Georgia Life Sciences Patient Advocacy Forum

Technology Square Research Building | 950 Atlantic Dr. NW | Pediatric Technology Center | Room 1041

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The Patient Advocacy Forum – Georgia’s Bridge Between Patients and Innovation

The Patient Advocacy Forum serves as a vital connector within Georgia’s dynamic life sciences ecosystem—linking patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare innovators across the state. Rooted in Georgia’s diverse communities, the Forum ensures that local patient experiences, concerns, and perspectives directly shape the future of healthcare innovation, advocacy, and policy development.


By fostering a collaborative environment across Georgia—from Atlanta’s research corridors to rural health communities—the Forum empowers patients to not only be heard but to help drive meaningful, region-specific solutions. Through this initiative, Georgia becomes a model for how patient-centered progress can influence the broader life sciences landscape.

2025 Agenda

Program Subject To Change

10:30am:  Check In   


10:45am: Welcome Remarks 


11:00am: Patient Perspective |  Murem Sharpe, CEO & Founder, StrategyRx


11:15am: Fireside Chat


11:45am-12:50pm: Buffet Luncheon and Networking


1:00 PM: Panel Discussion: “Who Really Benefits? Examining the 340B Program’s Impact on Patients"

Originally designed to help safety-net providers serve low-income and vulnerable populations, the 340B Drug Pricing Program has grown significantly with limited oversight. Critics argue that some hospitals and contract pharmacies benefit financially without passing savings on to patients. This panel will explore concerns about transparency, the use of 340B savings, and the need for legislative and regulatory reforms to ensure the program returns to its original intent of helping underserved patients—not subsidizing hospital systems.

 

1:30pm: In the Trenches: “Medical Student Initiative”

As the healthcare landscape evolves, so must the leaders who champion patient voices. This session will highlight a new program, the Medical Student Advocacy Initiative, a platform to explore the real-world intersection between innovation, clinical care, advocacy and policy. The intention of this initiative, bridges clinical training with policy education, advocacy action, and leadership development. It will help lead future physicians in strengthening the patient-doctor relationship to ensure better health outcomes while building a more balanced health care landscape. The Initiative aims to inspire future physicians to become not only outstanding clinicians but also powerful health and policy advocates.


Speakers:


2:00pm: Panel Discussion: The Benefits of Patient Engagement & Meaningful Ways to Implement

This panel explores how patient engagement is transforming the life sciences industry—from early research through to commercialization. Learn how tools and frameworks developed by the Patient Focused Medicines Development (PFMD) initiative are helping organizations standardize, scale, and sustain authentic patient involvement.


Industry leaders, including representatives from companies like BioCryst, will share how embedding patient perspectives into decision-making has shaped their internal culture, improved clinical trial design, and led to more patient-relevant outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into building a culture of engagement, using structured tools to elevate patient voice, and measuring the real-world value of these efforts.


Speakers:

  • Marc LaLande, Vice President of Research, Shriners Hospitals for Children 
  • Diane Ramsey-Paige, Associate Director, Patient Centricity Lead, BioCryst 
  • Mandy Sandkuhler, Director, Partnerships and Communications, The Mended Hearts
  • Leanne West, Chief Engineer, Pediatric Technologies, Georgia Institute of Technology (moderator)


2:30pm: Call to Action

 

2:45pm: Closing Remarks

  • Maria Thacker-Goethe, President & CEO, Georgia Life Sciences


Thank you to our sponsors