A Rewarding Job: Cancer Center Employee Helps Patients Find Financial Assistance

Carolyn Elmore works in billing at Southeast Health Cancer Center in Dothan, and part of her job is to help patients who need financial assistance to cover the cost of treatment, medications, and even travel.

“It’s very rewarding at the end of the day,” Elmore says.

Carolyn Outlaw, a patient at the cancer center, received help thanks to Elmore.

“I was just doing my job,” Elmore says. While Elmore loves her job, she doesn’t feel like it makes her a hero.

Outlaw disagreed and nominated Elmore for the Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass award. Elmore was chosen for the monthly honor, and the 2 women bonded during the experience.

Elmore has worked at the cancer center for 33 years. She says she learned from the generosity shown by others at the center, including the center’s founder, Dr. Steve Stokes, and Dr. Jarrod Adkison, the radiation oncologist who referred Outlaw to Elmore for help.

“It comes from the top,” Elmore says. “You learn from a generous doctor who takes care of people. He sees people who have no insurance.”

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative and WTVY partner to recognize people behind the scenes who help others and make their communities better. Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass winners receive $1,000. Since the program began in November 2016, $100,000 has been awarded.

Elmore divided her money between 2 charities — the Good Samaritan Cancer Fund at Southeast Health Cancer Center and the Wiregrass Humane Society.

The 2 women who started as strangers are now friends. When a banquet was held earlier this year, Elmore brought Outlaw with her.

“The doctor planted the seed, I watered it and God gave the increase,” says Outlaw, leaning on the Bible verse from 1 Corinthians.

Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass is 1 of several efforts funded through Operation Round Up, a voluntary program that allows WEC members to round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar.

“The Wiregrass is a better place because of people like Carolyn Elmore,” says WEC Vice President of Member Services and Communication Stevie Sauls. “She may feel she is just doing her job, but her desire to truly help the patients she encounters shows. Her efforts have a tremendous impact on people already facing a cancer diagnosis.”