The IVI Board of Directors is comprised of members representing various classes of stakeholders, including research and academia, providers, patients, payers, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, as well as other companies in the healthcare industry. The Board is responsible for overseeing the financial and strategic direction of the organization and provides advice and leadership support to IVI’s Executive Director and staff team to execute its work.
Board Members
Alan Balch
Patient Advocate Foundation
Alan Balch, PhD
Chief Executive Officer, Patient Advocate Foundation
Dr. Balch has nearly fifteen years of executive leadership in the non-profit sector with an emphasis on consensus building and collaboration. He has led numerous federal advocacy efforts on a range of issues both that the legislative and regulatory level. He became the CEO of both the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) and National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) in 2013. From 2006-2013, he served as the Vice President of the Preventive Health Partnership – a national health promotion collaboration between the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association. Prior to 2006, Dr. Balch was the Executive Director of Friends of Cancer Research.
John Banta
BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners
John Banta, MBA
President, Managing Director, BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners
John Banta serves as the President and Managing Director of the Blue Venture Fund, an $830 million corporate venture fund sponsored by the BlueCross BlueShield Association. He is responsible for maintaining relationships with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the operational success of the Fund, and for the generation of an appropriate rate of strategic and financial return for participating Blue Plans. John was included in the Global Corporate Venturing 2017-2021 Power List of top international corporate venture capital leaders. He also acts as the Executive Director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where he is responsible for supporting oversight of the $15B National Employee Benefits Administration.
Harold Carter
Express Scripts
Harold Carter, PharmD
Vice President, Strategy & Contracting, Express Scripts
Harold Carter leads the strategic development and management of Express Scripts’ Value Based and Generic Management Solutions. Prior to his current role, Harold was responsible for the development and management of Express Scripts’ Utilization Management Program. Harold earned his doctorate of pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
Chuck Cutler
Cutler Healthcare
Chuck Cutler, MD, MS
President, Cutler Healthcare
Dr. Cutler, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, has served as Chief Medical Officer of Magellan Complete Care, National Medical Director and interim Chief Medical Officer at Aetna, Chief Medical Director of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP – the trade association for health plans), and Deputy Medical Director of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare of New England. He has been a consultant to employers and an advisor to the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchasers. He has served on the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards committee, the NCQA performance measurement committee, the advisory board for the National Guidelines Clearinghouse, committees of the National Quality Forum, and Institute of Medicine workgroups.
Mark Cziraky (President Elect)
HealthCore
Mark Cziraky, PharmD
President and Co-Founder, HealthCore
As HealthCore’s co-founder and President, Mark Cziraky, PharmD, has been extensively involved with clinical, health economic and outcomes research for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming President, Mark was most recently responsible for leading Scientific Affairs and global scientific and business development at HealthCore. He has held additional leadership roles at HealthCore including running individual research units and leading business development teams. Mark remains dedicated to HealthCore’s mission to provide information to enable healthcare decision makers to assess the real-world value of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. He serves as a key architect in creating open-source research collaborations within the healthcare industry that allow health plans to be involved in research design and execution with various collaborating organizations.
Greg Daniel (Immediate Past President)
Eli Lilly and Company
Greg Daniel, PhD
Head of U.S. Healthcare Policy, Eli Lilly
Greg has 20 years of distinguished experience in healthcare policy and research. As a recognized health policy leader, Greg spent almost a decade leading pharmaceutical and medical device policy in the areas of value-based healthcare and payment, real-world evidence development, and FDA regulatory science. Prior to joining Edwards, Greg was the Deputy Center Director at the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and Clinical Professor at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business where he directed the Washington, DC office and led the Center’s biomedical innovation policy portfolio. Prior to that he was a Fellow and Managing Director in the Center for Health Policy at the Brookings Institution. In addition, he was the Vice President, Government and Academic Research, at HealthCore Inc., an Anthem Company, where he lead large observational research studies focused in health economics and outcomes research, real world evidence, and safety and epidemiology that leveraged administrative claims, electronic health record, and other real-world data sources.
Greg is currently the Editor-In-Chief of Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science scientific journal has recently joined the Board of Directors for the Innovation and Value Initiative (IVI). Greg holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Economics, Policy, and Outcomes from the University of Arizona, and an MPH in Biostatistics, MS in Pharmaceutical Administration and a BS in Pharmacy, all from The Ohio State University.
Patty Fritz (Secretary/Treasurer)
UCB, Inc.
Patty Fritz, MA
Vice President, U.S. Corporate Affairs, UCB
Patty Fritz oversees public policy, government affairs, advocacy, communications and public affairs, as well as UCB’s office and strategic priorities in Washington, D.C. Patty leads efforts to create value for patients and their families through strategic engagement and positively influencing the healthcare environment and policy landscape.
In her role, Patty finds opportunities to better understand the unique needs of patients, so we can continue delivering value. She is a champion of innovative projects to spotlight the importance of access and care for people living with severe diseases.
Patty has made a significant impact in different leadership roles including regulatory affairs, operational excellence, government affairs, health policy, and UCBCares®. Patty led the regulatory efforts for UCB’s first product filing in the US – Keppra® (levetiracetam) – and oversaw the FDA approval process for many of UCB’s other products.
Prior to joining UCB, Patty held positions with the government and industry in regulatory affairs, clinical development, and research.
Patty has also championed and was a driving force behind the establishment of UCB’s Women in Leadership initiative. She was recently recognized by PharmaVOICE magazine as one of the 100 most influential and inspirational leaders in the life sciences industry in 2019.
Outside of UCB, Patty serves as chair of the board of directors for Georgia Bio and as a member of The Carter Center Board of Councilors. She splits her time between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, where she enjoys spending time with her family.
Patty holds a master’s degree in health care policy and administration from Mercer University (Atlanta, Ga.) and a Bachelor of Science degree in management and technology from the University of Maryland (Laurel, Md.). Patty is also a graduate of Summers County School of Nursing (Hinton, W.Va.).
Nelly Ganesan
JPMorgan Chase & Co. – Morgan Health
Nelly Ganesan, MPH
Executive Director of Community Engagement and Health Equity, JPMorgan Chase & Co. – Morgan Health
Nelly Ganesan, MPH, advises clients on the implications of quality-related healthcare policies, including but not limited to public and private quality reporting programs, value-based care, and payment and delivery models. Nelly has special expertise in care models focused on CMS’ Triple Aim—better care, better health, and lower costs—and the use of patient-reported outcomes. Nelly has been with the firm since 2011. Prior to joining Avalere, Nelly spent 6 years at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, focused on population health and hospital-based quality improvement. Nelly has an MPH in epidemiology and international health from Boston University and a BS in economics from the University of Oregon.
Rachel Patterson
The Epilepsy Foundation
Rachel Patterson, MBA
Rachel is Senior Director of Federal Relations & Policy at the Epilepsy Foundation, where she focuses on health care access and disability rights, including safe and legal access to cannabis for people with epilepsy. She has previously served at Health Management Associates, the Christopher and Diana Reeve Foundation, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Rachel has an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a BA in Politics from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
Suzanne Schrandt
ExPPect
Suzanne Schrandt, JD
Suz Schrandt is a patient and patient engagement engineer with a health and disability law and policy background. She is the Founder and CEO of ExPPect, a patient engagement initiative focused on improving healthcare and research through the expertise and partnership of skilled patient partners. Schrandt previously served as the Director of Patient Engagement at the Arthritis Foundation and as the Deputy Director of Patient Engagement for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI); in both capacities she led the development and execution of patient engagement strategies to support research, medical product development, care delivery, and other innovation.
Before joining PCORI, Schrandt served as the Health Reform Team Leader for the Kansas Health Institute and she has held roles in bioethics, the study of genetic discrimination, and chronic disease self-management, as well as patient-led clinical training aimed at increasing early diagnosis and appropriate, patient-centered management of chronic disease. Schrandt’s passion for patient engagement began in large part from her own experience, having been diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis as a teenager, several years before the first biologics were available. She has undergone multiple joint replacement and other orthopedic surgeries and has logged nearly thirty years of first-hand experience with the healthcare system.
Schrandt is one of nine voting members on the FDA’s inaugural Patient Engagement Advisory Committee. She has been the Chairperson for the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) North American Patient Representative Roundtable since 2016, co-chaired the Patients as Partners conference from 2016 to 2018, and has been an invited speaker at numerous national and international conferences. Schrandt received her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law and has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles on the value and importance of patient engagement.
Vipan Sood
CSL Vifor
Vipan Sood, MBA, RPh, MRPharmS
A strategic, results-driven global senior business leader specializing in the pharmaceutical sector, with deep experience in HEOR, Medical Affairs (MA), Market Access & Reimbursement (MA & R), and RWE/RWD platforms. Excels at supporting strong revenue growth and profitability, driving operational excellence, and ensuring brand awareness. Combines keen expertise in business with a diverse clinical background to achieve key goals. An innovative problem solver with proven success in leading and mentoring dynamic teams to achieve sustained market competitiveness, long-term growth and results. Dual nationality and multilingual.
Adam Thompson
Independent Consultant
Adam Thompson
Adam Thompson is an independent consultant supporting health systems, communities, and patients to improve health outcomes. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Georgetown University and will graduate in December 2022 with is Masters in Public Health from the Jefferson College of Population Health where he was named the 2022 Public Health Student of the Year. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Primary Care and Chronic Disease Standing Committee for the National Quality Forum where he also serves on the Board of Directors. He is the 2010 recipient of the Leadership in Quality Award from CQII and the HIV/AIDS Bureau. He co-developed several national trainings for the Ryan White communities including the Training of Consumers on Quality, the Building Leaders of Color, and ELEVATE & ESCALATE programs. Mr. Thompson is the former Regional Partner Director for the South Jersey AIDS Education and Training Center and brings over 17 years of experience in health care improvement and patient engagement.
Michael Thompson (President)
National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
Michael Thompson
President & CEO, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
Michael Thompson is President and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance). The National Alliance is the only non-profit, purchaser-led organization with a national and regional structure dedicated to driving health and healthcare value across the country. Its members represent more than 12,000 employers/purchasers and 45 million Americans spending over $300 billion annually on healthcare. Thompson is a nationally recognized thought leader for business health strategies and health system reform. He has worked with major employers and other stakeholders on a variety of issues and strategies and is known for developing, promoting and leading collaborative cross-sector health industry initiatives.
Prior to joining the National Alliance, Mike was a Principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for 20 years working with employers and other stakeholders and served as an executive with diverse roles with Prudential Healthcare for over 17 years. Mike is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, serving on the Health Practice Council, and chair of the Medicare Sub-Committee of the American Academy of Actuaries (AAA). He is also widely recognized as a leading national advocate for mental health and wellbeing and previously served as President of the New York City chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Mike also served as an active member of the board of the Northeast Business Group on Health for 11 years.
Ashley Valentine
Sick Cells
Ashley Valentine, MRes
Co-Founder & President, Sick Cells
Ashley is a Co-Founder and the President of Sick Cells, and the youngest sibling of her family. Her older brother and Co-Founder of Sick Cells, Marqus Valentine, had sickle cell anemia, Hgb ss. Growing up, Ashley spent much of her childhood charming hospital playroom attendants while Marqus was frequently hospitalized for pain crises, fever, and multiple complications from SCD. As an adult, Ashley completed her Master’s in Research Methods from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. She focused on disparities in healthcare for people with SCD in London.
Ashley became the President of Sick Cells in 2017. She was able to transition into a full-time role in 2018. Since then, Ashley and her brother have achieved great milestones with the SCD community including successfully leading the SCD community in its first-ever ICER review, building coalitions to advocate for federal legislation to be signed into law, testify at the FDA about the importance of drug development, and more.
Neil Weissman
MedStar Health Research Institute
Neil Weissman, MD
President, MedStar Health Research Institute
Neil J. Weissman, MD, FACC, FASE, is the Chief Scientific Officer for MedStar Health and President of MedStar Health Research Institute. Dr. Weissman is a professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and an internationally recognized cardiologist with expertise in echocardiography and clinical trials.
As chief scientific officer, he provides leadership for the development and implementation of specific scientific priorities, with a commitment to further advancing MedStar Health as an academic healthcare system. As president of the Research Institute, he is responsible for the overall strategic and operational direction of the research arm of MedStar Health.
Dr. Weissman’s research interests include the use of cardiovascular ultrasound imaging in clinical trials and the development of artificial intelligent applications for imaging. He has served as principal investigator for numerous national and international multi-center trials served on several national organizations and editorial boards and written hundreds of original reports published in high profile peer-reviewed journals. He is frequently invited to serve as an expert on U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels and National Institutes of Health commissions and held many national leadership positions including past president of the American Society of Echocardiography and past chair of the American College of Cardiology’s Imaging Council.
Dr. Weissman received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York. He completed his internship, residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at New York Hospital. He followed his residency training with a clinical and research fellowship in Cardiology and a fellowship in Cardiac Ultrasound at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.