

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
Publications
- Improvement in time to oral anticancer agent follow-up
- Characterization of an embedded clinical oncology pharmacy model across the State of Michigan
- Health Deli Podcast – Take a BiTE Out of Cancer!
- Risk factors predicting clinical oncology pharmacists’ medication modifications
- Outcomes of clinical pharmacist integration in a community oncology practice
- Michigan cancer drug donation program looks to cut waste, help those in need
- Optimizing Corticosteroid Use for Immune-Related Adverse Events at a Community Oncology Practice
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
- Michigan Cancer Drug Repository – YesRx
Meet the Pharmacists

Rachel DeMarco, PharmD
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology
Ypsilanti, Brighton, Canton, Chelsea, Livonia
Biography
Rachel joined POEM in April 2025 with a clinical focus on the management of oral anticancer agents, including patient education and longitudinal clinical follow-up. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy and completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. Following residency, Rachel continued her work at Trinity Health as a Clinical Pharmacist in the outpatient infusion center, where she deepened her oncology knowledge and cultivated collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary providers – both of which have facilitated a seamless transition into her current role within the ambulatory care setting. Rachel is honored to contribute to the mission of POEM and is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients with cancer.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, skiing, exploring new restaurants and recipes, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Charleston.

Maja Hill, PharmD
Corewell Health
Biography
Maja started with POEM in July 2023 and her clinical focus is on oral anticancer medication management. Maja earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Toledo in 2021. She then completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI and her PGY2 Pharmacy Oncology Pharmacy Practice Residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Upon completion of her residency, she joined the team at Corewell Health’s Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion as a clinical pharmacy specialist. Outside of work, Maja enjoys reading, running, baking, and spending time with her family.

Emily Johengen, PharmD, BCACP
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology
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.

Katie Sias, PharmD, BCOP
MyMichigan Health
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.

Samuel Snowaert, PharmD, MBA
Covenant Cancer Care Center
Saginaw
Biography
Sam attended pharmacy school at Ferris State University. He completed a PGY-1 pharmacy residency at Sparrow Hosptial in Lansing, MI, followed by a PGY-2 oncology pharmacy residency at Munson Healthcare in Traverse City, MI. Sam now works as a POEM pharmacist for Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, MI where he educates and follows patients taking oral chemotherapy. Sam has an interest in teaching and precepting, with hopes of becoming more involved with Ferris State College of Pharmacy in the coming years.

Emily Thompson, PharmD
Cancer and Hematology Centers
Muskegon, Norton Shores
Biography
Emily earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ferris State University, College of Pharmacy in 2012. Initially she served patients in the retail setting before transitioning to a clinical role with Alpena Regional Medical Center in 2014, where she was first introduced to oncology pharmacy. Since early 2017 she has served oncology patients with The Cancer & Hematology Centers. Emily is beyond grateful for her new role with the POEM program and the opportunity to continue expanding her oncology knowledge base while exploring new initiatives to better serve oncology patients. When not at work Emily spends time with her husband, their three energetic daughters and the family dog, exploring the outdoors, hunting or fishing. She also dedicates time to pursuing her faith and loves serving in the Kid’s Ministry at Port City Church.

Jennifer VanSickler, PharmD
University of Michigan Health - Sparrow
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.

Colton Zwart, PharmD, BCOP
Munson Healthcare
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.
Participating POEM Sites
If you are experiencing any problems with the Interactive Map, please click the link below for a static version of the map:
Static Map
Meet the Team

Emily Mackler, PharmD, BCOP
Director, POEM
emackler@moqc.org
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.

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.

Katie Young
Data Analyst
Biography

Karen Farris, PhD
Evaluation Co-Lead
Biography
For more information, please contact Emily Mackler at emackler@moqc.org
Photography services provided by Jen Geer