Maggie is an editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and produces written, video, and podcast content covering several disease states. She joined AJMC® in 2019, and has been with AJMC®’s parent company, MJH Life Sciences®, since 2014, when she started as a copy editor.
She has a BA in English from Penn State University. You can connect with Maggie on LinkedIn.
EOM Shows Awareness of Issues, but Provides No Resources, Says COA’s Nicolas Ferreyros
The Enhancing Oncology Model is trying to address a number of the systemic challenges oncology faces without giving practices the tools and resources they need, said Nicolas Ferreyros, managing director of policy, advocacy, and communications, Community Oncology Alliance.
Despite Risk, Patients With SCD Hopeful About Gene Therapies
Sickle cell disease (SCD) has known complications that include organ damage and failure, rhabdomyolysis, glaucoma, splenic sequestration, and vaso-occlusive crises. At present, the only potential cure is a bone marrow transplant, but it can be difficult to find a donor and there is a high rejection risk.
Dr Afreen Idris Shariff: Cancer Care Can Transform Through e-Consults
Afreen Shariff, MD, MBBS, Duke Cancer Institute, discusses the challenges and benefits of electronic consults (e-consults) for patients with cancer currently undergoing treatment who have a comorbidity history or who develop an endocrine system disorder because of treatment.
Allina Health’s Mike Koroscik on Revolutionizing Early Cancer Detection Through Technology
Through the integration of a population health reimbursement model in 2020, Allina Health Cancer Institute was able to implement expanded screening initiatives through the use of artificial intelligence and precision medicine, according to Mike Koroscik, MBA, MHA, vice president of oncology, Allina Health.
Exon-Skipping Therapy for DMD Linked to High Care Costs, Health Care Resource Utilization
This comprehensive comparative analysis examined the economic and health care resource utilization implications of initiating glucocorticoid and exon-skipping therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Innovating Community Oncology Care Delivery and Payment Reform: Insights From COA’s Ted Okon
Ted Okon, MBA, executive director, Community Oncology Alliance, discusses early returns from the Enhancing Oncology Model and how community oncology practices are innovating in ways that can expand into other areas of medicine.
Dr Lalan Wilfong: Patients Deserve the Full Benefit of Everything We Can Provide
At the 2023 COA Payer Exchange Summit being held October 23-24 in Reston, Virginia, Lalan Wilfong, MD, US Oncology Network, emphasizes the importance of oncology care equity, ensuring continuity of care, and enhancing care coordination.
Case Report of Patient Death Following High-Dose Gene Therapy for DMD
In this case study, a patient who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and received high-dose transgene therapy to upregulate cortical dystrophin subsequently developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and died.
Older Age, Male Sex Identified as Potential Risk Factors for MG Following COVID-19 Vaccination
A new analysis has determined potential risk factors for developing myasthenia gravis following COVID-19 vaccination, with symptoms likely to appear within 2 weeks of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Christine Pfaff on Ensuring Patient Access to Affordable Treatments
To ensure patients are getting timely access to their treatments, there needs to be better collaboration between payers and providers, said Christine Pfaff, RPh, senior regional director of operations, American Oncology Network.
Streamlined Referral Intervention Sees Great Success Among Patients With Head/Neck Cancer
A 2022 yearlong initiative at Summa Health Cancer Institute saw 100% of its patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation treatment referred to an oncology dietician for nutritional support and/or speech and swallow therapy.
Dr Kristine Slam: In Breast Cancer, Patient Values and Treatment Goals May Differ
Kristine Slam, MD, FACP, Central Ohio Surgical Associates, addresses the importance of involving patients in decisions regarding their goals for treatment, emphasizing that this involvement is critical to uncover what they value, as well as their short- and long-term goals for treatment.
Oncology Financial Navigator Ensures Vital Care Access, Eases Economic Burden
According to the National Cancer Institute, in the year following a cancer diagnosis, the average cost of medical care plus medication exceeds $42,000, with some treatments having a price tag of more than $1 million.
Fabric Health: Breaking Down Barriers to Health Equity
Fabric Health is transforming laundry time into an opportunity for community well-being, engaging families in laundromats to address health needs and connecting them with health care experts and needed social services. Adaptable and problem-solving oriented, the social-impact startup helps to bridge pandemic-exacerbated disparities by meeting people where they are, fostering health equity.
gMG Imposes an Enormous Economic Burden on Patients
Qualitative interviews were conducted and a web-based quantitative survey was administered to have a clearer understanding of the economic impact of social determinants of health on patients living with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).
Mobile Mammography Unit Increases Breast Cancer Screening Among Latina Patients
Pinky, a mobile mammography unit from Stony Brook University Hospital Cancer Center on Long Island, increased screening for breast cancer from 9% to 69% among the predominantly Latina population that it serves.
Innovations in Cancer Care Improve Outcomes, but Cost Remains a Barrier: Christine Pfaff, RPh
Christine Pfaff, RPh, senior regional director of operations at American Oncology Network, discusses the role of immunotherapy and precision medicine in oncology, as well as considerations for patient safety and financial toxicity when prescribing oncology drugs.
Dempsey Center Research Demonstrates Importance of Supporting Oncology Care Providers
The interrelated concepts of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, moral distress, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction have been identified as having a profound impact on the quality of life of health care providers.
Sustainable Cancer Screening Has Potential, With the Right Tools
A presentation at the Association of Community Cancer Centers’ 40th National Oncology Conference explored how a cancer screening initiative can be sustainable and revenue positive while driving value-based savings in an evolving market.
To Decrease Medical Mistrust in Oncology, We Must Increase Community Inclusivity
A poster presented at the 40th National Oncology Conference addressed several hot topics in the oncology treatment and research space: addressing medical mistrust in underresourced communities, partnering with trusted organizations to improve health equity, and increasing inclusivity in research.
Need for PrEP Support Services Persists Among Latino MSM
Among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), access to and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remain at suboptimal levels, despite this population of individuals having disproportionately high rates of diagnosed HIV in the United States.