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Patients as Partners in Clinical Research

Date: Mar 24, 2026 - Mar 26, 2026

Location: Boston, MA

Day One: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Showing Events in 1 Track from 07:45am to 08:40am
Morning Remarks
7:45AM - 8:30AM
Registration
8:30AM - 8:40AM
Co-Chairs' Welcome & Opening Remarks
Co-Chairs:
Mackenzie Abramson, MPH, Patient, Advocate
Victoria DiBiaso, MPH, VP, Head of Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation, Sanofi
Showing Events in 1 Track from 08:40am to 09:30am
Opening Keynotes
8:40AM - 9:05AM
Patient Keynote: A Teen’s Journey from Rare Cancer to Clinical Trial Advocate
Fireside Guest:
Inaaya Shariq, Lived-Experience Expert &, iCAN Illinois KIDS Member (Lurie Children’s Hospital)
Moderator:
Wendy Erler, MBA, SVP, Patient Affairs, Sarepta Therapeutics
9:05AM - 9:30AM
Industry Keynote: A Leadership Blueprint for Embedding Patient Insights into Organizational DNA
Keynote Speaker:
Lisa Petermann, Chief Patient Experience Officer, Roche Canada
Showing Events in 1 Track from 09:30am to 10:20am
Ask the Patients
9:30AM - 8:40AM
Fireside Chat: Bridging Perspectives - A Caregiver’s Journey and Patient-Centered Clinical Research
Fireside Guest:
Muffy Walker, Author of "Memory Weavers" & Co-Founder, International Bipolar Foundation
Moderator:
Adrelia Allen, PharmD, Executive Director, Clinical Trial Patient Diversity, Global Clinical Trial Operations, Merck Research Laboratories
9:40AM - 10:20AM
Patient and Caregiver Perspectives: Insights for Optimizing Clinical Trials
Moderator:
Gwyneth Mogg-Hall, MPH, Director, Clinical Trial Patient Engagement & Advocacy Lead (PEAL), Pfizer
Panelists:
Donna Dinkin, DrPH, Patient, Advocate
Muffy Walker, Author of "Memory Weavers" & Co-Founder, International Bipolar Foundation
Sarah Woods, Lived-Experience Expert & Founder, Serenely Guided Foundation
Showing Events in 1 Track from 10:20am to 11:00am
Grand Opening, Breaks and Networking
10:20AM - 11:00AM
Grand Opening of the Patients as Partners Exhibits, Networking and Breakfast
Showing Events in 1 Track from 11:25am to 12:45pm
Morning Sessions
11:25AM - 12:10PM
INTERACTIVE SESSION: Co-Creating a Patient-Centered Trial Toolkit to Enhance Experience and Optimize Trial Design
12:10PM - 12:15PM
5-Minute Yoga Break
Graciously Hosted By:
12:15PM - 12:45PM
Reducing Patient Burden Technologies: A Quickfire Pop-Up Session
Led by:
Jenn Curry, Head, Patient Engagement Capabilities, Biogen
Participating Companies to Date::
Showing Events in 1 Track from 12:45pm to 01:45pm
Lunch and Optional Roundtable Discussions
12:45PM - 1:45PM
Luncheon and Optional Roundtables
Showing Events in 3 Tracks from 01:05pm to 01:45pm
Roundtable #1
1:05PM - 1:45PM
Leveraging Patient Experience Data to Drive Meaningful Impact: Challenges and Solutions
Led by:
Jillian Lusk, Sr Manager, Patient-Centered Outcomes Assessment, Pfizer
Roundtable #2
1:05PM - 1:45PM
From Insight to Impact: Scaling Patient Engagement Through Digital Transformation
Led by:
Nidhi Saxena, Global Patient Engagement Strategy Director, Innovative Health Engagement & Advocacy Global Development, J&J Innovative Medicine
Roundtable #3
1:05PM - 1:45PM
Building Strategic Pharma-Advocacy Partnerships: Practical Tips for Driving Impact
Led by:
Christa Kerkorian, VP, Patient Advocacy, Day One Biopharmaceuticals
Showing Events in 1 Track from 01:45pm to 03:10pm
Afternoon Track Choices
1:45PM - 3:10PM
Pharma, Biotech and Advocacy Case Studies on Patient Engagement Initiatives and Demonstrating Impact
Participating Companies:
Showing Events in 3 Tracks from 01:45pm to 03:05pm
TRACK A: Early Patient Engagement
1:45PM - 2:05PM
Alexion’s Early Patient Engagement Approach that Boosted Trial Feasibility and Efficiency
Speaker:
Janella Beltran, Patient Recruitment Lead, Global Patient Experience, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
2:05PM - 2:25PM
How a Patient-Led Biotech Operationalizes Patient Engagement to Enable Early-Stage Research & Trials in an Underserved Disease
Speaker:
Kurt Harrington, MBA, Patient & Founder/CEO, Ventoux Biosciences
2:25PM - 2:45PM
Pharma Case Study
TRACK B: Operationalizing & Scaling PE
1:45PM - 2:05PM
How Boehringer Ingelheim Turned Patient Input into Measurable Trial Success: Faster Enrollment, Higher Retention, Better Experience
Speaker:
Kimberley Kallsen, PhD, Global Head of Patient & Site Engagement, Clinical Development & Operations, Boehringer Ingelheim
2:05PM - 2:25PM
BMS: Incorporating Early Patient Insights for Measurable Impact
Speakers:
Amy Fesmire-Baus, Associate Director, Patient Engagement and Recruitment - ICN Pillar Lead, BMS
Josée Pelletier, MBA, Executive Director, Research & Drug Development, Global Patient Outreach, Global Purpose & Patient Experience, Corporate Affairs, BMS
2:25PM - 2:45PM
Roche: Embedding Diverse Patient Insights in the End-to-end Development of Medicines
Speaker:
Ashley Iyer, Sr Director, Global Patient Partnership, Ophthalmology & Inclusive Health Catalyst, Roche
2:45PM - 3:05PM
How Merck is Operationalizing Health Literacy Across Clinical Research
Speakers:
Maureen Kashuba, Director, Health Literacy Projects; Medical Writing and Disclosure (MW&D), Merck
Laurie Myers, Senior Director, Health Literacy Strategy and Innovation, Merck Research Laboratories
TRACK C: Metrics, ROE & Data-Driven Impact
1:45PM - 2:05PM
J&J on Co-Designing Trials for Faster Activation, Fewer Amendments, and Higher Retention
Speaker:
Gonzalo Linares, Global Head of Patient Advocacy, R&D, J&J Innovative Medicine
2:05PM - 2:25PM
Sanofi & Boehringer Ingelheim: Transforming Patient Engagement Data into Value Across the Drug Development Lifecycle
Speakers:
Vanessa Boulanger, Director, Patient Engagement, Boehringer Ingelheim
Heather Pin, Head, Patient Centric Operational Effectiveness | Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation, Sanofi
2:25PM - 2:45PM
Pharma Case Study
Showing Events in 1 Track from 03:10pm to 03:50pm
Afternoon Break and Networking
3:10PM - 3:50PM
Afternoon Break and Networking
Showing Events in 1 Track from 03:50pm to 04:45pm
Innovative Solutions and Technologies
3:50PM - 4:45PM
Three track Choices: Innovative Solutions and Technologies that Enhance Patient-Enabled Trials and Services
Participating Companies to Date:
Showing Events in 1 Track from 05:00pm to 05:45pm
Afternoon General Session
5:00PM - 5:45PM
Panel: The State of Inclusive Research and Community Engagement to Better Serve All Patients
Moderator:
Ashley Iyer, Sr Director, Global Patient Partnership, Ophthalmology & Inclusive Health Catalyst, Roche
Panelists:
Tiffany Bratts-Maiga, Director, Clinical Patient Engagement and Inclusion, Gilead Sciences, Inc
Jennifer Horonjeff, PhD, Founder & CEO, Savvy Cooperative
Showing Events in 1 Track from 05:45pm to 06:45pm
Networking Reception
5:45PM - 6:45PM
Annual Networking Reception and Optional Fundraising Activity
Showing Events in 1 Track from 07:45am to 08:40am
Morning Remarks
7:45AM - 8:30AM
Registration
8:30AM - 8:40AM
Co-Chairs' Welcome & Opening Remarks
Co-Chairs:
Mackenzie Abramson, MPH, Patient, Advocate
Victoria DiBiaso, MPH, VP, Head of Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation, Sanofi
Showing Events in 1 Track from 08:40am to 09:30am
Opening Keynotes
8:40AM - 9:05AM
Patient Keynote: A Teen’s Journey from Rare Cancer to Clinical Trial Advocate
Fireside Guest:
Inaaya Shariq, Lived-Experience Expert &, iCAN Illinois KIDS Member (Lurie Children’s Hospital)
Moderator:
Wendy Erler, MBA, SVP, Patient Affairs, Sarepta Therapeutics
9:05AM - 9:30AM
Industry Keynote: A Leadership Blueprint for Embedding Patient Insights into Organizational DNA
Keynote Speaker:
Lisa Petermann, Chief Patient Experience Officer, Roche Canada
Showing Events in 1 Track from 09:30am to 10:20am
Ask the Patients
9:30AM - 8:40AM
Fireside Chat: Bridging Perspectives - A Caregiver’s Journey and Patient-Centered Clinical Research
Fireside Guest:
Muffy Walker, Author of "Memory Weavers" & Co-Founder, International Bipolar Foundation
Moderator:
Adrelia Allen, PharmD, Executive Director, Clinical Trial Patient Diversity, Global Clinical Trial Operations, Merck Research Laboratories
9:40AM - 10:20AM
Patient and Caregiver Perspectives: Insights for Optimizing Clinical Trials
Moderator:
Gwyneth Mogg-Hall, MPH, Director, Clinical Trial Patient Engagement & Advocacy Lead (PEAL), Pfizer
Panelists:
Donna Dinkin, DrPH, Patient, Advocate
Muffy Walker, Author of "Memory Weavers" & Co-Founder, International Bipolar Foundation
Sarah Woods, Lived-Experience Expert & Founder, Serenely Guided Foundation
Showing Events in 1 Track from 10:20am to 11:00am
Grand Opening, Breaks and Networking
10:20AM - 11:00AM
Grand Opening of the Patients as Partners Exhibits, Networking and Breakfast
Showing Events in 1 Track from 11:25am to 12:45pm
Morning Sessions
11:25AM - 12:10PM
INTERACTIVE SESSION: Co-Creating a Patient-Centered Trial Toolkit to Enhance Experience and Optimize Trial Design
12:10PM - 12:15PM
5-Minute Yoga Break
Graciously Hosted By:
12:15PM - 12:45PM
Reducing Patient Burden Technologies: A Quickfire Pop-Up Session
Led by:
Jenn Curry, Head, Patient Engagement Capabilities, Biogen
Participating Companies to Date::
Showing Events in 1 Track from 12:45pm to 01:45pm
Lunch and Optional Roundtable Discussions
12:45PM - 1:45PM
Luncheon and Optional Roundtables
Showing Events in 3 Tracks from 01:05pm to 01:45pm
Roundtable #1
1:05PM - 1:45PM
Leveraging Patient Experience Data to Drive Meaningful Impact: Challenges and Solutions
Led by:
Jillian Lusk, Sr Manager, Patient-Centered Outcomes Assessment, Pfizer
Roundtable #2
1:05PM - 1:45PM
From Insight to Impact: Scaling Patient Engagement Through Digital Transformation
Led by:
Nidhi Saxena, Global Patient Engagement Strategy Director, Innovative Health Engagement & Advocacy Global Development, J&J Innovative Medicine
Roundtable #3
1:05PM - 1:45PM
Building Strategic Pharma-Advocacy Partnerships: Practical Tips for Driving Impact
Led by:
Christa Kerkorian, VP, Patient Advocacy, Day One Biopharmaceuticals
Showing Events in 1 Track from 01:45pm to 03:10pm
Afternoon Track Choices
1:45PM - 3:10PM
Pharma, Biotech and Advocacy Case Studies on Patient Engagement Initiatives and Demonstrating Impact
Participating Companies:
Showing Events in 3 Tracks from 01:45pm to 03:05pm
TRACK A: Early Patient Engagement
1:45PM - 2:05PM
Alexion’s Early Patient Engagement Approach that Boosted Trial Feasibility and Efficiency
Speaker:
Janella Beltran, Patient Recruitment Lead, Global Patient Experience, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
2:05PM - 2:25PM
How a Patient-Led Biotech Operationalizes Patient Engagement to Enable Early-Stage Research & Trials in an Underserved Disease
Speaker:
Kurt Harrington, MBA, Patient & Founder/CEO, Ventoux Biosciences
2:25PM - 2:45PM
Pharma Case Study
TRACK B: Operationalizing & Scaling PE
1:45PM - 2:05PM
How Boehringer Ingelheim Turned Patient Input into Measurable Trial Success: Faster Enrollment, Higher Retention, Better Experience
Speaker:
Kimberley Kallsen, PhD, Global Head of Patient & Site Engagement, Clinical Development & Operations, Boehringer Ingelheim
2:05PM - 2:25PM
BMS: Incorporating Early Patient Insights for Measurable Impact
Speakers:
Amy Fesmire-Baus, Associate Director, Patient Engagement and Recruitment - ICN Pillar Lead, BMS
Josée Pelletier, MBA, Executive Director, Research & Drug Development, Global Patient Outreach, Global Purpose & Patient Experience, Corporate Affairs, BMS
2:25PM - 2:45PM
Roche: Embedding Diverse Patient Insights in the End-to-end Development of Medicines
Speaker:
Ashley Iyer, Sr Director, Global Patient Partnership, Ophthalmology & Inclusive Health Catalyst, Roche
2:45PM - 3:05PM
How Merck is Operationalizing Health Literacy Across Clinical Research
Speakers:
Maureen Kashuba, Director, Health Literacy Projects; Medical Writing and Disclosure (MW&D), Merck
Laurie Myers, Senior Director, Health Literacy Strategy and Innovation, Merck Research Laboratories
TRACK C: Metrics, ROE & Data-Driven Impact
1:45PM - 2:05PM
J&J on Co-Designing Trials for Faster Activation, Fewer Amendments, and Higher Retention
Speaker:
Gonzalo Linares, Global Head of Patient Advocacy, R&D, J&J Innovative Medicine
2:05PM - 2:25PM
Sanofi & Boehringer Ingelheim: Transforming Patient Engagement Data into Value Across the Drug Development Lifecycle
Speakers:
Vanessa Boulanger, Director, Patient Engagement, Boehringer Ingelheim
Heather Pin, Head, Patient Centric Operational Effectiveness | Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation, Sanofi
2:25PM - 2:45PM
Pharma Case Study
Showing Events in 1 Track from 03:10pm to 03:50pm
Afternoon Break and Networking
3:10PM - 3:50PM
Afternoon Break and Networking
Showing Events in 1 Track from 03:50pm to 04:45pm
Innovative Solutions and Technologies
3:50PM - 4:45PM
Three track Choices: Innovative Solutions and Technologies that Enhance Patient-Enabled Trials and Services
Participating Companies to Date:
Showing Events in 1 Track from 05:00pm to 05:45pm
Afternoon General Session
5:00PM - 5:45PM
Panel: The State of Inclusive Research and Community Engagement to Better Serve All Patients
Moderator:
Ashley Iyer, Sr Director, Global Patient Partnership, Ophthalmology & Inclusive Health Catalyst, Roche
Panelists:
Tiffany Bratts-Maiga, Director, Clinical Patient Engagement and Inclusion, Gilead Sciences, Inc
Jennifer Horonjeff, PhD, Founder & CEO, Savvy Cooperative
Showing Events in 1 Track from 05:45pm to 06:45pm
Networking Reception
5:45PM - 6:45PM
Annual Networking Reception and Optional Fundraising Activity
Previous
Day One
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

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