Title: State Government Relations Director
Company: American Heart Association
Location: Ridgeway, South Carolina, United States
Andrew Wylam, Esq., state government relations director at the American Heart Association, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in nonprofit leadership.
With over a decade of experience to his credit, Mr. Wylam has established a successful career in nonprofit leadership, specializing in nonprofit organizations, health policy, advocacy, law, patient advocacy, and government relations. He currently serves as the state government relations director with the American Heart Association, a role he has held since 2023. Additionally, he is the president and co-founder of Pandemic Patients, where he has been actively involved since 2021. In these roles, he manages the statewide public policy portfolio, develops and implements public policy priorities by engaging with the General Assembly, and advocates for relevant legislation. His current focus includes local campaigns, promoting CPR education, certification, cardiovascular health, and initiatives aimed at improving overall well-being.
Mr. Wylam’s experience also includes serving as a staff attorney at Aimed Alliance from 2018 to 2020, as manager of advocacy at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Public Policy Office from 2015 to 2018, as an advocacy intern at the National MS Society from 2014 to 2015, and as a legal intern at the Connecticut State Medical Society in 2013. He has authored numerous analytical health policy reports, including “A Forced Hand: How Ohio Health Systems’ Non-Medical Switching Policies Impact Physicians and Patients,” “Costly Considerations: An Analysis of Employer Priorities When Selecting Health Benefits,” and “Trouble in Paradise: Assessing the Outcomes of Payment Transformation in Hawaii.” He is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Alpha Delta, the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, and the American Bar Association. He also dedicates his time as a board member for Smokefree SC and as an advisory board member for Wail of a Tale. Laying a solid educational foundation, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011. He then pursued coursework in health care compliance at Quinnipiac University School of Business from 2012 to 2014 and earned a Juris Doctor with honors in health law from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2014. Additionally, he obtained certification in Health and Long COVID Healthathon from Coforma LLC in 2022.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Wylam found his time in law school particularly compelling as he specialized in a health law program at Quinnipiac University. The debate surrounding the Affordable Care Act during his college years, and its eventual enactment in 2010, profoundly shaped his perspective on health care as a fundamental right rather than a commodity. This experience reinforced his belief in the importance of making healthcare more accessible and patient-centered, rather than prioritizing private or financial interests. His passion for this cause led him to align closely with nonprofit patient advocacy organizations, which he believes would greatly benefit from a universal coverage system.
Mr. Wylam takes great pride in his work with Pandemic Patients, a national organization he passionately founded and developed to assist people across the country. His efforts in this area have earned him significant recognition. He attributes his success to his unwavering determination and his ability to adapt to changing circumstances. When advising aspiring professionals, he emphasizes the importance of flexibility, adjusting his approach as the world evolves, and remaining vigilant for opportunities that arise from these changes. In the coming years, he is focused on continuously improving the status quo and enhancing people’s lives, especially in the face of societal and professional uncertainties. His goal is to continue advancing, climbing the career ladder, and gaining greater acknowledgment for his contributions.
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