Patient Advocate Foundation leadership appointments take effect following strategic nonprofit merger  

As Executive Chair, in addition to leading the Board and providing strategic organizational oversight, Dr. Balch will remain actively involved in advancing the organization’s work, focusing on health-systems change for low- and middle- income patients and communities through person-centered care, clinical trials, health economics and outcomes research, patient engagement, and patient experience data.

As CEO, Hagan will lead the organization’s strategic vision, integration efforts, and program expansion while driving growth, spearheading innovation, and cultivating strong partnerships—ensuring the combined organization continues to scale its impact for patients nationwide.

This leadership structure reflects best governance practices following strategic mergers and leverages the strengths of both key executives in service of advancing the organization’s mission.

“This moment reflects our commitment to delivering on our bold vision of improving how social and financial barriers to care are addressed by healthcare systems for those impacted by a serious or chronic illness,” said Dr. Balch. “Our merger is already delivering meaningful results for patients, and I look forward to guiding the organization into the future by expanding our impact through innovative initiatives intended to improve person-centered care.”

“It is an honor to serve as CEO at such a pivotal time,” said Hagan. “Now more than ever, patients need a single, trusted destination that helps them navigate, access, and afford care while also elevating their voices. We will remain laser-focused on delivering on this critical mission while pursuing initiatives that improve the healthcare system for all.”

The leadership announcement comes amid significant program expansion. Today, Patient Advocate Foundation also announced the launch of TotalAssist, the nation’s largest charitable assistance program, covering nearly 150 life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases, expanding and simplifying access to financial assistance for underinsured patients.

The organization also continues to offer its best-in-class personalized case management services, a portfolio of financial aid funds, and dozens of programs on behalf of its nonprofit partners—forming a critical part of the nation’s safety net.

Beyond direct patient services, Patient Advocate Foundation continues to expand its impact in research, education, community outreach, systems change, and patient engagement. Recent highlights include the growing body of patient-centered research driving evidence-based improvements through its Patient Insight Institute, a recent Innovation Summit with participants from across the healthcare ecosystem, and the release of new educational resources focused on clinical trials, and continued growth in community engagement.

The organization’s policy and government affairs affiliate, National Patient Advocate Foundation, continues to play a vital role in advancing policy and systemic change.

About Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford their care while improving the healthcare system for all. We provide financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health.

Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped more than 3.8 million people access and navigate care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, provided personalized case management support to over 350,000 patients, and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Learn more at Uniting.PatientAdvocate.org.