Gwen Darien
Gwen Darien is a longtime patient advocate who has played leadership roles in some of the country’s preeminent nonprofit organizations. As executive vice president for patient advocacy, engagement and education at Patient Advocate Foundation, Darien leads programs that link PAF’s direct patient service programs to system change initiatives, patient education and advocacy to improve access to equitable, affordable, quality health care.
As a four-time cancer survivor herself, Darien champions placing patients at the center of health system change, whether it is for research, public policy or direct services.
Darien serves on a wide range of program committees and workshop faculties. She is a member of the National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Darien co-chairs the Individual and Community Health Goals working group of the NAM’s Commission on Investment Imperatives for a Healthy Nation. She is past chair of PCORI’s Patient Engagement Advisory Panel.
