Patient-centered advocacy is often discussed as a principle, but far less often practiced as a discipline. In this episode of Chief Influencer, Anthony Shop speaks with Dr. Eric Racine about what it truly means to put patients at the center—and why influence in healthcare depends on trust, alignment, and proximity to lived experience. Eric shares how personal loss early in his life shaped his belief that innovation only becomes progress when patients can access it, and how his early career as a clinical pharmacist revealed the real human needs preventing access to those innovations.

Now U.S. Head of Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy at Sanofi, Eric reflects on how his definition of influence has evolved—from performance and expertise to presence, listening, and partnership. He explains why patient advocates are among the most effective leaders he has ever learned from, why clarity on the problem matters more than debating solutions, and why the future of influence belongs to those who can align people and systems without losing humanity—especially in an AI-accelerated world.

Takeaways:

• Influence is a system, not a function. Lasting impact comes from trust, credibility, and alignment—not titles or volume.
• Patient access is personal. Eric shares how the loss of two siblings to a rare disease shaped his belief that innovation only matters if it reaches patients.
• The human factor matters most. A formative lesson from Eric’s time in Detroit showed that even the best clinical solutions fail if basic human needs are overlooked.
• The people closest to the problem see most clearly. Patient advocates bring unmatched clarity, urgency, and credibility—and are among the most effective influencers in healthcare.
• From performance to presence. Great leaders don’t need all the answers; they need to be present, listen deeply, and align others around the right problem.
• Alignment beats authority. Progress happens when leaders align on the problem, define shared outcomes, and create space for collaboration.
• True patient centricity is a discipline. It requires engaging patients and advocates early—co-defining problems, not reacting to finished solutions.
• AI elevates judgment, not humanity. Eric believes the future belongs to leaders who pair technology with emotional intelligence, trust, and authentic influence.

Quote of the Show:

• “Influence today is about … clarity. It's about trust. It's about helping people that you work with [see] the real problem.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericracine/
• Website: https://www.sanofi.com/en

The meal is the entree that opens the door...It’s maybe the only time someone is going to see a person in a given day or even a given week, depending on where they’re living.

Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, explores this question by highlighting that her organization provides far more than just nutrition; it offers a "more than a meal" service that includes safety checks, home repairs, and social connection. While the brand is recognized by nine out of ten voting adults, Hollander emphasizes the urgent need to turn awareness into action as part of the "End the Wait" initiative, as one in three providers currently maintains a waiting list due to funding failing to keep pace with rising costs. She advocates for this mission by presenting a stark economic reality to decision-makers: the cost of providing a senior with a nutritious meal, a visit, and a safety check for an entire year is equivalent to just one day in a hospital or twelve days in a nursing home.

To lead a federated network of over 5,000 community-based programs, Hollander utilizes a "people-centered" influence strategy shaped by her previous experience as a Chief People Officer. Because the model prevents "command and control" leadership, she focuses on building trust, listening to local providers, and aggregating the network's collective power—such as chicken purchases that rival the volume of a major fast-food chain. This empathetic approach extends to her internal team, where she fosters an award-winning culture through flexible work policies, accountability, and personal touches like singing to employees on their birthdays. By tailoring her messaging, she demonstrates that effective influence is about finding the specific language that resonates with a stakeholder's values.

Takeaways:

• Influence hasn’t changed—delivery has. Ellie explains that while platforms and tools evolve, influence still comes down to trust, credibility, and inspiring action.
• Meals on Wheels is “more than a meal.” Beyond nutrition, the organization delivers safety checks, social connection, and independence—often serving as the eyes and ears in a senior’s home.
• The urgency of the waitlist crisis. One in three Meals on Wheels providers has a waitlist, driven by rising demand and funding that hasn’t kept pace with inflation or population growth.
• Ending the wait. Ellie discusses the End the Wait initiative—a bold national platform to drive action and ensure that no senior who needs Meals on Wheels is left waiting.
• People-first leadership. Drawing on her background as a former Chief People Officer, Ellie shares how employee engagement, flexibility, and accountability can coexist—and fuel performance.
• Tailoring the message. Whether speaking with lawmakers, donors, or community leaders, Ellie explains how she adapts her language to resonate—without losing sight of the mission.
• Stories that move people. From volunteers learning sign language to connect with clients, to partnerships that keep seniors safe at home, Ellie highlights the human moments that drive influence.

Quote of the Show:

• “Understanding what individual providers are grappling with, what they’re dealing with on the ground on a day-to-day basis, is so important. So listening is critically important.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-hollander-6418a/
• Website: https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/

We are revisiting our impactful conversation with Chuck Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), whose mission-driven leadership is reshaping the fight against the diabetes epidemic. Since stepping into the role in early 2020, Chuck has leveraged his background in the private sector and athletics to champion critical initiatives, including insulin affordability, health equity, and expanded access to life-changing technologies. Throughout the interview, he offers a masterclass in authentic leadership, discussing the importance of staying accessible, fostering transparency, and utilizing modern platforms like LinkedIn to amplify a nonprofit’s mission. By sharing his personal connection to the cause and his strategies for navigating a shifting workplace landscape, Chuck delivers a powerful call to action that remains as urgent and relevant today as the day it was recorded.

Takeaways:

• Embrace a Team-Oriented Leadership Philosophy: Learning from Chuck's experience as an athlete, fostering an inclusive and team-centric environment is crucial. Ensure every member understands their role and how they contribute to the collective success.
• Maintain a Mission-Driven Focus: Chuck's daily reflection on his impact highlights the importance of grounding leadership decisions in the organization’s mission. Regularly ask yourself what you've done to advance your mission and set clear, impactful goals.
• Consistency in Communication: Regular touchpoints like monthly town halls, bi-weekly newsletters, and quarterly meetings are essential. This consistency keeps the team aligned, engaged, and informed about strategic directions and wins.
• Be Intentional with Engagement: Whether it's giving out personal contact information, being active on social media, or responding to both positive and negative feedback, intentional engagement fosters authentic connections and builds trust.
• Promote Organizational Brand: Use platforms like LinkedIn to share the organization’s achievements, highlight team members, and build new relationships. Prioritize showcasing the organization’s impact over self-promotion.
• Show Up Authentically: Your presence, both online and offline, should reflect genuine commitment and transparency. Authenticity builds credibility and trust, encouraging open dialogue and collaboration.
• Adapt and Innovate Continuously: Being proactive about adopting remote work, investing in training, and listening to stakeholder feedback are critical. Innovation and adaptation help in staying ahead and addressing emerging challenges effectively.

Quote of the Show:

• “No one person is greater than the team. It takes all of us; each one of us has a role to play in this fight.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesdhenderson/
• Website: https://diabetes.org/

Shout Outs:

• Champion Fire and Security: https://championfiresecurity.com/
• Cotton Bowl Athletic Associaton: https://www.cottonbowl.com/
• Texas A&M’s Letterman Associaton: https://www.aggielettermen.org/
• Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/
• Tracey D. Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceydbrown/
• Dions Dream: https://dionschicagodream.com/
• Baxter: https://www.baxter.com/
• Eli Lilly and Company: https://www.lilly.com/
• Medicare:https://www.medicare.gov/
• Medicaid: https://www.healthcare.gov/