From expanded networks to speaking engagements to new partnerships and more, their status as Social Health Awards winners has presented new opportunities:

• Jill King: My network has certainly expanded. I am now on Health Union’s Patient Leadership Council and feel I have more insight into my work and how connections can be utilized.
• Erica Carrasco: During the awards ceremony I was reunited with a pharmaceutical company that I’ve worked with in the past. The reunion allowed us to reconnect in person and led the way to a new partnership moving forward. This company is important to me because they produce a treatment I’ve been using for quite some time.
• Elle Cole: 2022 was a fantastic year for me as a caregiver and advocate. Speaking at Digital Pharma East with Natalie Hayden was one of my top highlights. My network has definitely expanded because I know that I can reach out to and collaborate with other rare disease and chronic disease communities. I have also been able to refer friends and family members to other organizations that are relevant to them.
• Aaron Blocker: Winning the award has definitely expanded my network as I’ve connected with other patients and communities as well as new connections in industry which has been really cool. 
• Natalie Hayden: From the excitement of finding out I was selected as the Community Cultivator Award winner to providing a keynote at Digital Pharma East to attending the Awards ceremony, it was such an incredible experience. I was able to make a lot of connections during DPE and by meeting face-to-face and sharing my story, the opportunity has enabled me to expand my patient advocacy client base and have ongoing conversations about collaborations moving forward. 
• Rachel Hill: Winning the award has further added credibility to what I do, which has opened up doors to working with new companies and brands who collaborate with me to improve thyroid patients’ quality of lives. It has also given me a personal boost and reminder that my work is appreciated and impactful. This has given me the confidence to pursue new projects this year. 
• Ella Balasa: Winning the healthcare collaborator award has not just expanded my network to connect with other established patient advocates, but also companies that increasingly are interested in the patient perspective and are learning the value in incorporating patients into drug development and products that will best serve patients needs. 
• Melissa Talwar: The biggest benefit is connecting with other patient leaders. I learn so much from them and get inspired by how they are advocating in their communities. We attend events together, and host interviews with each other to broaden knowledge to all our patient communities.
• Kristal Kent: Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award has opened many doors of opportunity to be interviewed and share my story on news media outlets, radio stations, national magazines, newspapers and podcasts. These opportunities provided a bigger space to share my story with general audiences, which in effect helps promote awareness and understanding of my medical diagnosis and health journey to the general public.

The Mutual Value

When the patients and caregivers who work tirelessly to improve the healthcare system are recognized and celebrated, it creates opportunities for empowerment, connection and partnership with pharma and healthcare. Our winners represent just a fraction of the wide range of patient leaders Health Union can connect you with through our extensive Social Health Network.

Stay tuned for more information from Health Union on the 2023 Social Health Awards, from nominations to the reveal of finalists, winners and more.