Get to Know... Susan Sabo-Wagner, Vice President of Clinical Innovation

1. How long have you been with AON?

Since July of 2023.

2. What does a “day in the life” look like for you in your role?

I get my two boys (ages 8 and 16) off to their respective schools, finagle some exercise, shower, grab some coffee and then log in for the day. Working remotely has been the biggest change since coming to AON, but my day is usually pretty filled with meetings, reading, planning and preparing.

3. What goals are you and your team working to achieve?

The VBC/quality team is working on enhancing our care coordination efforts to support the network’s practices more effectively and efficiently. There are chronic care management and principal illness reimbursable workflows we will be taking live over the next few months, which has prompted us to select “best-in-class” technology partners. Additionally, we are looking at how best to present actionable data to our providers in a more real-time instance for quality metric capture. We’d love to work toward a networkwide recognized quality program, like ASCOOMH, to really drive home what sets our practices apart from other providers. Our clinical leadership teams are working on increased educational opportunities for our nurses, understanding that investing in our teams is critical to their success. We are working on implementing a Clinical Action Committee, which will focus on improving critical clinical areas. As our network has seen growth, we must also focus growth on our nursing and APP (advanced practice provider) leadership and are looking at how best to support these roles. Lastly, we are looking at staffing metrics and technology and scheduling solutions to assist in infusion efficiencies.

Our registered dietitian team is growing and focusing more on patient nutrition than ever before. We are hoping to bring in one or two clinical trials on nutrition as a focus of cancer care.

4. How does your role contribute to AON’s overall mission and goals?

AON’s vision to keep patients at the center of everything we do and to close the gaps in care are essential to my role. To me, showing quality and value in cancer care means we are providing the best possible care to ALL patients at the best possible price — and we can PROVE it. Supporting our staff so that they can provide that care is simply common sense.

5. What are you most proud of when it comes to your team and department?

My team gets to focus on patients and outcomes. Every single person on my team genuinely strives to keep the patient experience at the forefront of their scope, whether directly or indirectly. They hold themselves to a higher level than I ever could. Pride is one word; inspired is a better word.

6. What principles guide your work and vision?

The patient must always be the center, and the rest will fall into place. Be positive! Make people smile, it won’t hurt! Sometimes, you should just “shut up and listen.”

7. How do you define the word success?

To me, success is setting a vision, creating goals and working hard as a team to achieve them. We may not always succeed, but we MUST stay positive and have a little fun along the way. Success without joy is too clinical.

8. How do you lead your team? What is your leadership style?

I am a collaborative person; I like to work with my team and get their input. As a style, I would say “transformational.” I try to work with the individual person, because everyone has different motivating factors.

9. What’s your favorite part about working for AON?

AON brings the best of the best together to work toward continuing the successes of community oncology. It is truly an outstanding team, and I am honored to be a spoke in the wheel.

10. What has been the most memorable moment for you while you’ve worked for AON?

Attending the Clinical Summit last year. It was so wonderful to finally get to meet so many teammates in person and watch all the months of planning come to life. While it is a blessing to be able to work remotely, it was fantastic to get to spend time learning in person with everyone.

11. What motivates you to get up and get to work in the morning?

I love my team. I love knowing that they are the best at what they do and that they work hard to get the job done. They inspire me to see how far we can climb.

12. What is a quote you live and/or work by?

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” - Albert Einstein

13. What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?

Reading, listening to music and hanging out with my kids.

14. What is your favorite book (or books)?

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear.

15. What is a fun fact about you?

As a leukemia survivor, I feel my experience provided profound examples of the patient experience, both good and bad. I would not change one minute of it because I think it led to my deep passion for equitable patientcentric care today.

16. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Hang on for the ride; it is SO bumpy, but it is ALWAYS teaching you a valuable lesson. And stop thinking people over 40 are old; they are WISE!!!

17. List three adjectives that describe your personality.

Empathetic, curious and authentic.

18. What is one of your favorite travel destinations, or where do you hope to travel to in your lifetime?

I would like to go to Greece and Iceland someday.

19. Who is your hero?

My parents. I can’t decide between them because they each taught me so much and were always there for me during the best and worst of times.

20. If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Without sounding too idealistic, I would wish for the world to be a better place. Secondly, I wish for my kids to have happy, healthy lives. Third, never-ending chocolate. 