A different kind of support.
Built on experience. Driven by purpose.
A cancer diagnosis can bring more questions than answers. Throughout my career in oncology, I've seen how difficult it can be for patients and families to make sense of complex medical information while navigating an already overwhelming experience.
I created OncAlly to help bridge that gap. My goal is simple: to give people facing cancer the time, clarity, and personalized support they deserve, so they can better understand their options and move forward with confidence.
Meet the Founder
Experience in oncology. A passion for education. A commitment to helping people.
I'm Daniel Zlott, PharmD, BCOP, founder of OncAlly. I've spent my career working at the intersection of cancer care, clinical research, and healthcare education, helping patients, families, and healthcare professionals better understand complex medical information.
My clinical career included nearly a decade at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, where I worked as an oncology pharmacy clinical specialist. During that time, I cared for patients with a wide range of cancers and participated in clinical research involving innovative cancer treatments, including immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and cellular therapies. These experiences gave me a firsthand appreciation for both the remarkable advances taking place in cancer treatment and the challenges patients and families face when trying to understand their options.
I later moved into national leadership roles at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), where I helped lead the development of educational programs and resources that reached hundreds of thousands of pharmacy professionals nationwide. That work reinforced something I've believed throughout my career: even the most sophisticated medical information has limited value if people cannot understand it and use it to make informed decisions.
Today, I bring these experiences together through OncAlly. My goal is to help people facing cancer better understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and the questions that matter most to them - so they can participate more confidently in conversations and decisions with their healthcare teams.
The Story Behind OncAlly
Helping people find their voice in their cancer care.
Throughout my career in oncology, I've had the privilege of working alongside dedicated healthcare professionals who care deeply about their patients. I've also witnessed remarkable advances in cancer treatment, bringing new possibilities and hope to people facing difficult diagnoses.
But through my experiences with friends and family navigating the healthcare system, I began to recognize a different challenge.
I watched people leave medical appointments without asking important questions - not because they weren't interested in their care, but because they didn't know what to ask. I saw people accept treatment recommendations without realizing that other options might exist, or that sharing more about their personal priorities and preferences could help their healthcare teams tailor decisions to what mattered most to them.
I also came to appreciate just how difficult it can be to advocate for yourself when you're facing a serious illness. Medical information is complicated, the healthcare system can be intimidating, and it's not always easy to know when or how to speak up.
These challenges aren't a reflection of a lack of compassion or commitment from healthcare professionals. They're often the reality of a complex healthcare system in which even the most dedicated providers have limited time to spend with each patient.
I came to believe that people could benefit enormously from having someone in their corner—someone who understands both the medical information and the healthcare system, who can help them prepare for important conversations, recognize questions they might not have considered, and communicate what matters most to them.
That’s why I created OncAlly.
Not to replace the expertise or guidance of someone’s healthcare team, but to help people become more informed, confident, and active participants in their own care.
What Guides Us
At OncAlly, we believe that everyone facing cancer deserves to feel heard, respected, and genuinely cared for. These six guiding principles reflect the commitments we bring to every client relationship and the standards we strive to uphold in everything we do.
The way we treat people is just as important as the services we provide.
We Lead with Kindness and Grace
1
Every person deserves to be treated with kindness, patience, understanding, and respect. We strive to bring these qualities to every interaction, extending grace when circumstances are difficult and remembering that how we treat people matters just as much as the help we provide.
Your needs and best interests guide every recommendation we make. We'll help you find the support that's right for you, even when that means recommending a less expensive service or directing you to resources outside OncAlly. Our commitment is to do what's right for you, not simply what's best for our business.
2
Your Needs Come First
Our experience and knowledge are here to serve you. We welcome every question, explain complex information without judgment, and never want you to feel uncomfortable asking for clarification. When we don't know an answer, we'll be honest about it - and take the time to find reliable information whenever we reasonably can.
3
Expertise with Humility
We Care About the Person, Not Just the Diagnosis
4
We recognize that cancer affects every part of a person's life. It can bring fear, uncertainty, and difficult decisions, and navigating these challenges is part of your cancer journey. We take time to understand what you're going through and respond with compassion, patience, and support that reflects your individual circumstances. We want you to feel genuinely cared for, not simply well served.
We believe you deserve to be truly heard and understood. We take time to listen to your concerns, understand your priorities, and help you explore what matters most to you - even when you're still figuring that out yourself. Together, we'll help you clarify your questions, preferences, and goals so you can communicate them confidently with your healthcare team.
5
Your Voice Matters
Trust is Earned Through Our Actions
6
We recognize that your trust is something we must earn every day. We're committed to being honest and transparent, doing our work thoroughly and responsibly, and treating your personal information with the utmost care and respect. When we make mistakes, we acknowledge them and take responsibility for making things right. We strive to do what's right, even when no one is watching.
Let’s Find Your Way Forward. Together.
I created OncAlly because I believe everyone facing cancer deserves the time, understanding, and support they need to make informed decisions about their care.
If you're wondering whether OncAlly might be right for you, I'd welcome the opportunity to talk.