 the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is marking the fifteenth anniversary of its 

Oncology Pharmacy Education Network (OPEN).

 In recognition of their vision and dedication, ACCC is pleased to honor OPEN founding pharmacist leaders Ernest R. Anderson Jr., MS, RPh, FASHP, FMSHP, and Steven L. D’Amato, BScPharm. The award presentation will take place on October 30, during the OPEN Pre-Conference to the 36

 ACCC National Oncology Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Over the past decade, oncology has benefited from an expanding arsenal of anticancer treatments, including targeted therapies, oral oncolytic, immunotherapies, biosimilars, and combination regimens. In this complex landscape, the role of the oncology pharmacy and oncology pharmacists is pivotal to quality care delivery.  

With an engaged interdisciplinary membership providing cancer care across all healthcare settings, ACCC was at the forefront in recognizing the need to scale up education and advocacy on behalf of effective oncology pharmacy operations in a changing healthcare environment while supporting the contributions of oncology pharmacists in multidisciplinary care.   

“Fifteen years ago, then ACCC Executive Director Lee Mortenson came to me as a pharmacist member on the Board of the Association of Community Cancer Centers to ask how we could get more pharmacists involved with ACCC,” recalls Mr. Anderson. “After some brainstorming, we created the Oncology Pharmacy Education Network, recruited top pharmacists from around the country for the OPEN Advisory Committee, and began creating quality educational content expressly for oncology pharmacists.”

In 2008-2009, Mr. Anderson became the first pharmacist to serve as ACCC President. Fittingly, his presidential theme centered on leadership. For the past several years, Mr. Anderson has headed Ernest R. Anderson Jr. Consulting, Inc.

Steven D’Amato not only led the Association (ACCC President 2015-2016), he has served as chair of ACCC’s Oncology Care Model Collaborative since its inception. This multi-year endeavor brings together participants in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Oncology Care Model to share effective practices and challenges experienced with the model. Mr. D’Amato is Executive Director of New England Cancer Specialists, Scarborough, Maine.

As the oncology ecosystem undergoes transformative change, both Mr. Anderson and Mr. D’Amato remain active participants in OPEN. “We endeavor to leave a great legacy of pharmacist participation in ACCC and OPEN,” said Mr. Anderson.

Adding to that legacy is current ACCC President Dr. Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP, Clinical Coordinator, Hematology/Oncology, at The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy. “ACCC is pleased to recognize these pharmacist leaders for their outstanding contributions to OPEN and the Association of Community Cancer Centers,” said Dr. Bride.

“In response to the increasing complexity of oncolytic treatments, the associated economic burden on patients and provider organizations, and the integration of diverse alternative payment models, the role of oncology pharmacists continues to increase, and OPEN is an unequaled source of practical, real-world support for the oncology pharmacy.” One area of need noted by Dr. McBride in a recent blog post is a model for chemotherapy stewardship coordinated by oncology pharmacists. Dr. McBride will be presenting the OPEN awards in Orlando. 

Learn more about OPEN at accc-cancer.org/OPEN

. On October 30, listen in as Dr. McBride discusses “The Evolution of Oncology Pharmacy” on ACCC’s podcast, CANCER BUZZ.

About the Association of Community Cancer Centers

Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC)

 is the leading education and advocacy organization for the cancer care community. Founded in 1974, ACCC is a powerful network of 25,000 multidisciplinary practitioners from 2,100 hospitals and practices nationwide. As advances in cancer screening and diagnosis, treatment options, and care delivery models continue to evolve—so has ACCC&mdash;adapting its resources to meet the changing needs of the entire oncology care team. For more information, visit accc-cancer.org or call 301.984.9496. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn; read our blog, ACCCBuzz; and tune in to our podcast, CANCER BUZZ.

About the Oncology Pharmacy Education Network

advocates on behalf of hematology-oncology pharmacists as vital members of the cancer care team and is committed to developing educational resources and multidisciplinary connections that advance the field and elevate oncology pharmacy professionals to top-of-license practice.

Articles

ACCC is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Oncology Pharmacy Education Network by honoring its founders.

ACCC Marks 15th Anniversary of Oncology Pharmacy Education Network

Building on the success of last year's collaboration, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) and Advisory Board's Oncology Roundtable are again conducting a comprehensive survey that will explore how cancer programs across the country are moving forward and adapting in the midst of exciting, increasingly rapid advances in cancer care coupled with unprecedented change underway across the U.S. healthcare system.  Funding and support for the "Trending Now in Cancer Care" survey is provided by Pfizer Oncology.

"With a record number of respondents to last year's survey, ACCC is pleased to partner again with the Advisory Board's Oncology Roundtable to create this valuable snapshot focusing on how cancer programs are faring in today's healthcare environment," said Christian G. Downs, JD, MHA, ACCC Executive Director. "Our collaboration in conducting this trends survey brings the oncology community much-needed perspective on strengths and challenges of cancer programs in a health system that continues to struggle with transformation."

The 2018 "Trending Now in Cancer Care" survey will address:

Leveraging technology, including telehealth utilization, EHR interoperability

Treatment advances, including biomarker testing protocols

Familiarity with new immunotherapies, including CAR T-cell therapy

Challenges to clinical trial participation

Findings will help cancer programs assess their strengths and areas for improvement, and plan strategically for the future. Survey participants will receive a customized report, comparing their program-type cohort data to national results.

"This year's survey will help cancer programs identify strategies to ensure success in a changing healthcare environment," said Deirdre Saulet, PhD, Practice Manager for Oncology Roundtable at Advisory Board. "We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our partnership with ACCC on this survey."

The "Trending Now in Cancer Care" survey is open to all oncology programs in the United States. Respondents do not need to be members of ACCC or Advisory Board to participate. Any members of the multidisciplinary cancer team, including cancer program executives and administrators, clinical staff, and physicians are invited to take the survey.

 will be available online for approximately four weeks.

Survey to explore issues affecting care providers, patients, and programs.

Association of Community Cancer Centers and Advisory Board Launch 9th Annual Trends in Cancer Care Survey

The cost of cancer care continues to be a top concern for patients and their healthcare providers. In response, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has launched 

, the first free online training program designed for all those who work to assist cancer patients in navigating financial issues related to their cancer treatment. As a just-released 

The Costs of Cancer: Addressing Patient Costs

, from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network makes clear, “Not only does cancer take an enormous toll on the health of patients and survivors—it also has a tremendous financial impact. For patients and their families, the costs associated with direct cancer care are staggering.” The challenges patients face in dealing with the rising cost of care is also highlighted in the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 

, which notes that “Even among patients with health insurance, a cancer diagnosis can be financially catastrophic.”

Financial advocates have become vital members of today’s cancer care team, playing a critical role in helping patients access treatment and understand the costs of care, and working to reduce the potential for financial toxicity as a side effect of cancer. Due to the evolving and increasing complex healthcare coverage landscape, financial advocates have an ongoing need for training, information, and resources.

“A cancer diagnosis is a stressful and life altering event. Financial advocates can help by playing a key role in alleviating the added financial stress of a cancer diagnosis. ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Boot Camp training will help these professionals keep up with the ever-changing landscape and tools to best help the patients they work with,” said Mark S. Soberman, MD, MBA, FACS, ACCC President and Medical Director, Oncology Service Line and Chief Physician Executive, Monocacy Health Partners at Frederick Regional Health System.

Developed by expert, experienced oncology financial advocates, this comprehensive online program covers five domain areas:

Developing and Improving Financial Advocacy Programs and Services.

Steven Ackerman, Patient Support Coordinator, Kadlec Clinic Hematology & Oncology in Kennewick, WA, recently completed the program. “I feel the Financial Advocacy Boot Camp is the most comprehensive and useful training method for both new and seasoned financial advocates. It is a crucial tool in the new field of financial advocacy and the ever-changing healthcare system.”

“As a newcomer to oncology, financial navigation can feel like a daunting task. I was relieved to find this Boot Camp! Now, I am more confident that I can help my patients make informed choices to ease their financial stress,” said Joanita Miranda, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

The Financial Advocacy Boot Camp is designed for financial advocates, nurses, nurse and patient navigators, social workers, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, medical coders, administrative staff, cancer program administrators, and other healthcare professionals involved in financial advocacy for patients with cancer.

The Financial Advocacy Boot Camp is the newest resource from the 

. Established in 2012, the Financial Advocacy Network provides needed resources to help expand the skills and knowledge base of oncology care team members who deal directly with patients on complex financial issues surrounding their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

For more about the Financial Advocacy Boot Camp, read 

The Association of Community Cancer Centers has lauched a financial advocacy boot camp offering free comprehensive online training for oncology financial advocates.

Association of Community Cancer Centers

Articles

ACCC Marks 15th Anniversary of Oncology Pharmacy Education Network

Association of Community Cancer Centers and Advisory Board Launch 9th Annual Trends in Cancer Care Survey

Association of Community Cancer Centers Launches Financial Advocacy Boot Camp in Response to Catastrophic Cancer Costs