Patient's Rising's Terry Wilcox: The gap between FDA approval and patient access for Alzheimer’s treatments

Terry Wilcox — Co-Founder

Terry Wilcox is the co-founder and Chief Mission Officer of Patients Rising, a national organization focused on advancing patient-centered healthcare policy through education, advocacy, and accountability. She leads the organization’s policy strategy, public engagement, and thought leadership, with a focus on access, affordability, transparency, and innovation across the U.S. healthcare system. Terry’s work sits at the intersection of patient advocacy and public policy. Over the course of her career, she has helped elevate patient perspectives into legislative, regulatory, and public discourse, ensuring that policy decisions are informed by real-world consequences for patients and families. Her leadership emphasizes practical, systems-level solutions that improve patient access while preserving innovation and choice. Prior to co-founding Patients Rising in 2015, Terry spent nearly a decade at Vital Options, a nationally recognized cancer advocacy organization, where she served as Creative Director. During that time, she helped develop patient education initiatives and public awareness campaigns that demonstrated the role of storytelling in shaping policy understanding and engagement. Since founding Patients Rising, Terry has overseen the organization’s growth into a respected national voice on healthcare policy, working with policymakers, patient leaders, corporate partners, and media to translate complex healthcare issues into clear, actionable insights. She is frequently asked to moderate policy discussions and panels that bring together patients, economists, clinicians, and government leaders.