Patient Advisory Committee Spotlight: Gwen Darien

The Building Trust Learning Network has assembled a distinguished group of patient advocates, patients, caregivers and researchers on patient engagement to advise about how best to continue educating and engaging patients, caregivers and the general public about trust in healthcare. Over the coming months, we will be highlighting some of our members describing their experiences with trust in healthcare.

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 the National Patient Advocate Foundation and the Patient Advocate Foundation, Gwen leads programs that link PAF’s direct patient services to NPAF initiatives to help ensure access to equitable, affordable, quality health care.

A three-time cancer survivor, Gwen came into cancer advocacy to change the experiences and outcomes for the patients who came after her and to change the public dialogue about cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Gwen serves on a wide range of program committees and workshop faculties. She is the Chair of PCORI’s Patient Engagement Advisory Panel and serves on the Board of Trustees of the USP. Gwen also writes about her experiences as an advocate and cancer survivor.