Welcome from the CAPhO President

It is an exciting time within the oncology field as emerging research and changes in pharmacy practice provide new opportunities for advancing and improving patient care. Anticancer and supportive care therapies continue to evolve as our insight into the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of cancer initiation and progression advance. Keeping pace with such dynamism is a challenge for all oncology pharmacy practitioners and trainees.

Our profession is about ensuring that drug therapy is provided safely and appropriately, while maintaining quality of life for patients and their families. As we move outside the walls of the pharmacy to engage in meaningful dialogue with our patients and our healthcare colleagues, the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology is in the background helping our members provide patient care that is consistent with best practices.

CAPhO, to the membership, is viewed as an interactive resource centre that helps them navigate the complexities and dynamics of their profession. At the same time, CAPhO acts as their national voice and promoter, advocating for oncology pharmacy as a specialized practice. With members from across the country sitting on the Board of Directors, Committees and Task Forces, we are integral to the discussions concerning our profession, whether they are taking place in a Cancer Clinic, a university classroom or a local pharmacy.

In order for these discussions to be effective, we rely on our members to be involved, whether it is presenting a webinar, serving on one of the Committees or organizing our annual Conference. Our members are driving CAPhO’s future through strategic planning initiatives that guide our programming to ensure we are not only keeping pace with our dynamic profession but are leading the changes. Our key strategic words are: “lead the development of a recognized oncology specialization,” “expand innovative educational opportunities,” “advocate to represent and advance the interests of members,” “deliver value to members,” and “engage members and advance the field of oncology pharmacy.”

We encourage you to become a CAPhO member so that your voice is heard, your ideas are shared, and your link to this very important resource centre is opened.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Tina Crosbie, President
president@capho.org

Tina Crosbie

Clinical Pharmacist - Hematology, Pharmacy, The Ottawa Hospital — Ottawa, Ontario

Tina is the clinical pharmacist in the hematology chemotherapy unit at The Ottawa Hospital. Here she oversees patients with lymphomas, multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia who are receiving care on an outpatient basis. Tina joined the hematology team at The Ottawa Hospital in 1999. Tina has written educational materials and has given presentations on topics in hematology and patient care. She enjoys being a peer reviewer for CCCEP, is Past President of CAPhO and serves on the Oncology Fundamental Day (OFD) education committee. Tina was honoured to chair the 2018 CAPhO conference in Ottawa. Tina received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Memorial University of Newfoundland and completed an accredited residency in hospital pharmacy in Ottawa.