Our Patient Advocates
Our Patient Advocates help mesothelioma patients and their loved ones navigate the health care system to find the best doctors, treatment centers, clinical trials, financial aid and support groups at no cost to the patient.
How Our Patient Advocates Can Help
Our team of Patient Advocates at The Mesothelioma Center, the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource, provides free exclusive services, unique forms of support, medical resources and assistance navigating the health care system. Testimonials from people we’ve helped show our Patient Advocates are compassionate listeners who truly care about patients and their families.
Benefits of working with our Patient Advocates:
- Help finding top mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers near you
- Access to caregiver resources and patient and family support groups
- Help navigating insurance and Medicare processes
- Assistance with palliative care and end-of-life resources
- Help getting compensation for lost wages, treatment costs and more
- Assistance filing VA benefits claims
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18 Yearsserving victims of asbestos exposure -
50% of Patientsdiagnosed in the U.S. each year turn to us for help -
1300+ VSOstrained to help with asbestos-related VA claims -
500 Relationshipswith the nation’s best mesothelioma specialists
The Mesothelioma Center Google Reviews
Tamara Sleipnes
Words can not express how grateful and thankful we are to the Mesothelioma Center and their employees. My fiancee who is a 46 year old United States Marine Corp Veteran was diagnosed with Epithelialoid Mesothelioma back on October 2, 2024. To say his diagnosis was a shock would be an understatement. I reached out to the center and reached a message back almost immediately by an amazing woman named Karen. She is there every step of the way with any questions or support that we need. Placing in count with our team has been a God send. Putting us in contact with Aaron and also with Curtis was nothing short of a miracle. Karen and Curtis will always respond to my text messages. We have attempted to go through Veteran Affairs, but we have gotten no help and no response or waiting to speak to someone and being in hold for hours. My fiancee has been fighting the VA for years, only to be given the run around. My fiancees primary job was 6093 Aircraft Metalsmith you would think that the VA would be the ones to give our Veterans the respect they have earned and deserve, however they give them nothing. Karen and her team have been there for us since we originally reached out. To the Families of Mesothelioma Patients and Mesothelioma Patients; I know the confusion, pain, dental,anger, guilt and sadness you are all facing. If you need someone to talk to, someone who cares about you and your life, seeking justice for all of you for what your diagnosis has done to you on all levels. Reach out to the Mesothelioma Center, we are our loved ones biggest advocate as well as our own reach out for help and support to this amazing group of people. The information they share is beyond helpful and something I was told by Curtis. No small amount of asbestos is too small. The changes your life from the first day of your exposure. If you worked your ass off or served your country and you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma.. Call this center, and speak to someone who is only a text message away. Thank you Karen you have no idea the impact you have made to Dennis and I. Thank you for being there for us, for that you have already done and for what you continue to do. You are so appreciated
Margie Hemmerle
I have found Karen Selby at mesothelioma organization to be extremely helpful and supportive in helping me navigate treatment for my husband who has mesothelioma. She is a wealth of information and confirmed we were on the path to getting the right doctors. I highly recommend anyone with a friend or loved one with mesothelioma that they reach out to them. The information was on my doorstep in a day. Getting information from research is much better than googling for information. Highly recommend!
tammy gatien
I have had a brother n law that has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma and everyone has been johnny on the spot to reach out to us to offer help in every way possible. We are far from being over it, the road has been rough for my family, However, the support and the helpful information that they have provided us with has been very useful…… Thank you all so much
Tami Saleska
Aaron Munz is amazing and so helpful and knowledgeable in his work with Veterans and knowing the exposures. He is an amazing asset to The Mesothelioma Center.
J G
I had a Veteran come in with a positive diagnosis of mesothelioma. This was confirmed through pathology. This may appear as a slam dunk with the VA, but nothing with the VA ever is. I made a call to The Mesothelioma Center and they walked me through the necessary steps to ensure I had the proper information to help my Veteran. When everything was completed, my Veteran was rated at 100% Permanent and Total. The claim was completed much more quickly because of the help and information provided by The Mesothelioma Center. If you are a Veteran, a Veteran Service Officer, or anyone with any asbestos related lung conditions, this should be your FIRST CALL!!!! This is the only thing The Mesothelioma Center handles. They are amazing!
Meet the Team
Our Patient Advocate team features registered nurses, a medical doctor, oncology patient navigator, military veteran, hospice expert and health service administrators.
They help patients find the best mesothelioma doctors at top-notch cancer centers, assist veterans applying for VA benefits and connect families to supportive services. Our Patient Advocates are available seven days a week to offer assistance and support.
Patient Advocates
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Karen Selby, RNRegistered Nurse and Patient AdvocateKaren Selby is a registered nurse with a background in oncology and general, vascular and thoracic surgery. Her surgical and oncologic experience help her guide and educate patients on treatment options, clinical trials and how to access different types of support. -
Snehal Smart, M.D.Medical Doctor and Patient AdvocateSnehal Smart is a medical doctor with a background in teaching and mentoring that she uses to educate patients on the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. She helps patients understand the types of testing they must undergo and what treatments to discuss with their doctor. -
Vanessa BlancoPatient Advocate and Oncology Patient NavigatorVanessa Blanco is a certified Oncology Patient Navigator with a Master of Science degree in Health Service Administration. She uses her professional and personal experiences to help patients and families access health care, emotional support and financial aid. -
Amy PelegrinHospice Care DirectorHospice Care Director Amy Pelegrin educates patients and caregivers about hospice and palliative care programs. She helps families understand all that hospice care can offer, guides patients through end-of-life resources and helps them access hospice care. -
Joe Lahav, EsquireLawyer and On-Site Legal AdvisorJoe Lahav earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law and is licensed to practice in Florida and Washington, D.C. He has been a legal advisor for The Mesothelioma Center since 2008 and managed the Patient Advocate team for seven years.
Veteran Support
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Aaron MunzDirector of Veterans DepartmentAaron Munz is a former U.S. Army captain who served nine years in leadership, combat and strategic training. He assists veterans with the complicated paperwork and evidence required to file VA disability claims and helps them successfully file appeals. -
Danielle DiPietroVA-Accredited Claims AgentDanielle DiPietro is a Board Certified Patient Advocate and VA-accredited claims agent who ensures veterans understand and access VA benefits. She helps veterans fill out VA paperwork, gather information on prior asbestos exposure and submit VA claims correctly to facilitate approval.
Aaron Munz, Veterans Department Director
The Veterans Outreach team has built a network of cancer specialists and VA treatment centers that can provide you with the best treatments for mesothelioma. Aaron Munz and the rest of the VO team work directly with veterans across the country, helping patients and families navigate VA disability claims for military asbestos exposure.
Medical Outreach
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Missy MillerMedical Outreach DirectorMedical Outreach Director Missy Miller helps establish relationships with mesothelioma specialists throughout the country as part of our Doctor Match Program. Her background in psychology prepared her to serve the mental and emotional needs of families facing mesothelioma. -
Jose OrtizMedical Outreach LiaisonJose Ortiz is a Medical Outreach Liaison who has traveled throughout the country to create relationships with the best mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers. His prior experience in the pharmaceutical industry prepared him to build relationships with mesothelioma experts.
Missy Miller, Medical Outreach Director
The Mesothelioma Center has built long-lasting relationships with cancer specialists and nationally recognized cancer centers across the U.S., thanks to Missy Miller and the Medical Outreach team. In addition to the Doctor Match program, which can connect you to local specialists and clinical trials, Medical Outreach provides resources for travel, financial assistance and more.
Get in Touch with Our Team
Do you have a question for one of our Patient Advocates? The form below will connect you with a Patient Advocate who will be in touch to answer your questions.
