The PQI Podcast

A legend and leader in the hotel world, Horst Schulze's teachings and vision have reshaped the concepts of service and hospitality across industries.

Mr. Schulze's professional life began more than 65 years ago as a server's assistant in a German resort town. Throughout the years he worked for both Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation before becoming one of the founding members of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in 1983. There Mr. Schulze created the operating and service standards that have become world famous.

During his tenure at The Ritz-Carlton, Mr. Schulze served as President and COO, responsible for the $2 billion operations worldwide. It was under his leadership that The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company became the first service-based company to be awarded the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award — twice.

After leaving The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Mr. Schulze went on to found The Capella Hotel Group. This luxury hotel company managed some of the most elite properties worldwide, and gave Mr. Schulze the opportunity to further define the luxury hotel industry, receiving countless awards and recognitions.

Today, Mr. Schulze serves as Expert in Residence at Arch + Tower, a boutique, organizational strategy consulting firm. He also recently completed his first book, titled “Excellence Wins.”
Today we discuss customer service, the need for “care” in healthcare, leadership, vision, his book “Excellence Wins”, and Mr. Schulze’s personal cancer story. Mr. Schulze will be a keynote speaker at NCODA’s 2022 International Spring Forum. You can find his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Excellence-Wins-No-Nonsense-Becoming-Compromise/dp/0310352096.

Elizabeth Salerno, PhD, MPH is a biobehavioral scientist with training in kinesiology and epidemiology. She is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Public Health Sciences and Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine.

Her research focuses on the determinants and outcomes of physical activity behavior at the intersection of cancer and aging. Specifically, Dr. Salerno is interested in how physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors can be implemented into the standard of care to combat accelerated aging and improve cognitive, physical, and psychosocial health during survivorship. A large focus of her work is building community-based, scalable physical activity interventions to bring health benefits to all cancer patients.
Today we discuss her recent study on the relationship between cognition and physical activity in breast cancer patients that was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, as well as other projects related to physical activity and cancer patients.
The ACSM exercise directory discussed in the podcast can be found here: https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/eim-in-action/moving-through-cancer/exercise-program-registry/.

Season 2 Episode 7- Charita Marthone, PharmD, BCOP

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Charita Marthone, PharmD, BCOP. Charita is a Clinical Oncology Specialist at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC.
Today we discuss her role as a Clinical Oncology Specialist and the development of Sibley Memorial Hospital’s clinical pharmacy program, telehealth and financial toxicity of oral chemotherapy treatment.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Deb Lawry, RN, OCN. Deb is a registered nurse, nationally certified in Oncology. She has over 33 years of oncology experience. Deb graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a bachelor’s degree in biology & psychology. She obtained her nursing degree in her hometown of Ventura, CA through Ventura Community College. Deb initially worked in oncology, at the bedside, at St John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, CA. She then spent several years as the nursing supervisor for Ventura County Hematology Oncology Specialists – a private medical oncology practice. From there she worked as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Educator with the biotech company AMGEN. Deb came to the Community Memorial Health Systems Cancer Center, Ventura, as the Oncology Patient Nurse Navigator in February of 2016.

Today we discuss the oncology nurse navigator role and the importance of this service for patients.

Season 2 Episode 4- Dr. Nigel Brockton- Cancer Prevention

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Nigel Brockton, PhD. Dr. Brockton is the Vice President of Research at American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). Dr. Brockton earned his PhD in the genetic epidemiology of colorectal cancer from the University of Aberdeen followed by post-doctoral studies at the University of Dundee.
As the Vice President of Research for AICR, he oversees all research-related aspects of the organization including the Research Grant Program, the AICR Research Conference and the research that supports AICR’s policy objectives and AICR printed and digital materials. He also contributes to the WCRF/AICR Continuous Update Project (CUP), that reviews, analyses and summarizes the global literature regarding diet, physical activity, obesity and cancer.
He maintains an appointment (adjunct Associate Professor) at the University of Calgary, Department of Community Health Sciences, and continues to conduct collaborative research using the rich data and biospecimen resources within the prospective longitudinal studies that he established in Alberta. These studies examine the patterns of adherence to lifestyle recommendations among cancer patients, the impact of modifiable lifestyle factors on cancer metastasis and survival and provide data and biospecimens for external collaborative projects.
February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Today we discuss Dr. Brockton’s personal cancer story, the American Institute for Cancer Research, current recommendations from AICR on how to prevent cancer, the Healthy 10 Challenge and New American Plate. You can find information on all of AICR’s programs including the Healthy 10 Challenge at https://www.aicr.org.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Phil Stover, JD, MBA. Phil is the Chief Executive Officer of Mission Cancer + Blood in Des Moines, Iowa. He is an accomplished businessman and attorney with over 15 years of experience in management, business process improvement, negotiations and contracting. Phil graduated from Drake University Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree with Honors and from University of Iowa Tippie School of Business with a Master of Business Administration Degree with Distinction. Phil is a cancer survivor himself and is humbled by the opportunity to work for this amazing group as CEO and to be able to serve the physicians and staff that are dedicated to treating those suffering from cancer. 

Today we discuss his role with Mission Cancer + Blood and the great work the practice is doing. We also discuss Phil’s personal story as a cancer patient and survivor. We talk about the information found in his recent blog post “Living with Anxiety after Surviving Cancer:  4 Keys to a Happier Life.” His original post can be found here: https://www.missioncancer.com/living-with-anxiety-after-surviving-cancer-4-keys-to-a-happier-life-by-phil-stover-ceo-of-mission-cancer-blood/

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Kevin Kalinsky, MD, MS from Emory Winship Cancer Institute. Dr. Kalinsky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine. He serves as the director of the Glenn Family Breast Center at Winship where he is tasked with fulfilling the vision to improve breast cancer outcomes by aligning research and education with cancer treatment and prevention. A breast cancer physician and investigator, Dr. Kalinsky's research focus is in developing new therapeutic approaches to patients with breast cancer.

Today we discuss recent updates to the RxPONDER trial and other important updates from the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. 

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Krystal Preston, PharmD, BCPS and Randall Knoebel, PharmD, BCOP.

Dr. Krystal Preston earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Chicago State University and is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy. She recently began a new career journey working as a Clinical Specialty Pharmacist-Oncology with Amita Health St. Joseph Hospital Chicago. She also works part time as a Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. She has made it her life mission to end disparities in healthcare.

Dr. Randall Knoebel obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy from Midwestern University, Chicago College of Pharmacy.  He worked as a clinical pharmacy specialist in Leukemia for several years before moving into pharmacy leadership positions, now working as Pharmacy Director of Health Analytics and Drug Policy. He also serves as the PGY1 pharmacy residency program director; and as the pharmacy director of Pain Stewardship at the University of Chicago a committee charged to lead efforts institutionally to improve the quality and safety of pain care. 

Today we discuss disparities in chronic pain management and Krystal’s personal story in dealing with Sickle Cell disease. Randy’s recent article can be found here: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/heq.2020.0062

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Nadim Ajami, Ph.D.. Nadim serves as the Executive Director of Scientific Research for the Program for Innovative Microbiome and Translational Research (PRIME-TR) at The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Nadim earned his PhD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and his career goals are centered on addressing unmet clinical needs with translational research. He has worked closely with clinicians in various settings to identify opportunities to study microbe-host interactions in the context of health and disease. 

Today we discuss the Prime-TR program and microbiome as it relates to cancer and anti-cancer therapies. More information on the Prime-TR program can be found here:

https://www.mdanderson.org/research/departments-labs-institutes/programs-centers/prime-tr.html

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Susan and Laura, owners of Susansnaps, the only gourmet gingersnap company.

Susansnaps are a labor of love that were developed after Laura watched her husband and her daughter Susan undergo chemo within the same year. Ginger is a natural stomach soother and cookies always have a way to bring smiles.

Laura named the cookies “Susansnaps” in memory of her sister, Sue (who died from Hodgkin’s) and in honor of her daughter (who beat Hodgkin’s at 22). Susan and Laura bake the most delicious gourmet gingersnaps in five fabulous flavors, ship nationwide, have a charming retail shop and bakery in Atlanta, and give back through our foundation for cancer patient gifts.

Today we hear their story and more about their book The Cookie Cure. You can find their delicious Susansnaps and The Cookie Cure on their website at https://susansnaps.com.