Since 1992, for OCOH, he has been instrumental in the acquisition of another Hoag oncology practice, negotiated the building purchase and was involved in the remodeling of the facility that now houses our 23-chair Infusion Center. He has been involved in the recruitment of our current and past physicians, nurse practitioner as well as key administrative staff. Helped launch OCOH Billings & Collections department in 1992.

Provides strategic planning consulting and facilitates the OCOH annual Strategic Planning Retreats. Involved with Cancer Clinics of Excellence (CCE) on behalf of OCOH. Represents OCOH in the recent and ongoing Medicare legislative efforts, including lobbying on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Is a lecturer and workshop presenter to many healthcare organizations and events.

Patient Relations

Erin O'Neill: Patient Liaison Representative
Joined OCOH in 2002
Erin joined the Business Office staff after having previously worked as a medical secretary for five years at OCOH. She meets personally with all of our new patients to discuss and review insurance benefit information. Erin has been involved in the healthcare field for over 11 years including working for Hoag Hospital's Business Office. Erin resides in Costa Mesa with her husband Kevin and their three children.

Victoria Rossi: Administrative Assistant
Joined OCOH in 2007
Victoria has 20 years experience as customer service coordinator. She chose to join OCOH to expand her experience and knowledge in the ever changing medical field.

Our Nursing Staff

Letty Barajas: M.A.
Joined OCOH in 2004
Letty has been a proud member of our Medical Office team since June 2004. She has been married eight years and has her hands full with two sons.

Anthony Garcia: L.V.N.
Joined OCOH in 2007
Prior to joining OCOH Anthony was Assistant Manager at WaMu for 13 years. He received his training at St. Francis Career College in Business Management and has been happily married for 12 years.

Vanessa  Hawkins: R.N.
Joined OCOH in 2004
Prior to coming to our Treatment Center Vanessa graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 1999 with a BS in Nursing and a minor in Psychology. After graduation, Vanessa worked for a private practice community based oncology office for 5 years in Pasadena. Vanessa and her family have recently relocated to Corona Del Mar. She has been married to her husband, Greg, for 8 years and they have two daughters, Charlie and Hannah.

Clarissa Higuera: R.N.
Joined OCOH in 2007
Clarissa graduated with honors from Rio Hondo College's nursing program and has worked at White Memorial Medical Center in the Neonatal ICU. The incredible staff and doctors are what attracted Clarissa to seek and join OCOH. Born and raised in Southern California she lives in Newport Beach with her family.

Liwayway Johnson: L.V.N.
Joined OCOC in 2008
Also known as Li,  earned her L.V.N. degree at Summit Career College in Colton, California and she trained at Arrowhead Regional Hospital in the Inland Empire. She worked three years as a home health aide in Orange County and one year in the Coumadin Clinic in Irvine before joining OCOH. She wants to be part of a group of highly skilled professionals who are committed to provide excellent service and care. She resides in Huntington Beach with her daughter Kenya and her boyfriend Jaeson.

Denise Kowalski: R.N.
Joined OCOH in 2005
Denise grew up in Germany and received her BSN in Nursing and BA in German at the University of North Dakota in May 2002. She has experience in medical surgery and progressive care.

Haylee Leang: M.A.: R.N.
Joined OCOH in 2008
Haylee has been in the medical field for six years. She wants to get more experience and learn new things. She is going back to school to enroll in the LVN program.

Jill Mahony: R.N., O.C.N.
Joined OCOH in 1995
Jill graduated in 1991 and worked at Hoag on the Oncology Unit from 1991-1995. She has been an Oncology Certified Nurse since 1993 and has been a member of ONS since 1993. Jill lives in Laguna Niguel.

Cam McKinney: R.N.,O.C.N.
Joined OCOH in 1993
Cam graduated from Golden West College with Nursing Degrees and an ASN from Chapman Universty. She spent over 15 years in Oncology at Hoag Hospital and joined OCOH in 1993. Cam wanted the experience of a new and exciting healthcare environment that OCOH was offering and to provide quality care to patients and family that may enter the facility. She has been with OCOH for 15 years.

Kathleen Maness (Kathy): R.N.
Joined OCOH in 2000
Kathleen graduated from Golden West College and has been working in Oncology since 1988. She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society both locally and nationally. She resides with her husband Larry in Mission Viejo.

Cherie Weddle: R.N.
Joined OCOH in 2004
Cherie initially joined our Treatment Center team, as a part-time staff member in July 2004. She graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a BSN in 1999 and has worked as an oncology nurse at Huntington Memorial Hospital and since 2001 at Hoag Memorial Hospital. Currently Cherie lives with her husband, Dirk in Portola Hills.

Helen Yoo: R.N.
Joined OCOH in 2008
Before joining OCOH Helen worked for Internal/Pulmonary in Fountain Valley for six years and at the detox unit for one year at Garden Grove Hospital as well as being a med/surgery nurse since 2003 in a variety of settings. Helen wanted to join OCOH for the chance to work with patients over a long period of time amongst a team oriented staff. She lives in Cypress with her husband Noah.

Christopher Zych: R.N., O.C.N.
Joined OCOH in 2000
Before joining our practice he worked as an Oncology Certified Nurse at Hoag Hospital where he cared for high dose chemo and stem cell transplant patients.  His hobbies include digital photography and cooking. He resides in Huntington Beach.

Our Front Office Staff

Frankie Baez : Front Office
Joined OCOH in 2000
Frankie works at the Treatment Center. He lives with his wife Caroline and they have one son.

Yasmin Canett: Front Office
Joined OCOH in 2005
Yasmin has been in the medical field for five years and she is going to school to obtain her LVN degree. Her long-term goal is to obtain her RN degree. Yasmin worked for St. Jude Medical Center for Women before joining OCOH. She has a passion for helping others.

Ana Chavez: Front Office
Joined OCOH in 2005
Ana loves to wear a smile. In her spare time she likes to play soccer. She lives in Santa Ana with her daughter and son.

Ashley Hawkinson: Front Office
Joined OCOH in 2008
Ashley joined OCOH to improve herself and to be able to help others on a daily basis. She has been in the medical field since 2003 and felt that she found her purpose to be able to help others and bring a smile to their face. She lives in Huntington Beach.

Ann Kantor: Supervisor of Medical Records
Joined OCOH in 1992
She has been with the practice since February 1992. She lives in Corona with her two children.

Cindy Marlow: Front Office
Joined OCOH in 2007
Cindy has worked in the medical field in the front office for the last 10 years. She resides in Huntington Beach with 2 of her 4 daughters.

Julie McCullough: Front Office
Joined OCOH in 1991
Julie’s prior experience includes working in various key roles in physician’s offices as well as hospital settings. She lives in Dana Point with her 2 daughters.

Vutha Sem: File Clerk
Joined OCOH in 2007
Vutha has been trained in business marketing and feels that it's great to be working for OCOH.

Our Business Office Staff

Darlene Bacca: Patient Account Representative
Joined OCOH in 2008
Darlene is trained in Medical Billing Certificates, Insurance Billing, Collections Terminology, Front office and was on the Presidents list during her time at Coastline Community College. Prior to joining OCOH Darlene worked four years in Oncology Billing and Chemo Reimbursement but joined OCOH for the opportunity to grow in the medical billing field.

Nancy Landa: Accounts Receivable Supervisor
Joined OCOH in 2008
Nancy has worked in the medical field since 1993. She has done oncology billing for 14 years. She wants to lend her knowledge of oncology to make a successful billing department.

Frank Quesada: Patient Account Representative
Joined OCOH in 2007
Prior to coming to O.C.O.H. Frank obtained a BS and MS in Oriental Medicine Acupuncture with an AA in Psychology. He has been in the medical field in a variety of roles including medical assistant, physical therapy assistant and supervisor. He states, "I join OCOH because I want to make a difference in patient quality of life" Frank lives in Norwalk and has been married to his wife Lita for 20 years and has 3 children, Crytsal, Frank and Vince.

Buford Schmieder: Courier
Joined OCOH in 2008
Buford took early retirement and now works as a courier for OCOH. He spent four years in the Air Force and 40 years at VONS supermarket. He lives in Laguna Niguel.

Linda Smissen: Administrative Assistant
Joined OCOH in 2008
Linda completed and received her certificate in medical billing and medical assistance. She has been in medical billing since 1995 and is fully experienced working in medical offices. Linda joined OCOH for the experience of making a difference in the lives of others. She lives in Mission Viejo with her husband Ed and her three children Valerie, Ryan, and Eddie.