Michael L. Brandt, PharmD

Oncology Pharmacy Clinical Liaison

Michael’s role as liaison is to bridge the practice of oncology pharmacy between the ambulatory setting at North Idaho Cancer Center with the acute care setting at Kootenai Medical Center, located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Websites of interest: www.kmc.org and www.coeurdalene.org.

He is the leader of a team of pharmacists and technicians responsible for the pharmaceutical care of oncology patients, as well as some nephrology patients. Michael’s role includes being a clinical coordinator to the team, acting as liaison to outpatient oncology programs, and is a leader and department representative for all hospital programs aimed at improving oncology patient care standards. He provides education, mentoring, and coaching for staff development, residents, students, technicians, and interns. Also, he is in charge of developing, maintaining, and monitoring collaborative drug management programs.

How they got there

After doing a 2-year internship at a teaching hospital in Salt Lake City that was decentralized, then moving to a hospital in Boise, Idaho that was not, Michael started a cancer service satellite. This sparked his interest in cancer, chemotherapy, and the treatment of cancer patients. While a specialized residency would have gotten him there sooner, 16 years of experience afforded him the positions he has occupied recently.

Other professional activities: Michael has been active in local, state, and national organizations for many years. He received the Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the year for 1988, and went on to lead the local pharmacy organization in Boise, as well as become active in the state organization and began teaching fellow pharmacists. He went on to become active in ASHP through the Public Relations Advisory Network, and has served as ASHP Delegate. He has held numerous local and state positions in Washington State, and was President of the Washington State Pharmacy Association for 2003-2004. He holds clinical faculty positions at the University Of Washington School Of Pharmacy, Washington State University, and Idaho State University

Advanced training

Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University Of Utah College Of Pharmacy in 1984. At age 39 he enrolled in the External Doctor of Pharmacy Degree program, a joint venture of the University of Washington and Washington State University. Michael graduated in March 2003 with a PharmD degree.

Advice

“Always keep your focus on why you are doing what you are doing: to better the lives of the patients you care for. When all is said and done, everything from compounding to distribution to clinical activities return to that same point.”