Insights from the patient community are valuable in designing and developing medicines and treatments that positively impact the patients who need them most. By including patients in each cycle of medicines development, from early research and clinical studies to approval and use of medicines, stakeholders in healthcare can ensure that the patient voice is heard and incorporated to improve health outcomes. Join us for this panel discussion, featuring advocates with global experience, who will examine early research, clinical development and Health Technology Assessment/Regulatory from the perspectives of the advocate and patient communities.

There can be no improvement in medicines without clinical trials. There is no movement forward in healthcare without research. People are at the heart of patient-centric advancements, however it’s not one-size-fits-all. In this panel discussion, we will explore the importance of research participation and representation in improving healthcare outcomes, as well as how researchers are actively making strides to improve the patient experience.

How providers interpret the needs of their patients can often dictate health outcomes. While standardized approaches to healthcare have established practices intended to equalize quality of care, when patients are treated by providers who don’t understand them, this type of care can fall short of meeting individual needs. Join us as we explore health equity through the lens of gender and discuss how traditional and evolving definitions of gender identity can create nuances in the physiological and social elements of personal care.

While managing care for yourself and your loved ones, asking questions and discussing alternative options can be intimidating, especially while navigating personalities, treatment decisions, and unknown medical terminology. It’s not always clear how best to communicate with providers and staff to get the best care for your individual needs. This session, sparked by conversation in the Advocacy Exchange in 2021, will examine how to effectively ask for what you need – both for yourself and your loved ones – while balancing personal wellness. Join us as Gary Nolan, leader of “The Future of Advocacy Working Group,” moderates this panel discussion featuring Kelly Cuvar, Nancy Ferro, Colin Ferro, and Megan-Claire Chase, as they share their personal and professional experiences and suggest best practices to make the most of your relationship with your healthcare providers.

The need for cultural competency and individualized care can make a drastic difference in a person’s chances of positive outcomes. In 2021, The Advocacy Exchange created a space for advocates to talk about the realities of racial and ethnic health and healthcare disparities through live sessions and Working Groups. Dr. Rachel Bond, MD, FACC, Co-Chair of the Women and Children's Committee for the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. and Sheila Thorne, President and CEO, Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group LLC have dedicated their careers to illuminating health care disparities and making systemic changes that provide individuals the best opportunities for quality healthcare. Join us for this impactful conversation, moderated by Brad Love, Ph.D., leader of the Access to Care Working Group, as we have an honest conversation about what effective, competent and equitable health care looks like.

In the 1980s, HIV was an unfamiliar and stigmatized disease that created panic in people who didn’t understand it. This fear of the unknown created an uphill battle for advocates who were working to find the best and most human treatment for HIV patients. During this session, we will discuss lessons that advocates learned as they found dignity for patients amid controversy, and how having a voice at the table, rather than shouting from the sidelines, led to significant change. The attendees in The Advocacy Exchange share a relentless passion for creating change in their areas. Join us for this courageous and authentic conversation, which will include opportunities for you to ask questions and/or share your experience(s).

Nearing the end of life’s journey can be one of the most difficult experiences a person or family can go through. While most of the attention focuses on medical care, there often isn’t enough discussion about the emotional stress and many challenges that affect the patient and caregivers. Join us for this special session led by retired hospice counselor and end of life doula, Susan Desmarais, a professional caregiver and three-time cancer survivor, as she leads us through this meaningful conversation.

Technology and the sharing of personal stories combined can have a profoundly positive impact on patient care and well-being. In recognition of National Diabetes Month in the United States, Paul von Autenried, executive vice president and chief information officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, will share his personal story of living with diabetes as well as the impact technology has had in his own journey as a patient and in his work. Additionally, Melodie Narain-Blackwell, entrepreneur, health advocate, and founder of Color of Crohn’s and Chronic Illness (COCCI), will speak to the significance of living with Crohn’s disease, and how her experiences have brought to light opportunities for increasing health literacy, eliminating disparities and enhancing patients’ access to quality care.