Why do life-changing medical innovations often struggle to reach the patients who need them most? In this episode of Patient Advocacy Voices, Esther Krofah of the Milken Institute moderates a powerful conversation with senior Sanofi leaders across immunology, vaccines, diabetes, and policy on the systemic barriers that stand between scientific breakthroughs and ensuring access for patients in need. The conversation was recorded in February 2025 at the Sanofi Patient Advocacy Council.

You’ll hear candid insights on:

• The "last mile" problem in getting therapies to patients
• Real-world examples of how insurance hurdles delay or deny care
• Policy shifts that could better reward innovation while reducing patient burden
• The urgent need for representative clinical trial recruitment
• How collaboration across advocacy, industry, and government can drive change

This episode offers both a frank view of patient access challenges and a clear call to action for working together, boldly and specifically, to make the system work better for patients.

How do you drive awareness for a rare disease with a name that’s difficult to even pronounce and a wide range of symptoms that mimic other conditions?

In this episode, host Eric Racine and co-host Preeya George-Guiser sit down with Mary Jo Strobel, Executive Director of the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED), about the organization’s strategic approach to rare disease advocacy.

Mary Jo shares how APFED blends creativity, strategy, and a patient-centered approach to raise awareness and improve lives for patients living with eosinophil-associated diseases.

From creative targeted awareness campaigns to evidence-based initiatives, this conversation highlights how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate correct diagnosis and treatment and create lasting change in rare disease communities.

How will the shifting U.S. healthcare policy landscape impact patients? It’s an important topic that many patient advocates are thinking about today.

This month’s special episode features a thought-provoking panel discussion recorded during the Sanofi Patient Advocacy Council meeting in Washington, D.C., where panelists dove into this topic. Adam Gluck, SVP and Head, U.S. and Specialty Care Corporate Affairs at Sanofi moderated the panel, which featured Randy Rutta, CEO of the National Health Council (NHC) and Matt Eyles, former President and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

Tune in to hear the discussion, where the panelists shared insights around the biggest risks and opportunities for patient access and affordability in the current shifting policy landscape. They also emphasized the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders across the healthcare sector to drive truly meaningful changes for patients.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation about the power of passion, purpose, and partnerships in evolving patient advocacy to meet the changing needs of a community! In this episode, Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, shares insights from his incredible 46-year journey with the organization. Harold reveals how the American Lung Association grew successful regional initiatives into powerful, national programs that deliver critical resources and support to lung patients across the country.

Join host Eric Racine and co-host Lisa Schmitt, US Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy Lead for Immunology at Sanofi, as they dive into the innovative programs that have defined the American Lung Association's success. Discover how the American Lung Association HelpLine, which began as a statewide service in Illinois 25 years ago, has become a lifeline for patients nationwide. Learn how the American Lung Association adapts to meet the evolving needs of its community through digital platforms, personalized support services, and bold advocacy for cleaner air.

Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable lessons on driving scalable, long-term success in patient advocacy. Tune in to uncover Harold’s blueprint for building meaningful partnerships and empowering patient communities like never before!

Patient Advocacy Voices is dedicated to helping US advocacy groups strengthen capabilities in service to patients and their mission. Season 2 continues and will provide deeper insights and more pragmatic tips from patient advocacy leaders and visionaries.

In this special episode to start the new season, host Eric Racine is joined by all his Sanofi co-hosts from Season 1 to recall the powerful stories and lessons learned from advocacy leader guests. Insights are recapped on vital topics such as ways to build trust and empower patients in local communities to act for better health, and how to collaborate on patient-centered policies. You’ll hear how advocacy groups are generating evidence on patient value, bringing the lived experiences of patients into R&D, charting strategic paths to grow their organizations, and measuring and communicating outcomes. Adam Gluck, Sanofi’s Senior Vice President of US and Global Specialty Care Corporate Affairs, joins to provide unique perspectives on the US health policy landscape and the critical role of patients’ voices.

It's a great way to learn about the many ways US patient advocacy organizations are making a difference for patients, science, and policy. After listening, you’ll be ready for more incredible stories and inspiration from Patient Advocacy Voices in Season 2.

With more than 100 years of experience, the National Health Council knows how to bring patient advocacy groups and other organizations together to advocate for patients’ interests. How do they stay at the forefront of a patient-focused US healthcare system? They innovate and collaborate.

In this episode, Sanofi host Eric Racine and cohost, Demi Anastasiades, lead of US Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy for Immunology at Sanofi, are joined by Randy Rutta, CEO of the National Health Council. You’ll hear about NHC Connect, a dynamic resource hub for the patient advocacy community to share insights and collaborate on patient focused policies, and how NHC develops a matrix of policy priorities on behalf of its nearly 200 members. NHC collaborates to drive equitable patient access, bring patients’ perspectives into health technology assessments, and ensure artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is deployed responsibly and in the best interests of patients, among other priorities. Listen to learn from one of the best how to amplify the voice of patients to improve health policies and access to care.

When it comes to meeting healthcare’s biggest challenges, sometimes the best approach begins with curiosity. Dr. Jean Wright, MD, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Foundation, has made an immense impact on the COPD community and knows firsthand how to bring new solutions that move the needle for poorly understood patient communities.

In this episode, Sanofi host Eric Racine is joined by Kate Tighe, Head of US Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, Immunology at Sanofi, to discuss with Dr. Wright how shifting perspectives and sparking innovation can change outcomes for patients with historically overlooked conditions. Dr. Wright describes her straightforward yet creative approach to tackling seemingly inscrutable problems, how she handles the most difficult aspects of leadership, and why charting a path toward refreshing solutions can accelerate progress.

From leveraging existing resources to filling gaps with innovative tools, partnerships throughout the healthcare industry can help meet the needs of more patients and drive impact in an accelerated way.

In this episode, Eric Racine is joined by Vicky DiBiaso, Global Head of Patient Informed Development and Health Value Translation at Sanofi, and Sara Loud from the Accelerated Cure Project, to discuss the transformative efforts of the Patient Advocacy Leaders in Drug Development Industry Network, also known as Paladin. Paladin is driving collaboration across biopharmaceutical companies and patient advocacy groups to help advance the development of life-saving treatments. They examine the challenges and opportunities in transforming healthcare innovation, with an emphasis on speed, inclusivity and collaboration.