Contact Information

Biography

Karen M. Fancher, PharmD, BCOP, is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Duquesne University School of Pharmacy.  She is a graduate of Duquesne University School of Pharmacy and completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, followed by a Specialty Residency in Oncology Pharmacy Practice at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa. She then spent almost 10 years as a Clinical Pharmacist in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Division at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center before returning to Pittsburgh to work with the West Penn Allegheny Oncology Network. Her current practice site is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at Passavant Hospital.  She presently serves on the faculty for the ASHP/ACCP Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) Review & Recertification course, as well as on various committees of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA). In addition, she has recently been appointed to the inaugural class of HOPAmbassadors.  Her research interests include chronic leukemias, lymphomas, and ethics in oncology.

Karen and her husband Stewart are the proud parents of two pretty awesome young adults.  When she’s not on an adventure with her family, you can find her cooking, reading, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and daydreaming about musical legend Sting.

Education

  • Oncology Pharmacy Practice Residency, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
  • Pharmacy Practice Residency, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
  • PharmD, Duquesne University, 1999
  • B.S., Pharmacy, Duquesne University, 1998

 

School

Publications

  • Fancher KM and Comeau JL.  Chronic Leukemias.  In: DiPiro JT, Yee GC, Posey M, et al (eds).  Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 13th edition.  New York, NY: McGraw Hill.  2024.
  • Fancher KM and Seddon A.  Understanding the role of oncology pharmacists in academic vs community cancer centers.  Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology. 2024; 6(7): 49-51.
  • Fancher KM.  Addressing the ethical complications of drug shortages. Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology. 2024; 6(4): 4-5.
  • Fancher KM and Pappacena JJ.  Drug interactions with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors: clinical implication and management.  Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology.  2020; 86(4): 507-15.  doi: 10.1007/s00280-020-04137-6 [Epub 2020 Sept 17].
  • Fancher KM and Lally-Montgomery ZC.  Moxetumomab pasudotox: a first-in-class treatment for hairy cell leukemia.  Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice. 2019;25(6): 1467-72. doi: 10.1177/1078155219838041 [Epub 2019 Mar 7].
  • Fancher KM, Giannetti V, and McLaughlin BL.  The ethics of chemotherapy during pregnancy.  American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2019; 76: 242-6.

Book Chapters

  • Fancher, K. M. (2017). Sickle Cell Anemia. Under Review, Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program, Eigth Edition.

  • Julius, J. M. & Fancher, K. M. (2017). Oncology. Under Review, Demystifying drug dosing in renal insufficiency.

  • Julius, J. & Fancher, K. M. (2015). Oncology. Demystifying drug dosing in renal insufficiency.

  • Fancher, K. M. (2017). Chronic Leukemias. Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Recertification Home Study Syllabus, Volume 1, 2017 ed. American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

  • Fancher, K. M. (2017). Lymphomas. Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Recertification Home Study Syllabus, Volume 2, 2017 ed. American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

  • Fancher, K. M. (2016). Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin Lymphoma. Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Recertification Home Study Syllabus, Volume 2, 2016 ed. American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

  • Fancher, K. M. (2016). Chronic Leukemias. Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Recertification Home Study Syllabus, Volume 1, 2016 ed. American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

  • Fancher, K. M. (2015). Chronic Leukemias and Myelodysplastic Syndromes.. Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Recertification Home Study Syllabus, 2015 ed.. American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

  • Fancher, K. M. (2015). Gynecologic Malignancies. Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Recertification Home Study Syllabus, 2015 ed. American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Presentations

  • “Expert Insights for Hematology/Oncology Pharmacists on Later-Generation TKIs as Frontline Therapy in Chronic-Phase CML” - invited faculty for ACPE-accredited webinar for ProCE, LLC and Clinical Care Options, LLC, presented in partnership with Anthony J. Perissinotti, PharmD, BCOP and Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP.   April 2025.
  • “Advancing Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment in the Community: Practical Updates and Clinical Pearls for Oncology Pharmacists” – invited faculty for ACPE-accredited lecture for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series, presented in partnership with Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, FACCC, FAPO at the Community Oncology Alliance Conference.  Orlando, FL, April 2025.
  • “Chronic Leukemias” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture at the ASHP / ACCP Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) Review & Recertification Course.  Annually since 2014.
  • “Lymphomas” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture at the ASHP / ACCP Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) Review & Recertification Course.  Annually since 2014.
  • “Optimal Therapeutic Sequencing in Relapsed/Refractory CLL” – invited faculty for ACPE-accredited webinar for ProCE, LLC and Clinical Care Options, LLC, presented in partnership with Anthony J. Perissinotti, PharmD, BCOP and Caitlin R. Rausch, PharmD, BCOP.   November 2024.
  • “Enhancing Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Outcomes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Pharmacist’s Roadmap to Success” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series, presented in partnership with Melani Rudisill, PharmD, BCOP and Allison Duffy, PharmD, BCOP at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Annual Conference.  Tampa, FL, April 2024 and rebroadcast in May 2024.
  • “Ethical Dilemmas in Oncology Pharmacy: When Science and Morals Collide” – application-accepted faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Annual Conference.  Tampa, FL, April 2024. 
  • “Optimizing Treatment of CLL/SLL: Expert Guidance on Application of the Latest Data” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture for ProCE, LLC and Clinical Care Options, LLC, presented in partnership with Emily Hollinghurst, PharmD, BCOP, CSP, APh at the Asembia AXS23 Summit.  Las Vegas, NV, April 2023.
  • “Continuing the Conversation in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Addressing Operational Challenges and Integrating New and Emerging Antibody-Based Regimens” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series, presented in partnership with Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP and Arpita Gandhi, PharmD, BCOP at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Annual Conference.  Phoenix, AZ, April 2023.
  • “Ushering in a New Era of Targeted Therapies in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Focus on New and Emerging Antibody-Based Regimens” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series, presented in partnership with Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP and Arpita Gandhi, PharmD, BCOP at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Annual Conference.  Phoenix, AZ, March 2023.
  • “Targeted Treatment of B-Cell Malignancies: Practical Strategies for BTK Inhibitors” – invited faculty for webinar with Clinical Care Options, LLC, presented in partnership with Anthony J. Perissinotti, PharmD, BCOP at the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy conference. December 2022.
  • “Investigating the Optimal Use of Novel Immunotherapies for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited webinar for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series, presented in partnership with Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP.   Presented online in April 2023, December 2022, and October 2022 and live in New York, NY, November 2022.
  •  “Scenarios that Keep Us Up at Night: Ethical Dilemmas in Oncology Pharmacy” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture presented in partnership with Amy Haddad, PhD, MSN, MFA, RN, FAAN and Laurel Lyckholm, MD at the Advanced Topics for Oncology Pharmacy Professionals Summit.  San Diego, CA, July 2022.
  • “Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Optimizing Patient Care Through Expert Knowledge of Drug Therapies and Treatment-Related Toxicities” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited webinar for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series.  New York, NY and Buffalo, NY.  June 2022.
  • “Clinical Updates in the Treatment and Care of Patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited webinar for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series, presented in partnership with Jordan Miller, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, CPP and Joslyn Rudoni, PharmD, BCOP. April 2022.
  • “Emerging Treatments for Indolent Lymphomas: The Role of the Oncology Pharmacist in Treatment and Toxicity Management” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited lecture for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education series, presented in partnership with Jordan Miller, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, CPP and Kellly Valla, PharmD, BCOP at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Annual Conference.  Boston, MA, April 2022.
  •  “Optimizing Patient Outcomes in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia” – invited faculty and ACPE-accredited webinar for Great Debates & Updates in Oncology Pharmacy. Presented online in November 2022, August 2022, and April 2022.
  • BMST 441: Hematology, Oncology & Transplantation (21 lecture hours) – course coordinator
  • PHIN 452: Advanced Concepts in Oncology (42 lecture hours) – course coordinator
  • PHIN 490: Personalized Therapeutics (5 lecture hours) – course coordinator
  • PHPR 494: Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II: Ethics in Cancer Care (3 lecture hours)
  • PHBM 331: Basic and Applied Immunology (1 lecture hour)
  • Problem Based Learning (PBL) coordinator, facilitator and case writer
  • Abilities Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) coordinator and facilitator
  • Lambda Kappa Sigma Professional Pharmacy Fraternity Advisor of the Year award, July 2025.
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center “Above and Beyond” Award, August 2022.
  • Voted Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Teacher of the Pharmacy School (TOPS)
    • Class of 2020, May 2020
    • Class of 2018, May 2018
  • Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Faculty Award, AY 2019-20.