From Retail Pharmacy to Pharmacogenomics Consulting: Starting Your Own Venture with Dr. Melissa Turner

This time around, we're joined by Corrie Sanders, Founder and CEO of Huna Health, Hawai'i’s first and only pharmacogenomic consulting company, as well as President of the Hawai’i Pharmacists Association!  We had a riveting conversation with Corrie about her journey as a pharmacist and pharmacogenetics (PGx) advocate, as well as what catapulted her into starting her own practice. By advocating for the diverse population of Hawai’i, Corrie has developed a strong understanding of patient needs and safety. She discusses with us some of the healthcare challenges faced in Hawai’i such as lack of provicers, funding, and grants, as well as some of the resources that people can get involved with. 

This time around, we had an exciting conversation with Shawn Bjorndal, founder of RPhAlly! He joined us for an exciting episode to share his journey in precision medicine with the intertwined perspective of pharmacy.   In this episode, you’ll gain a fresh outlook on Shawn's  experience in the field from being a former retail pharmacist to a founder of an incredible networking platform, and what it's like bringing together large groups of pharmacy professionals as a leader in the space. Show Notes: (0:28): Shawn Bjorndal introduction (1:50): Life as a retail pharmacist (4:09): How RPhAlly came about (15:02): Pharmacogenetics (PGx) and its role in the industry (20:01): Key learnings over the past five years (24:03): Closing remarks

This time around, we had an illuminating conversation with Karen Merritt, a founding member of a patient advocacy organization, Advocates for Universal DPD/DPYD Testing! She joined us for an exciting episode to share her journey into pharmacogenetics (PGx) that started with her mom’s story with colon cancer.   This episode, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on Karen's  experience in DPD/DPYD testing and PGx, her journey into precision medicine, and a discussion surrounding the importance of making these tests the standard of care.  Show Notes: (0:28): Karen Merritt introduction (4:48): Navigating the learning curves (5:38): Dealing with a rare variant (10:52): About Advocates for Universal DPD/DPYD Testing (14:00): Barriers to testing (18:31): The next steps for the organization and testing  (28:46): Closing remarks

Join us for our first episode of 2023! In this episode, we talk with Thu Nguyen about transitions of care in the medical space. Thu is a clinical pharmacist with six years of experience in inpatient clinical pharmacy. She has developed a passion for spreading awareness about the importance of transitions of care and ensuring that there is a seamless process in place for when patients are transitioning from provider to provider or healthcare team to healthcare team.     Show Notes:  (0:25): Thu Nguyen introduction  (1:22): How do you define transitions of care (TOC)?  (3:14): The efficacy of home medication recommendations  (7:42) The barriers of data sharing  (9:33): Interoperability in TOC  (13:11): Measuring the results of TOC  (15:11): Successful models of TOC  (18:17): Barriers for TOC  (24:50): Closing remarks 

In this week’s podcast episode, join Dave Wolfe from GenXys and Jena Quinn, owner of Perfecting Peds, for the second episode of a two-part series. This week, they talked all about maternal health and the role that precision medicine plays in ensuring patient safety and efficiency all around. Perfecting Peds provides clinical services to help you better understand your child’s medications to offer you peace of mind. They work with your pediatricians and sub-specialists to provide the safest and most cost-effective medication regimen for your child. Hosted by Dave Wolfe, this podcast will provide insight into the role of precision medicine and pediatric medicine.    Show notes: (0:29): About Jena Quinn  (4:28): Struggles in the industry  (7:30): Unique challenges in maternal health (18:22): Medication adherence during pregnancy (24:22): How precision medicine ties into maternal health (30:41): Closing remarks

This week, we were joined by Melissa Turner, a retail pharmacist turned owner of Tarheel PGx Consulting, a pharmacogenetics consulting company. In this episode, you’ll hear about her transition during 2020 when she decided to make a shift in her career and pursue an entrepreneurial path toward work she felt passionate about. Precision Insights is GenXys’ exclusive podcast where we are joined by special guests in or adjacent to the pharmacogenetics space. With bite-sized episodes, we create podcasts that are tailored to fit easily into your morning or afternoon commute.   Show Notes: (0:19): Guest introduction (1:32): The beginning of Melissa's journey (3:37): Transitioning during the pandemic (6:36): Digging into pharmacogenetics (8:31): Melissa on Dr. Jamie Wilkey's Confidence Academy (12:52): The entrepreneurial side of pharmacy (18:58): The impact of PGx on patients (21:51): Ways to increase our understanding of PGx (26:11): Closing remarks  

In this week’s podcast episode, Elizabeth Newman, a retail pharmacist who transitioned intro writing, joins Dave Wolfe from GenXys for an upbeat episode about Elizabeth's journey in pharmacy, her newer journey in writing, and where she's headed.     Hosted by Dave Wolfe, this podcast will provide insight into the experience of making big life changes and creating your own path, focusing on the feeling of burnout, pharmacy, and precision medicine.     Show notes:  (0:12): Elizabeth Newman introduction  (2:45): The transition from pharmacy to writing  (4:30): Self-talk during big changes  (8:00): Blending precision medicine and writing together  (14:32): "Transcend the box"  (20:16): Taking the leap  (23:55): Closing remarks 

In this week’s podcast episode, join Dave Wolfe from GenXys and Jena Quinn, owner of Perfecting Peds as they talk about Jena’s experience in pediatrics, her journey into precision medicine, and a discussion surrounding early genotypes and how they will enhance future health.  Hosted by Dave Wolfe, this podcast will provide insight into the role of precision medicine and pediatric medicine.    Show notes: (0:28): About Jena Quinn  (1:50): Perfecting Peds  (5:31): What is a medical daycare? (8:26): Common medication issues among medically complex populations (11:26): Key indicators around deprescribing (20:37): Pharmacogenetic variants and neonates (28:05): Mental health and pediatrics (32:23): Closing remarks

Join us this week for an exciting follow-up episode with Dr. Martin Dawes, GenXys’ Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder, and Andrea Collins, a Clinical Pharmacist who leads Project Management at GenXys. This week, the tables are turned as they continue their engaging conversation from Part I about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into implementing pharmacogenetics into primary care.     Hosted by Dr. Martin Dawes, this podcast will provide insight into pharmacogenetics and its implementation into primary care with a focus on the pharmacy.    Show Notes: (1:09): Andrea Collins introduction (3:11): What is a pharmacogenetic (PGx) test? (6:36): Are PGx tests covered? (12:36): PGx and Clinical Decision Support Software (CDSS) (14:27): Medication reviews and PGx  (17:10): PGx through a pharmacist's view (18:59): How will data from a PGx test be used? (21:16): How do I choose a lab to do my test? (24:26): How are pharmacists a key role? (26:17): Closing remarks 

In this week’s podcast episode, Andrea Collins, a Clinical Pharmacist who leads Project Management at GenXys is joined by Dr. Martin Dawes, GenXys’ Chief Scientific Officer, and Co-Founder. Listen as they engage in a lively conversation about the implementation of pharmacogenetics in primary care and the work that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen.   Hosted by Andrea Collins, this podcast will provide clear direction into how pharmacogenetics is implemented into primary care.  Show Notes: (0:35): Dr. Martin Dawes introduction (1:50): PGx in primary care (3:42): Gamechangers in PGx (6:25): Getting started with PGx (9:55): Why primary care? (14:59): Why is clinical decision support important for implementation? (19:55): Overcoming concerns over PGx testing (25:07): UK report on precision prescribing (29:20): Closing remarks