Meet the Patient Worthy Team
Bree Clare, Patient Worthy Senior Director
Bree has a background in patient advocacy and recruitment, where she spent her days connecting patients with opportunities to share their stories to affect change in the pharmaceutical industry. Bree also worked in fashion marketing, but making the shift to patient advocacy ignited a passion for bringing the patient perspective into the spotlight. Bree is also the mother of a child with a rare disease, so her commitment to her work is more than just a job.
Jena Collins, Senior Advocacy & Recruitment Specialist, Content Specialist
Prior to joining Patient Worthy, Jena worked as marketing and events coordinator at a family medical practice and medspa. She has always loved working with patients and getting to know them on a personal level. She has grandparents on both sides with different types of chronic illnesses (MS & Alzheimer’s disease). Jena believes in the power of connection and hope for people going through difficult stages in their healthcare journey. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and going on walks with her 3 children and husband.
Kathryn Devanny, Senior Advocacy and Recruitment Specialist
Listening to patients and incorporating their needs and perspectives is Kathryn’s primary goal. She encourages efforts to empower patients and those researching new treatments and supportive services. She has worked in primary care planning, community health education, hospital administration and occupational medicine prior to concentrating in rare disease research and advocacy. She holds graduate degrees in anthropology and public health planning and administration.
Nicole Gonzalez, Advocacy & Recruitment Specialist
Nicole was a social worker for over 10 years, helping children and families navigate the foster care and adoption system. It was during that time she fell in love with gathering stories and histories and documenting them for posterity. Her passion for connecting with others eventually lead her to patient advocacy. That continued commitment to authentic stories is what drives her work here at Patient Worthy, always striving to empower patients. Everyone’s journey is important, impactful, and should be shared!
Nia Maya James, Senior Advocacy & Recruitment Specialist
Nia Maya comes to Patient Worthy with a background in recruitment and patient advocacy. Nia Maya loves connecting with patients, hearing their insights about their condition, and then finding opportunities for them to share their stories to effect change and educate others. She believes the best way to support patients is to first hear from the ones that are living through it. Outside of work Nia Maya is the mother of two young boys, a busy soccer mom that loves to escape to the lake whenever she can.
James Moore, Community and Content Manager
James has an educational background focused on history and the nonprofit sector. While working at Patient Worthy, he has developed a strong passion for writing stories that center on the voices of rare disease patients and also keeps them informed of the latest developments. James also believes strongly in the value of learning about patients’ experiences at rare disease conferences and other events firsthand.
Austin Newman, Advocacy & Recruitment Specialist
With a background in clinical psychology and user experience research, Austin comes to the Patient Worthy team with an approach that prioritizes empowering patients to advocate for themselves while meeting their needs along the way. He has a strong passion for connection and communication, and hopes to utilize his skillset to make patients and their stories feel seen, heard, and valued.
Colby Rogers, Editor and Podcast Producer
Colby’s background is in journalism and healthcare. Prior to joining Patient Worthy, he also worked as a health educator and registered EMT. Colby believes that patients can be their own best advocates and tell their authentic stories when they have access to the information and opportunities they need.
Taylor Troilo, Senior Advocacy & Recruitment Specialist, Content Specialist
Taylor has a background in elementary and secondary education, and worked as a health educator prior to joining Patient Worthy. Taylor is dedicated to empowering patients through the transformative power of storytelling. She strives to raise awareness and inspire others to share their experiences and drive positive change. She believes that by sharing your own story, you have the power to change someone else’s. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys going to concerts and music festivals and spending time outdoors with her husband and two dogs.
