Biography

Basil F. Olisa is the visionary leader behind IME's expansion and strategic direction. Based in Silver Spring, Maryland, he has orchestrated partnerships across multiple continents and spearheaded the organization's evolution from medical missions to comprehensive AI-driven healthcare initiatives. Under his leadership, IME has established partnerships with leading academic institutions and international health organizations.

Biography

Dr. Doris Browne brings exceptional leadership credentials as Past President of the National Medical Association and current President and CEO of Browne and Associates, Inc. Her dual expertise in medicine and public health, combined with her extensive network within the African-American medical community, strengthens IME's mission of cross-continental healthcare collaboration.

Biography

Dr. Henry M. Musenge brings extensive experience in healthcare management and consulting across African markets. As Managing Consultant at Delmore Consultants Zambia Ltd and Chairperson of Tobaka Investments Zambia Ltd, he has led numerous initiatives in healthcare infrastructure development and policy formulation. His published works focus on sustainable healthcare delivery models in resource-constrained environments.

Biography

Dr. Sylvanus Adetokunboh Ayeni is president and founder of Pan Africa Children Advocacy Watch (PACAW) Inc. (https://www.pacaw.org), a non-profit organization involved in the education of children in Sub-Saharan Africa, currently mainly in Nigeria. He has been involved in development issues in Sub-Saharan Africa in the education and healthcare sectors for several decades. He has participated in medical missions to countries in Africa and has been visiting faculty as a neurosurgeon. As a neurosurgeon in the USA, he worked in the private sector, as a civilian neurosurgeon for the US Navy (for three years), and also in academia.

Dr. Ayeni was born and raised in Nigeria and is a 1972 graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. After undergoing general surgery training in New York City from 1976 to 1978, he trained in neurosurgery at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals, Madison, Wisconsin. From 1992 to 1993, he was a Research Fellow in the Department of Neurosurgery at Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.

He has been a guest speaker at meetings of national and international associations including keynote speaker at the Annual Meeting of the Medical Association of Jamaica in 2005. He is the author of the non-fiction book: RESCUE THYSELF: Change In Sub-Saharan Africa Must Come From Within.

Biography

Dr. Lynette Moretlo Molefi is a South African medical doctor, dynamic entrepreneur, and business executive, known for her exemplary leadership and pioneering work in telemedicine in South Africa and across Africa. She has been a trailblazer in the field, advocating for telemedicine at various levels of government and within non-governmental organizations.

Dr. Molefi completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at MEDUNSA in 1995 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lesotho, completed in 1989. In addition to her medical qualifications, she earned a Diploma in Telemedicine from the University of Arkansas in 1998 and later pursued a Senior Management Program at Stellenbosch in 2005. She further expanded her expertise in telemedicine through the Foreign Telemedicine program at the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) in 2006, focusing on medical reconnaissance and special operations.

In 2012, Dr. Molefi founded an eHealth consultancy business, concentrating on eHealth program management, distance medical services, and telemedicine consulting. Her work aims to develop ICT-based healthcare solutions for both clinical and educational purposes, with a specific focus on developing countries. Dr. Molefi has played a key role in advancing rural healthcare connectivity in South Africa, spearheading a successful telemedicine pilot project in partnership with Motorola and the State Information Technology Agency. This initiative utilized wireless systems to enhance healthcare delivery in the Northern Cape province.

Her contributions to the field of telemedicine have earned her recognition on the global stage. In 2007, she became the first woman, and the only African woman, to serve on the board of the International Society of Telemedicine and eHealth, which represents 150 countries. Dr. Molefi has also presented at various high-profile symposiums, including a workshop hosted by the Canadian Space Agency, where she discussed the use of spatial planning in healthcare.

Dr. Molefi's leadership extends beyond her entrepreneurial and medical ventures. She is known for her strategic vision and commitment to public health advocacy, making her a respected figure in both the medical and business communities across Africa.

Biography

Professor Sababu K. Shabaka is a distinguished retired associate professor of mathematics, having taught undergraduate mathematics at several esteemed institutions, including the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington, D.C., Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, and Howard University in Washington, D.C. He holds degrees in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and Educational Administration, along with a graduate certificate in Management of Information Systems. He spent seven years at AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey, USA, where he served as an associate member of the technical staff specializing in condensed matter physics and co-authored articles in at least two physics journals before transitioning to a teaching career in mathematics. He has also founded two businesses in Lagos, Nigeria, and Nairobi, Kenya, and has traveled to over twenty African countries. While teaching at UDC, he led a delegation of adult educators to conferences in Kenya and Tanzania. Additionally, he has been involved with IME since the late 1990s, providing advice on ICT-related matters.

Biography

Donald M. Temple, Esq. brings distinguished legal expertise and strategic leadership to IME's Board Members. His extensive experience in legal practice and organizational governance provides valuable guidance for IME's strategic initiatives and regulatory compliance across international healthcare programs.

Biography

Ms. Huguette Diakabana is a global change strategist, tech-for-good entrepreneur, and a trusted advisor to prominent multilateral institutions. With over 15 years of experience in international development, she has dedicated her career to driving positive change and fostering innovation across diverse sectors and geographies.

Biography

Hon. James W. Nyikal is a distinguished Kenyan legislator and healthcare professional currently serving as the Member of Parliament for Seme Constituency. A prominent member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Dr. Nyikal also chairs the Departmental Committee on Health within Parliament.

He possesses an MBChB from the University of Nairobi and holds additional qualifications in tropical medicine, reflecting his dedication to the medical field. Over the course of his career, Dr. Nyikal has held several key positions in Kenya's health sector, including Director of Medical Services and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Development.

Dr. Nyikal is widely recognized for his influential leadership in health policy, his initiatives aimed at achieving universal health coverage, and his commitment to implementing healthcare reforms. His extensive experience and expertise have made a significant impact on the advancement of healthcare in Kenya.

Biography

Dr. Nkaki Matlala is a retired general surgeon with a distinguished career spanning across healthcare practice, education, and innovation. He completed his undergraduate medical education at Michigan State University in the United States before embarking on a successful private practice in Pretoria, South Africa, where he made notable contributions to the local healthcare system.

He subsequently went back to school to complete his surgical training at the Medical University of Southern Africa, and he became board-certified by the College of Medicine of South Africa. He later took on the role of senior general surgical consultant and served as a lecturer at the Medical University of Southern Africa, sharing his expertise with the next generation of healthcare professionals.

From the outset of his medical career, Dr. Matlala has been deeply interested in the sociopolitical factors that influence access to healthcare and its quality. This passion drove him to pioneer one of South Africa's earliest telemedicine initiatives, aiming to bridge the healthcare gap in underserved areas. His work in this field led him to collaborate with physicians from the United States and across Africa, founding the International Medical Exchange about twenty-eight years ago. The organization focuses on uniting professionals within the diaspora to address the critical healthcare challenges facing the African continent, with Dr. Matlala's leadership serving as a constant source of inspiration.

In addition to his work in telemedicine, Dr. Matlala served as Executive Director at MediClinic, where he played a key role in developing and implementing clinical governance programs. These initiatives, focused on reducing medical errors and enhancing patient care, highlighted his unwavering commitment to patient safety and the advancement of healthcare standards.

Dr. Matlala also recognizes the transformative potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in improving healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-constrained regions. His commitment to leveraging technology to enhance healthcare access remains a cornerstone of his career.

Biography

Prof. S. Yunkap Kwankam is a world-renowned expert on digital health. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and was elected to the following American honor associations: Eta Kappa Nu (Electrical Engineering), Tau Beta Pi (Engineering), and Sigma Xi (Research).

He is currently CEO of Global eHealth Consultants, a Geneva-based consultancy which has developed national digital health policies and strategies for several countries and international organizations. He is also the Executive Director of the International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH) and Chairman of Telehealth International. He serves, or has served, on several digital health advisory bodies, including: the Global Alliance for Health and Social Compact Advisory Board; World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Digital Health; Innovation Working Group Task Force on the Global Knowledge Commons for m-eHealth (Co-Chair); International Council of Nurses eHealth Strategy Advisory Group, Mobile Health Global Advisory Committee, of the Mobile World Capital's mHealth Competence Center, Barcelona, Spain; Care Innovation Corporation (Chief Innovation Adviser); African Development Bank eHealth Awards Committee (Co-Chair); WHOPMHCH Advisory group on ICT for health; and SateLife Board of Directors.

As founding Chief of eHealth at the World Health Organization HQ, Geneva (2004 – 2008), he was responsible for the overall coordination of eHealth across the Organization and Executive Head of the Global Observatory for eHealth (GOe). Before joining WHO in 2001, he was a Professor and Director at the Center for Health Technology at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. He has also served as a consultant to WHO, ITU, UNIDO, the World Bank, and the US National Library of Medicine (NLM).

Biography

Mr. Lungu Anderson is an experienced lecturer and researcher in health economics and financing and public health informatics at the University of Lusaka - School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Mr. Lungu received his training in public health graduating top of his class at the University of Lusaka. He obtained his Master in Public Health at University of Lusaka, Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Lusaka, Zambia and a postgraduate diploma in Lecturing and Teaching Methodology at the University of Zambia.

Biography

Mr. Clyburn is CEO, MedForeSight, LLC, an advanced medical technology business development and market research firm, and is a Senior Consultant for clients in academia, industry and government. Mr. Clyburn is former Director of Program Integration and Planning for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), Director, Community Development for the Department of Veteran Affairs funded OSEHRA (the Open Source Electronic Health Record Alliance), Associate Director, Emerging Technology, Imaging Science and Information Systems (ISIS) Center, Georgetown University, and Medical Operations Advisor, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Defense & Aviation.

Mr. Clyburn is a senior business advisor for EnSoftek, Inc., Zane Networks, L.LC, RTSync, Corporation, and Actuated Medical, Inc. and has provided technology advisory services for academic institutions including Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), California State San Bernadino, University of Michigan, Saint Francis University and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mr. Clyburn has also served on numerous of Boards of Directors and Advisors including the American Telemedicine Association, the NIH Blueprint MedTech program Steering Committee, the HIMSS (Health Information Management Systems Society) Veterans Career Services Advisory Council, the NASA Medical Information Technology Applications Consortium, the Electronic Health Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) Cloud Service Provider Advisory Council, GapBuster Inc. and the TechConnect Medical Innovation Challenge Review Panel.

Biography

Professor, Royal Institute of Executive Management in Salé Center for Scientific and Technological Research in Rabat, Morocco.

Dr. Ghazal Hassan is a Professor at the Royal Institute of Executive Management in Salé, Morocco, and the Center for Scientific and Technological Research in Rabat, Morocco. He is an associate member of the Precision Medicine and One Health Laboratory at the University Mohammed VI of Sciences and Health in Casablanca.

Dr. Hassan serves on the Board of Directors of the International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH), where he co-chairs the AI for Health Working Group. Additionally, he is the President of the Moroccan Society for Telemedicine and eHealth and the Vice President of the Moroccan Society for Digital Health. Internationally, he contributes as a member of the WHO's AI for Health Regulations Focus Group and the Global Initiative on AI for Health (AIAIH), which is led by the WHO, the ITU, and WIPO.

His research focuses on bioinformatics, genomics, and digital health. Dr. Hassan holds a PhD in Genomics from Belgium, as well as master's degrees in Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Medicine, Bioinformatics, and International Law. He completed postdoctoral fellowships in Bioinformatics in the United States at the University of Delaware, Southern Illinois University, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institutes of Health.

He is a former Board member for Morocco at the European Bioinformatics Network, Elixir, and a member of the African Bioinformatics Network, H3Abionet. A prominent voice in digital health, Dr. Hassan actively bridges science, policy, and innovation to promote equitable and intelligent health systems worldwide.

Biography

Dr. Jocelyn Turner-Musa brings extensive expertise in healthcare research and program development to IME's advisory council. Her experience in health psychology and community health initiatives provides strategic guidance for IME's comprehensive approach to healthcare delivery and capacity building.

Biography

Josiah K. Halm, MD., M.S., FHM., FACP., CMQ, is a Professor in the Department of Hospital Medicine at the University of Texas at Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Halm earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana Medical School and completed his residency at Chicago's Cook County Hospital. He was awarded an NIH-NRSA primary care research fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he pursued his master's degree in clinical research.

Biography

Dr. Lejeune Lockett, DM, MSPH is Director of International Affairs and Assistant Professor at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), based in Los Angeles, California. She holds a Doctorate in Management and a Master of Science in Public Health. She has travelled to over 45 countries within the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

She served as an International Population Fellow and a research department head at the National Institute of Public Health/School of Public Health of Mexico. She was Adjunct Faculty & Program Coordinator at the Augsburg College Center for Global Education (CGE) in Mexico and Interim Director for CGE in Namibia. She was the Associate Director for the US Peace Corps in Namibia, spearheading the national Community Health & HIV/AIDS Project. Dr. Lockett joined CDU in 2010 as the Operations & Program Manager for International Programs to manage three US Department of Defense projects that developed HIV/AIDS prevention programs with militaries in Angola, Belize, and Jamaica. She currently leads projects related to HIV and youth in Zambia and Malawi with the HBCU Global Health Consortium.

With over 25 years of global health and higher education experience, Dr. Lockett has served on the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Scientific Advisory Board and the International Society for Black Latinos to bridge her strong connections to the global health arena and the local community.

Biography

Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
AI BizHive, Gauteng, South Africa

Leroy Ngoma is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of AI BizHive, a pan-African innovation platform committed to deploying artificial intelligence solutions across key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, and enterprise development. In his role, he oversees the development of intelligent systems that power AI BizHive's digital health, community, and business transformation initiatives.

With over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, Mr. Ngoma has led high-impact technology projects across five African countries. He is also the founding director of N2T Technologies, an IT consultancy focused on web development, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and digital transformation. His background includes designing and managing Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, building secure platforms, and developing scalable software solutions for diverse environments.

At AI BizHive, Mr. Ngoma is the architect behind the organization's AI-powered knowledge management platform—an innovative solution designed to centralize and streamline critical insights for decision-making. He is passionate about applying AI and machine learning to address pressing societal challenges, particularly in the areas of digital healthcare and community development.

Mr. Ngoma's core strengths include IT infrastructure, AI/ML solution architecture, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and health information systems. His technical leadership, combined with a deep understanding of African development contexts, continues to shape AI BizHive's impact on the continent's digital future.

Biography

Marang Matlala is a global health leader based in Geneva, Switzerland. With an MSc in Technology Management and broad experience in women's health, health systems strengthening, and emergency preparedness and response, she drives the execution of innovative and scalable solutions aimed at enhancing healthcare ecosystems, fostering sustainable impact, and advancing global health equity.

Biography

Malcolm Clyburn is a bilingual public health leader with over a decade of experience in health policy, program oversight, and digital health integration. At HRSA, he served as a policy advisor for the $178B Provider Relief Fund, recovering $200M in taxpayer dollars. A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Mozambique, he now advises on AI-driven health innovations with MedTech IQ.

Malcolm holds an MPH from the University of Maryland and a BS from Morehouse College.

Biography

Dr. Marlon D. Joseph, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public and Allied Health at Morgan State University's School of Community Health and Policy. He holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Boston University, an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from The City University of New York and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Mathematics from St. Francis College, where he was recognized as a Presidential Scholar and International Student.

With over a decade of academic and research experience, Dr. Joseph has taught courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, microbiology, pathophysiology, and U.S. healthcare systems. Prior to joining Morgan State University, he served as a Research Associate at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he contributed to various public health initiatives and epidemiological studies.

Biography

Dr. Michael T. Nettles brings distinguished expertise in educational leadership and research to IME's advisory council. His extensive experience in academic administration and educational policy provides strategic guidance for IME's capacity building and educational initiatives in healthcare development.

Biography

Prof. Modest Mulenga is a distinguished Zambian physician and a leading international expert in tropical and infectious diseases. He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Senior Medical Researcher at Lusaka Apex Medical University (LAM University) in Zambia. He is also an Associate Professor of Tropical and Infectious Disease Research, where his expertise and contributions continue to shape the field.

Prof. Mulenga's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Zambia in 1987. To further deepen his knowledge, he pursued a Master of Science in Infection and Health in the Tropics, graduating with distinction from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. In 2003, he completed his PhD in Tropical and Infectious Diseases from the University of London, UK. Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Tropical Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians of London and a Diploma in Health Systems Management from Galilee College in Israel.

Prof. Mulenga's career spans over 25 years, during which he has made significant contributions to medical research and public health. He previously served as the Executive Director and Principal Medical Researcher at the Tropical Diseases Research Centre, a leading national health research institute in Zambia, where he dedicated more than two decades to advancing research in tropical and infectious diseases. His work has been instrumental in addressing poverty-related diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

Prof. Mulenga has held numerous prestigious leadership roles in national and international research advisory bodies. He was the Vice Chair of the National AIDS Research and Ethics Committee under Zambia's National AIDS Council. He served as a member of the Zambian government's National Health Research Advisory Committee. He is also chaired the National Nutrition Research Committee of the Nutrition Commission of Zambia, underscoring his commitment to improving public health.

Internationally, Dr. Mulenga was the Vice Chairman of the Developing Countries Coordinating Committee of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), where he played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between European and African researchers in clinical trials for poverty-related diseases.

Biography

Co-Founder and Executive Director of AI BizHive

Mr. Omphemetse Kgomongwe is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of AI BizHive, a pan-African innovation platform dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence solutions across key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, and enterprise development. His leadership drives the strategic vision and operational excellence of this transformative organization.

Biography

Dr. Eashwari is a distinguished physician and a highly experienced healthcare IT leader with a proven track record in shaping digital health strategies and their implementation. His strategic thinking and understanding of national healthcare priorities were evident in his involvement in the development of the National Digital Health Strategy for South Africa.

Dr. Eashwari's foundational medical training includes a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., B.S) completed in 1982, followed by a master's degree in forensic medicine from Osmania Medical College, Osmania University, Telangana, India, in 1991.

His commitment to advancing healthcare through technology led him to further expand his expertise with an advanced course in Health Informatics in 2003, from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) and in telemedicine through the Foreign Telemedicine program at the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) in 2006, with a focus on medical reconnaissance and special operations.

Currently, Dr. Eashwari leads the South African Health Informatics Association (SAHIA) as its President, advocating for the effective integration of informatics in healthcare. His commitment to continental collaboration is further demonstrated through his role as Chair of the Pan African Telehealth Network (PATN), a significant subcommittee of the Health Informatics Association of Africa (HELINA), where he champions the use of technology to expand healthcare access and achieve universal coverage across Africa.

Dr. Eashwari has driven digital transformation within healthcare systems in South Africa. His broad expertise encompasses not only Health Informatics, Telehealth, and Population Health Management, but also critical areas such as extensive Hospital Management experience and a strong grounding in Medico-legal aspects. He is also actively engaged with the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Throughout his career, his unwavering focus has been on strategically leveraging technology to realize universal healthcare coverage and to optimize the clinical continuum of care, ensuring more efficient and effective healthcare delivery.

Biography

Randall C. Morgan, Jr., MD, MBA, is the President and CEO of the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute based in Washington, D.C. In that role, he leads a staff of scholars and research specialists who focus on eliminating health disparities. He is also an active orthopedic surgeon who has practiced in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida since 2005. He serves as founder and President of University Park Orthopedics in that community. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Florida State School of Medicine and is also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health at the University of Connecticut.

He is a graduate of Grinnell College with a B.A. in Chemistry. He received an M.D. degree from Howard University. He served as a resident in Orthopedic Surgery at Northwestern University and served a Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati. He later received an MBA degree from the University of South Florida.

Dr. Morgan served as the 95th President of the National Medical Association during the years 1996 and 1997. He was the first board-certified orthopedic surgeon to hold that position. Dr. Morgan is a true pioneer in his profession. He was among the first surgeons to perform total joint replacement surgery at Northwestern University. Dr. Morgan has practiced General Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatric Orthopedics in Evanston, Illinois, and as well in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, for more than 30 years prior to his relocation to Sarasota. With the assistance of his father, Mr. Randall C. Morgan, Sr., he founded the Orthopedic Centers of Northwest Indiana and served as its president from 1975 to 1999. At one time, this was the largest minority-owned orthopedic practice in the United States.

He has written and published extensively throughout his career on Orthopedics, Social Responsibility, Health Equity and the Education Pipeline for Underrepresented young scholars. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and the American Board of Managed Care Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honorary medical society.

Biography

Dr. Terry is an International Health Systems Analyst. His areas of interest are: Community and Health Systems Managerial/Policy Development initiatives, Health Systems Entrepreneurship Training and Capacity Development, and Health Systems Resource Acquisition. In addition, Dr. Terry has professional and applied experiences in the areas of Strategic Planning, Health Systems Research, Health Systems Impact Analysis, and Grant Development. He has assisted Faith-Based Organizations, Governmental Agencies, and Non-Governmental Organizations internationally in developing health system plans and service delivery grants, as well as community health centers.

Dr. Terry has served as a United Nations Health Systems Planning Delegate to Africa, as well as Delegation Leader for the National Youth Leadership Council on Medicine to Africa.

Dr. Terry is an advocate for training and developing Global Community Health Leaders to enhance the lives of others and, in turn, enhance their own lives.

Biography

Dr. Robert Nettey, MD brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role at Morgan State University as the Executive Director of the Center for Global Studies and International Education. Originally from Ghana, Dr. Nettey earned a bachelor's degree from South Carolina State University and a Medical Doctorate from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica.

Diverse roles and experiences have marked Dr. Nettey's career. Before joining Morgan State University, he spent eight years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as Chief Scientific Review Officer, where he played a pivotal role in shaping research initiatives. His extensive experience also includes consultative work for federal organizations and private institutions, focusing on training and capacity-building for programs targeting minority, medically underserved, and disenfranchised populations.

Before his tenure at NIH, Dr. Nettey accumulated twelve years of experience working on research and service provision programs at esteemed institutions such as the University of Illinois-Chicago, Howard Brown Memorial Clinic, Northwestern University, and Cook County Hospital. His hands-on involvement in these programs underscores his dedication to improving healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized communities.

Dr. Nettey's leadership overseeing campus curriculum internationalization at Morgan State University reflects his commitment to fostering global perspectives and multicultural exchange. His multifaceted career trajectory exemplifies his passion for advancing healthcare, education, and equity locally and internationally.

Biography

Shawna Novak, MD, MA, MMSc-GHD, FRSPH is the Executive Director of the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO). She has over 25 years of experience in health system strengthening and peacebuilding through her work with the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO), Harvard Medical School, the Canadian Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Her initiatives have received support from organizations such as Ashoka Changemakers, United Way, the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT), and Global Affairs Canada.

Dr. Novak earned her master's degree from Harvard Medical School and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. She is a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and an associate faculty member at Ariadne Labs in Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Additionally, she has served as a clinical public health advisor for the Global Health Unit of the Canadian Red Cross and as a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) in the MENA region. Her clinical background is in internal medicine and cardiology, and she holds designations in public health, and disaster and humanitarian relief.

Her work employs a systems-based and person-centered approach to improve access to care, particularly in conflict-affected and resource-limited settings. She specializes in health system innovation utilizing digital interventions, AI, and telehealth, and focuses on health workforce training and implementation science to address gaps in translating evidence into practice. Her projects often emphasize multilateral engagement and global communities of practice that address capabilities and capacity building.

Dr. Novak serves on the boards and committees of several international organizations, including the CIHR anti-racism committee, Elira-Avicena regional (eastern Mediterranean) expert group on SRHR, Women for Dignity and Development Foundation, the Canada Afghanistan Association of Health Professionals, the Save a Child's Heart Foundation Advisory Committee, the WHO Civil Society Advisory Commission, the WHO Migrant and Refugee Health Technical Advisory Group, and the International Association for Healthcare Communication and Marketing.