Paying for breast cancer treatment isn’t only about money. It's one more vital issue that patients must confront. 

That’s how cancer survivor Lisa Guidry proceeds as she helps patients as a financial counselor at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCCC) at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, a member of CommonSpirit Health.

She survived stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, multiple surgeries, including a bilateral mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy. “Surviving breast cancer made me a much stronger person,” Lisa said.

Cancer-free for more than 15 years, Lisa left her job as an emergency room registration supervisor to work with breast cancer patients at DLDCCC, initially at the registration office, checking patients in and out. “I know what they are going through – there are so many things coming at you at once. Patients have a lot on their plate,” she said.

Lisa was quickly promoted and has excelled at one of the more difficult jobs at the DLDCCC Breast Cancer Center—helping patients navigate the financial side of treatment by verifying insurance, determining amounts owed, figuring out payment strategies, and escalating cases to senior administration to approve payment plans.

And listening.

“Lisa uses her story of being a cancer survivor to advocate for the patients she serves. She understands firsthand the cost of being diagnosed with cancer and fights tirelessly to provide resources and financial assistance while empathizing every step of the way, she is an absolute blessing to our department,” said Melissa Fusilier, Director of Operations at the DLDCCC.

She makes it her mission to offer patients an empathetic ear. “I often ask, ‘How are you doing?’ because I know they are really scared or upset and they appreciate someone following up with them." Often those conversations involve shared stories about biopsies, recovery, and the rigors of cancer treatment.

Lisa says it is a “huge accomplishment” when she can make a cancer patient smile: “I really feel I belong in this job and I love everything Baylor St. Luke’s and CommonSpirit Health stands for, including the compassion they exert for patients. Patients are not a number, they're people.