David Palacios, M.D. MHA

Senior Director Private Sector Partnerships

The Max Foundation

David Palacios, MD, MHA, is a global leader in patient access, advocacy, and engagement with more than three decades of experience advancing equitable access to healthcare across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He currently serves as Senior Director of Private Sector Partnerships at The Max Foundation, where he collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and healthcare stakeholders to expand access to diagnostics and innovative therapies and strengthen health systems for people affected by cancer and rare diseases in low- and middle-resource settings.

Previously, Dr. Palacios held senior global leadership roles at Novartis for nearly two decades, including Executive Director positions in Patient Advocacy and Engagement across Oncology, Immunology, and multiple therapeutic areas. He led the development of global patient advocacy strategies, expanded access programs in low- and middle-income countries, and helped redefine sustainable, transparent models for engagement with patient organizations worldwide. Earlier in his career, he served in senior leadership roles within Colombia’s Ministry of Health and national health insurance organizations, shaping healthcare policy and access for high-cost diseases. Dr. Palacios is a medical doctor with a Master’s in Health Administration and brings a deeply collaborative, patient-centered approach to advancing quality, access, and impact in global health.