Dr. Brooke Worster, Chief Medical Officer for Ethos Cannabis and EO Care – Interview Series

As the medical utilization of cannabis as treatments for a variety of possible conditions and further groundbreaking research continues to be conducted, working directly with and consulting physicians and medical specialists of all types will continue to be tantamount. One such medical professional with nearly 15 years in palliative care who now works for a cannabis brand that emphasizes consultations with medical professionals is Dr. Brooke Worster, Chief Medical Officer for EO Care.

So what subjects in biology did you mainly study at Lafayette, and how did it academically prepare you for medical school at Temple?

Honestly, what prepared me most wasn’t just the coursework – it was getting involved in research early on. At Lafayette, I did research on Drosophila flies, which might sound like just tiny little insects, but they’re actually foundational in genetics and developmental biology. So much of what we understand about human biology and disease starts with them.

That research experience gave me a real glimpse into the scientific process – how we ask questions, how we investigate them and how we share that work, including getting the chance to present at a national conference. Hands-on exposure to critical thinking, curiosity and the rigor of the research process was probably the most impactful academic preparation I had for medical school at Temple. It helped me build a foundation not just in science, but in the mindset you need to succeed in medicine.

What interested you in attending medical school, and why Temple in particular? When did you decide on your medical specialty?

Oh gosh, I wish I had some incredible, cinematic story to tell, but honestly, my interest in medicine came from a pretty common place. I knew I wanted to help people and I always felt drawn to being in service to others. I wasn’t squeamish around blood, and I did well in science in high school – so those pieces just kind of came together naturally.

Temple, though, was like a lightning strike for me. I went to visit, and I absolutely fell in love with the people and community. There was such a deep sense of need in North Philadelphia, spanning from birth through end-of-life care, and something about that just spoke to me immediately. I knew in my gut, this is where I want to be.

As for my medical specialty, that didn’t come right away. I didn’t figure it out until well into residency. I started in internal medicine because I liked engaging with adults, but over time I realized I was most drawn to patients who were more critically ill. The path of caring for patients with serious illness naturally led me to cancer care, then to palliative medicine and ultimately to pain management. It wasn’t some master plan; it was more of an evolution that unfolded as I followed what felt meaningful at each step.

How does palliative medicine differ from other types of medicine, and why did you decide to specialize in that field of medicine?

What really drew me into palliative medicine was seeing how many people – especially older adults – were living with chronic or critical illnesses and had such a poor quality of life. It became clear to me that, as a medical field, we weren’t always doing a great job of stepping back and asking the really important questions like, What does this person actually need? What would make their life better? Just because we can do something, should we?

Unlike most other specialties that focus on a specific organ system, like cardiology with the heart or nephrology with the kidneys – palliative medicine is about the whole person. It’s about helping people navigate serious illness with dignity and compassion, focusing on comfort, quality of life and what really matters to them.

The lens of truly holistic, person-centered care just made sense to me. I liked having those deeper conversations, being able to understand the broader picture and engaging with patients and their families in a more meaningful way. That’s what ultimately pulled me into the field and made it feel like home.

From an educational standpoint, what is unique and valuable about working at university hospitals such as Temple and Thomas Jefferson University’s hospitals over a general hospital?

Academic medicine has always really appealed to me because it keeps you learning – no matter how long you’ve been in practice. At university hospitals like Temple or Jefferson, you’re not just taking care of patients, you’re also teaching, mentoring and shaping the next generation of doctors, nurses and researchers. There’s a constant exchange of ideas, a shared curiosity and a sense of purpose in training others that you just don’t get in quite the same way at a general or community hospital.

What’s also incredibly valuable is the ability to carve out time for research and innovative partnerships, like our long-standing collaboration with Ethos Cannabis, where we apply clinical insights directly into product development and patient education. You can’t usually explore those kinds of collaborative or forward-thinking initiatives in a typical hospital setting. Those academic environments make space for both care and discovery, which keeps the work engaging and helps us grow not just as clinicians, but as educators and changemakers.

During the nearly decade you served as Medical Director for Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, what were your regular duties with the role, and what were some exciting or lesser-known parts of the job?

So, just to clarify – I wasn’t the Medical Director for the hospitals as a whole, which is more of an administrative role. I’ve served as Division Director and currently as Enterprise Director for Supportive Oncology, which means my role spans both clinical care and leadership across our health system.

On a regular basis, my work involves caring for patients and their families, but just as importantly, it’s about building and leading a team that can care for patients at scale. That includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists, social workers – really a full interdisciplinary group. One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is supporting that team, making sure everyone feels fulfilled in their own role and that we’re all working together as effectively as possible.

A lesser known but really exciting part of the role is the opportunity to shape culture and collaboration across specialties. Creating a shared mission, helping people work across silos and improving how we care for patients holistically is what makes the work not just meaningful, but truly impactful.

When were the cannabis sciences courses and Certificate program created at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and how do the courses give students a better understanding of medical cannabis on a scientific level?

Honestly, this is a passion project that’s evolved over the past several years. The first conversations about creating cannabis science education at Sidney Kimmel Medical College started back in 2018. At the time, it began with just one or two courses designed to help clinicians – especially those participating in the Pennsylvania state certification program – get a better foundational understanding of cannabis and how to talk about it with patients.

But pretty quickly, we realized that the knowledge gaps extended far beyond physicians. People across the cannabis industry, whether in clinical testing, growing, operations, or working at dispensaries, were often jumping into the field without a solid grasp of the science or the medicine behind it. So the program grew from there.

What’s really special about the courses is how broad the audience is. Students come from all kinds of backgrounds and the courses are designed to provide evidence-based, scientifically grounded education that’s accessible and applicable across many roles in the cannabis space. Whether you’re a clinician, a researcher, or someone working in product development or policy, the goal is to demystify cannabis and give people the tools to talk about it accurately, safely and with confidence.

And now, through my work with Ethos Cannabis, I help make sure this scientific lens extends beyond a classroom—ensuring that all this is reflected in the products, policies, and patient experiences we’re helping shape in real-time.

Based on your many years specializing in palliative care, how exactly could cannabis provide medical assistance in conditions and matters related to palliative care?

What I’ve seen over the years, especially working with cancer patients, is that many people who are seriously ill often feel overwhelmed – not just by their condition, but by the sheer volume of prescription medications they’re given. Fatigue, nausea, pain, anxiety and insomnia are everyday realities for them. And long before cannabis was part of any formal treatment plan, patients were already exploring it on their own and coming back to me saying, “Hey, I actually felt better.”

So for me, cannabis became something worth taking seriously, understanding, discussing and integrating when appropriate. In palliative care, we’re not just treating a disease – we’re trying to improve quality of life. And cannabis can offer real relief for certain symptoms when thoughtfully considered. Whether it’s easing nausea from chemotherapy, improving sleep, calming anxiety, or reducing chronic pain, I’ve seen it help.

That said, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Like any other treatment, it’s not right for everyone. But what’s important is that it gives us another tool in the toolbox – especially for patients who’ve exhausted other options or are seeking a more holistic approach. And just being able to talk about it openly, without stigma, is a huge step forward in providing compassionate, person-centered care.

When was the EO Care platform created, and how does the platform assist in the normalization and understanding of medical cannabis and its possibilities?

The EO Care platform has been in development for quite a few years, but really, it’s in the last two years that it’s come into its own evolving into a truly impactful resource for patients. What makes EO Care so unique is that it bridges the gap between clinical science and patient experience. It brings a more medical, structured feel to the conversation around cannabis, which helps normalize its use – especially for people who are new to it and may feel unsure or even a little intimidated.

A big part of what the platform does is provide guidance – what to take, how to take it, how to track results – so people aren’t just guessing or relying on informal advice. It supports patients in feeling more confident and informed in their choice and helps shift the image of cannabis from something stigmatized to something that can be thoughtfully and safely integrated into care.

Even more exciting is the potential for data. By collecting real-world patient outcomes and usage patterns, EO Care can help us better understand what formulations or dosages work best for specific conditions. That’s especially important because the federal status of cannabis has historically limited the amount of rigorous research we can do. With platforms like this, we finally get the chance to gather meaningful insights and move toward more personalized, evidence-based cannabis care.

How are your medical career and studies included in your role as Chief Medical Officer?

My entire journey through academic medicine, clinical care, and research really informs everything I do as Chief Medical Officer. In many ways, I see myself as the medical compass in the room. Whether we’re having strategic discussions or building out new initiatives, I’m there to make sure we’re grounded in what’s actually true for patients, what’s realistic in healthcare and what aligns with the patient journey.

I use my background to ask the important questions – Is this medically sound? Is this helpful? Does this reflect how care actually happens in real life? It’s about making sure the decisions we make aren’t just innovative or business-savvy, but also clinically meaningful and rooted in compassion.

That North Star of helping people and really understanding what that looks like in day-to-day care is always at the center of my role. Whether it’s advocating for better tools, supporting providers or ensuring our work truly meets patients where they are, I see my clinical experience not as something separate, but as essential to guiding the work we do.

At Ethos Cannabis, my goal is to make sure our work stays clinically credible while staying deeply human. Whether it’s advising on formulations, participating in product development like the Huny Ratio Troches, or co-hosting educational forums, I try to bring the patient voice into every decision we make. 

As the American cannabis industry expands, how do you envision a platform such as EO Care expanding along with it?

I think as cannabis becomes more normalized within medical care, people are going to want guidance that feels familiar – certainly something that mirrors the structure and support they’re used to with traditional prescriptions. That’s where EO Care really shines. As the industry grows, the platform can expand by continuing to provide that layer of trusted, clinical support – helping people understand what to use, how to use it, when to adjust and just making the whole experience feel safer and more intentional.

Beyond that, the potential for data-driven growth is huge. As more patients use the platform, we can start building predictive models for both individuals and for systems. This means we could eventually offer personalized recommendations: Here’s what might work best for you, based on your specific condition, needs and past outcomes. It could also help insurers and healthcare providers better understand what’s effective and cost-efficient, and that could open the door to more structured support, maybe even coverage, down the line.

So in a lot of ways, EO Care is positioned not just to keep up with the industry but to help shape its future by combining compassionate care with solid clinical insight.

If cannabis were to be rescheduled on the federal level to Schedule III, how would that impact or change the laws surrounding medical cannabis?

It’s a great question – and while it’s not entirely straightforward, rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III would be a really important shift. The most immediate and meaningful impact would be on research. Right now, the federal status as a Schedule I substance creates major barriers to conducting high-quality, well-funded clinical studies. Rescheduling would open the door to rigorous scientific research – helping us better understand both the benefits and risks of cannabis, who it might help most, and where it might not be appropriate.

Other areas like access, insurance coverage, and prescribing laws would still vary by state and would take more time to evolve. Rescheduling would absolutely spark more of those conversations among health systems, insurers and even employers about how cannabis might be integrated more formally into care.

In short, it wouldn’t solve everything overnight, but it would be a huge step forward. It would shift cannabis more firmly into the realm of legitimate medical therapeutics and make it possible to explore its full potential in a more informed, responsible way.

Thank you for joining us, Dr. Worster! For more information on Ethos, please visit its website.