— New members represent a variety of perspectives across the health care system —

BOSTON, August 25, 2026 – The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) announced new members for ICER’s Patient Council today, which advises on ICER’s patient engagement strategy, outreach, and process for input into ICER assessments and broader initiatives. New members represent a wide range of patient communities, and all have participated in a recent ICER assessment. This new cohort will serve a two-year term through 2028.

“In partnership with our inaugural council, ICER’s patient engagement program has grown into what is increasingly seen as best-practice throughout the health technology assessment community,” said Sarah K. Emond, MPP, ICER’s President and CEO. “This new group of accomplished advocates will continue to build on this vital work. Their collective experience in advocating for access to treatments will inform ICER’s ever-evolving approach to incorporating patient voices into every stage of our research.”

The new members include:

  • Julie Grutzmacher, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy and Population Health Initiatives, Prevent Blindness
  • DeAnna Minus-Vincent, EVP of Enterprise Strategy & Innovation, Black Women’s Health Imperative
  • Dean Suhr, President & Co-Founder, MLD Foundation
  • Linda Walsh, Chief Mission Officer, COPD Foundation

To ensure continuity, two inaugural members will remain on the Council:

  • Tiffany Westrich-Robertson (ICER Patient Council Co-Chair), CEO, International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis (AiArthritis)
  • Dina Thachet, Lupus Patient Advocate, Lupus and Allied Diseases Association (LADA)

Additionally, Catherine Koola Fischer, ICER’s Senior Director of Patient Engagement will continue as Co-Chair of the Patient Council.

The Patient Council regularly evaluates ICER’s patient engagement program, identifies opportunities to strengthen the process and impact of patient participation, and advises on accessibility and inclusivity of ICER’s public-facing materials. Patient Council members participate as individuals and do not represent the views of their affiliated organizations.

To learn more about the work of ICER’s Patient Council, please see past Patient Council Progress Reports here:

About ICER

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is an independent, non-profit research institute that conducts evidence-based reviews of health care interventions, including prescription drugs, other treatments, and diagnostic tests. In collaboration with patients, clinical experts, and other key stakeholders, ICER analyzes the available evidence on the benefits and risks of these interventions to measure their value and suggest fair prices. ICER also regularly reports on the barriers to care for patients and recommends solutions to ensure fair access to prescription drugs. For more information about ICER, please visit www.icer.org.