The PQI Podcast

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Kaitlyn Ash and Lauren Stafford from Live for Today Foundation. Live For Today Foundation is a non- profit organization based in Jacksonville, FL that helps young adults with cancer. Their purpose is to inspire young adults with cancer by focusing on living, not cancer.

Kaitlyn was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma at the age of 12 and completed a year of in-patient chemotherapy treatments, along with major surgery to remove her tumor and one rib in her back. Kaitlyn has a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Florida where she also studied leadership for non-profit management. She co-founded Live for Today and has been involved with the organization since inception. She loves being a cancer advocate and a mentor that our members can look to for support and inspiration.

Lauren is Vice President of Live for Today Foundation and was diagnosed and treated for Ewing’s Sarcoma as a young mother. Lauren completed her doctorate in pharmacy and residency in pharmacy practice at the University of Florida. She spent seven years as the clinical pharmacy manager for the St. Vincent’s family of hospitals in Jacksonville, as well as serving in leadership positions in professional organizations. Lauren retired from her role as manager to spend more time with her two children and has recently taken on the role of Life Adventure Chair.

Today we discuss Kaitlyn and Lauren’s personal stories, the mission and purpose of Live for Today, and issues that are unique to young adults with cancer. More information on Live for Today Foundation can be found at the website below. 

https://www.live-for-today.org

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Cesar Santa-Maria, MD from Johns Hopkins. Dr. Santa-Maria works as both a primary oncologist and consultant for patients with all types and stages of breast cancer. His research interest is in developing new types of treatment for patients with breast cancer using immunotherapy. 

Today we discuss his current and past research in breast cancer including studies on immunotherapy in breast cancer treatment and on survivorship. The links to the studies Dr. Santa-Maria discusses in this episode can be found below. 

PRISMM study:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/cancers_we_treat/breast_cancer_program/research_and_clinical_trials/PRISMM/

immunoADAPT Study:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03573648

A-NEW Study:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04499950

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Tim Ringgold. Tim is a board-certified music therapist, author, and host of the Reduce Your Stress Podcast and Summit. Tim is also an award winning international speaker, having shared the stage with some of the top minds on music, the brain, and personal development, including Tony Robbins. Tim was the first person to give a TEDx talk on music therapy in 2012, and is also a former Regional President of the American Music Therapy Association. He has experience working with oncology patients and improving various symptoms through music therapy.

Today we discuss music as medicine and the science behind music therapy. We discuss how music therapy can help both oncology patients and oncology staff members.  Tim is hosting an upcoming free summit for healthcare providers called “Reduce Your Stress.” The Summit is August 9-13, 2021 and more information can be found at: http://www.reduceyourstresssummit.com/

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More information about Tim including his “relaxation vacation” can be found at:

https://www.timringgold.com/

Dr. Carmen Guerra sits down with Ginger on episode 7 of the PQI Podcast and discusses equities and disparities in oncology. 

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Becki Tinder and Taryn Newsome. Becki and Taryn are leaders in NCODA’s Oncology Pharmacy Technician Association (OPTA). Taryn recently joined NCODA staff as OPTA coordinator. Today we discuss the role and value in Oncology Pharmacy Technicians. We also discuss the benefits of OPTA and networking with peers. To learn more about OPTA please visithttps://www.ncoda.org/oncology-pharmacy-technician-association-opta/ or email Taryn at [email protected]

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Saundra Pelletier. Saundra is the CEO of Evofem Biosciences and a breast cancer survivor.

At her core, Saundra is a passionate advocate for women’s wellness and empowerment. She is a leader in the boardroom and beyond, using her experience, voice and vision for real, progressive change for women. Saundra brings more than two decades of broad executive leadership experience to Evofem. Throughout her career, she has had oversight and accountability for Sales, Marketing,Operations, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Customer Service, BusinessDevelopment and Strategic Partnerships. Today we discuss her role as CEO of Evofem Biosciences, her personal cancer story, and Evofem’s hormone-free, on-demand, female contraceptive gel PHEXXI®. Saundra discusses Evofem’s collaboration with NCODA and the importance of the PHEXXI® Positive Quality Intervention.

To learn more about Phexxi, speak to your healthcare provider and see full product information at Phexxi.com. Do not use if you have a history of repeated urinary tract problems. Side effects include vaginal burning, itching, discharge, genital discomfort, yeast infection, urinary tract infection or bacterial vaginosis. Phexxi does not protect against STIs.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome My-Lien Au and Madison

Motzner, leaders of the NCODA Professional Student Organization (PSO). Au

is a Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate at the University of North Texas Health

Science Center and currently serves as National Vice President of Community

Service of the NCODA PSO. Motzner is a Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate at

Washington State University (WSU) and currently serves and National

President of the NCODA PSO.

Today we discuss involvement in NCODA’s Professional Student

Organization, the importance of oncology education in pharmacy school, and

hear personal stories from our guests. The first annual

NCODA Professional Student Organization Meeting: Oncology Student Pharmacist’s Career Training will be held September 16-17, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Meeting registration and additional  information can be found here:

https://www.ncoda.org/pso-annual-meeting/.

On today’s episode of The PQI Podcast we welcome Dr. John Marshall and his wife Liza Marshall. Dr. John Marshall is a medical oncologist and a professor at Georgetown University, and he is an internationally recognized expert in gastrointestinal cancers and the development of new treatments for cancer.

Liza Marshall left practice as a communications attorney in 2005 to channel her talents and energy into her family and her growing role at Hope Connections for Cancer Support, of which she is a founding member. In 2006, at the age of forty-three, Liza was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, the deadliest form of the disease. The recently released the book Off Our Chests: A Candid Tour Through the World of Cancer. In Off Our Chests, Liza vividly details her treatment, her feelings of desperation and vulnerability, the complex decisions she had to make from mastectomy to chemotherapy and radiation, and finally the elective removal of her other breast—all experienced in the sometimes uncomfortable public setting of being treated at her husband’s cancer center. 

John’s experience as a caregiver forces him to rethink everything he has learned and teaches as a leader in cancer care. No longer able to maintain complete objectivity with his own patients, he ultimately exhausts himself trying to provide ideal cancer care for all. Today we discuss their book and their experiences of oncologist turned caregiver and of cancer patient and survivor.

https://www.offourchestsbook.com/our-book

https://www.amazon.com/Off-Our-Chests-Candid-Through/dp/1646870484

Podcast guests’ comments reflect their experiences and opinions and should not be used as a substitute for medical judgement. Important notice: NCODA has developed this PQI Podcast platform. This platform is intended as an educational aid and does not provide individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. This platform does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warning, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with any medication discussed in the platform and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. 

The materials contained in this platform are for informational purposes only and do not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this medication by NCODA, which assumes no liability for and does not ensure the accuracy of the information presented. NCODA does not make any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual consuming the medication. All decisions related to taking this medication should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional.