Embracing #PatientPoweredProgress

Inspired, energized, empowered. These three words represent how I feel coming out of our recent annual U.S. Patient Week, at @Boehringer Ingelheim.

Our theme this year was Patient-Powered Progress, which resonated with me deeply. It speaks to the power of collaboration, recognizing patients not as recipients of care, but as partners in their healthcare journeys. For me (and my amazing colleagues at Boehringer Ingelheim), this focus every year is not just about a moment in time—it’s about creating a culture of patient experience that drives how we think, collaborate and act with an urgency as an organization – all year round.

From the very beginning of the week, the energy around this year’s theme was palpable, reinforcing our commitment to finding solutions that are shaped by the lived experiences of the patients we serve. It’s a reminder that empowering them and their active engagement in treatment decisions must remain at the center of everything we do.

One of the most memorable moments this year was hearing from a patient speaker who shared, “It’s exhausting living in a larger body but not because of our larger bodies but because of the weight society puts on us.” It was a reminder of how much stigma and societal bias there is and how it can influence health outcomes in a very real way -- sometimes as much as clinical interventions do. This conversation was a powerful call to action that true patient advocacy means addressing the social, emotional, and systemic barriers that patients face every day.

The interactive experiences, panel discussions and storytelling sessions throughout the week created spaces for connection between patients, employees, and drug developers. These experiences didn’t just inform us, they challenged us to step outside of our own perspectives and really see the world through the lens of those living with chronic conditions. For me, this kind of cross-departmental collaboration is key to ensuring that patient voices shape our work in every corner of the organization.

A significant focus this year was on the social determinants of health, which highlighted the real-world barriers that patients face, such as economic challenges, access to care and social stigma. It became clear to me that understanding these broader factors is essential for delivering better care and for developing solutions that meet the complex needs of patients where they are. A person’s health outcome should not be dependent on the zip code they live in.

The workshops and training sessions were equally impactful, providing practical tools for employees to better engage with patients. I appreciated the emphasis on listening -- not just hearing patients but valuing their input in ways that influence decision-making. It’s through these moments of learning that we continue to build a culture where patient experience becomes part of their work, no matter their role. The conversations and ideas we explored during Patient Week will continue to shape how we approach our work going forward. Patient voices are a continuing essential part of our decision-making processes, helping us design innovative solutions that improve quality of life and healthcare experiences.

As I reflect on this incredible week, Patient Week 2024 has shown us that #PatientPoweredProgress isn’t just a slogan, it’s a mission we are embracing wholeheartedly. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the week and to everyone who made this experience possible for our team here in the U.S.

Together, we are making strides toward a future where our partnership with patients is how we deliver #PatientPoweredProgress, bringing much needed innovation and new treatments to communities. It’s been an honor to be part of this journey, and I look forward to the ongoing conversations and collaborations that will continue to drive meaningful change for patients everywhere.

Discover more about Boehringer’s Patient Week 2024 . #PatientExperience #PatientAdvocacy #PatientWeek2024 #LifeForward

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