Pioneers of Home Infusion: Cheryl Gast-Whitaker

Welcome to the second installment of our interview series, "Pioneers of Home Infusion," where we explore the lives and careers of the individuals who have shaped this rapidly growing field.

Today, we are delighted to introduce Cheryl Gast-Whitaker, Assistant Director of Pharmacy Business Operations at the Johns Hopkins Home Care Group in Baltimore. With three decades of experience in the Home Infusion industry, Cheryl has played a crucial role in improving patient care and access to home infusion therapy. Her achievements and experience have been recognized by the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), who honored her with the 2022 NHIA Fellow status.

In this interview series, we had the privilege of speaking with Cheryl to learn more about her career, her impact on the home infusion industry, and her thoughts on being honored as a fellow by the NHIA. Her insights and perspectives on this field are valuable, and we are excited to share them with you.

When/how did you first get into the home and alternate site infusion profession?

I began working in the home infusion industry in 1993 for Critical Care America.  A close friend shared there was an open position and she thought I’d be a good fit. 

What drives your dedication to this profession? 

Taking thoughtful, great care of patients whose lives have been torn apart by disease or injury.

What is your most memorable experience/contribution/achievement of your time in this profession? 

Helping to develop NHIA Annual Conference educational content, present content that I feel passionate about to attendees, network and build relationships with other NHIA members. Last but not least, becoming an NHIA Fellow in 2022.

What do you/did you hope to gain from the NHIA Fellows Program?  

I’d like to continue to contribute to advancing the home infusion industry while furthering my learning.  Also, I’m enjoying collaborating with other NHIA Fellows regarding operational best practices. 

How can IMS provide support for you to reach this goal? 

Help establish connections with other customers who may be experiencing similar operational challenges. 

What's the first word that comes to mind when you think about NHIA?  

Advocacy.

NHIA does a great job of providing ongoing educational and professional opportunities to their members and the public, how has this helped you in your career?  

Knowing that I’m only a few clicks away from accessing the educational resources housed on NHIA’s comprehensive website or an email away from receiving answers/feedback to a question from an NHIA Team member is a great source of comfort and feeling of community which makes my day to day tasks that much easier. 

What educational opportunities have you enjoyed being a part of?  

I’m especially proud of either presenting content (e.g. Myers-Briggs, Gallup Employee Engagement sessions) or recruiting experts to present content that evolves employee well-being. 

Is there anything you would like to share that we can help you promote?  

As a member of NHIA’s Education Committee, I’d like to highly recommend Dr. Alissa Putman’s presentation, Navigating Post-Pandemic Stress for You and Your Team, at the 2023 NHIA Annual Conference.  https://conference.nhia.org/parrotwp/navigating-post-pandemic-stress-for-you-and-your-team/

What is your favorite vacation spot?  

Kauai, close second is Yosemite National Park

If you weren’t in the healthcare field, what would you be doing?  

Teaching

What are some of your favorite hobbies? 

Playing piano and tennis, and attending concerts and Broadway musicals.

Biography

Cheryl Gast-Whitaker, MBA, CPhT, MBTI Certified Practitioner, is the Assistant Director of Pharmacy Business Operations at the Johns Hopkins Home Care Group in Baltimore. She manages financial and logistical operations for the Pharmacy Services division. She began working in the home infusion therapy industry in 1992 and has been with Johns Hopkins Home Care Group since 2003. Prior to that, she served in a similar capacity working for Critical Care America, NMC Homecare, and Severn Healthcare. Whitaker designed and facilitated Johns Hopkins Home Care Group's monthly entity-wide customer service training program, Sparkle. She is also a Certified Myers-Briggs Practitioner, Lean Sigma Green Belt and a Certified Pharmacy Technician. She has presented at seven NHIA Annual Conferences. Whitaker received her MBA from the University of Baltimore & Towson University.