By: Omar A. Escontrías, DrPH, MPH, Chief Programs and Research Officer 

In today’s rapidly shifting health care landscape, “patient-centered” is a business requirement, not a buzzword. As innovation accelerates, organizations are no longer just delivering to patients—they are building patient insight into every phase of the innovation-to-market access lifecycle. 

On May 11 – 12, 2026, the National Health Council (NHC) will host the Science of Patient Engagement Summit: Turning Evidence into Impact, at Amazon’s HQ2 in Arlington, VA. Leaders from across health systems, biopharma, payers, policy, and patient organizations will walk away with practical strategies to apply patient engagement in ways that strengthen decision-making, improve outcomes, and deliver measurable impact. 

Across the health sector, organizations are facing similar pressures: improving outcomes, strengthening evidence, and making sure innovations reflect real-world patient needs. The Summit focuses on how to address those pressures in ways that are practical and workable. 

Sessions will explore how patient engagement is being applied today—from shaping care delivery and informing policy to strengthening data collection and improving clinical trial design. The pre-Summit workshop, Under the Microscope: A Blueprint for Patient Engagement Success, offers hands-on tools to help teams put these ideas into practice. 

Attendees will also connect with leaders across sectors and see how different parts of the health sector are approaching similar challenges. These conversations can surface new ideas and open the door to partnerships that continue well beyond the meeting. 

At its core, the Summit is about application. Participants leave with clearer strategies, stronger connections, and a better sense of how to make patient engagement a meaningful driver of performance within their own organizations. 

A Lineup That Delivers Value 

The ROI of any event is only as strong as the expertise in the room. The 2026 Summit features a world-class roster of patients, caregivers, advocates, policymakers, and health care leaders who are actively advancing patient engagement across the ecosystem. 

• • David Fajgenbaum, MD (Co-Founder & President, Every Cure): Our opening keynote speaker whose work on the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network has set a global standard for patient-led research. His story as a patient, researcher, and scientist will leave you feeling inspired. 

• • Alok Patel, MD (ABC News Special Correspondent & Stanford Medicine): A keynote speaker with a unique perspective on the intersection of medicine and patient communication, and how to live longer and healthier lives. 

• • Uché Blackstock, MD (Founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity): A NYT Best-Selling author leading a fireside chat on the critical need for equity in patient engagement. 

• • Ken Stern, JD (Former CEO of the National Public Radio and President of Palisades Media Ventures): Acclaimed author exploring the importance of social connection as an avenue for longevity. 

• • Anita Ravi, MD (CEO & Founder, PurpLE Health Foundation): The closing keynote speaker bringing deep insights into the intersection of health and advocacy. 

The Bottom Line: Why You Need to Attend 

The 2026 Science of Patient Engagement Summit is designed to be a powerful learning opportunity where attendees walk away with insights they can apply immediately. In an era where patient involvement is integral to evolving care, this gathering offers the chance to open up new ways of thinking and forge partnerships that drive both science and your business forward. 

Join leaders from across the health ecosystem on May 11–12 in Arlington, VA—and position your organization to turn patient evidence into meaningful impact. 

Register here.