ASTCT Spotlight: Rebecca Gonzalez, Pharm.D., BCOP, FASTCT

This spotlight features Rebecca Gonzalez, Pharm.D., BCOP, FASTCT, clinical pharmacy specialist at Moffitt Cancer Center and chair of ASTCT’s Pharmacy Special Interest Group. With a deep commitment to education, collaboration and clinical excellence, Dr. Gonzalez has helped expand pharmacist engagement and elevate the role of pharmacy professionals in transplant and cellular therapy. In this Q&A, she discusses her journey, her leadership within the SIG and the evolving opportunities for pharmacists in outpatient care. 

ASTCT: What inspired you to pursue a career in clinical pharmacy within the transplant and cellular therapy space?  

Rebecca Gonzalez, Pharm.D., BCOP, FASTCT (RG): I first caught the oncology pharmacy bug as a teen volunteer at Moffitt Cancer Center. Watching clinical pharmacists patiently explain intimidating medication plans, side effects and toxicity management in ways that allowed patients and their caregivers to feel comfortable and supported was so enthralling. Their ability to take one of the most overwhelming information overload days for a patient and transform it into a mini chemo bootcamp review really highlights the unique role of an oncology pharmacist at the patient’s bedside. The ability to gently encourage patients and caregivers to ask every question, even the small ones, showed me how much reassurance and confidence clear medication guidance can give. 

During pharmacy school, I had the opportunity to return to Moffitt for an HCT rotation that highlighted the pharmacist’s role in solving complex drug therapy problems and anticipating potential complications while working side-by-side with a close multidisciplinary team. HCT and cellular therapy combine high-stakes clinical complexity, rapidly evolving science and offer a little bit of everything: ID, internal medicine, hematology, etc., all in one. I find this specialty particularly rewarding due to its deep pharmacotherapy roots, creative opportunities for problem-solving and the ability to translate novel therapies from clinical trials to routine standard of care. 

ASTCT: What’s a typical day like for you as a clinical pharmacy specialist?  

RG: Something I truly enjoy about my role as an inpatient and outpatient clinical pharmacist is the multiple roles and responsibilities I have on any given day. As an outpatient HCT/Cellular pharmacist, I provide immunosuppressant therapeutic drug monitoring for allogeneic transplant patients, manage complex drug interactions and provide supportive care and drug therapy recommendations for GVHD patients. Additionally, my role allows me to develop HCT care plans with providers, RNs and APPs for upcoming patients while collaborating with consult services during initial patient work-up. As a clinical pharmacist in an outpatient setting, I counsel patients and their caregivers on chemotherapy and supportive care regimens during their pharmacy consultation or during complex medication changes. My role allows for educational opportunities to multidisciplinary team members, including residents and fellows, throughout the day. 

As an inpatient pharmacist, either on our HCT or cellular therapy service, I initially pre-round on each patient to evaluate opportunities for therapeutic drug recommendations, including antimicrobial stewardship, toxicity management or supportive care therapy for common chemotherapy-induced complications. I enjoy participating in daily multidisciplinary rounds where we optimize individualized patient care during a HCT/cellular therapy course. We have the opportunity to engage with every patient and their caregivers to answer questions and build trusted relationships while collaborating with other disciplines to provide well-rounded care to these complex patients. Prior to discharge, I complete a focused medication reconciliation and discharge plan for transplant and cellular therapy patients and provide bedside counseling. Afternoon education sessions, journal clubs and lectures are additional bonuses and allow me to keep up to date with evolving literature.  

ASTCT: What initiatives are you most proud of so far during your time with the Pharmacy SIG?  

RG: Since joining the Pharmacy Special Interest Group in 2017, I have seen a profound increase in pharmacist engagement with over 614 Pharmacy SIG members and 122 volunteers across working committees (WC) this year. I think this is a true testament to the unique and ever-expanding educational opportunities our SIG has for clinical pharmacists practicing in HCT/cellular therapy. Our mission is to provide a forum for pharmacists to network and share ideas and move the HCT/cellular therapy field forward and there are several initiatives that help to highlight this beyond those listed. 

Our community SIG page was revamped in 2024 and now serves as a hub for ongoing initiatives, accessible content, discussion boards and educational activities. Our pharmacy SIG discussion board provides real-time access to ASTCT members for clinical support, complex patient case discussions and highlights literature reviews conducted by our Research WC.  

Given the rapidly evolving nature of HCT and cellular therapy and the unique role clinical pharmacists play in development of standard operational procedures, medication pathways and management of complex patients, our SIG created a networking opportunity to phone a friend on topics we all encounter at our own institutions. ASTCT Pharmacy SIG’s Rx-Cited: Clinical Conundrums Unplugged was born from this and allows for a collaborative open discussion with colleagues from across the country, while addressing hot topics and insights into clinical practice in a data-free zone. 

Our educational activities support pharmacists, pharmacy residents and other disciplines, making them a hallmark of our Pharmacy SIG. From resident-led journal clubs and BCOP-accredited Tandem Meetings Pharmacy Track Sessions to expanded EBMT/ASTCT collaborations, we offer something for everyone, especially for FACT or CE credit requirements. Transition of the Fundamentals course to a virtual platform has unlocked access to top-notch and timely educational sessions for multiple disciplines, which are primarily led by HCT/CI clinical pharmacists. This year’s course drew over 440 participants from 32 countries outside the U.S. and included the release of the biennial comprehensive Fundamentals eBook. 

ASTCT: What role has ASTCT played in your professional growth?  

RG: ASTCT has become my professional home, offering access to mentors, collaborators, and genuine friends. It’s provided me with cutting-edge education, clinical guidelines I use every day and a committed community of transplant and cellular therapy experts looking to advance patient care. Participation in ASTCT activities, particularly within the Pharmacy SIG, has elevated my clinical practice, broadened my leadership opportunities and supported my own confidence and credibility to drive pharmacy-led improvements at my institution. I’ve gained lifelong connections and clinical networks that have allowed me to expand my research interests, provide mentorship and support the expansion of clinical pharmacist roles in HCT/cellular therapy space. 

ASTCT: What do you see as the biggest opportunity for pharmacy professionals in the transplant and cellular therapy space?  

RG: Clinical pharmacists have long played vital roles in inpatient HCT/cellular therapy care. As HCT and cellular therapies move into the outpatient setting primarily, pharmacists are a crucial component of the medical team from pre-HCT/cellular therapy to long-term survivorship. Integration of clinical pharmacists in the outpatient setting not only can improve transitions of care but also offer real-time clinical interventions and patient support within the clinic setting. Having dedicated clinical pharmacist support in both the inpatient and outpatient settings closes gaps at high-risk transition points, reduces medication-related harm and improves outpatient stability by ensuring timely therapeutic drug monitoring and adherence support. 

ASTCT: How do you recharge outside of work and leadership responsibilities?  

RG: I love to spend time with my family and friends during mini-getaway trips from a quick day trip to try out a new restaurant, a long weekend in the fall to go leaf-peeping (a family tradition before I was born) to see the leaves change color to a Disney adult vacation. You are never too old to enjoy being a big kid! 

When I am not traveling, I enjoy a good 1000-piece puzzle or nostalgic TV show to decompress. As a graduate of the University of Florida, I love watching UF sports (GO GATORS!!) with my fellow Florida fans. 

ASTCT: Is there a book, podcast or article that’s recently inspired you — either professionally or personally?  

RG: Recently, I have really enjoyed The Fellow on Call: The Heme/Onc Podcast as it offers short, focused episodes that break down common clinical questions on all things heme/onc in a practical and bite-sized approach. As a total geek who loves to read journal articles for fun, these episodes allow me to think outside my subspecialized bubble and learn about disease states, toxicities and medications I don’t encounter every day. I love the conciseness of the episodes, which really have helped transform my topic discussions with residents and my own personal learning on the drive to work into 30-minute or less clinical tidbit takeaways.