Charting a New Course | Episode 19
More than 8 million people in the U.S. live with psoriatic disease. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can develop at any age and they both have physical, mental, financial and emotional impacts.
Psoriatic disease is chronic and impacts the entire body – from lesions on the skin to permanent joint damage. Psoriatic disease diagnosis, treatment, and management is uniquely challenging, and unfortunately, far too many people are not receiving the treatment they need, or are undertreating.
In this episode, Murray discusses the partnership between the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and Happify Health with Leah Howard, interim president and CEO of NPF, and Theo Ahadome, an SVP at Happify Health. The goal of the partnership is to unleash the tools and resources needed—including digital therapeutics— to help those affected manage – and even thrive with – the disease. Tune in for a lively and informative discussion.
Leah Howard, J.D., is the President & CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. She is a non-profit executive with a demonstrated history of success in developing and advancing the priorities of health care organizations. Howard joined the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2012 and was appointed to the role of Interim President and CEO, effective January 1, 2022. She previously served as NPF Chief Operating Officer (2017 – 2021) providing the strategic direction, vision and leadership to Foundation mission-related functions of government relations and advocacy, marketing and communications, and patient services (education, volunteer outreach and the NPF Patient Navigation Center). Prior to this role, Howard directed the Advocacy and Government Relations department (2012 – 2017). Howard has led a number of major initiatives for the NPF including development of the current (FY2020-2024) Strategic Plan, leading the planning for the 2016 FDA Patient Focused Drug Development (PFDD) meeting, engagement with value assessors, and the NPF annual payer roundtable series. She brings to her role more than 20 years of experience working with national health and disability organizations, local governments, and leading health care and research institutions. Howard has a bachelor of arts degree in government and international relations from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law. She is based out of the NPF office in Alexandria, VA.
