge of coordinating care across multiple providers over time.

Welcome to Season 11 of The PQI Podcast, presented by NCODA. We are kicking off the season with an important discussion about step therapy, also known as “fail first,” and the impact these requirements can have on patients with cancer.

Joining us are Lucio Gordan, MD, President and Managing Physician of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, and Jay Seemann, Vice President of Market Access for BeOne Medicines.

In this episode, Dr. Gordan and Jay discuss how step edits can delay treatment, increase emotional distress, create significant administrative burdens, and interfere with physician and patient choice. They also explore the importance of individualized, evidence-based treatment decisions and the roles that oncology practices, manufacturers, payers, policymakers, patients, caregivers, and advocates can play in moving solutions forward.

Learn more and explore NCODA’s Step Edits in Oncology Hub:

https://ncoda.org/news/step-edits-oncology/

Add your voice to NCODA’s Step Edits in Oncology Sign-On Letter:

Individual Sign-On Form:
https://resources-ncoda.cleverstory.io/individual-form

Organizational Sign-On Form:
https://resources-ncoda.cleverstory.io/organization-form

In the Season 10 finale of the PQI Podcast, host Ginger Blackmon is joined by NCODA Fellow Shawnny Eugene, PharmD, as co-host for a special conversation focused on pharmacy fellowships and professional development. Together, they welcome three former fellows who have taken unique career paths following their fellowship experiences: Cooper Bailey, PharmD, Rahil Dixit, PharmD, and Utoy Wong, PharmD.

Together, they share their journeys from pharmacy school to fellowship training and beyond, offering practical advice for students, residents, and pharmacists exploring both traditional and nontraditional career pathways. The conversation examines what pharmacy fellowships are, how they differ from residency programs, and the many opportunities available across oncology, nonprofit organizations, advocacy, and the pharmaceutical industry.

The guests discuss the skills they developed during their training and the importance of mentorship and professional growth. They also reflect on how their fellowship experiences helped shape their careers and prepared them for leadership opportunities within their respective fields.

Whether you are a student considering your next step, a graduate exploring career options, or a pharmacist looking to expand your professional horizons, this episode provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of pharmacy fellowships and the impact they can have on career development.

Learn more about NCODA and available professional development opportunities at ncoda.org