About

Our story

“The benefits of this work are extraordinary; the promise of partnership is powerful.”

– Meg Gaines

The Center for Patient Partnerships was founded on the belief that we must work together to transform healthcare for all!

Martha “Meg” Gaines, a law professor at UW-Madison, turned her own experience as a cancer survivor into a model for patient advocacy. She quickly recognized the educational potential of advocacy—a vision of patients working in partnership with medical and legal professionals. With colleagues, she founded the Center for Patient Partnerships in 2000 to make this vision a reality.

To honor Meg’s contributions to the field of patient advocacy, we’ve established an Innovation Fund, and welcome your support!

Faculty and staff

Leadership & Administration

Sarah Davis

Position title: Director

Email: sarah.davis@wisc.edu

Curran F Cauldwood

Position title: Education and Outreach Coordinator

Email: curran.cauldwood@wisc.edu

Donna Friedsam

Position title: Distinguished Researcher Emerita

Email: dafriedsam@wisc.edu

Chris Lacey

Position title: Administrative Manager

Email: chris.lacey@wisc.edu

Education & Advocacy

Kay Barrett

Position title: Medical Consultant

Email: kmbarrett@wisc.edu

Hanna Barton

Position title: Instructor

Email: hbarton@wisc.edu

Pete Daly

Position title: Advocacy Faculty

Email: pdaly@wisc.edu

Sachin Gupte

Position title: Legal Advocacy Coordinator

Email: sachin.gupte@wisc.edu

Jill Jacklitz

Position title: Adjunct Professor

Email: jjacklitz@wisc.edu

Levi Katz

Position title: LGBTQ+ Health Justice Coordinator

Email: lily.katz@wisc.edu

Ashleigh Ross

Position title: Community Resource Program Coordinator

Email: ashleigh.ross@wisc.edu

Student Workers

Maneeya Leung

Position title: Communications Assistant

Email: commsassist@wisc.edu

Elisa Lopez

Position title: Program Evaluator Project Assistant

Email: ealopez3@wisc.edu

Dev Paul

Position title: Administrative Assistant

Email: adminasssist@cpp.wisc.edu

Our Partners

Sponsoring Schools

Major Funders

You! Over 160 donors annually - patients, clients, caregivers, and family foundations

Our Networks