National Patient Advocate Foundation welcomes Gwen Darien as the Executive Vice President for Patient Advocacy. In this new role, Gwen will help lead several key activities and programs that link Patient Advocate Foundation's (PAF) patient service programs to National Patient Advocate Foundation's (NPAF) advocacy and policy platforms in ways that will enhance the mission of both organizations to improve access and affordability for patients.
"I am very excited to join the National Patient Advocate Foundation to help bring the patient voice and perspective to patient advocacy and, in turn to transform individual encounters with our healthcare system," said Gwen. "By bringing the power and knowledge of the Patient Advocate Foundation's patient services programs to NPAF's advocacy and policy initiatives," Gwen continued, "we can help achieve truly patient-centered, quality and accessible healthcare."
Gwen brings to NPAF nearly 20 years of senior leadership experience in the health care community. A long-time health advocate and thought leader in the cancer and biomedical research communities, she has extensive publications, education and policy expertise. Most recently, Gwen was Executive Vice President, Programs and Services at the Cancer Support Community, where she oversaw research, programs, education and patient and family services. Gwen was founding editor-in-chief of two award-winning publications for people with cancer and those who care for them-CR and MAMM magazines. She served as the director of the American Association for Cancer Research Survivor and Patient Advocacy Program where she led initiatives to foster enduring partnerships among the cancer survivor, patient advocacy and scientific communities through collaborations, communications and education. Gwen has served on a wide range of program committees and workshop faculties, including the National Cancer Policy Forum, the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Health, Genetics and Society, Accelerating Anti-Cancer Agent Development and Validation Workshop and National Human Genome Research Institute, Engaging Communities Around Genomic Medicine, Meeting and Working Group. Gwen was Chair of the NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Group and was a member of the advisory board of the Health Advocacy Program at Sarah Lawrence College.
"We are so fortunate to have Gwen's expertise in and passion for the everyday struggles of patients as they navigate the complexities of the health care system," applauded Dr. Alan Balch, CEO of PAF and NPAF. "She will play a critical role in not only helping to explain these challenges in powerful ways but also in linking our patients and their stories, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to advocacy and policy activities."
|
