Supporting and Advocating for Independent Oncology Pharmacies
What is the Community Oncology Pharmacy Association?
The Community Oncology Pharmacy Association (COPA) is a network for medically integrated pharmacies—pharmacies within medical centers that provide patient-centered and multidisciplinary care—in independent community oncology and urology practices. COPA breaks down regulatory and operational barriers to ensure patients have timely and unrestricted access to pharmacy services as an integral part of their care.
The Value of Medically Integrated Pharmacies
Medically integrated pharmacies provide oral medications to treat cancer and cancer-related conditions. More than half of all oncology drugs launched in the last five years are delivered orally. In response, many community oncology and urology clinics have established on-site dispensaries, enabling pharmacists to coordinate directly with clinicians and patients to quickly adjust treatment plans, avoid adverse events, improve adherence, and reduce the amount of time patients wait to access treatment.
The benefit of medically integrated pharmacies has become more evident with the rise of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and third-party specialty pharmacies that often disrupt the physician-patient relationship, are less convenient and more expensive for patients, and cause more waste and spending.
COPA Empowers its Members
A network of pharmacists, pharmacy staff, practice administrators, and other affiliated practice professionals, COPA is a powerful peer-to-peer collaboration network that helps them navigate an increasingly complicated oncology environment and improve pharmacy operations. By sharing insights, COPA offers a forum for the advancement of integral cancer treatment dispensing clinics.
Members of COPA have access to free resources to help them tackle issues that challenge their ability to serve patients. These include legal support and templates to address issues that threaten care delivery such as PBMs, network access, and DIR Fees; tools to maintain specialty pharmacy accreditation through our exclusive partnership with ACHC; pharmacy and practice benchmarking software; standardized quality metrics; and pharmacy education and meetings.
COPA is an initiative of the Community Oncology Alliance, the nation’s only non-profit solely dedicated to advocating for and supporting independent community oncology and urology practices and the patients they serve. Through this, COPA members receive a powerful voice in advocacy with elected officials and key regulatory agencies at the federal and state levels.
Get Involved and Join COPA
COPA membership is free and exclusively available to members of community oncology and urology practices with medically integrated pharmacies. Representatives from all levels of the pharmacy and practice teams are invited to join COPA
Advisory Board
Marlo Blazer, PharmD, BCOP
Columbus Oncology and Hematology
Columbus, OH
Marlo Blazer, PharmD, BCOP
About the Member
Columbus Oncology and Hematology
Columbus, OH
Nicholas Bouchard, PharmD
Hematology - Oncology Associates of CNY
East Syracuse, NY
Nicholas Bouchard, PharmD
About the Member
Hematology - Oncology Associates of CNY
East Syracuse, NY
John Clagg, RPh
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Fort Worth, TX
John Clagg, RPh
About the Member
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Fort Worth, TX
Josh Cox, PharmD, BCPS
Dayton Physicians Network
Greenville, OH
Josh Cox, PharmD, BCPS
About the Member
Dayton Physicians Network
Greenville, OH
Austin Cox, PharmD
Co-Chair
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
Fort Myers, FL
Austin Cox, PharmD
About the Member
Co-Chair
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
Fort Myers, FL
Steve D'Amato, BSc Pharm
Fort Myers, FL
Steve D'Amato, BSc Pharm
About the Member
Fort Myers, FL
Wendalee Hemmen, MHA, BS
Texas Oncology
Austin, TX
Wendalee Hemmen, MHA, BS
About the Member
Texas Oncology
Austin, TX
Kyle Kitchen, PharmD, MBA
Utah Cancer Specialists
Layton, UT
Kyle Kitchen, PharmD, MBA
About the Member
Utah Cancer Specialists
Layton, UT
Howard Levine, PharmD
Oceanside, NY
Howard Levine, PharmD
About the Member
Oceanside, NY
Ricky Newton, CPA
Community Oncology Alliance
Virginia Beach, VA
Ricky Newton, CPA
About the Member
Community Oncology Alliance
Virginia Beach, VA
Yen Nguyen, PharmD
Athena Oncology
Virginia Beach, VA
Yen Nguyen, PharmD
About the Member
Athena Oncology
Virginia Beach, VA
Thomas Ollis, MS, RPh
Regional Cancer Care Associates
Hackensack, NJ
Thomas Ollis, MS, RPh
About the Member
Regional Cancer Care Associates
Hackensack, NJ
Christine Pfaff, RPh
About the Member
Community Oncology Alliance
Washington, DC
Christine Pfaff, MBA, RPh, is the Director of Clinical Initiatives at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). As director of clinical initiatives, she uses her background in community oncology clinic and pharmacy operations to support independent practices that are navigating an increasingly complex health care landscape. She guides COA’s industry-leading peer-to-peer network for medically integrated pharmacy teams in independent community oncology and urology practices across the country, the Community Oncology Pharmacy Association (COPA). In addition, Christine supports COA’s work on payment reform, educational initiatives, and employer engagement through the National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA).
Prior to joining COA, Christine practiced as a licensed pharmacist and health care executive for over 15 years, leading community oncology operations and pharmacy services across a multi-state region. In her previous role as Senior Regional Director of Operations for the American Oncology Network, she oversaw clinical and business operations across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
Christine’s career spans leadership roles in clinical pharmacy, practice operations, and strategic development, with a strong track record in expanding services, enhancing patient outcomes through value-based care programs, and spearheading cross-functional collaboration. Her expertise includes pharmaceutical contracting, budget management, referral development, and compliance with USP and NCCN standards.
A respected voice in oncology care innovation, Christine serves on the Ohio Board of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Times Oncology Editorial Board. She previously was a member of the COPA board. She holds an MBA from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from The Ohio State University. Christine currently resides in Columbus, Ohio.
Bob Phelan, RPh
Cancer Specialists of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL
Bob Phelan, RPh
About the Member
Cancer Specialists of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL
Lisa Raff, PharmD, MSPharm, BCPS, BCOP
Co-Chair
OneOncology
Nashville, TN
Lisa Raff, PharmD, MSPharm, BCPS, BCOP
About the Member
Co-Chair
OneOncology
Nashville, TN
