The PQI Podcast

Episode 20- Season 1 Finale- Susansnaps

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.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Derek Gyori, PharmD. Derek earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy and completed his PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He completed his PGY2 Hematology and Oncology Pharmacy Residency at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. Currently, he is an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Ambulatory Hematology and Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. His practice interests include ambulatory hematology and oncology, oral chemotherapy, supportive care, academia, and medication safety. Derek is involved and holds board positions in multiple pharmacy organizations. He has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy and Purdue University College of Pharmacy.

Today we discuss Derek’s journey to become an oncology pharmacist, his family’s personal experience with cancer, and tips for pharmacy students who are interested in pursuing a career in oncology.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Dallas Lawry, DNP, FNP-C, OCN and Ken Lynch, JD, CG-C.

Dallas has been an oncology nurse at UCLA Medical Center since 2014. She recently graduated with her Doctor of Nursing Practice and is now an oncology nurse practitioner at UC San Diego. Her interests include chemotherapy desensitization, palliative care, and global health. She traveled to India every year prior to COVID-19, leading groups of nurses to volunteer with the Tibetan Buddhist refugee population. She is a member of the NCODA Executive Council. 

Ken is an ordained Chaplain through the International Fellowship of Chaplains.  He is a Certified Grief Counselor and a graduate of the Catholic Bible Institute, offered through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.  For the last eight years he has facilitated a Grief Group through Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ventura, California.  He is also a partner in the Law Offices of Krafchak & Lynch.  

Today we discuss issues related to palliative care, hospice, and grief.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Carmine Gallo. Carmine is a Harvard instructor, bestselling author and communication coach who works with CEOs and executives at the world’s most admired brands. Carmine has written ten books on the subject of leadership and communication including: The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, Talk Like TED, and Five Stars. You can visit him online or sign up for his newsletter at Carminegallo.com

Today we discuss public speaking, storytelling and communication. 

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Dana Ingoglia RD, CSO, LDN , Natasha Khrystolubova RPh, BCOP, and Beth Wittmer RN, BSN, OCN, from Florida Cancer Specialists. Today we discuss symptom management and collaboration within the medically integrated team.

You can find the website referenced in today’s episode here:

https://flcancer.com/oncology-nutrition/

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome David Hughes, PharmD, BCOP. David is the Clinical Pharmacy Manager and Residency Program Director at Boston Medical Center. He also oversees the pharmacy’s oral adherence program which encompasses over 300 patients. He has championed successful quality improvement projects in the clinic and is known for his dedication, hard work and ingenuity when dealing with patients and providers. 

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Dr. Kashyap Patel. Dr. Patel is the CEO of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates. Dr. Patel is a full time practicing medical oncologist, board certified in Hematology, Oncology, and Internal Medicine. He is also serving as a secretary for the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). He is a chair elect for the clinical affairs and trustee for the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC). He is also a member of the CPC committee for the ASCO and NCQA. He has been an advisor for the large payers including DHHS (SC), Palmetto GBA. He also serves on and advisory board for Medicaid HMOs. He has a special interest in health care policy and economics and the end-of-life care. He recently joined International Oncology Network as medical director. He has expertise in Value Based Care and has successfully led Oncology Care Model pilots with two payers including with CMMI (new division of CMS). He also has extensive experience on revenue cycle management in oncology and he con founded a large RCM company that started with 4 employees and now has over 700 employees.

He is a certified trainer for physicians “Education in Palliative and End of life Care” and has been a speaker at several different CME events. He is involved in healthcare economics and is working with major commercial payer on AAPM. He is also contractor medical director for Palmetto GBA (consultant). He is past president of the South Carolina Oncology Society. He has been working directly with cancer patients for the last twenty years. He has served as chairman of several committees in numerous South Carolina hospitals. He has had extensive research experience in the field of oncology and have published and presented articles in journals (nationally and internationally), and has had research merit awards for research in cancer including ASCO merit awards during fellowship. 

Dr. Patel has extensive legislative experience both at the local and national level. He has testified in state senate as well as has carried out a capitol hill briefing on precision medicine.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Howard Cohen, RPh, MS, FASHP. Howard recently retired as the Executive Director of Oncology Pharmacy Services for the Smilow Cancer Hospital and Network of Yale New Haven Health.  He is also the President of Safe Medication Management Associates, Inc. and serves as a consultant for Grifols. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas and his Master of Science degree from Temple University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, Pa. He completed an Executive Management fellowship at the Wharton School of Business. In 1995 he received the designation of Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. In 2014, the Smilow Cancer Hospital Pharmacy was honored as the recipient of ASHP Foundations Award for Medication Safety and Use. 

Today we discuss the use of robotic technology in oncology pharmacy.  

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Bob Phelan. Bob is the CEO of Cancer Specialists of North Florida based in Jacksonville, FL. Bob has been the CEO of Cancer Specialists for over 20 years and is also a pharmacist. Today we discuss current operational issues in oncology. 

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Kayla Randle, PharmD, BCOP. Kaylais a Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina and received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Dr. Randle completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and a PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency at Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an active member of NCODA. 

Today we discuss Kayla’s pharmacy practice setting, collaborative practice, and her involvement in NCODA.