The Unfiltered Truth: Lessons in Impactful Patient Engagement from a Decade in the Trenches

Session details:

For over a decade, Julie Croner and MarlaJan Wexler have been at the forefront of patient advocacy and collaboration, building, nurturing, and navigating the complex landscape of patient-pharma partnerships. Julie, as the architect behind the largest network of Health Leaders (100k+), has driven innovation in compensated opportunities, influencer marketing, and patient leader certification. MarlaJan, a pediatric nurse and patient living with over a dozen chronic illnesses, brings a raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal perspective from the front lines of healthcare and advocacy.

Together, they've witnessed what truly works—and what falls flat—when it comes to engaging patients authentically. In this hard-hitting keynote, Julie and MarlaJan will cut through the noise, sharing five actionable strategies for pharma marketers to move beyond superficial engagement to truly meaningful, outcome-driven collaboration. Tapping into the collective wisdom of their vast patient leader network, they will arm attendees with direct quotes and tangible takeaways, empowering them to build genuine trust, create impactful campaigns, and ultimately, drive better results for both patients and their brands. Prepare for candid insights, real-world examples, and a roadmap to becoming an indispensable partner in the patient community.