POEM: Pharmacists Optimizing Oncology Care Excellence in Michigan
Description
POEM is a collaboration between two statewide Collaborative Quality Initiatives – MOQC (Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium) and MICMT (Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation) – and was developed to assist oncology practices with improving patient care and outcomes through integration of clinical oncology pharmacists in direct patient care. Clinical oncology pharmacists will provide clinical care to high-risk oncology patients in oncology practices across the state of Michigan.
Practice Benefits
- Support in recruiting, hiring, and funding clinical oncology ambulatory pharmacists
- Opportunity to receive value-based reimbursement (VBR)
- Share best practices and processes
- Collaborate in expanding interdisciplinary care and improving disease- and medication-related outcomes
Hear from a POEM Pharmacist:
Meet the Pharmacists
Jamie Alex, PharmD
Henry Ford Health System
Macomb-Clinton Township
Biography
Jamie started with POEM in September 2021 and her clinical focus is oral chemotherapy. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Wayne State University in 2019. She completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Ascension St. John Hospital and her PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. She is excited for the opportunity to collaborate with providers and other members of the care team to improve patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and adherence. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, taking road trips, and spending time with her family.
Emily Johengen, PharmD, BCACP
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology
Ypsilanti, Brighton, Canton, Chelsea, Livonia
Biography
Emily joined POEM in October 2020. Her clinical focus is oral anticancer agent management, including patient education and clinical follow up. Emily earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and a PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at Michigan Medicine. Since joining POEM, Emily has led initiatives to improve time to oral anticancer agent follow up and expand oncology symptom management services within her organization.
Christin Molnar, PharmD
Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan (CHCWM)
Grand Rapids, Holland, Norton Shores
Biography
Christin started with POEM in November 2020 and her clinical focus is on immunotherapy and developing a process for follow up and symptom management. She earned her PharmD from the Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2014. She completed a PGY-1 residency at Ascension-Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI and then practiced in a variety of staffing, clinical, and leadership roles. In late 2017 she joined CHCWM as pharmacy manager and was fortunate to further develop her oncology knowledge base while also helping lead the pharmacy team. She is thankful for the opportunity to provide care for the wonderful patients at CHCWM in this new, exciting role. Christin enjoys exploring new cities/foods/wines with her fiancé Cory, chasing after their dog Gunner, and spending quality time with family.
Olga Yankulina, PharmD, BCOP
Henry Ford Health System
Novi
Biography
Olga joined POEM in October 2021 and her clinical focus is oral anticancer medication management. This includes patient education and clinical follow-up. Olga earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2014. In 2015, she completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. In 2016, she graduated from her PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Practice Residency at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. Post residency (2016 – 2021), she served as an ambulatory clinical pharmacy specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Olga is excited to further expand the role of the oncology pharmacist through the POEM initiative. Outside of work, Olga enjoys spending time with her dog Zeema, practicing yoga, traveling, reading, being outdoors, and discovering new restaurants.
Katie Sias, PharmD, BCOP
MyMichigan Health
Mt. Pleasant, Midland, Alpena, Alma, Gladwin
Biography
Katie started with POEM in March 2021 and her clinical focus is oral chemotherapy. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Ferris State University in 2007. She has worked as a clinical pharmacy supervisor for MidMichigan Health with an oncology focus for the past 12 years. During her time as a clinical pharmacy supervisor, she oversaw operations of the infusion pharmacy in Midland and collaborated with a multidisciplinary oncology team across multiple sites. She earned her Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy in 2019. She is eager to expand patient access to oncology pharmacists and sees pharmacists as the optimal team member to provide education and medication-related symptom management. Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends, coaching youth soccer, reading, and being outdoors.
Jennifer VanSickler, PharmD
Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center
Lansing
Biography
Jenni started with POEM in March 2023 and her clinical focus is oral anticancer agent management, including patient education and clinical follow-up. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy in 2013 and subsequently completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. After residency, Jenni stayed on with Sparrow Hospital, taking a position as a staff pharmacist working in various areas including the infusion center and specialty pharmacy. She is grateful for the opportunity to join the POEM team as an advocate for oncology pharmacists and to promote the collaborative care they can provide to improve patient outcomes. Outside of pharmacy, Jenni enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, supporting the kids in their athletic activities, and spending time in northern Michigan enjoying the outdoors.
Mark Wagner, PharmD, BCOP
Munson Healthcare
Traverse City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Gaylord, Grayling, Manistee
Biography
Mark started with POEM in July 2021 and his clinical focus is in expansion of oral chemotherapy management and supportive care. He graduated from Ferris State University with his Doctor of Pharmacy in 2014. Following graduation, he completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Boise, ID in 2015 and a PGY-2 Specialty Residency in Hematology and Oncology at St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute in Boise, ID in 2016.
After residency completion, he accepted a position as a clinical oncology pharmacist at the Cowell Family Cancer Center (CFCC) in Traverse City, MI and became a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist in the fall of 2016. In his time at CFCC, he led the development of an oral chemotherapy education program and currently oversees this program. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, hiking, hunting, and various homesteading projects. He is looking forward to starting his new role as a part of the POEM program.
Colton Zwart, PharmD, BCOP
Munson Healthcare
Traverse City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Gaylord, Grayling, Manistee
Biography
Dr. Zwart graduated from Ferris State University in 2019. After completion of PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Munson Medical Center, he joins the Cowell Infusion Pharmacy as the first Munson PGY-2 Oncology resident. Upon completion of his residency, Colton joined Cowell Infusion Pharmacy team as a clinical pharmacist. This past spring, he became board certified in oncology. Outside of work, Colton spends time with his wife, paddle boarding, and training for triathlons.
Photography services provided by Jen Geer
Map
Locations of participating sites in the POEM program:
Interactive Map:
If you are experiencing any problems with the Interactive Map, please click the link below for a static version of the map:
Meet the Team
Emily Mackler, PharmD, BCOP
Director, POEM
Biography
Dr. Mackler received her PharmD from Drake University and completed her Residency experience in Pharmacy Practice and Oncology at the University Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. She joined Michigan Medicine in 2002 as a Clinical Oncology Pharmacist. She founded the Oncology Specialty Residency at the University of Michigan in 2003 and was the program director until 2013. She has been involved in multiple oncology quality and safety endeavors including serving as the co-lead and founding developer of the NCCN Chemotherapy Order Templates since its inception in 2006, founding pharmacist in the Cancer Center Symptom Management and Supportive Care Program at the University of Michigan 2009 – 2012, founding director of the University of Michigan Oral Chemotherapy Program in 2012 and thereafter MOQC’s Oral Oncolytic Program in 2013, and founding Course Director of the Michigan Society of Hematology Oncology (MSHO) Annual Pharmacist’s Meeting. She founded HOPA’s Quality Oversight Committee and is a HOPA Board Member At-Large from 2020-2023. Dr. Mackler’s research and practice interests focus on oncology symptom management, quality of care, equity of care, medication adherence, and patient reported outcomes.
emackler@moqc.org
Julie Wietzke, MHSA, MLS
Manager
Biography
Julie Wietzke is the Manager at the Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation (MICMT). In this role, Julie oversees the staff and helps guide the work of MICMT. She has a Master of Health Services Administration degree and a Master of Library Science degree, specializing in health sciences information. Julie has over 20 years of experience working in healthcare in quality improvement, clinical research, and operations. She has worked with hospitals and physician organizations across the state of Michigan on initiatives aimed at improving the quality of care. In her free time, Julie enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for walks, camping, and traveling to U.S. National Parks.
Ashley Schwartz, LMSW
Project Manager
Biography
Ashley Schwartz, LMSW, is a Project Manager at the Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation (MICMT). Ashley provides ongoing program support by collaborating and coordinating with Physician Organizations and managing BCBSM deliverables. As a licensed social worker, Ashley has several years of experience working in various healthcare settings providing clinical and administrative support. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, staying active and traveling the world.
Arielle Davidson, PharmD Candidate
Pharmacy Intern
Biography
Arielle is a PharmD candidate at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology and a minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Prior to joining MOQC in 2020, she gained experience in quality care by working with the Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative (MARCQI). In addition, she has worked as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens for the past three years. Arielle is a member of the Hematology and Oncology Pharmacist Association (HOPA), the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). In her free time, she likes to take walks, listen to music, and hangout with friends.
Katie Young
Data Analyst
Biography
Katherine (Katie) Young is a Computer Research Specialist at the Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation (MICMT). Katie has a wide knowledge of database development, data collection and data mining methodologies, principles and techniques. Katie is part of MICMT’s program evaluation team that is responsible for the design and implementation of data infrastructures MICMT uses for reporting information to high level management as well as Physician Organizations, Practices and Care Managers.
Karen Farris, PhD
Evaluation Co-Lead
Biography
Dr. Farris is the Charles R. Walgreen III Professor of Pharmacy Administration at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She is Chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and serves as Director of the Clinical Pharmacy Translational Sciences Graduate and Fellowship Program. She completed her PhD at the University of Michigan with theoretical training in social psychology and health behavior and has been a pharmacy services researcher for over 25 years. Her research and teaching focuses on how individuals manage their medications and the roles of pharmacists in influencing medication use, including medication adherence and symptom assessment. Her most recent work is with the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC), where we have been able to study the symptom experience and medication adherence with oral anti-cancer medications and we have tested and published components of a standard model of care for oncology practices subsequent evaluation. Dr. Farris was named Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association in 2006, Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor Award in Biological and Life Sciences at the University of Iowa in 2007, and Distinguished Clinical and Translational Research Mentor in 2016 at the University of Michigan. She has over 120 peer-reviewed publications and has given numerous invited talks at local, state, national and international venues. She has obtained over $7 million in PI/co-PI grants and over $8 million as co-investigator on other grants, all involving pharmacists and their impact on health and health outcomes or medication adherence.
David Reyes-Gastelum, MSc
Statistician
Biography
David Reyes-Gastelum is a Statistician at the Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation (MICMT). He is a part of MICMT’s program evaluation team. David has Master of Science degrees in Statistics and Mathematics, as well as experience in medical research, statistical consulting, and social and behavioral science research. In his free time, David enjoys spending time with family, cooking, staying active, and spending time outdoors camping, hiking, and climbing.
Mike Harrison
POQC Member
Biography
Mike is one of the first members of the Patient and Caregiver Oncology Quality Council (POQC), which was formed several years ago to provide the patient and caregiver voice for MOQC. He is a member of the MOQC Steering Committee, the Measures Committee, and the PROMOnc Steering Committee which is a national effort that MOQC is partnering with to develop, test, and improve patient-reported outcomes. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer nine years ago and remains cancer-free. Mike has also been a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee for the Rogel Cancer Center at Michigan Medicine for the past six years and retired in 2016 after 29 years at Michigan Medicine, primarily as director of PR and Marketing as well as a manager in strategic planning.
*Photography services provided by Jen Geer
Resources
- POEM Overview
- Clinical Oncology Pharmacist Job Description
- Model Program:
- Choe HM, et al. Michigan Pharmacists Transforming Care and Quality: Developing a Statewide Collaborative of Physician Organizations and Pharmacists to Improve Quality of Care and Reduce Costs. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2018;24(4):373-378
- Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation website
- Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium website
Contact Information
For more information, please contact Emily Mackler at emackler@moqc.org
Support for the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) as part of the BCBSM Value Partnerships program. BCBSM’s Value Partnerships program provides clinical and executive support for all CQI programs. Although Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and MOQC work collaboratively, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of BCBSM or any of its employees.
