Financial Advocacy Network Town Hall: Incorporating Onboarding and Continuous Learning at Your Program

Lori Schneider is an Oncology Operations Manager at Green Bay Oncology, and has worked in healthcare for over 25 years. She joined Green Bay Oncology as a receptionist, later transferring to their billing department where she worked in accounts receivable. In 2006 Ms. Schneider transferred back to the clinic setting and developed the financial counseling role. In her role as Oncology Operations Manager, she currently oversees financial counseling, social work, medical records, site management, credentialing, and physician scheduling. She also serves as the Chairperson for the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Health Navigation Program.

Ms. Schneider has presented at conferences on the importance of financial counseling in the oncology clinic; what it looks like to have a centralized team that cares for all of the patient’s financial and insurance needs, including all authorizations; and the importance of utilizing pharmaceutical and specialty pharmacy representatives to enhance your program. Lori and her team have assisted cancer programs nationally and locally helping them establish financial counseling programs.

Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR, is Administrative Director of Cancer Services & Community Health and Wellness at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. She brings more than 30 years of experience in healthcare to this role. She began her career in medical imaging but has spent the last 28 years in oncology. Her passion for community health and community development led her to assume a larger leadership role at Southern Ohio Medical Center in 2013, when she assumed leadership of the Community Health and Wellness teams.

A 13-year survivor of breast cancer, Wendi special interests include community development, public speaking, leadership, dance, fitness, hiking, and biking, and spending time with her family.

She is a graduate of the Radiologic Technology Program at Shawnee State University and received her training for radiation therapy at Weber State University. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration and Health Informatics from Kennedy Western Reserve. Wendi is also a Certified Cancer Registrar and Certified Medical Dosimetrist.

Angie Santiago, CRCS-I, is the Manager for Oncology Financial Advocacy, with the Thomas Jefferson University Health System, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. She created and implemented the Oncology Patient Assistance Program that is utilized at the Thomas Jefferson University Health System. The program was initiated to assist patients with the acquisition of supplemental financial coverage, over and beyond what has been traditionally provided by the hospital’s business office. Angie has worked in healthcare for almost 16 years within patient access, revenue cycle and financial counseling. She has presented on financial toxicity and related topics at patient navigators networking meetings. She is a graduate of the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network Boot Camp.

I have been in healthcare for over 20 years, and most recently on the insurance and financial side for ten. I have worked for Bassett Cancer Institute for 4 years where I set up the Financial Navigation program and have on boarded and trained an additional staff member. I am fluent in both Medicare and Medicaid policy, and stay up to date on those policies through rigorous studies constantly. 

I do daily benefit investigations, meet with patients to discuss insurance, free drug, foundational programs and work closely with our Social worker. I am currently in rural healthcare and serve a majority Medicare/ Medicaid population. I advocate on behalf of the patients through our local political leaders as well as national forums, to amend policies affecting the rural populations.