John Brooks is the Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Drug Pricing Reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Principal Deputy Director for the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). At HHS, Mr. Brooks coordinates the Department’s efforts on reducing prescription drug prices, focusing on improving competition, lowering list prices, addressing foreign free-riding, and reducing out-of-pocket costs for all Americans as described in the Administration’s Blueprint for drug pricing reform. Additionally, at CMS, Mr. Brooks is the Principal Deputy of the Center for Medicare, which oversees the Medicare Fee-For-Service, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D Programs.

Previously, Mr. Brooks has served as the health policy advisor for the White House Domestic Policy Council for CMS issues, and as the Counselor for Health Policy to the HHS Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to that, he was the Department Head for Health Policy at the MITRE Corporation, overseeing a team that worked with federal agencies across the federal government to develop and implement health policy. John has a JD from the University Of Virginia School Of Law, an MBA from Virginia Tech, and a BS from Franciscan University.

Dec 2015-Present: Director Patient Access and Reimbursement Services – Eisai
Dec 2013-Dec 2015: Deputy Director Patient Access Services - Bayer
Nov 2011-Nov 2013: Deputy Director Pricing and Reimbursement and Patient Assistance -Bayer
Jun 2009-Oct 2011: Manager Pricing and Reimbursement and Patient Assistance-Bayer
Jan 2008-May 2009: Brand Manager Oncology Marketing Leukine-Berlex/Bayer
Nov 2004-Dec 2007: Senior Oncology Specialty Representative-Berlex
April 2003-Oct 2004: Hospital Sales Consultant –Pfizer
Sept 1998-March 2003: Primary Care Representative G.D. Searle/Pharmacia
August 1972-Aug 1998: United States Army Special Forces (Green Beret) Sergeant Major(retired)

Current job description: Currently the Director of Patient Access and Reimbursement Services at Eisai. Currently responsible for 7 Patient Support Programs to include Patient Assistance Programs Eisai’s portfolio. He provides research analysis and intelligence to the Oncology, Neurology and Metabolic Business Units on public policy, reimbursement and coverage issues, develops strategies, minimizes impact of competitors, mitigates adverse effects and identified opportunities to favorably position Eisai Inc. and their products.

Education: Undergrad- Business Administration from Mary Baldwin College

David Kowalsky is the Director, Patient Access at EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, leading the strategy and operation of HUBs, PAP, Co-Pay, and Reimbursement programs.

Prior to joining EyePoint, David was with Novo Nordisk in a variety of roles across Finance, Pricing, Procurement, Managed Markets, and Patient Support. He led the development and launch for the NovoCare™ platform which integrated multiple patient support services for 9 retail products, creating a digital Hub to support patients and HCPs. David started his career as US Air Force Officer before transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry.

David has an MBA from Rutgers Business School and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Amy Niles is Vice President of External Relations for the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation. The PAN Foundation is a national nonprofit that helps underinsured people with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases get the medications and treatment they need by paying for their out-of-pocket costs and advocating for improved access and affordability. Amy oversees alliances with patient groups and provider organizations, and spearheads PAN’s advocacy and public policy initiatives.

Prior to joining PAN, Amy led outreach programs for Together Rx Access, a prescription savings program for the uninsured. Prior to Together Rx Access, Amy was President and CEO of the National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC), now known as HealthyWomen, for well over a decade. Serving as an independent clearinghouse for women’s health information, Amy grew the organization from an idea to a national resource.

Amy began her career in health care administration in hospitals in New York and Washington, DC. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Baruch College, City University of New York. She graduated the University of Rochester with an undergraduate degree in biology.

Stephen E. Perkins, MD, serves as the Chief Medical Officer, Commercial & Medicare Services for UPMC Health Plan. As a member of Health Plan’s senior management team, Dr. Perkins provides clinical leadership for all Quality Improvement, Medical Management , and Provider Network Development activities. In addition, he oversees UPMC Health Plan Community Health Initiatives with UPMC as an integrated finance and delivery system.

Previously Dr. Perkins serviced as Vice President of Medical Affairs and Senior Medical Director for UPMC Health Plan. In that position, he provided strategic and clinical leadership and medical oversight for the Health Plan’s commercial products and served as senior medical director for UPMC WorkPartners’ suite of workers’ compensation, employee assistance, health promotion, and health management products.

Prior to joining the Health Plan in 2010, Dr. Perkins served for 12 years as corporate medical director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, the largest Vermont-based health coverage carrier. His 30 years in the health care field also included 13 years as a family physician in South Charleston, W.Va.

Dr. Perkins received his undergraduate degree in biology from West Virginia University and his M.D. from the WVU School of Medicine in Morgantown. He completed his residency in Family Practice at Kanawha Valley Family Practice Center in South Charleston, W. Va.