By: Citlalli Lopez, MPH, NHMA Fellow, National Health Council

This year’s Science of Patient Engagement Summit brought together a diverse group of health care leaders, advocates, researchers, and innovators to share their experience and insights on research issues facing the patient community. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and a poster reception, speakers and attendees explored patient engagement, health equity, research and innovation, and the future of health care.

Among the Summit’s keynote speakers were three published authors whose books offer an opportunity to dive deeper into the ideas and experiences they shared. Add their books to your summer reading list to continue learning from David Fajgenbaum, MD; Uché Blackstock, MD; and Ken Stern, JD:

• • David Fajgenbaum, author of Chasing My Cure, draws on his experience as both a patient and physician to demonstrate how patients can help drive research and innovation. His story offers a powerful perspective on the role patients can play in advancing new approaches to treatment and creating lasting change.
  • Uché Blackstock, author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, examines the impact of the inequities within the health care system as a Black physician. Her book encourages readers to better understand and address the barriers that continue to affect access to equitable care.
  • Ken Stern, J.D., author of Healthy to 100, explores the factors that contribute to healthier, longer lives. His work highlights the important role that social connection, community, and other influences beyond medical care can play in long-term health.

Together, these books provide a deeper look at the experiences, evidence, and ideas that informed three of the Summit’s keynote presentations. They also offer readers an opportunity to continue engaging with some of the questions raised throughout the event, from how patients can shape research to how health care systems and communities can better support healthier lives.

This year’s Summit achieved its highest attendance to date and welcomed 100 first-time attendees. Engagement also extended beyond the event, with Summit content generating more than 4,300 social media impressions and continuing conversations about patient engagement and the patient experience.

A summary of the Summit and session recordings are coming soon to NHC Connect. In the meantime, visit the virtual poster gallery on NHC Connect to explore research and programmatic work presented by Summit participants.