The Issue
Corticosteroids, whether topical, oral, inhaled or injectable, are prescribed across dermatology, allergy, immunology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, orthopedics, endocrinology, ophthalmology, gynecology and primary care.
Despite their clinical utility, several challenges undermine patient safety:
One
Adverse effects span multiple organ systems, including adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, ocular damage, mood disturbances, hyperglycemia and skin atrophy.
Two
Patients often receive overlapping prescriptions from multiple providers without centralized tracking or cumulative exposure assessment.
Three
There are no unified cross-specialty guidelines establishing exposure limits, monitoring standards, tapering protocols or risk mitigation strategies.
Four
Insurance policies frequently require steroid-first treatment, reinforcing repeated exposure before allowing access to non-steroid alternatives.
These gaps place patients at risk, even when corticosteroids are prescribed with appropriate clinical intent.
Stewardship is essential to protecting patients and modernizing care. As the therapeutic landscape evolves, the approach to steroid use must evolve with it.
Mission
To protect patients from avoidable steroid-related harm by advancing coordinated clinical standards, improving monitoring practices and reforming policy structures that incentivize overuse.
Vision
CSA envisions a health care system in which corticosteroids are prescribed within a unified stewardship framework, supported by cross-specialty guidance, aligned insurance policies and consistent patient protections that reduce preventable adverse events.
Stewardship does not seek to eliminate corticosteroid use. Rather, it seeks to minimize cumulative harm and ensure steroids are used when clinically necessary and appropriately monitored over time.
Alliance Members
CSA convenes a multisector coalition committed to advancing safer steroid use, including:
- National and local patient advocacy organizations
- Medical and specialty societies
- Allied health organizations
- Clinical researchers and safety experts
- Public health agencies
- Policy experts and health plans
Alliance members provide strategic insight, support consensus development and help drive implementation across specialties and care settings.
Board Members
Alexandra Golant, MD
president
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Alexandra Golant, MD, is the Medical Director of the Dermatology Faculty Practice and Program Director of the Dermatology Residency Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an expert in atopic dermatitis and leads clinical research and education focused on advancing the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Dr. Golant is also a nationally and internationally recognized lecturer and is committed to improving evidence-based care for patients with dermatologic conditions.
Marc Yale
vice president
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Marc Yale is a leading patient advocate and serves as the Research and Policy Advisor of the International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation, where he works to improve the lives of individuals living with rare autoimmune blistering diseases. Drawing on his own experience with pemphigus, Marc has dedicated his career to raising awareness, advancing patient education and advocating for improved diagnosis, treatment and access to care. He is a nationally recognized voice for patients and a strong advocate for greater collaboration among patients, healthcare providers, researchers and policymakers.
Robert Popovian, PharmD
Treasurer
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Robert Popovian, PharmD, is Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, where he leads patient-focused health policy and economic research and advocates for policies that improve access to affordable, high-quality care. Through his work with GHLF, Dr. Popovian has been a leading voice on issues including prescription drug affordability, health care access, vaccination, pharmacy policy, and patient-centered health policy. He is also a Senior Health Policy Fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute. A pharmacist and health economist, Dr. Popovian has extensive experience in government relations and biopharmaceutical policy. He is a frequent advisor, speaker and advocate before policymakers at the federal and state levels.
Staff & Leadership
Killian Lozach
executive Director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Killian Lozach serves as Executive Director for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance. Killian helps advance strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement and coalition growth. With experience spanning health care policy, advocacy, business development and coalition management, Killian works to build cross-sector collaboration that strengthens awareness, supports access and advances policy solutions around corticosteroid stewardship.
Hannah Krauss
Membership Director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Hannah Krauss serves as Membership Director for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance, where she leads stakeholder engagement and supports the Alliance’s policy and advocacy goals. Her work focuses on building and sustaining a strong network of partners committed to advancing corticosteroid stewardship, elevating patient safety and promoting more coordinated, thoughtful approaches to care.
Leah Grace Borders
Communications Director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Leah Grace Borders serves as Communications Director for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance. She develops strategic communications materials that elevate the Alliance’s voice, sharpen its policy message and support its advocacy priorities. Through this work, Leah Grace helps ensure CSA’s efforts to keep patient safety, informed decision-making and the clinician-patient relationship at the center of the conversation
Nina Perez
Events Director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Nina Perez serves as Events Director for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance, where she oversees the development and execution of convenings that support the Alliance’s outreach and engagement efforts. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for connection, collaboration and dialogue among partners interested in corticosteroid stewardship. With a background in communications, Nina helps ensure CSA’s events are thoughtful, effective and aligned with the Alliance’s broader mission.
Aminah Shakir
Digital director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Aminah Shakir serves as Digital Manager for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance, where she leads strategy and content for CSA’s social media and other digital platforms.
Ryan Crump
Policy director
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Ryan Crump serves as Policy Manager for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance. He works to support the coalition in all aspects of policy advocacy, strategy, and engagement at the state, federal and health plan levels. He has experience working with multiple organizations in the health care sector on patient advocacy strategies, educational campaigns and policy advocacy.
Brian Kennedy
senior advisor
Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance
Brian Kennedy serves as a Senior Advisor for the Corticosteroid Stewardship Alliance. As a recognized leader in health policy advocacy, Mr. Kennedy has overseen the development of dozens of awareness and advocacy initiatives across a wide array of conditions including those relating to inflammation, cardio-kidney-metabolic health, neurological conditions, skin health and rare diseases.
Corporate Council
Arcutis Biotherapeutics – Founding Member
