Bringing Pharmacy Expertise to Oncology Clinics

From her Ann Arbor home, Shannon Hough, PharmD ‘10, is making an impact on patient care in clinics across the United States.

As Senior Director of Clinical Programs at McKesson, Dr. Hough works with the U.S. Oncology Network to oversee two teams of pharmacists: Clinical Content and ClinReview. 

The Clinical Content team is responsible for maintaining the Chemotherapy Regimen Library and other tools – ensuring that all educational materials are accurate. Dr. Hough ensures all subject matter experts are providing high-quality content for providers and patients.

The ClinReview team, which was launched under the leadership of Hough, works remotely with oncology clinics across the country reviewing treatment plans and providing dosage recommendations for patients starting chemotherapy – ensuring they’re receiving the appropriate treatment. They do this by reviewing medical history, looking at biomarkers and screening for drug interactions and organ dysfunction. 

“What my team does is incredible work. Many of these oncology clinics did not have a pharmacist before, and we are thrilled to bring pharmacy expertise to oncology practices,” said Hough. “These pharmacists are doing direct patient care in a remote role. There aren’t many roles like this for oncology pharmacists.”

Hough poses with now-retired Professor Jim Stevenson

When Dr. Hough and her team launched the Clinical Review team, she spent much of her time selling the program to physicians and working to educate them on the vital role a pharmacist plays in ensuring patient safety and developing treatment plans that deliver a better quality of life. 

“I was worried we wouldn’t be well received, but my strategy has always been to have our providers’ backs. We’re not working against anyone, but rather in collaboration with them.”

Today, the program is so successful that most new clinics the team onboards are the result of word-of-mouth and referrals from providers.

“The clinicians are seeing the value of a pharmacist and they are willing to invest to embed our pharmacists into their practice.”

And not just the clinicians – patients directly reap the benefits of having a pharmacist on-hand to guide them through cancer treatment. 

“As oncology pharmacists, we can play a substantial role in ensuring patients have a high quality of life during treatment. I have patients who may have had a poor experience during their first cycle of chemotherapy, and we are able to come up with a treatment plan that helps uplift their quality of life and that’s extremely rewarding.”

Sparking a Passion for Oncology 

Prior to joining McKesson, Dr. Hough worked her way up the ranks at the place that originally sparked her passion for oncology care – Michigan Medicine. 

“When I was a student at U-M, I interned in the outpatient pharmacy at Michigan Medicine. I started working shifts at the outpatient cancer pharmacy and had the best experience with the patients when they came to pick up their prescriptions. They were so engaged with their care and wanted to hear the counseling points I was able to provide.”

It was that interpersonal connection and an interest in the ever-changing landscape of oncology that piqued Dr. Hough’s interest. 

“I realized there was always a new drug. I would look at the prescriptions and it seemed like there was a new drug every week.”

During her time with Michigan Medicine, Dr. Hough helped implement a program embedding pharmacists in the outpatient oncology clinics.

“We had such success with providing pharmacy care in the inpatient side of oncology, that I helped bring that model to outpatient care. I took a number of leadership positions with the health system and I worked with one of the best and smartest teams of pharmacists there.”

Serving in a number of leadership roles in her career, she says it was her “go for it” attitude that made much of her success possible.

“From an early point in my career, I was in both formal and informal leadership roles. I would encourage anyone to take opportunities in leadership when they present themselves even if you’re not sure you’re ready for it. If you surround yourself with smart people, the leadership part of your career can be extremely rewarding.” 

Hough (L) poses with Dean Emeritus Frank Ascione and friends Katie Hawkins and Anna Hill (Frank) (L-R)

Forever a Wolverine

Dr. Hough attributes much of her success to the opportunities she took advantage of as a student at the U-M College of Pharmacy.

She says her internship at the hospital, PharmD Investigations research project, participation in student organizations and involvement in the Leader Scholars Program are the four pillars that helped develop her professional skills. 

“What I tell PharmD students is that your schooling and post-grad training time is so valuable even if it all feels overwhelming. Take advantage of all of the learning opportunities that come your way because they will be a part of the fabric that makes you a great pharmacist when you’re done.”