Interim Board Chair

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.

Terry is a widely published healthcare commentator whose writing focuses on patient access, affordability, and transparency in healthcare policy. Her work has appeared in major national and regional publications, and she is regularly sought out by media outlets for commentary on emerging healthcare issues.

She resides in Vienna, Virginia, with her husband and two sons.

Interim Treasurer & Secretary

Melissa is a dedicated advocate with over a decade of hands-on experience in dementia care and endometriosis advocacy. Drawing from her professional background and personal journey, she's deeply committed to making a real difference for the expanding community at Patients Rising. With roots in education and applied linguistics, Melissa works to build supportive communities where patients feel informed and empowered. Her time living abroad has shaped her perspective on healthcare, helping her connect with people from all walks of life. She organizes educational, inclusive events that link patients and families to essential resources in warm, safe environments. Melissa is fully dedicated to creating opportunities for patients to drive real change in laws and systems. Holding degrees from Southern Methodist University and Carnegie Mellon, she truly puts her heart into everything she does.

Board Member David served in the US Army for a decade, beginning in the 82nd Airborne Division and later 4th Psychological Operations Group. Most recently, David served as the National Security Advisor for a Member of Congress. In addition to leading SOAA, David develops Open-Source Intelligence strategy and policy for the DOD.

Board Member

Robert Goldberg is Vice President and co-founder of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest (www.cmpi.org), a non-profit organization that advocates for consumer access to public health innovations. Prior to founding CMPI, Dr. Goldberg was Director of the Manhattan Institute’s Center for Medical Progress and Chairman of its 21st Century FDA Task Force that recommended ways to reduce the time and cost of getting innovative medicines to patients. Many of these recommendations are included in the 21st Century Cures Act. Dr. Goldberg received his PhD in Politics from Brandeis University in 1984.

Board Member

Jeff is Founder and President of JTO Public Affairs, a healthcare consultancy based in Washington, DC. He services Fortune 500 and trade association clients across the healthcare spectrum.  In that capacity, he assists in coalition management, message development and implementation of strategic programs to help his clients meet their legislative goals in DC and beyond. Jeff brings over 20 years’ grassroots/public affairs experience to the table.  Previously, he was Managing Director and Partner at SevenTwenty Strategies, a Washington, DC-based public relations & public affairs firm.  Additionally, Jeff served as Deputy Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers (PhRMA) where he oversaw operations for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) the nation’s largest clearinghouse to match patients in need to pharmaceutical assistance programs.  He also worked at The Direct Impact Company, the nation’s leading grassroots/public affairs firm where he served as Senior Vice President in charge of some of the company’s most challenging public affairs clients. In the early 90’s, he served as Deputy Director of Field Operations for U.S. Term Limits developing plans and running ballot initiatives to limit the terms of state and federal legislators. Jeff has political/local contacts in every state and congressional district in the United States at both ends of the political spectrum and has run campaigns on a wide array of topics.