Anthem is a leading health benefits company dedicated to improving lives and communities, and making healthcare simpler. Through its affiliated companies, Anthem servies more than 106 million people, including more than 42 million within its family of health plans. we aim to be the most innovative, valuable and inclusive partner. For more information, please visit anthemic.com or follow @AnthemInc on Twitter.
© Community Oncology Alliance 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Clinical Director, Oncology Consultants
Clinical Director, Oncology Consultants
Susan is the Clinical Director at Oncology Consultants in Houston, TX. She has helped develop and implement innovative clinical strategies and policies that lead to the growth of Oncology Consultants, a 14-site community-based Hematology/Oncology practice in Houston and Corpus Christi. Susan has written and created nursing and clinical operation protocols for all levels of oncology staff. She establishes an appropriate framework and oversight including input into strategy, prioritization, resourcing, reviews, and decision making to maximize the probability of achieving the on time and on budget delivery of oncology clinical programs
Susan has dedicated time to patient advocacy and health disparities, especially as they relate to cancer management and care. She currently sits on The University of Houston C.T Bauer College of Business, Women in Leadership Advisory Panel, and the Foundation for Cancer Support. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and will graduate with a Master’s in Nursing Administration in 2022 from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has been Certified in Oncology Nursing for 14 years.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (1:15 – 2:00 PM)
Role: Panelist
Understanding & Addressing Disparities in Cancer Care: A Frank Conversation
Chief Executive Officer
New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants, Ltd.
Chief Executive Officer
New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants, Ltd.
Barbara L. McAneny, MD, a board-certified medical oncologist/hematologist from Albuquerque, N.M., became the 173rd president of the American Medical Association in June 2018. She has been a member of the AMA Board of Trustees since June 2010, serving as its chair in 2015–2016.
Dr. McAneny is a fellow and former member of the board of directors of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and a past president of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS), the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association and the New Mexico chapter of the American College of Physicians. In addition, she has served as a member of the Community Oncology Alliance Board of Trustees and on the board of directors of the Cancer Center Business Summit. She became the delegate to the AMA from ASCO in 2002, and was elected to the AMA Council on Medical Service in 2003, serving as its chair in 2009–2010.
Dr. McAneny is the founder and current chair of the board of the National Cancer Care Alliance, a group of independent practices collaborating to use innovation to deliver high-quality, high-value cancer care and to develop new alternative payment models based on sound data-driven principles. Prior to this, she was a founding member of Oncology Circle, a group of oncology practices using data to promote best practices.
Dr. McAneny’s interest in using data to improve practice sustainability began when she was appointed to the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Service’s Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, where she served from 2002 to 2006. In 2012 Dr. McAneny received a $19.8 million grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to demonstrate how oncology practices could use triage pathways to dramatically lower costs while improving outcomes. This award, named COME HOME (for Community Oncology Medical Home), later was incorporated into Medicare’s Oncology Care Model. Innovative Oncology Business Solutions Inc., the company she created to manage the award, is now assisting physician practices in developing the process changes needed for MACRA.
Among other volunteer activities, she has served on the governor of New Mexico’s Task Force on Prenatal Care, the board of Planned Parenthood of New Mexico, and as chair of the joint task force of the NMMS and the New Mexico Bar Association on domestic violence. A recipient of a New Mexico Woman on the Move Award in 2005 and Woman of Influence Award in 2009, Dr. McAneny has been voted several times by her peers as Albuquerque The Magazine’s “Top Doc” in her specialty.
Dr. McAneny also co-founded New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants Ltd. in 1987 with Clark Haskins, MD. A managing partner since 1999, she built New Mexico Cancer Center as the first physician-owned multi-disciplinary cancer center in the state with clinics in Albuquerque and Gallup. She also founded the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation, which provides grants to help patients with non-medical expenses.
Dr. McAneny graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 1973 and with honors from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1977.
She completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Iowa in 1980 and her fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of New Mexico in 1983. She is married to Steven Kanig, MD, a nephrologist and chair of the New Mexico AMA delegation.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (1:15 – 2:00 PM)
Role: Panelist
Understanding & Addressing Disparities in Cancer Care: A Frank Conversation
Physician Partner, Bone & Marrow Transplant Specialist
OHC
Physician Partner, Bone & Marrow Transplant Specialist
OHC
E. Randolph Broun, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist with OHC. Dr. Broun specializes in hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplant.
Dr. Broun received his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri and completed his residency at Indiana University Hospitals, Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Broun completed a fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at the University of Texas Health Science Center and a fellowship in bone marrow transplant at Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. Broun is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
Dr. Broun is a member of the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Southwestern Ohio, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Hematology/ Oncology, Cincinnati, Ohio. He has contributed to almost 100 abstracts, articles and book chapters.
Dr. Broun is actively involved in patient advocacy at the state and national level through his work with Community Oncology Alliance.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (4:00 – 4:40 PM)
Role: Panelist
Analysis: Are Biosimilars Meeting the Promise of Increasing Competition & Lowering Cancer Drug Costs?
Director of Patient Advocacy & Assistant Managing Physician
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
Director of Patient Advocacy & Assistant Managing Physician
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
Dr. Michael Diaz joined Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) in 2011 and is currently the Assistant Managing Physician for the statewide practice. He serves on the FCS Executive Board and as Director of Patient Advocacy for the practice. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Diaz provides leadership for a number of organizations, including serving as Chair of the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation Board of Directors, which offers non-medical financial assistance to qualified cancer patients in Florida.
He serves as the Director of Patient Advocacy and Federal Legislative Committee Chair for the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO), as well as being a Past President. Dr. Diaz advocates nationally for cancer patients and practices as the Immediate Past President of Community Oncology Alliance (COA) as well as the Co-Chair for the practices reform workgroup, which develops quality and value based alternative payments models.
He advocates for Florida Medicaid patients by serving on the Florida Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee to ensure access to state of the art, quality-based care, and advises the Florida Governor’s office and State Legislature by serving on the Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council. Dr. Diaz is on the Board of Directors for the National Cancer Treatment Alliance, which works with regional/national employers as well as their health care coalitions to improve the understanding of quality and value-based cancer care and develop collaborative programs related to cancer care. Dr. Diaz also serves on the FCS Finance Committee.
As a part of his philanthropic commitment, Dr. Diaz is dedicated to providing medical care to populations who are underserved and has participated in numerous medical missions to Kingston, Jamaica.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (12:00 – 12:55 PM)
Role: Panelist
Welcome & Rapid-Fire Review of the State of Oncology Reform
Senior Director, Measurement & Accountability
Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH)
Senior Director, Measurement & Accountability
Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH)
Rachel Brodie, Senior Director, Measurement & Accountability, leads multi-stakeholder initiatives to advance healthcare quality and put performance information to use for payment and decision-making. She is leading an initiative to demonstrate the feasibility and impact of collecting and using outcome measures to support value-based contracting and payment and develop methods to address barriers to collecting patient-reported outcomes (PROs). She leads several measurement and reporting collaboratives, including the Patient Assessment Survey which measures patient-reported experience of medical groups. Rachel managed the California Joint Replacement Registry which reported results of hip and knee replacement surgeries, including PROs. She has served on several technical committees for CMS, NQF, AHRQ, ASCO and IHA. She received a BA from Princeton University.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (12:30 – 1:10 PM)
Role: Panelist
Measuring the Patient Experience & Outcomes in Cancer Care
Director, Center for Value-Based Insurance Design
University of Michigan
Director, Center for Value-Based Insurance Design
University of Michigan
Dr. A. Mark Fendrick is the Center’s Director and a Professor of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine and a Professor of Health Management and Policy in the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. Dr. Fendrick received a bachelor’s degree in economics and chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where he was a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program.
Dr. Fendrick conceptualized and coined the term Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID) and currently directs the V-BID Center at the University of Michigan, the leading advocate for development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative health benefit plans. His research focuses on how clinician payment and consumer engagement initiatives impact access to care, quality of care, and health care costs. Dr. Fendrick has authored over 250 articles and book chapters and has received numerous awards for the creation and implementation of value-based insurance design. His perspective and understanding of clinical and economic issues have fostered collaborations with numerous government agencies, health plans, professional societies, and health care companies.
Dr. Fendrick is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine (formerly IOM), serves on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee, and has been invited to present testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel.
Dr. Fendrick is the co-editor in chief of the American Journal of Managed Care and is an editorial board member for 3 additional peer-reviewed publications. He is also a member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan, where he remains clinically active in the practice of general internal medicine.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (9:30 – 10:15 AM)
Role: Presenter
Is There a Practical Role for Value-Based Insurance (V-BID) in Cancer Care?
Director of Communications
Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
Director of Communications
Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
Nicolas Ferreyros is Director of Communications at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), the only national organization dedicated solely to preserving and protecting local, affordable, and accessible cancer care. He is responsible for all internal and external communications at COA, including media relations, policy communications, and digital strategy.
A seasoned advocacy and communications strategist with more than 15 years of experience in health care, Nick specializes in developing successful campaigns to address complex issues. He has a deep understanding of the people and processes that affect America’s health care system and has a knack for translating the “wonkery” of health policy into language and concepts that resonate with policymakers, providers, patients, and voters.
Nick has engaged in nearly every major recent health policy issue before Congress and regulatory agencies, including the Affordable Care Act, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, Medicare reimbursement policy, and more. He has worked closely with policymakers on Capitol Hill, the White House, the Department of Health & Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and National Institutes of Health. Nick’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CBS Evening News, National Public Radio, and other leading national news outlets.
Prior to joining COA, Nick was a Managing Supervisor at GYMR Public Relations, a boutique Washington, DC communications firm specializing in health care, science, and social issues. While there, he oversaw high-profile, award-winning campaigns for clients including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Board of Internal Medicine, Consumer Reports, and numerous federal agencies.
A native of Houston, Texas, Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He currently resides in New York City.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (4:45 – 5:30 PM)
Role: Moderator
State Leadership in Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reforms
Founder
Moto Bioadvisors
Founder
Moto Bioadvisors
Aharon “Ronny” Gal is the founder of Moto Bioadvisors, a consulting team focused on the drug/drug channels space. In addition to consulting, Ronny is a senior analyst at the research firm Sanford Bernstein covering US Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology. Mr. Gal prior jobs included Canon and the Boston Consulting Group. Ronny was awarded a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds a BSc from Emory University.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (1:00 – 1:40 PM)
Role: Presenter
Study: Are Hospitals Fueling the Cost of Cancer Care?
Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives
Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives
Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
In his current position with COA, Bo Gamble has been responsible for the development of the principles and metrics associated with the Oncology Medical Home (OMH) program. Working with COA members and payers, the OMH program was developed in 2012 and participating practices began using this practice model immediately.
Robert “Bo” Gamble joined the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) in May 2011 as the Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives. Mr. Gamble brings a diverse range of cancer practice expertise at the national and local levels. His extensive experience includes 13 years’ experience as administrator at a multi-physician, multi-location oncology practice, and medical IT consulting to Big Eight accounting firms. Prior to that, he served in various health care capacities as an independent consultant for hospital patient accounting and IT implementation projects, National Director of Client Support for a health care software company, and business office manager for a 300+ bed hospital. He got his beginning as a hospital orderly during his college years.
Bo has also served as the President and Legislative Chairperson for the North Carolina Oncology Practice Management Society, a member of the COA Board of Directors, and the co-chair of the national COA Administrators’ Network.
Bo holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Health Care Management from Appalachian State University.
SESSIONS
Monday, October 25, 2021 (12:00 – 12:55 PM)
Role: Moderator
Welcome & Rapid-Fire Review of the State of Oncology Reform
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (12:30 – 1:10 PM)
Role: Moderator
Measuring the Patient Experience & Outcomes in Cancer Care
Vice President, Care Delivery
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Vice President, Care Delivery
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Dr. Stephen S. Grubbs joined the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in July 2015 as Vice President of the Care Delivery Department after 31 years as a practicing medical oncologist in Newark, Delaware at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. He served as managing partner of his independent medical practice, Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants, PA.
The ASCO Care Delivery department supports practicing oncologists both domestically and internationally through ASCO quality programs, practice business intelligence and support, payment reform and value-based care delivery design, practice education, and support of ASCO advocacy.
He is a chemical engineering graduate of Purdue University and graduate of the Thomas Jefferson University Medical School. Medical postgraduate training in Internal Medicine was completed at the Medical Center of Delaware and Hematology and Oncology at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
He served as the Principal Investigator of the Delaware Christiana Care NCORP and Board member of the NCI sponsored Alliance cooperative research group. He remains a member for the Alliance Foundation Board and Executive Committee. He is a member of the state of Delaware Cancer Consortium Council and the Early Detection and Prevention Committee. He is a past member of the ASCO Board of Directors as well as the Ethics, Finance, Research, and Government Relations Committees and past president of the Medical Society of Delaware.
Dr. Grubbs has served as a member of the National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Advisory Committee, co-chair of the Clinical Trials Subcommittee of the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP), and the Institute of Medicine Committee on Cancer Clinical Trials and the NCI Cooperative Group Program.
He has been an active community based clinical trial investigator with the NCI sponsored CALGB, ECOG, NSABP, and Alliance Cooperative Groups since 1984 and is the recipient of the 2007 Association of Community Cancer Centers David King Community Clinical Scientist Award.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (8:30 – 9:25 AM)
Role: Panelist
The NEW Oncology Medical Home (OMH) Certification & Pilot Program
Chief Medical Officer
New Century Health
Chief Medical Officer
New Century Health
Dr. Andrew Hertler, as the Chief Medical Officer of New Century Health, is responsible for the advancement of the company’s clinical quality initiatives, value-based strategies, and utilization management policies and operations. A board-certified oncologist who left clinical practice in 2014, he is a nationally recognized leader in oncology clinical practice. Dr. Hertler is a past member of several American Society of Clinical Oncology committees, including the Clinical Practice, Quality of Care and Payment Reform Committees.
Prior to joining the New Century Health in 2014, Dr. Hertler was the Administrative Medical Director for Physician Practices at Maine General Medical Center and the Medical Director of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta, Maine. He is a past president of the Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society. Earlier in his career, Dr. Hertler was Assistant Professor of Medicine in Hematology / Oncology at the Louisiana State University Medical School.
Dr. Hertler received his medical degree from the University of Michigan and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at University of Michigan affiliated hospitals. He later completed a Fellowship in Medical Oncology / Hematology at Duke University Medical Center. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry with highest honors from Dartmouth College.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (3:15 – 3:55 PM)
Role: Moderator
Prior Authorization: Clinical Oversight or Obstacles to Care?
Medical Oncologist
Northwest Oncology & Hematology, S.C.
Medical Oncologist
Northwest Oncology & Hematology, S.C.
Dr. Gary Kay has been a practicing Medical Oncologist with Northwest Oncology & Hematology, S.C., an independent pure sub-specialty group in suburban Chicago, for over 33 years. Currently, he serves as its President and Managing Partner. A graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado and his fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at the University of Chicago. Dr. Kay is a member of COA’s national Board of Directors.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (3:15 – 3:55 PM)
Role: Panelist
Prior Authorization: Clinical Oversight or Obstacles to Care?
Founding Partner
Frier Levitt, LLC
Founding Partner
Frier Levitt, LLC
Jonathan E. Levitt, Esq., co-founded the boutique Healthcare law firm of Frier Levitt, LLC in 2000. Frier Levitt enjoys a national foothold in Life Sciences and Healthcare. Beginning with a 2003 nationwide class action of independent pharmacies, Jonathan began his journey to both understand all aspects of the drug space and develop skills relevant to multiple stakeholders. Frier Levitt has grown to more than 35 Healthcare-focused attorneys, including clinician attorneys, with offices in New York City and Pine Book, New Jersey.
At Frier Levitt, Jonathan has dedicated his practice to representing pharmacies, physician-dispensers, national provider associations, manufacturers, wholesalers, and plan sponsors. He has an established track record of challenging abusive practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and speaks at Life Sciences conferences across the country in an effort to share his firm’s specialized knowledge. Jonathan is the author of the LinkedIn Group “Hot Topics in Pharmacy Law” and has been published in internationally circulated publications. He commits himself to pro bono and public service assignments.
For the last 13 years, Jonathan’s peers have elected him as a Super Lawyer. Jonathan is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney. Jonathan has competed in triathlons, including the 2012 New York Ironman U.S. Championships, as well as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (2:30 – 3:10 PM)
Role: Presenter
Increasing Impact of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) on Cancer Care
President, Chief Executive Officer
Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH)
President, Chief Executive Officer
Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH)
Elizabeth Mitchell is President and CEO of the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH), a 501c (3) non-profit organization representing 40 of the largest public and private purchasers of health care services in the country who collectively spend $100 billion on health care annually for 15 million employees and their families. As leader of PBGH, Mitchell advances the organization’s strategic focus areas of redesigning care delivery, driving affordability and optimizing health care markets, leveraging her extensive experience working with health care purchasers, providers, policymakers and payers to improve health care quality and cost.
SESSIONS
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (10:20 – 11:10 AM)
Role: Panelist
Direct Contracting in Oncology
Administrator
Nebraska Hematology-Oncology
Administrator
Nebraska Hematology-Oncology
Amy King is the Administrator at Nebraska Hematology-Oncology, P.C. (NHO), in Lincoln, Nebraska and has served in that role for over 20 years. She currently serves as President of the Midwest Oncology Practice Society and along with some of her providers, has played an active role in the development of One Health Nebraska, an Independent Physician Organization which supports growth for physician independence with a focus on value-based medicine.
When asked to participate in the new Oncology Medical Home Certification and Pilot Program, Amy knew that it was the right time for her team to commit. NHO was the first QOPI certified practice in the state of Nebraska and they have been consistently working on many of the standards highlighted in the new OMH. Their participation in the Pilot was a big step toward an even higher level of high-quality, cost-effective cancer care for their patients.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (8:30 – 9:25 AM)
Role: Panelist
The NEW Oncology Medical Home (OMH) Certification & Pilot Program
Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
In May of 2014, Glenn Balasky joined Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC) as the Executive Director for this progressive 55 physician multi-specialty oncology group. He has over 21 years of experience in oncology practice operations and management and has been involved in healthcare for his entire career.
Prior to joining RMCC his most recent positions included a Director of Marketing position at Cardinal Health and 10 years as Executive Director at The Zangmeister Center in Columbus, OH. There he helped another leading oncology group build a stand-alone cancer center putting a broad variety of cancer services under one roof for the first time in central Ohio.
Glenn has experience in several areas of oncology practice management including electronic medical records, pharmacy, and practice operations. He has made presentations at several national meetings on the business of oncology and has been to Washington D.C. numerous times to work with congressional representatives on cancer related issues.
Glenn is like all of us and has seen family members and friends pass away due to cancer. His commitment to making cancer care better at RMCC comes through his ability to identify complex problems and find solutions to solve the problems. He believes that everyone is an important part of the team at RMCC and has an equally important role in helping patients through their healthcare journey.
He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. Outside of work he enjoys running, cycling, and skiing and is very proud of the accomplishments of his wife and his two adult children.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (11:15 AM – 12:00 PM)
Role: Panelist
Increasing Engagement of Self-Insured Employers in Oncology Contracting
Georgia House of Representatives
R-Georgia
Georgia House of Representatives
R-Georgia
Representative David Knight was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2004 and sworn into office in 2005. Knight proudly serves House District 130, which includes parts of Spalding, Henry and Lamar counties. He currently serves as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and the House Sportsman Caucus. His legislative duties also include service as a member of the Banks & Banking, Game, Fish & Parks, Higher Education, Rules, Small Business Development and Ways & Means committees.
Born in Warner Robbins, Rep. Knight moved to Griffin at an early age, where he was raised, and he has made Griffin his home. He attended both the University of Georgia and Augusta College, earning a degree in accounting. Rep. Knight has been a practicing certified public accountant for over 20 years and holds memberships in the Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accounts. He is also a member of the Griffin Rotary Club.
Rep. Knight is happily married to the former Marie Harvey from Lamar County. They are the proud parents of John David, born in 2013, and active members of the First Baptist Church of Griffin. He is an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoys sporting clays.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (4:45 – 5:30 PM)
Role: Panelist
State Leadership in Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reforms
Executive Director
Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
Executive Director
Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
Ted Okon is a nationally recognized expert on the policy and politics of cancer care. He is quoted extensively in the press, including guest appearances on TV and radio news shows. Ted has testified before Congress on cancer issues and is frequently on Capitol Hill discussing the nation’s cancer care delivery system. Ted’s target areas of expertise include the cost of cancer treatment, health care reform, Medicare reimbursement, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), drug shortages, and the changing landscape of cancer care delivery in the United States.
Ted has dedicated his career to healthcare business and policy. He has worked for several pharmaceutical companies including Merck and Warner-Lambert, now part of Pfizer, and IMS Health. He co-founded and took public the health care information business Medical Marketing Group. He also founded two oncology companies (an oncology clinical research network and an information network) and has traveled extensively to China, India, Singapore, the U.K., and the Middle East, analyzing and discussing cancer care delivery.
As executive director of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), Ted oversees the strategic direction of this non-profit organization dedicated to patients and providers in the community cancer care setting, under the direction of a dedicated board of oncologists and practice administrators. Ted also travels the country speaking to state oncology societies, professional organizations, and companies about the challenges facing the nation’s cancer care delivery system. He has authored numerous articles and studies relating to cancer care policy and politics, reimbursement, and clinical issues.
Ted holds a BS degree from Fairfield University and an MBA from the Carnegie-Mellon University Tepper School of Business. His wife, Susan, practiced as a certified oncology nurse.
SESSIONS
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (10:20 – 11:10 AM)
Role: Panelist
Direct Contracting in Oncology
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (2:05 – 3:00 PM)
Role: Presenter
Where is CMS & Its Innovation Center with Oncology Payment Reform?
Chief Operating Officer
Pontchartrain Cancer Center
Chief Operating Officer
Pontchartrain Cancer Center
Kathy W. Oubre is the Chief Operating Officer for Pontchartrain Cancer Center in Louisiana.
Kathy is a COA Board member and co-chairs the Biosimilars committee and serves on the COA Government Affairs committee. She also serves on the ION Panel as well as their government affairs and biosimilar committees. Kathy serves on the editorial boards for The Center for Biosimilars and the Journal of Evidence-Based Managed Care. Kathy also chairs the NCODA Oncology Institute and the bone marrow registry – Be the Match.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (4:00 – 4:40 PM)
Role: Panelist
Analysis: Are Biosimilars Meeting the Promise of Increasing Competition & Lowering Cancer Drug Costs?
Vice President
Texas Oncology, US Oncology
Vice President
Texas Oncology, US Oncology
Dr. Debra Patt is a practicing oncologist and breast cancer specialist in Austin, Texas, and an executive vice president of Texas Oncology with responsibilities in healthcare policy and strategic initiatives. She is an active leader in breast cancer and research in healthcare informatics.
Dr. Patt has responsibility for breast cancer research in Austin and leads our multidisciplinary tumor boards for breast cancer.
As an expert in healthcare policy, she has testified before Congress to protect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries. She chairs the Council on Legislation for the Texas Medical Association and works to formulate responsible healthcare policy that improves the health of Texans. She serves as the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Clinical Oncology Clinical Cancer Informatics, and drives engagement in clinical informatics solutions to enhance healthcare. Her research is in clinical decision support, predictive analytics, telemedicine, HEOR, tools for patient symptom management and quality improvement.
Within Texas Oncology, she serves on the payer relations, marketing, telemedicine, strategy, policy, management executive, marketing, and revenue cycle committees.
She is the past-chair of ASCO’s clinical practice committee and served on ASCO’s nominating committee for the ASCO Board and the Conquer Cancer Foundation as well as the health IT work group, EHR, technology, and data requirements workgroup, and guidelines committees.
Dr. Patt serves as the President of the Texas Society of Clinical Oncology, the Secretary for the Community Oncology Alliance and serves locally on the Austin Healthcare Council, Shivers Board, and formerly on the board of Komen and the Breast Cancer Resource Center.
She lectures medical students and is a clinical Professor at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (4:45 – 5:30 PM)
Role: Panelist
State Leadership in Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reforms
Practice Administrator
Oncology Consultants
Practice Administrator
Oncology Consultants
Alti is the Practice Administrator for Oncology Consultants. He holds a dual Masters degree in Healthcare and Business Administration from the University of Houston and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB).
Oncology Consultant’s has 14 Medical Oncology offices. Ancillary services include 2 Radiation Oncology office, 2 Diagnostic Imaging centers, 3 Retail Pharmacies, and Clinical Research programs all supported by a central administrative office.
Alti holds additional supplementary roles including: Six Sigma course instructor for Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), Board Member of COA (Community Oncology Alliance)-Administrator Network, Treasurer for the National Cancer Care Alliance (NCCA), Steering Committee Member for McKesson Specialty Health, Board Member of the Oncology Circle Advisory, and Vice President and Treasurer of the Coalition of Hematology and Oncology Practices (CHOP).
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (1:15 – 2:00 PM)
Role: Moderator
Understanding & Addressing Disparities in Cancer Care: A Frank Conversation
Medical Director, Value Based Care
Tennessee Oncology & OneOncology
President
Tennessee Oncology Practice Society
Medical Director, Value Based Care
Tennessee Oncology & OneOncology
President
Tennessee Oncology Practice Society
Dr. Stephen Schleicher is a clinical oncologist with a special interest in health policy and alternative payment models. Previous consultant at McKinsey and Company. Trained at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering and received MBA from Harvard.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (4:45 – 5:30 PM)
Role: Panelist
State Leadership in Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reforms
Vice President, Payer Relations & Practice Transformation
McKesson Specialty Health
Vice President, Payer Relations & Practice Transformation
McKesson Specialty Health
Dr. Wilfong is Vice President of Payer Relations and Practice Transformation at McKesson and a practicing medical oncologist/hematologist, seeing patients at Texas Oncology locations in Dallas. Prior to this role, he served as Vice President of Value Based Care and Quality programs at Texas Oncology and led the launch and implementation of the Oncology Care Model. He also served as medical director of Texas Oncology’s COVID-19 Task Force and was the physician lead for their electronic medical record conversion.
A committed advocate for community oncology, Dr. Wilfong’s focus is transforming cancer care to deliver better outcomes to patients by aligning patient goals and values with treatment options. In his role at McKesson, his priorities are helping define the future of value-based care payment reform, improving patient/physician communications, enhancing end of life care, integrating pathways into clinical practice and improving patient satisfaction.
He previously led the Value Based Physician Champion task force for The US Oncology Network and served as chair of the US Oncology Pathways Task Force. He volunteers on the ASCO quality measures task force and the ASCO guidelines committee. He has been honored to receive various teaching and community service awards.
In 2003, Dr. Wilfong completed a fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in hematology and medical oncology. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas in 2000. He earned his M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas in 1997. He earned a B.S. degree in mathematics at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas in 1993.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (12:00 – 12:55 PM)
Role: Panelist
Welcome & Rapid-Fire Review of the State of Oncology Reform
Chief Quality & Learning Officer
New York Cancer & Blood Specialists
Chief Quality & Learning Officer
New York Cancer & Blood Specialists
Lynn Kay Winters began her career in healthcare as an oncology practice administrator on the east end of Long Island. Acknowledging the need to keep pace with the growing needs of the practice, she completed an MBA in Ambulatory Group Management at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, MN. She achieved a Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) designation from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
After joining New York Cancer & Blood Specialists in 2016, Lynn Kay began project management in National Committee for Quality Assurance to bring practice recognition in the Patient-Centered Speciality Practice (NCQA-PCSP) realm Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) management.
Lynn Kay holds the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) designation and is an ASQ Certified SixSigma Green Belt.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (12:30 – 1:10 PM)
Role: Panelist
Measuring the Patient Experience & Outcomes in Cancer Care
Chief Business Development Officer
Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C.
Chief Business Development Officer
Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C.
Dennis Zoet brings more than 20 years of customer operations experience as well as on-going involvement in building technology-centric solutions to serve customers locally and at a distance. Mr. Zoet is currently the Chief Business Development Officer for Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C. In this role Mr. Zoet leads and oversees all aspects of the Oncology Care Model (OCM), the Oncology Medical Home, CHCWM’s Phase II & III clinical trials, the robust phase I early phase drug development program START Midwest, many other payer and practice wide initiatives, as well as all technology, the electronic medical record system and human resources. CHCWM is Michigan’s largest private oncology practice with five primary clinical locations, 25 physicians, 52 APP’s and over 450 employees.
Prior roles include serving as Chief Operating Officer for Intervention Insights; a personalized medicine information company, servicing organizations that help patients fighting cancer. Additional experience includes serving as COO for Christian Schools International, by helping establish a world class e‐commerce and support environment serving more than 500 member schools throughout North America. He has also served in leadership roles at IdeaSphere, Inc. and Davenport University.
Mr. Zoet is a West Michigan native, holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University, a Bachelor’s in Marketing from Davenport University.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (8:30 – 9:25 AM)
Role: Panelist
The NEW Oncology Medical Home (OMH) Certification & Pilot Program
Supervisor Revenue Cycle
Cancer Care Centers of Brevard
Supervisor Revenue Cycle
Cancer Care Centers of Brevard
Melissa Austin has more than 20 years of healthcare experience. Her career started with a multi-specialty practice in the early 2000’s where she worked in both the clinical and administrative setting. In 2014 her focus turned to Oncology care. Her passion is Financial Counseling and helping to provide patients with access to affordable, quality healthcare. Melissa has an Associates Degree in Science obtained from Florida Metropolitan University. She lives in Brevard County and enjoys spending her free time with her son.
SESSION
Monday, October 25, 2021 (3:15–3:55 PM)
Role: Panelist
Prior Authorization: Clinical Oversight or Obstacles to Care?
President
National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA)
Cancer Pharmacy Network (CPN)
President
National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA)
Cancer Pharmacy Network (CPN)
Robert E. Baird, Jr., R.N., M.S.A., has extensive experience in healthcare management developing strategic plans and directing financial, operational and clinical initiatives. He is currently the President of the National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA) positioning community oncology practices for success across the Nation in the changing health care environment. Prior to joining NCTA Robert was the CEO of Dayton Physicians, where he merged 3 independent Physician practices (Medical Oncology/Radiation Oncology/Urology) to create a large multi-specialty practice. He expanded the network from 2 locations to 6 comprehensive centers, 18 to over 40 Providers and generated over $170 million in annual revenues. Robert received his Master of Science in Hospital and Health Service Administration from Central Michigan University, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University and a Nursing Degree from Excelsior College.
SESSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (11:15 AM – 12:00 PM)
Role: Moderator
Increasing Engagement of Self-Insured Employers in Oncology Contracting