Rose Gerber

Director of Patient Advocacy and Education Community Oncology Alliance (COA)

Rose Gerber is a nationally recognized cancer advocate and cancer survivor. Her experience includes appearing on national television (MSNBC) to speak about cancer care, meeting with legislators in Washington, DC on cancer policy issues, and developing cancer programs. Rose was brought to the COA team to develop its patient advocacy program. One of her first accomplishments was to add an advocacy track to the annual conference, making the meeting one of the few that brings together physicians, administrators, and advocates. She serves as an invited member on national patient advocate panels, steering committees, and cancer coalitions. Rose has also served as a consumer reviewer on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – Department of Defense Breast Cancer research panels.

Rose has been a featured cancer survivor for various cancer organizations media campaigns, including the 2015 About Clinical Trials initiative. She was recently featured on the cover of the national publication, Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, and honored as the National Breast Cancer Leader of the Year. In addition, she was a guest speaker for CURE magazine’s September 2018 podcast in the episode titled From Cancer to Capitol Hill. She has been the keynote speaker at multiple national conferences including the National Women’s Survivors Convention. Rose served for five years as a grant reviewer, speaker, and educator for Susan G. Komen and also co-founded and managed a breast cancer-mentoring program for Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology in Connecticut. Working alongside community health workers and nurses, Rose also gained an understanding of disparities in health care. Rose taught breast health education to diverse populations including Muslims, Haitians, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, and young mothers.

In addition to college degrees in advertising/public relations and psychology, Rose is a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s esteemed Project Lead programs: Clinical Trials, Science Institute, and Quality Care. Prior to her advocacy work, Rose worked for NBC-TV in Los Angeles, CA.

Rose now applies her personal experience as a cancer survivor and three-time clinical trial participant, with her advocacy knowledge to educate and train cancer patients and cancer survivors on how various national cancer policy issues impact their local patient care.