Community Oncology Alliance names Alex Greenawalt director of patient advocacy

The Community Oncology Alliance has hired Alexandra “Alex” Greenawalt, DBA, as director of patient advocacy to lead its Patient Advocacy Network. The move puts an experienced nonprofit and oncology leader in charge of efforts to elevate patient voices and protect access to community-based cancer care.

Why it matters: - Greenawalt will help shape how patient and caregiver concerns feed into policy discussions affecting community cancer care. - The role is focused on access to high-quality, affordable cancer treatment close to home, which is central to COA’s mission. - COA says the appointment strengthens its effort to expand grassroots advocacy through the Patient Advocacy Network.

What happened: - The Community Oncology Alliance announced that Alexandra “Alex” Greenawalt, DBA, has joined the organization as director of patient advocacy. - Greenawalt leads the COA Patient Advocacy Network, or CPAN. - The hire was announced Oct. 13, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

The details: - Greenawalt will work with CPAN advocates and COA members to elevate patient and caregiver experiences. - The role includes strengthening grassroots engagement around community cancer care. - Greenawalt will help ensure patient perspectives are included in public policy conversations. - COA Managing Director Nicolas Ferreyros said Greenawalt’s background in community health, nonprofit leadership and independent oncology will help CPAN expand its reach. - Ferreyros said Greenawalt can help CPAN remain a “clear, credible voice” for patients with cancer and their families. - Greenawalt previously served as executive director of Pathways Community Center, a nonprofit hub of 20 health and human service providers. - In that role, Greenawalt improved partnerships and communication among participating organizations. - Greenawalt helped those organizations function as a coordinated care network. - Greenawalt also consulted for an independent oncology practice. - Greenawalt researched sustainable funding for financial navigation services. - COA said that experience gives Greenawalt direct insight into financial and operational barriers that can affect access to cancer care. - Greenawalt holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Leadership and Management from California Intercontinental University. - Greenawalt also holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University and a bachelor’s degree in public health from the College of Charleston. - COA is a nonprofit focused on access to high-quality, affordable cancer care close to home. - COA describes itself as the only national organization focused exclusively on community oncology. - COA says most Americans with cancer receive treatment in community oncology settings. - COA works through policy, advocacy and community to support independent community oncology practices.

Between the lines: - The hire signals that COA is putting patient-facing advocacy and policy engagement under a leader with both nonprofit operations experience and oncology exposure. - Greenawalt’s background suggests COA wants CPAN to connect lived patient experience with health policy and access debates. - The emphasis on financial navigation points to affordability as a continuing pressure point in cancer care.

What's next: - Greenawalt is expected to lead CPAN’s outreach and advocacy work with patients, survivors and caregivers. - COA will likely use the role to broaden patient participation in its policy agenda and community-based advocacy efforts. - The organization says it will continue working to advance access to affordable cancer care nationwide.

The bottom line: - COA is betting that a leader with nonprofit, community health and oncology experience can help patient advocacy carry more weight in the fight for accessible cancer care. - More information is available at COA’s website.