The COTA Team Member Spotlight is back! This month, we are pleased to introduce you to CO10 Emily Di Capua. Emily has a diverse and accomplished background – she has three degrees, served in two US administrations, is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and Italian, and is passionate about community building both professionally and personally. Emily is continuing her journey at COTA as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and is a founding member ofCOTA’s diversity and inclusion program.

Why did you decide to join the COTA team?

I was intrigued by COTA for one simple reason: it blew me away that oncologists struggle to answer a simple question like: “How many patients just like me have you seen?” when we have the data that can answer this. I spent a lot of time with Dr. Stuart Goldberg, COTA’s Chief Scientific Officer before I joined the team full time and in our sessions together, he described the painful steps he and his fellows had to take to engage in research and hospital quality improvement efforts. COTA with its Nodal Address was an elegant solution to the struggles he faced throughout his career as a leading blood cancer clinician and researcher.

When I eventually joined the company full time, I was asked to lead COTA’s venture into the Oncology Care Model space. It was one of the most challenging endeavors of my career, but got me hooked instantly.

Why do you like working for COTA?

Emily with some of the COTA crew at Cycle for Survival 2019, the annual MSKCC fundraiser to fight rare cancers.

COTA is relevant; it’s that simple. Today, being at the cross-section of data, technology, and cancer is exciting. So much of what is happening in the healthcare, business and tech sectors connect directly back to what is happening at COTA – from the ascent of real-world data and ongoing privacy and security issues, to the move to value-based care and patient empowerment. Now that I’m here, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my team members. I really do enjoy my fellow CO10s. They are across the board smart, engaged and kind – and I couldn’t ask for better colleagues.

What would you like to tell someone who is considering a job in the oncology space? Why is your job important to you?

Oncology is complex and with developments in genomics and drug therapies, it’s only getting more complex. But for a smart person in healthcare, why wouldn’t you want to work in one of the most challenging sub-sectors? To me, it’s a no-brainer!

What are you most excited about for COTA in 2019?

Emily doing some pruning in her bed at Harlem Community Garden.

Wow- this is a tough one since there are so many things to look forward to. I am excited that Mike Doyle is now heading the COTA ship, and his decades-deep healthcare roots have already proven fruitful for our company and will only continue to do so in 2019. I am also excited about the growing energy surrounding real-world evidence in oncology and its potential to help patients, doctors and caregivers. Honestly, it may sound trite, but I am simply thrilled just to be part of COTA.

If you missed out on our first Team Member Spotlight featuring CO10 Kaeleigh Farrish, COTA’s Director of Operations & Delivery Services, click here.