Staff member spotlight: Stu Cherande-Friedman, Director of Program Operations

Mr. Cherande-Friedman is responsible for overseeing the operation and delivery of PAN’s patient assistance programs. Mr. Cherande-Friedman brings over 15 years of experience in operations, technology, finance, policy and analytics to the PAN Foundation. He previously held positions with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Bulfinch Group, B&D Consulting and Powell Goldstein. Mr. Cherande-Friedman has a Master of Health Science degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University.

1. What is your role at PAN, and how long have you worked here? 

I am the Director of Program Operations and I joined the PAN team in July 2015.  My role is to oversee the operation and delivery of PAN’s patient assistance programs to ensure the highest-level experience to anyone who interacts with the PAN Foundation.

2.  As Director of Program Operations, what do you hope to accomplish?

My goal is to ensure that everyone who has contact with the PAN Foundation is provided with the highest-level customer experience, including that their questions and concerns are fully understood and addressed as efficiently and effectively as possible, and that they are able to get the treatment they need. Many people depend on us to help pay for their medications. By ensuring that our programs are operating efficiently and effectively, my hope is that patients can obtain the financial assistance and treatment they need.

3. What do you find most rewarding about your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is reading ‘thank you’ letters, emails and social media posts that we receive from individuals and family members who received assistance through one of the PAN Foundation’s programs. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that my daily work is having direct impact on the quality and length of people’s lives.

4. Tell us something we don’t know about you.

Most people do not know that I attended and graduated from high school in Paris, France.

5.  Can you share a good book that you recently read?

Lately, I’ve been reading children’s books with my three kids. My favorites are “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein and “Mix It Up!” by Herve Tullet. The best part of these books is that they make my children smile.