Director of Patient Advocacy, Access, and Physician Relations

1. L O R I A P P L E , M P H
Louisville, CO 80027
lori.apple@hotmail.com (720) 936-4048
DIRECTOR OF PATIENT ADVOCACY AND PHYSICIAN RELATIONS
CONNECTING PATIENTS TO LEADING-EDGE MEDICAL ADVANCES THROUGH PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
SUMMARY
Innovative and results-oriented leader with over seven years of progressive experience in developing and improving
patient-centric programs while gaining long-term professional relationships with healthcare providers, facilities,
pharmaceutical companies, and non-profit organizations. Known for finding creative solutions, improving existing
programs, and providing strategic planning. Proven ability to gain buy-in from volunteers, key opinion leaders, patients,
and internal stakeholders to keep key projects moving forward with minimal resistance.
SKILLS and STRENGTHS
▪ Patient support, advocacy
& education
▪ Physician outreach
▪ Advisory board experience
▪ Program development
▪ Community outreach
▪ Organized and efficient
▪ Cross-functional team leadership
▪ Builder of strategic alliances
▪ Relationship management
▪ Financial budgets and forecasts
▪ Volunteer recruitment and training
▪ Fundraising and business development
▪ Translation of scientific data for laymen
▪ Available for travel
▪ Conscientious team player
▪ Empathetic and composed
▪ Excellent communication skills
▪ Able to influence and negotiate
▪ MS Office (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Outlook); Salesforce
EXPERIENCE
THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY Denver, CO 2008 - 2015
LLS is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research, finding cures, and ensuring access to
treatments for blood cancer patients. Selected for positions of increasing responsibility based on exemplary
performance and enhancement of the program. Positions include:
Senior Manager Patient Access (2013 - 2015)
Directly managed all patient access, education, and advocacy programs for hematology/oncology patients in a five state
region, consisting of Colorado, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, and North Texas while overseeing patient access
operations for the eight state region, including Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona. Provided additional outreach to
physicians and healthcare facilities to raise awareness of LLS and its programs while gaining positive influence from Key
Opinion Leaders (KOLs).
 Developed, implemented, and managed ongoing programs, local Family Support Groups, Travel Assistance,
Co-Pay Assistance, First Connection and other psychosocial support.
 Conducted patient needs assessments to connect them with appropriate, local resources
 Provided business development to raise awareness of LLS with healthcare professionals and continued to
foster professional relationships between physicians, treatment facilities, and the Chapter
 Coordinated grassroots advocacy activities at communities throughout the region and developed volunteers
 Remotely developed and managed Patient Access Managers in Dallas/Fort Worth and Salt Lake City
 Personally maintained patient service offerings in Denver, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Wyoming and
throughout the surrounding regions
 Established local support groups for patients, recruited social workers and oncology nurses to serve as
facilitators, and trained volunteers to maintain autonomy and long-term continuance of the groups
 Provided legislative advocacy to raise awareness of blood cancers with local and national lawmakers
 Produced monthly newsletter and distributed via electronic and postal sources
 Created annual budgets, drafted grants, tracked and controlled expenses, and provided forecasting

2. Key Achievements:
 Successfully recruited four leading hematologists to the Chapter’s Medical Board of Directors
 Established and managed the Patient Access Committee, comprised of oncology KOLs to increase access
of LLS’s services to all newly diagnosed hematology patients in the state
 Organized an annual Rocky Mountain Blood Cancer Conference for patients and their families, connecting
over 500 attendees with 40 – 50 speakers on diverse healthcare topics: booked speakers, developed budget,
raised funds, and consistently produced event under-budget.
 Partnered with major pharmaceutical companies and other nonprofits to produce over 50 local workshops
for patients and healthcare providers in Denver, Oklahoma City, and Salt Lake City
Patient Services Manager (2011 - 2013)
Rehired by LLS from contract position to innovate and deliver patient-centered services in a two state region of
Colorado and Wyoming, including 10 cancer support groups, First Connection program, Patient Financial Aid Program,
and various educational programs.
 Established support groups in locations through the state; created remote support resources for patients in
rural or distant locations
 Performed ongoing outreach to engage physicians and raise awareness of LLS programs and support services
 Planned, produced, funded, and evaluated the annual Rocky Mountain Blood Cancer Conference
Key Achievements:
 Consistently produced the annual Rocky Mountain Blood Cancer Conference under budget while
providing high quality educational programs for over 500 patients and their families, connecting them to
over 40 healthcare speakers
 Increased number of support groups by 100%, including recruiting and training group facilitators
 Increased First Connection matches by 500% by implementing a new patient welcome program and
resource guide
 Partnered with local and national cancer organizations to raise awareness of LLS and offer additional
educational programs for patients
Program Manager (2010)
Contracted by LLS to develop, implement, and evaluate the organization’s first regional Blood Cancer Conference.
Exercised complete authority over the event, including budget development and oversight, obtaining sponsors, securing
presenters, marketing, and final evaluations.
Key Achievements:
 Developed event production templates that were shared with LLS regions across the country
 Successfully raised all funds necessary to offer the event free-of-charge to over 500 attendees, consisting of
patients and their families
Patient Services Coordinator (2008 - 2010)
Originally hired as the Assistant to the Patient Services Coordinator; quickly promoted to the Coordinator position. In
charge of the Patient Financial Aid program, processing new patient applications and maintaining data base.
 Planned, implemented and evaluated over 36 patient education programs and support groups annually,
servicing over 1,000 patients, caregivers and healthcare providers
 Implemented peer counseling program and maintained educational materials
EDUCATION and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Masters of Public Health, Health Care Administration - Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
Bachelor of Science, Marketing - University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Skills for Success Seminar, Dale Carnegie
VOLUNTEER and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Girl Scouts of America: Fundraising Director (3 years), School Recruitment Director (2 years), Troop Leader (8 years)
 Volunteer of the Year 2004, Trefoil Award, 2003
Denver Church of Christ: Children’s Education Director (2 years)