Rolf Benirschke

Vice Chair

Rolf Benirschke is the founder and President of his non-profit, Embracing Ostomy Life, as well as the founder of Legacy Health Strategies, a patient engagement agency that partners with medical device and pharmaceutical companies to elevate the voice of the patient.

Benirschke began his career in the National Football League, where he was place-kicker for the San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1986. After battling a life-threatening illness in his third season, he went on to set 16 team records before retiring as the third most accurate kicker in NFL history, and received numerous honors, including Walter Payton Man of the Year and NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He played in the Pro Bowl and became the 20th player to be inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame in 1997. He was later inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions and the Academic All-America Hall of Fame.

While playing in the NFL, Rolf Benirschke created Kicks for Critters, a fund-raising and awareness program for the San Diego Zoo’s Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, as well as Cans for Critters, an educational program for San Diego area grade schools.

He is the author of four books, including Alive & Kicking, his autobiography, which details his battle with ulcerative colitis, ostomy surgery, and hepatitis C. His newest book, Saving Wildlife,  is the remarkable story of his father, the late Dr. Kurt Benirschke, a pioneer in conservation biobanking at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

His engaging keynote presentations inspire audiences around the world and he is involved in many philanthropic organizations, including the Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation that benefits numerous local nonprofits. He also  champions National Grateful Patient Day on September 7 each year.