Patient Expert Scholarship Recipients

Francisco Tapia Besnier - Fundación Padece (Chile)

 
"Through this program, I hope to obtain formal preparation in matters of health technology assessment, oriented to dermatology. The support of GlobalSkin is an important pillar in acquiring this knowledge and the work that we wish to do as a foundation."

Gaylord Inena wa Inena - Corbettta (DRC)

 
"As a patient leader, I hope to understand how patients and patient organizations in Africa can actively contribute to the development of new medicines, and what role I can play to support them in this process. "

Lauren Isbell - Nevus Outreach (USA)

"I am looking forward to learning more about the global landscape of patient engagement in the research and drug development process. As a patient leader, mom and advocate, I am grateful to GlobalSkin for the support in this endeavor. Without them, it would not be possible. I am excited to see how this experience shapes me as a person and the trajectory of my career and the impact I can have as I work to elevate the patient voice in the healthcare landscape."

Gary Lai – Hong Kong Psoriasis Patients Association (Hong Kong)

"Through this program, I’m looking forward to learning more Regulatory Affairs and Health Technology Assessment. GlobalSkin’s support can help to expand my horizons and enable me to obtain valuable insights into the traits of the Pharma industry, as well as the thought processes of individuals within it."

Michael Koehlher - FAIM - Autoimmune Diseases (Denmark)

"I am hoping to learn how we go from Patients´ needs - to delivered solutions. Being part of a large cohort of equals in many different disease areas, makes us all stronger and united."

Paul Mendoza – PSORPHIL (Philippines)

"EUPATI is one of the golden standards we look to when it comes to patient engagement and I am excited to learn how patients can engage in every process from product development, research, regulations, and the HTA process.  Thank you to GlobalSkin for paving the way for us and for giving us the opportunity to join this wonderful program."

Rachel Ogola – Eczema Society of Kenya (Kenya)

"Through this program, I am hoping to gain an in-depth understanding of medical research and development processes, clinical trials and regulatory processes while developing a more robust understanding of the role of patients, patient organizations, stakeholders and collaborations. GlobalSkin has supported us financially and enabled us to get oriented with the program."

Špela Novak - Društvo Atopijski Dermatitis (Slovenia)

"I am looking forward to knowing the background of the processes, the new informations, that are not that easy to get, the new connections, the knowledge that will empower our patient organizations. The biggest value is being supported through this process, and additionally to be connected to fellow EUPATI trainees, which was made possible by GlobalSkin."

Toni Roberts – DEBRA South Africa 

"I am looking forward to filling in the gaps - I feel I have a vague idea of medicines research and development but am looking forward to being confident in my knowledge and thus being able to support this process in medicine with our patient community adequately. Unfortunately, I don’t have the budget to be able to afford to up-skill myself in this area, so I really appreciate the financial assistance. It can be daunting enrolling in a course in a brand-new area as an adult, so the community support through GlobalSkin will be incredibly helpful!"

Jakub Sadocha - GlobalSkin (Canada)

"What I’m most looking forward to learning during the EUPATI programme is being empowered and more informed as a representative of patient organizations. There is so much value in being able to make those connections with patient needs and the development process. I am grateful to receive the support of GlobalSkin to become a EUPATI Fellow as it will, once again, empower me during my interactions with industry and other patient leaders."

Jaclyn Lanthier - Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (USA)

"I'm most looking forward to gaining a fuller and deeper understanding of the research process involved in dermatological treatment and management amongst a group of motivated and inspiring patient advocates. LSSN hasn't even been a GlobalSkin member for a full year, and it has already been incredibly fruitful. GlobalSkin has provided us with opportunities we could have only dreamed of. Their member resources section has helped us develop better advocacy work; conferences have increased and deepened our understanding of what it means to be a dermatological skin condition non-profit organization and how we, as an organization, can do better for our patients and the community at large."

Hubert Godziątkowski - Polish Association of Atopic Diseases Polish Association for Atopic Diseases Polish Association for Atopic Diseases Polish Association for Atopic Diseases (Poland)

"I expect to acquire the necessary knowledge for our organization to act as an equal partner in discussions with stakeholders, particularly medical staff and decision-makers. The scholarship from GlobalSkin as well as various other forms of support, allow our organization to build strong competences."

Joseph Harerimana - Anti Vitiligo Rwanda Foundation (Rwanda)

"I am eagerly waiting to acquire medicines and clinical skills and knowledge which will help myself and Anti Vitiligo Foundation Rwanda in capacity building among the patient community and take on an active role in collaboration with the other involved stakeholders. GlobalSkin has played a crucial role in providing members with financial support they need and enabling them to uplift their expertise by opening doors to programs like this."

Marc Yale – IPPF (USA)

"I am most looking forward to learning how I can meaningfully contribute to medicines research and development, and to how to improve the availability of medical information for patients and other stakeholders in dermatological diseases. Having the ability to take the class with my colleagues will be invaluable to understanding their perspectives. Without the support of GlobalSkin, I don't think that I would have known about the availability of this program or be able to participate. Offering this educational course for patients to understand drug development shows their commitment to including patients at the center of the process."