Sandra Lood
Sandra “Sandy” Lood is a healthcare finance executive and servant leader who currently serves as Vice President of Revenue Cycle at Cottage Health in Santa Barbara, California. With more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she oversees the collection of more than $1 billion in annual revenue and leads a high-performing team of nearly 300 professionals. Known for her hands-on leadership style, Sandy combines a strong focus on metrics, analytics, and operational efficiency with a deep commitment to supporting her team and improving the financial processes that sustain patient care.
Sandy’s journey into healthcare began early in her career when she worked as a unit clerk on a surgical floor while raising her young children. Starting with part-time work that offered benefits, she gradually discovered a passion for healthcare finance and revenue cycle management. Through determination, adaptability, and a strong work ethic, she advanced rapidly within the field—moving from management roles to a vice-president position in just a few years. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in revenue integrity, patient accounts, and operational analytics, developing expertise in areas such as denials management, charge capture, billing operations, and financial performance improvement.
A graduate of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School with a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, Sandy is deeply committed to mentorship and internal talent development. She believes effective leadership is about helping others grow, and she has championed a culture in which employees can advance from entry-level roles into leadership positions. Under her leadership, her team has received national recognition for revenue cycle performance, including multiple years of top-performing awards and honors for excellence in accounts receivable management. Through strategic leadership and a people-centered approach, Sandy continues to drive operational excellence while supporting the mission of delivering high-quality healthcare to the communities served by Cottage Health.
• ARCR Resolute Professional Billing Revenue Integrity
• ARCR Professional Billing Director
• Payment Application for Single Billing Office
• Pepperdine Graziadio Business School - MS
• Kodiak Top Performing Revenue Cycle (5 consecutive years)
• Excellence in Accounts Receivables Management (2024)
• HFMA MAP Award (Measure, Apply, Perform) in 2021 and 2025
• Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• HFMA National Advisory Committee
• HFMA’s Council of Revenue Cycle Executives
• New To You Thrift Shop
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work and being in the right place at the right time. I’ve been fortunate to be placed in roles that accelerated my growth, and I’ve made it a point to fully seize every opportunity that came my way.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my manager: invest in yourself and your growth, and never say no when presented with an opportunity to take on something new and learn.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to invest in themselves and embrace every opportunity to take on something new and learn. Technical skills can be taught and learned by anyone, but strong leaders distinguish themselves through soft skills. My master’s in management and leadership was invaluable because it emphasized networking, meaningful conversations, and emotional intelligence—skills that are just as critical as technical expertise.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare finance right now is the uncertainty around federal funding, which has a direct impact on access to care for those who need it most. It’s deeply concerning because it affects the very people who rely on healthcare as a basic human right. I believe that everyone should have access to excellent healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay, and I intentionally align myself with organizations that share that mission. My current organization truly embodies this commitment, working to ensure communities can access the high-quality care they provide. Another challenge is the perception that hospitals are prohibitively expensive; there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that the public doesn’t see, and educating people on this is an ongoing effort.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values I hold most important in my work and personal life are compassion, a passion for learning, and ambition. I strive to inspire and motivate others to be their best selves, and I approach life with a positive attitude. Outside of work, I’m an avid reader, exploring everything from fiction and nonfiction to self-help books. I also enjoy crafting, participating in a book club, and spending time outdoors hiking. I’m a huge sports fan, and now that my sons are grown, my husband and I miss the energy of being on a sports field every weekend.
Locations
Cottage Health
Solvang, CA 93463