The mTOR You Know

PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Resident Laura Ramirez joins us from UAB Medicine to discuss “Impact of kidney function on 200 days of antiviral prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus disease in cytomegalovirus- seronegative recipients of cytomegalovirus-seropositive donor kidneys: Post hoc analysis of a randomized, phase 3 trial of letermovir vs valganciclovir prophylaxis”

Leah Georgiades, a current PGY2 SOT at UPMC Presbyterian, discusses “The association between glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists therapy and outcomes after heart transplant” as well as her investigation into drug-drug interactions between letermovir and azole antifungals.

What does it actually look like to transition from a specialized clinical role in transplantation to a career in the pharmaceutical industry? In this "couch session" episode, host Aileen Chi sits down with industry veterans Drs. John Lyons, Simon Tremblay, and Tim Horwedel to pull back the curtain on the journey from the clinic to the corporate world. Tune in for an engaging and candid discussion on how to leverage clinical expertise to make a broader impact on patient care through the pharmaceutical industry.

Meet the award-winning pharmacists advancing transplant care. In this episode, we explore the innovation and clinical excellence recognized by the ACCP Transplant PRN and ACCP Foundation.00:42 – Annual Meeting Travel Award (Resident): Eleni Pikounis 08:04 – Annual Meeting Travel Award (Pharmacist): Dawn Pluckrose 13:20 – Innovative Fund Award: William Baker 19:05 – Research Award: Abbie Leino 28:45 – Foundation Grant Award: Nicole Wilson

PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant resident Caroline Simko joins us from the University of Colorado Hospital to discuss “Low-Dose Valganciclovir for Primary Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis After Heart Transplant: A 10-Year Experience,” along with reflections on her clinical experience counseling identical twins undergoing living donor transplantation without maintenance immunosuppression.

In this episode of mTOR You Know, we share leadership and committee updates from the Transplant PRN business meeting held at the ACCP Annual Meeting in October 2025. Hear from PRN leadership and committee representatives as they reflect on 2025 and outline priorities for 2026.

PGY2 SOT Allyson DeMarco joins us from NewYork-Presbyterian to discuss “Safety of Immunotherapy After Liver Transplantation – A Multicenter Study of a Prospective Standardized Clinical Practice Protocol” (Liver Transplantation 2025), as well as her residency experience managing drug interactions between DOACs and common post-transplant medications.

PGY2 SOT Brooke Aston joins us from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to discuss “Belatacept Maintenance Immunosuppression for Calcineurin Inhibitor Sparing or Avoidance in Pancreas Transplant Recipients With Progressive Renal or Renal Allograft Dysfunction” (Clinical Transplantation, 2025), as well as her residency experience shadowing in the HLA laboratory to gain firsthand insight into transplant immunogenetics and donor-recipient matching.

For over a decade, the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act has paved the way for transplant centers to accept organs from patients with positive HIV tests for transplant into recipients living with HIV under the research protocol. Earlier this year, following many years of positive outcomes, policy was updated to allow kidney and liver transplant centers to perform these transplants without the need to be under a research IRB. This update has opened doors to organ access for patients with HIV on the waiting list for kidney or liver transplant. Due to this exciting development, hosts Kimberly Leale and Laura Cotiguala are joined by panelists, Drs. Erika Meredith and Lance Lineberger, who have been taking care of abdominal transplants under the HOPE Act for years. In this episode, they provide expert guidance for pharmacists at centers who are looking to start or increase numbers within an HIV positive organ acceptance program under the updated regulations.

Whether you are interviewing for a PGY1, PGY2, or clinical specialist position, you will want to listen to this jam-packed episode of advice from panelists who have experience conduction interviews for all of these positions! Transplant clinical specialists, Drs. Nick Parrish and Rickey Evans, join hosts Lauren, Kim, and Stephanie to discuss anything and everything you have wanted to know about pulling off a successful interview. From prep, to wardrobe, to modern-day follow-up etiquette, we've got you covered!

In this episode of The mTOR You Know, we dive into the evolving role of pharmacogenomics in solid organ transplantation with a focus on tacrolimus andCYP3A5. Our expert panel—Jennifer Trofe, Amy Pasternak, and Shirley Tsunoda—share insights on clinical trial data, guideline perspectives, and real-world application of genotype-guided dosing. We explore the benefits and limitations of CYP3A5 testing, touch on other transplant medications with pharmacogenomic considerations, and discuss barriers such as cost, access, and implementation. The conversation also highlights national survey findings,cost-effectiveness analyses, and strategies for integrating pharmacogenomics into clinical practice.Literature/Resources mentioned:ASERTAA TrialAssessing the Utility of a Genotype-Guided Tacrolimus Equation in African American Kidney Transplant Recipients Publications discussing benefits of CYP3A5 testing: 1. Anutrakulchai et al, 2. Lloberas et al, 3. Thervet et alCPIC® Guideline for Tacrolimus and CYP3A5Survey of the utilization of genotype-guided tacrolimus management in United States solid organ transplant centersNational survey of physicians' perspectives on pharmacogenetic testing in solid organ transplantationStakeholder perspectives of the clinical utility of pharmacogenomic testing in solid organ transplantationCost-benefit analyses of CYP3A5 testing for tacrolimus in transplant recipients: 1. Deininger et al, 2. Pasternak et al, 3. Wang et al, Decoding Pharmacogenomic Test Interpretation and Application to Patient Care

In case you missed the live event or would like to revisit the discussion, we are bringing you another opportunity to tune in here! Join moderators Dr. Emily Sartain and Dr. Barrett Crowther as they chat with panelists Dr. Dawn Pluckrose, Dr. Idris Yakubu, Dr. Kayla Joyal, and Dr. Lyndsey Bowman Anger on Mentorship Tips and Tricks. Thank you to the ACCP Txp PRN Programming Committee and the AST Pharmacy COP for bringing us this webinar. All webinars can also be found on the ACCP Transplant PRN YouTube channel.

We’re back with Part 2 of our CMV series! Hosts Aileen Chi and Xena Huang return with the expert panel from the University of Wisconsin—Margaret Jorgenson, Jillian Fose, and Hanna Kleiboeker—to continue the conversation on CMV management in cardiothoracic transplant. In this episode, we explore tricky real-world cases, discuss strategies for managing antiviral resistance, and learn how this team built their renowned CMV stewardship program.

In this episode, we’re bringing you the audio from a recent ACCP joint webinar hosted by the Cardiology and Transplant PRNs—featuring pharmacist-curated highlights from the 2025 ISHLT meeting!Join Dr. Ian Hollis (UNC Health), Dr. YeeAnn Chen (University of Rochester Medical Center), and Dr. Xena Huang (NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia) as they break down key takeaways in mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation, and lung transplantation.Missed the live session? No worries—we’ve got you covered.

Staying ahead of CMV is crucial for cardiothoracic transplant patients. In this episode, the first of a two-part series, hosts Aileen Chi and Xena Huang welcome a panel of experts from the University of Wisconsin: Dr. Margaret Jorgenson, Dr. Jillian Fose, and Dr. Hanna Kleiboeker. Join us as we delve into the complexities of CMV monitoring and management in this high-risk patient population. Our guests will share their insights on current best practices, diagnostic strategies, antiviral therapies, and the latest research aimed at improving patient outcomes and reducing CMV-related complications.

Join PGY2 SOT Pharmacy Resident Melissa Vu Maffei to discuss “The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on dialysis risk and mortality in kidney transplant patients with diabetes.”

PGY2 SOT Brittany Huynh joins us from the University of California, San Diego Health to discuss “Evaluation of lipid management practices for secondary atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention in abdominal solid organ transplant recipients”

PGY2 SOT Kylea Clark joins us from the University of Alabama at Birmingham to discuss “Insights from the BKEVER Trial comparing everolimus versus mycophenolate mofetil for BK Polyomavirus infection in kidney transplant recipients.”

Transplant surgeons Dr. Manish Gupta and Dr. Garrett Roll chat with hosts Aileen Chi and Kimberly Leale on this exciting multidisciplinary episode of The mTOR You Know. Join us as we learn amazing insight about new surgical technology and its impacts on immunosuppression, outcomes, and the global transplant ecosystem. You're going to want popcorn for this one!

PGY2 SOT pharmacy resident Daniela Barisano joins us from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to discuss “Influenza Vaccine Coverage and Effectiveness for the 2022-2023 Respiratory Season in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients,” as well as share her experience from participating in the outpatient adolescent kidney, liver, and heart transplant clinics.

PGY2 SOT resident Courtney Hooten from UW Health in Madison, WI, joins us to present "Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Transplant Survival and Key Clinical Outcomes in Heart Transplant Recipients with Diabetes."

PGY2 SOT Avery Marcotte joins us from the University of North Carolina Medical Center to discuss “Management of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci and daptomycin-resistant Enterococci infections in liver transplant recipients in a single academic center”.

Hosts Kim Leale and Lauren Schumacher continue their discussion with Drs. Jason Phillips and Trung Ky on remote and hybrid clinical transplant pharmacist positions. In this second half we discuss precepting, advocating, setting up a home workspace, and much more! This episode is part 2 of 2.

PGY-2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Resident Keaton Tauer joins us today to discuss the Second International Consensus Guidelines on the Management of BK Polyomavirus in Kidney Transplantation

PGY2 SOT resident Samantha Curnow joins us from the Cleveland Clinic to discuss "Incidence and Risk factors for rejection after conversion from calcineurin inhibitor to sirolimus-based immunosuppression in orthotopic heart transplant recipients"

Drs. Jason Phillips and Trung Ky join hosts Kim and Lauren to discuss remote and hybrid clinical transplant pharmacist positions. Tune in to learn about how their positions came to be and challenges they navigated as they implemented these innovative approaches. This episode is part 1 of 2.

PGY2 SOT Colette Biro joins us from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to discuss a recently published heart transplant study, the "Randomized Trial of Cholesterol Lowering With Evolocumab for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Heart Transplant Recipients."

Drs. Nick Lange and Dave Salerno join us to discuss their team's recently published paper taking an in-depth look at the relationship between obesity and outcomes in patients on belatacept-based immunosuppression. To follow along, their article can be found via the following citation: Lange NW, King K, Husain SA, Salerno DM, Tsapepas DS, Hedvat J, Yu M, Mohan S. Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of rejection in patients on belatacept: A pooled analysis from the BENEFIT/BENEFIT-EXT clinical trials. Am J Transplant. 2024 Jun;24(6):1027-1034. doi: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.02.015. Epub 2024 Feb 21. PMID: 38387620. This episode is a follow-up to our December 2023 clinical debate on immunosuppression dosing in the setting of obesity. If you missed it or need a refresher, we encourage you to listen to that episode as well.

PGY2 SOT Jean Kim joins us from Tampa General Hospital to discuss "Evaluation of Crushed Posaconazole Delayed Release Tablets in Lung Transplant Recipients"

PGY2 SOT Edith Ford joins us from Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona to discuss "A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Felzartamab in Antibody-Mediated Rejection", which has recently received Breakthrough Therapy Designation for ABMR in kidney transplant recipients, as well as a quick discussion on antibody-mediated rejection and CD38 inhibitors.

PGY2 SOT Elishka (Ellie) Braun joins us from Loyola University Medical Center to discuss "Cytomegalovirus in high-risk liver transplant recipients following preemptive antiviral therapy versus prophylaxis," as well as a brief discussion on how to approach interpreting CMV T-cell immunity panels.

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our podcast committee to share what it’s all about and why being part of this team is so fulfilling. From creative brainstorming to the excitement of producing impactful content, join us for an open conversation on the skills, connections, and memorable experiences that come with being in the committee. Whether you’re curious about joining or just want to know what makes this group tick, tune in for some honest talk and inspiring insights!

PGY2 Alison Samsel joins us from the Johns Hopkins Hospital to discuss “Pretransplant use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study”, as well as a discussion on how to combat burnout in pharmacy residency

If you couldn't attend the ACCP Annual Meeting or are simply curious about what's been happening behind the scenes, don't miss this opportunity to catch up on all things ACCP Transplant (TXP) PRN! Join Liz Cohen (Past Chair) and Nicole Alvey (Current Chair) as they take you through the highlights of the 2023-2024 year with host Lauren Schumacher. Join us for a recap of the major accomplishments of the ACCP TXP PRN, spotlight the incredible work done by each individual committee, and share the exciting goals set for the 2024-2025 year. Whether you're a current member, a prospective member, or simply want to stay in the loop, this recap is not to be missed!

Our 2024-2025 resident blog and podcast series starts off with Alexander Aubin, PGY2 SOT resident from University Health. He will be discussing "Donor-derived cell-free DNA as a diagnostic marker for kidney-allograft rejection: A systematic review and meta-analysis", as well as a unique patient experience from residency.

In this episode, transplant ID experts, Drs. Kellie Goodlet and Erin McCreary, dive deep into some of the most pervasive myths surrounding infectious disease management in solid organ transplantation. From the over-treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria to the misconception that vaccines may increase the risk of allograft rejection, these widely held beliefs can significantly impact patient outcomes. Join Aileen Chi and Sara Bova, as we sit down with experts to explore the latest evidence that challenges these myths and reveals better practices for managing infections in transplant recipients. Plese check out the published paper here: https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/11/7/ofae342/7693891

In part 2 of this podcast, Drs Edith Ford and Marie Storer, and Molly Fleury continue the discussion on preparing for PGY1, from picking programs to applying to, ranking residency programs, and what happens after you graduate. Edith and Marie share more tips they wish they had gotten as pharmacy students for graduation and residency.

In part 1 of this podcast, Drs Edith Ford and Marie Storer, and Molly Fleury discuss preparing for PGY1, from picking programs to applying to, ranking residency programs, and what happens after you graduate. Edith and Marie share some tips they wish they had gotten as pharmacy students for graduation and residency.

In this couch session, Lauren Schumacher and Asia Johnson hosts a discussion with Dr. David Cordwin and Dr. Sara Varnado McCarthy about their career pathways, starting with a PGY2 in cardiology and currently providing care for transplant recipients. When first transitioning to transplant, they would often ask, “where is the data?” or “what resources should I use?”, when evaluating landmark literature or trying to make sense of the immune system. Whether you have a cardiology background and want to transition into a transplant position or if you’re a transplant pharmacist managing heart failure patients or precepting cardiology learners, tune in for a great discussion!

In this couch session, hosts Kimberly Goehring and Sarah Bova chat with Kimi Ueda, Kayla Joyal, and Keith Foster on their journey in endurance sports. How do these super humans do it all? Is Keith a protein bar influencer? How can you get started in an endurance sport? Tune in and find out!

In this next installment in our allocation series, cardiac transplant experts, Drs. Ashley Loethen and Ed Horn, teach us about heart allocation in a lively discussion with hosts Kimberly Goehring and Asia Johnson. Join us for some intriguing conversations on the current system, opportunities for improvement, and proposed changes to come. Continuous distribution? Sensitization points? Listen up so that your heart doesn’t skip a beat when new rules emerge!

PGY2 SOT resident Nicole Lewis joins us from VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia, to discuss an article published by University of Pennsylvania on the center's experience with basiliximab induction strategies in heart transplant

PGY2 SOT resident Rachel Christensen joins us from University of Illinois Chicago to discuss a case series using a novel immunosuppression regimen in intestinal transplantation.  

Get cozy for this couch session, Alex Bixby and Amanda Condon-Martinez host a discussion about the life of parenthood with Adam Diamond and Nicole Alvey. The group discusses how they planned for maternity and paternity leave, setting boundaries, shifting priorities, adapting to the unexpected, and much more! Not a parent? Still give this a listen - this episode is for everyone! The group also discusses how management can optimally support pharmacists with these needs, helpful tips for those who may start a family in the future, and insights of this balancing act you may see your co-workers endure!

As we celebrate Donate Life Month, we are joined by two organ transplant recipients, Megan Schuff Zimmerman and Dr. Drew Silverman, as well as an altruistic donor, Dr. Chuck Rickert, to get a glimpse into their unique journeys through transplant, donation, and how these experiences have impacted their practice and approach to patient care.

PGY2 SOT Bona Shin joins us from the Johns Hopkins Hospital to discuss “Outcomes of older Black renal transplant recipients receiving basiliximab induction and early steroid withdrawal”, as well as a discussion on her residency experience of co-management of acute cellular rejection and COVID-19 infection.

Join Tanner as he discusses the article “Immune outcomes of lung transplant recipients with different cytochrome P450 3A5 phenotypes after discontinuation of voriconazole antifungal prophylaxis” and therapeutic drug monitoring for mycophenolate.

In this episode of the mTOR You Know, Drs. Aileen Chi and Lauren Schumacher are joined by Drs. Ashley Feist and TrisAnn Rendulic to discuss their experience expanding their pharmacy teams. We encourage all listeners to read the previous publication "Considerations and approaches to expansion of solid organ transplant pharmacist services", published in JACCP in 2021, as it provides excellent guidance and background information. Tune in to this discussion to hear how our panelists have personally navigated some common challenges, their tips for making strong proposals, utilization of metrics and more!

On this resident blog, PGY2 SOT resident Madhumita Rao joins us from University of Colorado Hospital to discuss the HCV-TARGET study comparing early and late initiation of HCV treatment in SOT recipients, as well as highlight concerns with use of SGLT2 inhibitors early post-kidney transplant.

PGY2 SOT Jard Walz joins us from University of Wisconsin Health to discuss "A Head-to-head Comparison of De Novo Sirolimus or Everolimus Plus Reduced-dose Tacrolimus in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prospective and Randomized Trial", as well as a discussion on his unique residency experience with a CMV antiviral stewardship program