Speakers
Olga Valciņa /
Founder of the Latvian Association of Oncology Patient Organizations “OncoAlliance”
Olga Valcina is a founder and chief executive of the Melanoma Patient Support Association “A steap ahead of melanoma.” A melanoma patient herself since 2017. Mg. biol. Olga Valcina is one of the most energetic patient advocates in Latvia, the initiator, founder and board member of Latvian Association of Oncology Patient Organizations “OncoAlliance”. The association “A step ahead of melanoma” led by her together with ‘OncoAllianse” is actively fighting for a better access and quality of treatment for melanoma patients, as well as contributing to the development of Latvian oncology policy. Since 2019, she has been involved in the activities of the European Melanoma patient network, contributing to the significant improvement in access of the innovative medicines in Latvia for melanoma patients in last years, as well as fostering the implementation of the international guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and management of melanoma. Olga Valcina is a microbiologist by profession, Deputy Director for Laboratories the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and the Environment, BIOR.
Adam Sohn /
Head of Patient Engagement Solutions, IQVIA, USA
Adam Sohn is currently Vice President, Strategy Consulting at IQVIA, where he leads a team focused on advancing patient engagement, new commercial models, and integrated digital health solutions. During his nearly 30-year healthcare career, Adam has specialized in global commercial strategy development with particular attention to pricing and market access, evidence development, policy, launch strategy, and value-driven models. Adam joined the Pricing and Market Access practice in 2004 and led the Center of Excellence for Pricing & Market Access in the Americas from 2010 to 2015. He then led the Center for Innovation & Content and was the Client Partner for the US Midwest and Mid-Atlantic region. During his tenure at IQVIA, Adam has supported both large and small biopharmaceutical companies with the commercialization of niche and blockbuster medicines. His experience supporting companies with portfolio and brand strategies extends across five continents and has covered a myriad of therapeutic areas, including primary and specialty care, oncology, vaccines, and rare diseases. Prior to joining IQVIA, Adam was an associate equity analyst at CIBC World Markets, covering the large and specialty pharmaceutical sectors, and a healthcare management consultant at Ernst & Young Consulting, now Cap Gemini. Adam holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and an undergraduate degree in Political Economy from Princeton University, USA.
Ines Aoufi /
Associate Consultant, European Initiative on Ending Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors
Ines has been actively supporting the European Initiative on Ending Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors for several years, working alongside Dr. Françoise Meunier to advance policy solutions that address inequalities in cancer survivorship. Ines has conducted research on cancer survivorship and the right to be forgotten, contributing to evidence-based advocacy efforts at both EU and national levels. In 2024, alongside her colleagues from RPP, she drove the organisation of a High-Level Conference on Ending Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors led by Dr. Meunier.
Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti /
Co-chair, European Cancer Organisation’s Inequalities Network
Dr Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti is a Consultant Medical Oncologist in the Breast Unit at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, where he leads the Senior Adult Oncology Programme. He earned his medical degree from the University of Milan in 2009 and completed oncology training at the National Cancer Institute of Milan in 2015. He obtained an MD[Res] from the Institute of Cancer Research, London, in 2022, focusing on cancer management in older adults. He also completed the ESMO Leaders Generation Programme (2022) and a Health Economics and Policy certificate at LSE (2023). Dr Battisti is Past President of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) and Treasurer of the European Cancer Organisation. He serves in leadership roles at EUSOMA, EORTC, and NABCOP. His research focuses on breast and geriatric oncology, comorbidities, quality of life, and cancer care disparities. He has received multiple awards, including the Arti Hurria Award (2019) and the Dario Cova Award (2021).
Karla Hernandez-Villafuerte /
Senior Health Economics Researcher, WifOR Institute
Dr. Hernandez-Villafuerte is an economist and econometrician with expertise in analyzing the factors influencing reimbursement decisions for new health interventions. She is currently a Senior Researcher at the WifOR Institute in Germany, where she contributes to developing a methodology to assess the macroeconomic benefits of approving new healthcare treatments. Previously, she was a Senior Researcher at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in the Division of Health Economics. Her work focused on the socioeconomic burden of cancer on patients and their families, the determinants of Research and Development (R&D) costs for new medicines, and the cost-effectiveness of risk-based prostate and breast cancer screening programs in Germany. Before joining DKFZ, she was part of the Office of Health Economics (OHE) in London, where she analyzed statistical and health-economic challenges in oncology, particularly in extrapolating from progression-free survival to overall survival. She also contributed to research on qualitative and quantitative indicators for political commitment and the progress of developing countries toward Universal Health Coverage.
Aija Geriņa /
Chair of the Board, Latvian Association of Oncology Chemotherapists
Dr. Aija Geriņa is one of Latvia’s leading experts in the field of oncology, with over 20 years of clinical, academic, and scientific experience. Dr. Geriņa is the Head of the Oncology Clinic at the Pauls Stradins Clinical University Clinic, a certified specialist in medical oncology and chemotherapy, and a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences and Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine of the University of Latvia. Dr. Geriņa has further developed her medical knowledge through international training at top institutions such as the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the Vivantes Friedrichshain Clinic in Berlin. Dr. Geriņa currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Latvian Association of Oncology Chemotherapists, and is an active member of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the Latvian Association of Physicians. A dedicated researcher and educator, Dr. Geriņa is the author of multiple scientific publications and regularly presents at international conferences, contributing to the advancement of oncology care and education in Latvia.
Bogi Eliasen /
Executive Director, Movement Health Foundation, Honorary Fellow in Futures of Health, Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies
Bogi Eliasen is the Executive Director of the Movement Health Foundation, where he leads transformative health initiatives, particularly in cancer and cardio-metabolic diseases, with a focus on middle-income countries. Born in the Faroe Islands, he studied Political Science and International Law at the University of Aarhus and completed Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School. A pioneer in global health, Bogi initiated the FarGen population genome project and launched Nordic Health 2030, advancing preventive and personalized care. His work on digital health earned him the HIMSS Future 50 International Achievement Award in 2019. He is vice-chair of the HIMSS Nordic network, a co-founder of the Movement Health Foundation, and a key figure in the global Bioethics Network. Bogi also advises on decentralized clinical trials and co-chairs WHO’s Strategic Partners’ Initiative for Data and Digital Health. As a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, he supports health system improvements in Europe and Latin America. From 2014–2025, he was Director of Health at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, where he merged futures thinking with digital health innovation. Bogi describes himself as a “knowledge broker,” integrating data, genomics, and ethics to shape sustainable, people-centered health systems.
Zofia Das-Gupta /
Senior Director of Outcomes Research, The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM)
Zofia Das-Gupta is a leader in advancing value-based healthcare and evidence-informed decision-making. As Senior Director at ICHOM, she works with international partners to implement standardized health outcome measures and support healthcare systems in using data to improve both care and efficiency. Zofia regularly speaks at global conferences on topics like health outcomes, digital health, and policy innovation. She’s passionate about bridging research, strategy, and real-world implementation to help healthcare systems deliver better results for patients.
Jacek Maciejewski /
Member of the management board of the Rak'n'Roll Foundation, Poland
Jacek Maciejewski is a member of the management board of the Rak'n'Roll Foundation, responsible for running the foundation and its brand. Jacek Maciejewski holds a master’s degree in pedagogy from the University of Warsaw. He also completed a postgraduate course in sociotherapy. He used to work in a psychological clinic, then since 1996 he has been involved in advertising, becoming social communication specialist. He invented the name of the Rak'n'Roll Foundation [‘rak’ means ‘cancer’ in Polish] and determined its communications. He is responsible for most of the foundation's social campaigns, for which the NGO became known.
Alinta Hegmane /
Director, Latvian Comprehensive Cancer Center
Assoc. prof. Alinta Hegmane is a certified medical oncologist and Associate Professor at the University of Latvia. She graduated from the Latvian Medical Academy in 1998 and completed her residency in oncology at the University of Latvia. In 2008, she earned a doctoral degree in medical sciences (Dr.med.). Dr. Hegmane is actively involved in teaching medical students and residents at the University of Latvia and Riga Stradiņš University. She is a lead researcher in clinical studies focused on breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and cancers of unknown primary origin. Her research has been published in internationally cited journals. She is the chair of the board of the Latvian Oncology Association, a member of the Latvian Chemotherapy Association, a member of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and since March 2025 also the director of Latvian Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Radu Ganescu /
President of the National Coalition of organisations for patients with chronic conditions of Romania (COPAC)
Radu Ganescu is a dedicated advocate for patients' rights and access to quality healthcare. In 2004, he co-founded the Romanian Association of People with Major Thalassemia to push for better treatment options and greater patient choice. Under his leadership, the association joined the International Federation of Thalassemia, the National Alliance of Rare Diseases, and the Romanian Coalition of Patient Organizations with Chronic Diseases, which he has chaired since 2013. Radu has led national campaigns to raise awareness, empower patients, and expand the patient movement in Romania. At the European level, he joined the board of the European Patients’ Forum in 2013 and became its treasurer in 2016, contributing his financial expertise and supporting initiatives in patient engagement, vaccination, and capacity building. He is also the civil society representative for health within Romania’s Economic and Social Council. Radu remains committed to ensuring equal access to treatment and strengthening healthcare systems for all patients.
Maija Āboliņa /
Member of the Supervisory Board, State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia
As a member of the council of the supreme audit institution, Maija Āboliņa is responsible for performance, compliance and financial audits in the healthcare, welfare and education sectors. Under her leadership, audits have been carried out in the area of children's rights and social services, as well as a systemic audit in the area of oncology, providing recommendations both on the management processes for early diagnosis and on the quality system of reimbursable medicines and their price regulation. During the audits and the follow-up phase of the implementation of the recommendations, Maija Āboliņa has developed close cooperation with non-governmental organisations and sector experts whose participation adds professional quality to the audits. She has an academic background in law and more than ten years of professional experience at the Bank of Latvia in the field of Eurosystem monetary policy operations and external reserve management. Before joining the State Audit Office, Maija Āboliņa was a freelance adviser to the Minister of Justice on financial law and public administration.
Neringa Čiakienė /
Director, Lithuanian Cancer Patient Coalition (POLA)
Neringa Čiakienė is a patient advocate, CEO of Lithuanian Cancer Patient Coalition (POLA), which is the largest patient organization in Lithuania. Her areas of expertise include patient advocacy, communication, fundraising, project management. Neringa, being the face and voice of the patient organization, speaks about patients' needs and expectations, which often cross the boundaries of one system and require targeted and focused action of different institutions and social partners. Neringa believes that a respectful relationship, timely involvement, shared responsibility, competence, dedication, and recognition of results helps to achieve a successful result.
Mārcis Leja /
Director, Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine, University of Latvia
Dr. Mārcis Leja is a Professor of Medicine and Lifesciences at the University of Latvia and Director of the Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Leja also is holding the position of an expert in research at Riga East University hospital and practices as a gastroenterologist at the Digestive Diseases Centre. Dr. Leja’s main research areas include cancer prevention, early gastrointestinal cancer detection, microbiota, and innovative diagnostic approaches. Dr. Leja is the principal investigator of the GISTAR study on gastrointestinal cancer prevention, conducted in close cooperation with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Dr. Leja is the research coordinator of the EU Joint Action in cancer screening EUCanScreen and the EU project “Towards Gastric Cancer Screening Implementation in the European Union (TOGAS).” and M.Leja is the Board member of the European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group, Fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association, member of multiple international guideline groups, and a Fellow of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Dr. Leja has served on the European Cancer Mission Board (2019–2021). Dr. Leja is the author of more than 200 scientific publications, including six book chapters, and maintains strong research collaborations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Haralds Plaudis /
Member of the Board of Riga East University Hospital, Latvia
Haralds Plaudis has been a member of the Board of Riga East Clinical University since 2021 with responsibility for medical and nursing work. He also oversees the development and organisation of surgery at the hospital. He is also a professor at Riga Stradiņš University. His scientific interest and practical specialization are in minimally invasive surgery, surgical treatment of pancreato-biliary and upper gastrointestinal pathologies. Prof. Plaudis was the first in Latvia to introduce and develop vacuum-assisted abdominal cavity closure methodology, choledochoscopy method for minimally invasive treatment of bile duct stones, fluorescence effect in abdominal surgery (image guided surgery). In addition to his surgical work, from 2018 to 2021 prof. Plaudis has been the President of the Latvian Association of Surgeons, as well as the Chairman of the Certification Commission. Prof. Plaudis is the author and co-author of 120 scientific publications, including 30 international publications, has supervised many doctoral theses, participated in the implementation of national research programmes, as well as participated in international studies on the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis and co-authored important international guidelines.
Valts Ābols /
Chairman of the Board, Children’s Clinical University Hospital
Valts Ābols is the Chairman of the Management Board at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) in Latvia, a position he has held since 2017. Under his leadership, the hospital has strengthened its role as the leading pediatric healthcare institution in the country and beyond, focusing on innovation, patient-centered care, and strategic development in the children health ecosystem. Before joining BKUS, Valts Ābols spent over two decades in the pharmaceutical industry, including a prominent role at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Europe. His background in both corporate and clinical environments allows him to bridge strategic thinking with compassionate care in the hospital’s ongoing development. Beyond his executive role, Valts Ābols actively contributes to various healthcare and community organizations. He serves as Chairman of the Latvian Association of Large Hospitals and is a board member of the European Children’s Hospital Organisation (ECHO), advocating for improved pediatric care across Europe. Additionally, he is a member of the Supervisory Council at Riga East University Hospital, Latvia's largest hospital.