How a Financial Navigator Can Help

September 17, 2025 · 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

Virtually via Teams

Virtual Event
Cost
Free
DescriptionSpeakersBack to Top

Description

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST (This online presentation will not be recorded.) 

Join us online at noon to learn more about how a Financial Navigator can help you manage the costs of your cancer treatment.

Why Attend? 

Navigating the financial challenges of cancer treatment can be overwhelming. Our Financial Navigators can help you with: 

  • Understanding Insurance: They help you understand your insurance plan, coverage and out-of-pocket costs to alleviate cost worry.
  • Finding Financial Help: Financial Navigators know about different programs that can help pay for treatment costs. They will assist you with applying for grants and/or financial assistance available to you.
  • Reducing Stress: Worrying about money can make you feel worse. Financial Navigators help take away some of this stress, so you can focus on getting better by helping you understand our process and how to proceed with care.
  • Giving Support: Financial Navigators will follow along with your care to ensure you have the assistance needed for medical debt during your treatment with Atrium Health.

By attending this online presentation, you'll learn how a Financial Navigator helps you manage the costs of cancer treatment, so you can focus on your health. Your social work or clinic navigation team can connect you to one of our Financial Navigators. 

For all Atrium Health oncology patients, care partners and staff.

This event is brought to you by Atrium Health Levine Cancer's Department of Supportive Oncology, in partnership with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.


The online presentation will be led by Melinda Smith, MSSW, Lead Oncology Financial Navigator, AHWFB. Atrium Health is now part of Advocate Health. 


For event or registration questions email LCISupportiveOncology@AdvocateHealth.org or call 980-442-1006. 

Speakers

Melinda Sue Smith, MSSW

Melinda Smith loves her work and says she finds it easy to talk to and connect with patients. With over 35 years of dedicated service as a social worker in the human services field, she brings a wealth of experience and compassion to her role as Lead Oncology Financial Navigator at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her career has spanned a wide range of social service systems, including group home settings, juvenile justice, the Social Security Administration, and more than two decades in healthcare and insurance.

Since 2021, Melinda also manages 15 professionals who support cancer patients through complex financial challenges. Her leadership is grounded in empathy, deep system knowledge, and a steadfast commitment to patient advocacy. 

Outside of her professional life, she is a devoted mother to a 14-year-old daughter. Both her family and the patients she serves continue to inspire her daily, teaching her the true value and meaning of life.