Financial Toxicity & Patient Navigation: A Solutions-Focused Webinar Series

Mr. Michael Heimall joined the HealthWell Foundation in November 2024 and serves as President & Chief Executive Officer. As President & CEO, Mr. Heimall provides leadership across all Foundation activities, strengthening the long-term direction of the organization in collaboration with the Board of Directors and senior management. He oversees the Foundation’s compliance activities, while creating and maintaining a positive, growth and development-focused work culture and environment for the Foundation staff. In this role, Mr. Heimall also engages with strategic partners to further promote the Foundation’s mission.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Mr. Heimall served as Executive Director of the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, one of the largest Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in the country with more than 3,200 employees and $900 million in revenues. He oversaw the academic medical center’s six community-based clinics, 170 inpatient beds, a 120-bed nursing home — and a research portfolio of over $22 million.

He also served as CEO of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. At Walter Reed, he led a 240-bed academic health system employing 7,000 people with $1.2 billion in revenue. The Medical Center operates the Department of Defense’s only Cancer Center and only Transplant Service. As CEO, he oversaw the Military Health System’s largest research portfolio with more than 600 active protocols.

Mr. Heimall has held a number of progressive leadership positions in health care organizations, including Interim Chief Executive Officer, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, and Chief Executive Officer, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas.

A hallmark of his career has been driving a culture of reliability and improving patient quality and safety. Under his leadership, health care institutions have reduced mortality and rates of hospital readmissions. He has driven institution-wide transformations that improved employee engagement and satisfaction.

Mr. Heimall received his MS in Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He holds an MHA in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and a BA in International Studies from Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

Dan Sherman has been in the field of financial navigation
services for oncology patients since 2008. He works as a Financial Navigator at the Lacks Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Mr. Sherman is the founder and president of “The NaVectis Group,” a consulting firm that helps oncology providers start financial navigation programs or train staff in established oncology practices. His program has been adopted by over 100 hospitals nationwide. He has been published in the Journal of Access Management, Oncology Issues, the American Journal of Managed Care, the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, the Journal of Oncology Practice, and in the Oncology Nurse Navigation Publication: Delivering Patient-Centered Care Across the Continuum, “Interventions Addressing Financial Toxicity,” Third Edition, Chapter 8 (2025). Mr. Sherman holds a degree in accounting, a bachelor’s in psychology, and a master’s in counseling.

Sally Werner is the CEO of Cancer Support Community (CSC), a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by cancer. With 30 years of experience as an oncology nurse, healthcare administrator, and non-profit leader, she has led clinical and operational efforts across hospitals, cancer service lines, and community-based programs. Passionate about innovation, supportive cancer care, and mission-driven leadership, she has enjoyed the last nine years at CSC. Sally lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and enjoys family time and the outdoors.

Melissa Paige is the President of the National Association of Medication Access & Patient Advocacy. Melissa’s unwavering passion for the well-being of patients fuels her relentless pursuit of breaking down access barriers and advocating for the highest quality of care.

Her life’s work revolves around making health care more accessible and compassionate for all, leaving an indelible mark on the industry she serves.

As a recognized expert in patient access programs and navigation, prolific public speaker and educator, Melissa applies her unique set of medical related knowledge, diverse pharmaceutical expertise, and leadership skills to oversee and coordinate process improvement projects that enhance business models and redesign workflows for improved efficiencies. Her passion for the patient drives her to break down access barriers and seek avenues for the highest quality care.

Tori is a clinical pharmacist in Asheville, North Carolina practicing in an independent pharmacy with an emphasis on ambulatory care services. She completed her pharmacy training at the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and an additional residency at UNC Eshelman College of Pharmacy. Her experience is diverse within outpatient settings including work in traditional community practice, primary care clinics, specialty pharmacy, and managed care pharmacy. She is currently the pharmacist-in-charge at Sona Pharmacy + Clinic Asheville where she is actively working to incorporate enhanced patient care services to increase patient access to medical care and decrease financial/time burdens that often come with healthcare systems. Tori serves as a preceptor for over 5 colleges of pharmacy and enjoys having learners working alongside her to grow together. Additionally, she is a member of NCAP, NCPA, and serves as a luminary for CPESN North Carolina. When not working with patients she enjoys exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains and WNC’s extensive culinary scene with her husband and daughter.