Kara Witcoff Email & Phone Number

Bethesda, MD, US

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, US

Built global patient advocacy function within Medical Affairs team, leading external engagement with patients, patient advocacy organizations and stakeholder communities across five therapeutic areas to ensure the patient voice is incorporated into the development of AAV gene therapy clinical trial protocol, patient education materials, and external.

Boston, MA, US

Built and drove the patient, caregiver and advocacy leader strategy for Movement Disorders (Parkinson’s, Essential Tremor), incorporating patient insights to inform early and mid-stage clinical trial development

Boston, MA, US

• Expanded and developed relationships with patient advocates and communities across therapeutic pipeline areas including cell and gene therapies and rare diseases, e.g., sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary and.
• Collaborated with Government Affairs, Public Policy and Managed Markets to align state policies with patient stakeholder community needs, ensuring access and reimbursement
• Led team of field-based consultants to drive patient advocacy strategy and deliver on corporate goals
• Coached and mentored next generation patient advocate leaders in preparation for roundtables, speaker panels, advisory boards

Midlothian, VA, US

• Patient Assistance Foundation, formerly Patient Services, Inc. (PSI)Cultivated an influential network of organizational relationships as the key point of contact for biotech and pharmaceutical companies with novel gene.
• Identified therapeutic area opportunities that presented access and affordability challenges to patients, partnering with aligned advocacy groups to establish assistance programs and deliver innovative solutions to.
• Advocated on Capitol Hill for PSI’s Access to Marketplace Insurance Act in collaboration with Government Affairs

Fairfax, Virginia, US

• Built the strategic business plan for Immunology start-up that directly impacts patient care by improving quality of life through Flow Cytometry diagnostic testing in the identification and management of primary immune.
• Established partnerships with client base and expanded reach to non-traditional stakeholders, resulting in increased awareness, surveillance, access, and a sustainable network of medical community constituents
• Developed key communications and messaging to create the market and establish the need for early intervention, generating demand and driving uptake for this diagnostic screening tool
• Created sales and marketing training program for field-based team to advance provider knowledge around the need for immune testing earlier in the treatment paradigm to yield greater patient outcomes

• Healthcare advocacy consulting services and solutions for biomedical companies and nonprofits, specializing in identifying strategic opportunities and innovative approaches to market creation, access, and expansion
• Utilized business acumen and patient advocacy community engagement expertise to deliver high-touch insights, tactical plans, and educational outreach materials, navigating industry trends and facilitating interactions.

Brentford, Middlesex, GB

• Spearheaded development and execution of patient advocacy and professional association strategy, funding, accountability, and engagement across key therapeutic areas during pre-launch and implementation phases of the.
• Shaped the healthcare landscape by educating, engaging, and mobilizing allied organizations through strategic exchanges, capacity building and awareness-raising to advance mutual public policy reform priorities (PDUFA.
• Led the charge to achieve business objectives by mapping external engagement efforts with patient population needs, aligning multi-disciplinary team of internal stakeholders around access issues
• Represented GSK at senior leadership levels of nonprofits, coalitions, trade associations and Capitol Hill briefings

London, United Kingdom, GB

• GSK Corporate Social Responsibility secondment to Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), a Global NGO: Flagship PULSE program matches the needs of global NGOs with employees’ skill sets to help solve healthcare challenges.
• Built and executed VSO’s lobbying strategy to engage the UK’s new coalition government, advocating for VSO's mission as a world leader in International Development policy, amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable.
• Collaborated with Members of Parliament and the Department for International Development to support UN Millennium Development Goals, campaigning for VSO’s contributions and expanding global audience reach
• Devised a Champions for Development network for new MPs and think tanks, broadening the size and scope of VSO’s supporter base beyond traditional lines and across political parties

Brentford, Middlesex, GB

• Devised commercial action plans to broaden parity coverage of oral chemotherapeutic agents in state mandated health plans, partnering with oncology advocates and Government Affairs
• Produced international educational exchanges on critical health access issues between the US and Europe, including Members of European Parliament (MEPs), WIG’s Global Summit in Brussels and EUROGIN’s Patient Advocacy.

Brentford, Middlesex, GB

Negotiated contract for GSK product access and positioning on Aetna’s formulary, serving 10M PBM members, $400M; Indirect reporting responsibility for 25 field-based account managers covering Aetna’s state chapters across the US

Master Of Science, Organizational Dynamics

Bachelor Of Science, Business Management And Administration; Marketing. Minors: Psychology & Spanish

Education record