POEM: Pharmacists Optimizing Oncology Care Excellence in Michigan

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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, 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.