On behalf of the ISOPP Nominating Committee, it is my pleasure to introduce the slate of candidates for this year’s ISOPP Election.
There is one candidate for the Secretary position and four candidates for the two open General Secretariat Members of the Secretariat. There is a photo of each candidate, and a letter of intent that each candidate provided below. The terms of Steve Stricker (Secretary), Felicity Wright (General Secretariat member) and Shaun O’Connor (General Secretariat member) are expiring.
I encourage you to read all of the candidate’s letters and begin formulating your decision.
Harbans Dhillon
ISOPP President Elect
ISOPP Nomination Committee Chair
Candidate for Secretary
John Wiernikoswki
We are living in a very unique point in human history. Technological advances are re-shaping how we interact with one another, and are pushing all domains of Science to limits we would never have imagined even a decade ago. It is transforming national economies at an unprecedented rate and fueling what is broadly referred to as ‘globalization’. While rational and cogent arguments can be made that not all globalization is good in terms of its impact on certain economies/societies and related Political ‘spin offs’; my experience working with colleagues in low and middle income countries is that the net benefits in the domain of “Health” have been positive. As such; organizations working in the realm of regional (e.g. Pan American Health Organization) and global health care such as WHO, UICC and SIOP are making measureable and sustainable improvements in health outcomes worldwide, including cancer outcomes. While ISOPP is a small organization in comparison to WHO or UICC it is no less relevant than these larger organizations in its ability to make a contribution in improving cancer care globally. I believe this whole-heartedly and would be honoured to bring my ISOPP experience as a Committee member (Research and Education); former General Secretariat member and as past President back to the Secretariat in the role of Secretary to help ISOPP achieve its mission and goals. I humbly and respectfully ask for your support.
Two General Secretariat positions
Mohamed Karah Ali
I am submitting this letter with the intent to run for one of the two positions of General Secretariat Members in the coming ISOPP elections.
ISOPP is one of the societies that I would like to support due to its dynamic nature and of course because it is a leading society in oncology field. During my education, I have been exposed to different oncology experiences which makes me appreciate the practice diversity in our profession, yet, motivates me to work with colleagues from everywhere for spreading the best practice in oncology. Moreover, I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge in the management of scientific societies.
If I was elected, I am willing to devote 5 – 10 hours per week for the position since I am supporting few non-scientific societies in addition to my job responsibilities.
Larry Broadfield
It has been a long while since I was actively involved with ISOPP, but I would like to contribute further to the growth of this great society.
I have been a practicing oncology pharmacist since 1985, first in Hamilton, Ontario then in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). In Hamilton, I created the Pharmacy service for the large ambulatory cancer clinic. Moving to Nova Scotia in 2000, I established a provincial program for cancer systemic therapy. I continue to have an administrative role managing the provincial program as well as coordinating the team of oncology pharmacists in Halifax and co-chairing the busy Research Ethics Board. I am appointed as Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University, teaching the oncology course to undergraduate pharmacy students. In recent years, I have become involved in a number of practice research projects, as a means to stimulate oncology pharmacy practice changes.
In the late 1980’s, I was one of the founders of first the National Oncology Pharmacy Symposium (NOPS) in Canada, then the Canadian Association of Oncology Pharmacy (CAPhO). Serving as the inaugural President, I have been actively involved with CAPhO from establishment to the present.
I was one of the founders of ISOPP after chairing the third ISOPP Symposium in 1993, Toronto. In the early years of ISOPP, I was privileged to serve as Treasurer, Vice-President and then President of ISOPP. My terms ran through the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Much of the work in those early days was to establish the functions of the Society and to support/guide the early Symposia. I am proud to have been part of this success story.
I decided to offer my services once more to ISOPP as I see many fundamental and important changes happening in the practice of oncology pharmacy. Specialty certification has set the credibility for oncology pharmacy, but the role of the pharmacist is changing from chemotherapy provider to clinician. Trained technicians are taking over chemotherapy production in many sites, with expanding roles and responsibilities. Oncology pharmacists are well-positioned to collaborate in the management of patients on systemic therapy, including ordering of treatments in established regimens. The growing shift of systemic therapy towards oral medications and non-cytotoxic biologic agents poses further challenges to the specialty of oncology pharmacy. I am at the forefront of these changes in our province of Nova Scotia, but I feel that I could help to shape these changes as well at the Society.
I have learned from my earlier time on the Secretariat that an international perspective can be both a challenge and an opportunity. ISOPP is a wonderful venue for oncology pharmacists to learn from each other and to discover practices that work in other jurisdictions and countries.
I have plenty of societal experience to offer and also have involvement in contemporary practice change management. I would be honored if you would support my candidacy for General Secretariat Member to ISOPP.
Evelyn Handel
I hope I can convey how excited and honored I would be to have the opportunity to serve as a member of the Secretariat of ISOPP. Ever since joining the organization, I have been very grateful for the way ISOPP connects oncology pharmacists around the world and provides a forum for collective innovation and collaboration. I am extremely passionate about advancing oncology pharmacy practice on a global level and working together in order to develop and achieve common goals.
After receiving my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University, I completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Oregon Health and Science University Hospitals in Portland, OR followed by a PGY-2 Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Residency at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, FL. Following residency, I attained certifications as a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) and Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). I am currently an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY where I practice in both the inpatient and outpatient/clinic settings. My desire to have a significant impact in optimizing the care of oncology patients is something that motivates me every day, and something I am passionate about sharing with others. In my current position, I have led efforts to implement a pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy management program as well as develop collaborative drug therapy practice agreements (CDTM) for chemotherapy-related symptom management, and I spend the majority of my day meeting with patients and providing chemotherapy counseling as well as recommendations for managing chemo-related toxicities.
One of the achievements I am most proud of is leading a research project that was the first to analyze the implementation of the 2010 ASHP Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative within comprehensive cancer centers in the United States and publishing our results and recommendations for continued progress. I have always been interested in contributing to oncology pharmacy practice on a higher level and am hoping to continue working on projects such as this on both a national and international level.
As soon as I joined ISOPP, I was so excited that an organization could have such a significant impact on my professional growth, and that of so many others. I have always looked for ways to serve the profession on a larger scale and thus have sought out additional involvement in state and national professional organizations such as ASHP, HOPA, and now ISOPP.
To me, ISOPP represents everything that I hope oncology pharmacy will continue to pursue: international collaboration, achieving excellence through team-based innovation and a shared passion for helping cancer patients that connects us all. We are in the midst of such an exciting time for oncology pharmacy, because the opportunities for integration and expansion of pharmaceutical care are so closely linked to the quality of patient care and outcomes.
Thank you for considering me as a candidate for this exciting opportunity to serve on the Secretariat. I would welcome the chance to contribute to the growth and success of ISOPP and oncology pharmacy as a whole.
Shaun O'Connor
My passion for oncology pharmacy practice is evident in my commitment to ISOPP as a member since 2010, and a General Secretariat member since 2013. During my time as a General Secretariat member, I have served by leading the ISOPP website taskforce, helping to rejuvenate the website and create a forum which will encourage greater understanding and community within the society. Central to achieving these goals my aim will be to foster activity on the website, including Virtual Journal Clubs and the use of the online forum.
I have also served by being part of the Australasian Organising Committee for the 2011, 2013 and 2015 ISOPP Australasian Symposia as well as the 2012 International Symposium in Melbourne, helping to bring members together for networking and education, which cements ISOPP in a strong position within Australia.
My goals as General Secretariat member will be to encourage greater momentum and increase the educational offerings of ISOPP during the next exciting phase of our consolidation in Canada and period of growth into annual symposia. The change to yearly International Symposia will be challenging to ISOPP and I look forward to actively taking part to ensure that these events offer great educational programs and networking opportunities long into the future.