Faculty Presenters

Douglas W. Sborov, MD MS (Speaker)

Associate Professor of Medicine
Adjunct Associate Professor of Molecular Pharmaceutics
Huntsman Translational Scholar
Director – Hematology Disease Center and Plasma Cell Dyscrasia Program
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Douglas Sborov, MD MS is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Utah (UU) – Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), Department of Internal Medicine - Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies. He is also the Craig and Marianne Mecham Endowed Chair in Hematological Oncology and is an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Biomedical Engineering. 

He is the Director of the HCI Hematology Disease Center and Plasma Cell Dyscrasias (PCD) Program, Co-Leader of the Hematologic Malignancies Clinical Trials Research Group, and member of the HCI Experimental Therapeutics Program and International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG). He is an elected Huntsman Translational Scholar, member of the Alliance Myeloma Committee, and Society of Medical Oncology (SUMO) Board member.

Melody Chang, RPh, MBA, BCOP (Speaker)

Vice President of Pharmacy Operations
American Oncology Network, LLC
Fort Myers, FL

Melody, RPh, BCOP, MBA, is the Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at the American Oncology Network, where she oversees pharmacy strategy and clinical operations across the network. She is nationally recognized for leading the development and implementation of outpatient bispecific T-cell engager therapy programs—creating scalable models, standardized protocols, and toxicity management frameworks that enable the safe delivery of advanced therapies in the community setting.

With over 20 years of oncology pharmacy experience, Melody has been instrumental in expanding access to complex immunotherapies beyond academic centers while driving significant cost savings through biosimilar adoption. She is also the host of the RxConnect Podcast, where she features leaders in oncology innovation and advanced therapies.

Leigh Flegge-Schlie, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC (Speaker)

Nurse Practitioner
Hematology Oncology of Indiana
American Oncology Network
Indianapolis, IN

Leigh Flegge-Schlie, DNP, FNP-BC, RN is a dedicated oncology nurse practitioner with nearly a decade of experience guiding patients and families through the complexities of cancer care. Known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach, she has built her career around the belief that both patients and providers thrive when care is personalized, holistic, and rooted in human connection.

Flegge-Schlie earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame, where her scholarly work focused on oncology nurse retention—an issue she feels passionately about as both a clinician and an advocate for the nursing profession. Her work aims to not only improve outcomes for oncology patients but also to elevate the well-being and longevity of those who care for them.

Currently, she practices at Hematology Oncology of Indiana, where she is proud to contribute to a team that prioritizes excellence, innovation, and empathy in cancer care. Her previous roles have included clinical leadership and hands-on care at institutions such as the VA Hospital Fort Wayne, Ascension St. Vincent, and IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center.

Flegge-Schlie is committed to advancing the future of oncology nursing through continued research in nurse retention and aspires to merge clinical practice with academic work to shape the next generation of nurse leaders.

Natasha Carrera, MHA (Speaker)

Associate Director, Service Line Management 
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, WA

Natasha Carrera, MHA, is an accomplished healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience across operations, clinical care, strategy, quality, and program development, with deep expertise in cell and gene therapies and high‑risk immunotherapies. She has a proven track record of leading complex, highly regulated programs that support advanced therapeutic modalities, driving innovation while ensuring safety, quality, and operational excellence. Known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to lead transformational change, Natasha excels at developing and scaling high‑value programs that improve patient outcomes and optimize performance within complex healthcare systems, delivering meaningful value to patients, clinicians, and organizational stakeholders.

Program Planning Committee

Hans Lee, MD (Content Chair)

Director, Myeloma Research
Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Nashville, TN

Hans Lee, MD, is board-certified in hematology and medical oncology and the Director of Myeloma Research at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Prior to joining SCRI Oncology Partners, he spent over 10 years as a faculty member at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center where he served as the Director of Multiple Myeloma Clinical Research. Dr. Lee’s clinical and research efforts are focused on advancing the care and treatment of patients with plasma cell dyscrasias including multiple myeloma, AL amyloidosis, and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. His research has been funded by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and highlighted in 125+ peer-reviewed publications.

Aakash Desai, MD, MPH (Content Chair)

Associate Director, Assistant Professor, Associate Scientist
Heersink School of Medicine Med - Hematology & Oncology
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Aakash Desai, MD, MPH, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the O'Neal Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, is a recognized expert in thoracic oncology and experimental therapeutics. Dr. Desai is the Associate Director for the O Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Precision Oncology and Phase 1 Clinical Trials program and the Co-Chair of the Lung Cancer Clinical Trials program. His expertise spans evidence-based oncology, clinical trials, novel drug development, and improving cancer care quality. 

His academic and professional journey began at B.J Medical College, India, followed by a master’s in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. Dr. Desai further honed his expertise with a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut and a fellowship in Oncology and Hematology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. 

Dr. Desai's significant contributions to oncology, particularly in lung cancer and mesothelioma, are underscored by his deep commitment to novel drug development, clinical trials, and enhancing the quality of cancer care. His research is focused on advancing treatment options and addressing health disparities, ensuring all patients receive optimal and equitable care.

Recognized for his dedication and excellence in oncology, Dr. Desai has received several prestigious awards, including the Conquer Cancer Foundation ASCO Young Investigator Award and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Early Career Award. He has received funding from several organizations including the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and LUNGevity Foundation for his pioneering work in the field of thoracic oncology.  Additionally, his role as a patient education ambassador for the Cancer GRACE Foundation highlights his commitment to patient education and advocacy. Through his work, Dr. Desai exemplifies a blend of clinical excellence and profound dedication to patient well-being, making substantial strides in improving outcomes for those affected by cancer.

Marlee Bogema, MSN FNP-C (Content Chair)

Outpatient APP, Malignant Hematology Lead APP
The Cancer and Hematology Centers
Grand Rapids, MI

Marlee Bogema MSN, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner with over 10 years' experience in hematology/oncology. She is currently working for the Cancer and Hematology Centers in Grand Rapids, MI where she subspecializes in malignant hematology and acts as clinical APP lead. In 2024, she helped her team build a fully outpatient bispecific immunotherapy program in a community-practice setting, and she continues to work closely on improving cellular therapy access for patients. She is an avid traveler including a year working in London with the NHS.

Melody Chang, RPh, MBA, BCOP (Content Chair)

Vice President of Pharmacy Operations
American Oncology Network, LLC
Fort Myers, FL

Melody, RPh, BCOP, MBA, is the Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at the American Oncology Network, where she oversees pharmacy strategy and clinical operations across the network. She is nationally recognized for leading the development and implementation of outpatient bispecific T-cell engager therapy programs—creating scalable models, standardized protocols, and toxicity management frameworks that enable the safe delivery of advanced therapies in the community setting.

With over 20 years of oncology pharmacy experience, Melody has been instrumental in expanding access to complex immunotherapies beyond academic centers while driving significant cost savings through biosimilar adoption. She is also the host of the RxConnect Podcast, where she features leaders in oncology innovation and advanced therapies.

Natasha Carrera, MHA (Expert Faculty)

Associate Director, Service Line Management 
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, WA

Natasha Carrera, MHA, is an accomplished healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience across operations, clinical care, strategy, quality, and program development, with deep expertise in cell and gene therapies and high‑risk immunotherapies. She has a proven track record of leading complex, highly regulated programs that support advanced therapeutic modalities, driving innovation while ensuring safety, quality, and operational excellence. Known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to lead transformational change, Natasha excels at developing and scaling high‑value programs that improve patient outcomes and optimize performance within complex healthcare systems, delivering meaningful value to patients, clinicians, and organizational stakeholders.

Disclosures:

Planners

Hans Lee, MD, discloses consulting fees with AbbVie, Alexion, Allogene Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, Janssen, Legend Biotech, Menarini Group, Moderna, Medline, Pfizer, PredictaBiosciences, Regeneron, Sanofi, and Takeda. He also discloses contracted research from AbbVie, Alexion, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, Janssen, Menarini Group, Moderna, and Takeda. Dr. Lee also discloses Data and Safety Monitoring Boards/Committees with Allogene Therapeutics and Takeda during the past 24 months.

Akash Desai, MD, MPH, discloses Advisory Boards with AbbVie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol Myers Squibb, ConcertAI, Daiichi Sankyo, Foundation Medicine, Janssen Oncology, Eli Lily, Merus, Regeneron, and Sanofi during the past 24 months.

Marlee Bogema, MSN, FNP-C, discloses speaking fees with Johnson & Johnson and Regeneron. She also discloses consulting fees with Cure/Johnson & Johnson during the past 24 months.
 
Melody Chang, PharmD, discloses no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients during the past 24 months.

Natasha Carrera, MHA, discloses no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients during the past 24 months.

Faculty

Natasha Carrera, MHA, discloses no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients during the past 24 months.

Douglas W. Sborov MD, MS, discloses Consulting Fees/Advisory Boards with Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Legend Biotech, Opna Bio, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi during the past 24 months.
 

Those others involved in the planning of this activity disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Other Contributors

All other non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development and editing/review of the content disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by or used on patients.

DISCLAIMER 
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.  

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