Rebecca Kirch

Rebecca Kirch is EVP of Policy and Programs for the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) based in Washington, DC. In this role, she provides strategic focus and leadership in bringing patient and caregiver voices and values to the forefront of health reform efforts through influential advocacy and grassroots mobilization. As a leading health policy expert and advocate in her field, Rebecca is dedicated to advancing person-centered policies and practices that put people at the heart of healthcare.

Prior to joining NPAF in 2016, she served for 15 years with the American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, directing development and execution of coordinated quality of life and survivorship research, policy and advocacy activities.

A frequently invited speaker on patient and family engagement about person-centered care priorities and practices, Rebecca has authored numerous articles and book chapters, including publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, Archives of Internal Medicine, Health Equity, JAMA Oncology, Health Affairs, Circulation and other professional journals. She is the recipient of numerous national awards, has been featured in multiple media outlets and also serves on National Quality Forum’s Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) Coordinating Committee and Consensus Standards Approval Committee (CSAC) as well as the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review’s (ICER) New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council.

Among other advisory committees and advocacy coalitions, Rebecca is currently an active participant of the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s (NASEM) Quality Care for People with Serious Illness Roundtable, policy advisor for the Patient Advocate Foundation’s Patient Insight Institute, and a board member for children’s oncology Care Camps.