The PQI Podcast

Ginger Blackmon

The PQI Podcast, presented by NCODA, Inc., hosts clinical and administrative experts in oncology providing insight on important industry topics and how they value the Positive Quality Intervention (PQI) resource for their practice. In addition, the podcast highlights patient stories of hope, determination and how patient-centered care has impacted their cancer journey. Hosted by NCODA's Manager of Patient-Centered Communications, Ginger Blackmon, PharmD.

  1. Oct 22

    Fungi, Facts, and Cancer Care: Exploring Medicinal Mushrooms

    Could medicinal mushrooms have a role in cancer care? This week on The PQI Podcast, we welcome Donald Abrams, MD an integrative oncologist at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine and Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Abrams is a pioneer in integrative oncology, having spent decades researching complementary therapies and their potential applications in patient care. He previously served as Chief of Hematology-Oncology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and as President of the Society for Integrative Oncology. He also co-edited the textbook Integrative Oncology with Dr. Andrew Weil. In this episode, Dr. Abrams shares how an unexpected visit to a mushroom festival helped shape his career in integrative medicine. We explore the science behind medicinal mushrooms, including turkey tail, reishi, lion's mane, and cordyceps, and discuss their potential roles in immune support, fatigue, neuropathy, and cognitive health. The conversation also covers the available evidence in oncology, potential drug interactions, supplement quality, and important considerations for patients receiving immunotherapy. We briefly explore emerging research on psychedelic mushrooms and their potential role in addressing anxiety and emotional distress in patients with cancer. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Abrams emphasizes the importance of open conversations about complementary therapies and helping patients feel empowered throughout their cancer journey.

  2. Oct 15

    Keep Saying Yes: Living, Advocating, and Finding Purpose with Cancer

    Jacob “JJ” Singleton was diagnosed with colorectal cancer as a young adult and has spent more than a decade navigating ongoing treatment, recurrence, and the realities of living with cancer long term. In this episode of The PQI Podcast, JJ shares his journey, from the symptoms he initially ignored to the clinical trial that changed his treatment course, and the nearly 200 treatments that followed. JJ also discusses the physical and emotional impact of years of treatment, the importance of mental health support and community, and why he chooses to share an honest picture of life with cancer. He reflects on how advocacy gave him a renewed sense of purpose and how his work has expanded to include young adult cancer, rural oncology, clinical trials, and incorporating the patient perspective into research and care. The conversation explores how patients can find their own path into advocacy and how oncology care teams can support them. JJ reminds healthcare professionals that every patient experiences cancer and treatment differently and encourages care teams to meet patients where they are, listen as relationships evolve, and recognize the value of lived experience.

  3. Oct 8

    The Future of Oncology

    What could oncology care look like by 2030? NCODA Oncology, Advocacy, Health Policy & Equity Fellow and guest host Ariel Hughes, PharmD, is joined by Douglas B. Flora, MD, FACCC, LSSBB, and Kiara Wilson, PharmD, for a forward-looking conversation on the changes already shaping cancer care and what may come next. Dr. Flora is Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services and the Robert and Dell Ann Sathe Endowed Chair in Oncology at the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. A board-certified medical oncologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience, he also serves as Founding Editor-in-Chief of AI in Precision Oncology and is President-Elect of the Association of Community Cancer Centers. His work focuses heavily on the intersection of technology, AI, and the human side of cancer care. Dr. Wilson is an Oncology Medical Science Liaison at Azurity Pharmaceuticals, supporting hematology and oncology across a 16-state Midwest region. Her experience includes multiple myeloma, CAR T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, scientific exchange, and oncology launch readiness. She is also the founder of PharmaKi Coaching, where she mentors aspiring pharmacists and supports professional development. Together, they discuss the growing role of AI, CAR T-cell therapy, and bispecific antibodies, earlier and more personalized treatment, remote patient monitoring, and the importance of expanding access to innovative therapies in community oncology. They also explore how technology may help reduce administrative burden, strengthen the patient-provider relationship, and make cancer care more accessible and more human.

  4. Oct 1

    Your Health Story in One Place: Jenny Ahlstrom and the HealthTree Personal Health Record

    In this episode of The PQI Podcast, we sit down with Jenny Ahlstrom, founder of the HealthTree Foundation, to discuss how her own multiple myeloma diagnosis led to the creation of an organization focused on empowering patients and accelerating research.Jenny shares the story behind HealthTree and its mission to help people with blood cancer better understand their disease, navigate treatment, connect with resources, and contribute to research.A major focus of the conversation is the HealthTree Personal Health Record and the importance of giving patients one place to organize and understand their health information. Jenny discusses how bringing medical records, treatment history, labs, and other information together can help patients become more engaged in their care, prepare for appointments, explore treatment and clinical trial options, and more easily share information across their healthcare team.The episode also explores how oncology professionals can help patients take greater ownership of their health information and why better access to personal health data can support both individual care and cancer research.  Learn more about HealthTree Foundation: https://healthtree.org/

  5. Sep 24

    Finding the Heart of Oncology

    In this episode of The PQI Podcast, we welcome Joseph W. McCollom, DO, a medical oncologist and palliative care physician passionate about integrating supportive care into oncology practice.Dr. McCollom shares his personal experience with burnout, the lessons patients have taught him, and how palliative care helped him reconnect with meaning in his work. The conversation explores time, boundaries, whole-person care, and the importance of recognizing the emotional weight oncology professionals carry.They also discuss how the multidisciplinary care team can better support patients, families, and one another throughout the cancer journey.

  6. Sep 17

    Keep Marching On: Changing the Story of Pancreatic Cancer

    The PQI Podcast, Season 11 Episode 5Keep Marching On: Changing the Story of Pancreatic CancerIn Season 11, Episode 5 of The PQI Podcast, we are joined by Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).Julie shares how losing her father to pancreatic cancer led her to PanCAN, where she became the organization’s first employee and has spent more than 25 years helping drive change for the pancreatic cancer community. Julie and Ginger discuss PanCAN’s comprehensive approach to supporting patients and families through patient services, education, clinical trial and specialist resources, research funding, and advocacy. Julie also explains how individual patient and caregiver stories can become a powerful collective voice for advancing pancreatic cancer research and influencing federal investment. The conversation also looks at the growing momentum in pancreatic cancer, including advances in KRAS-targeted therapies, opportunities in early detection and combination treatments, and the potential role of AI. Julie shares why connecting patients and healthcare professionals with PanCAN resources can make an important difference as families navigate an overwhelming diagnosis. Learn more about PanCAN and its resources at PanCAN.org.

  7. Sep 3

    From Data to Decisions: Decoding Prostate Cancer Updates

    This week on The PQI Podcast, we are joined by Manojkumar Bupathi, MD and Matthew Garmezy,MD genitourinary oncology experts and hosts of the Oncology Decoded podcast.  Dr. Bupathi is President and Managing Partner of Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers and Executive Chair of the Genitourinary Research Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Dr. Garmezy serves as Associate Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Research Program and Associate Director of the Drug Development Unit at Sarah Cannon Research Institute Oncology Partners.  Together, they bring perspectives spanning community oncology, clinical research, drug development, and real-world cancer care. In this episode, we discuss recent updates in prostate cancer and, just as importantly, how oncology teams can take new data and translate it into decisions that make sense in everyday practice.  We also talk about Oncology Decoded, their approach to breaking down new research and treatment advances, and why understanding how to actually use emerging evidence is just as important as knowing the latest data.  Listen to Oncology Decoded: https://www.cancernetwork.com/podcasts/oncology-decoded

  8. Sep 3

    Beyond Borders: Bringing Cancer Treatment Within Reach

    This week on The PQI Podcast, we are joined by Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, Co-founder and CEO of The Max Foundation. Founded in 1997 in honor of Pat’s stepson, Maximiliano “Max” Rivarola, The Max Foundation has grown into a global organization focused on accelerating health equity and helping patients access cancer treatment and care. Today, the foundation works in more than 80 low- and middle-income countries and channels more than 10 million doses of cancer medications to patients each year. Pat joins us to share Max’s story, how the foundation has evolved over nearly three decades, and the challenges patients around the world continue to face in accessing diagnostics, medications, and cancer care. We also discuss the importance of global partnerships, patient advocacy, and creating sustainable pathways to treatment. Learn more about The Max Foundation.

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About

The PQI Podcast, presented by NCODA, Inc., hosts clinical and administrative experts in oncology providing insight on important industry topics and how they value the Positive Quality Intervention (PQI) resource for their practice. In addition, the podcast highlights patient stories of hope, determination and how patient-centered care has impacted their cancer journey. Hosted by NCODA's Manager of Patient-Centered Communications, Ginger Blackmon, PharmD.

Information

  • Creator
    Ginger Blackmon
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    192
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 The PQI Podcast
  • Show Website
    The PQI Podcast

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