Alan Balch

Alan Balch has extensive experience in the healthcare and advocacy sectors, currently serving as CEO for both the National Patient Advocate Foundation and the Patient Advocate Foundation since July 2013. Prior to these roles, Alan held the position of Vice President for Preventive Health Partnerships with prominent organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association from May 2006 to May 2013. Alan also served as Executive Director at Friends of Cancer Research from November 2003 to April 2006 and contributed to academia as a Teaching Fellow, Research Assistant, and Teaching Assistant at the University of California, Santa Cruz between September 1997 and July 2003. Alan's early career included a role as a Grant Writer at The Nature Conservancy of Texas from 1994 to 1996. Alan holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Public Policy and Political Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a MS in Environmental Sciences from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and a BA in Biology from Trinity University.