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Board Chair Announcement A New Chapter for the North Carolina Global Health Alliance Leadership transitions are moments to reflect on where we've been, recognize those who helped us get here, and look ahead to what's next. We are excited to do all three as we celebrate the extraordinary service of our outgoing Board Chair, Dr. Tim Mastro, and welcome our new Board Chair, Dr. Jerry Bloomfield. July 1, 2026 Thank You, Dr. Tim Mastro For the past four years, Dr. Tim Mastro has provided steady, thoughtful leadership during one of the most transformative periods in the Alliance's history. Tim stepped into the role of Board Chair in 2022 after serving on the Board since 2015. He assumed leadership during a pivotal moment for the organization. We had just undergone a name change and rebrand, were emerging from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and were navigating an executive director transition. Tim successfully led the search for a new Executive Director, hiring Brianna Clarke-Schwelm in early 2023, and helped guide the organization into its next phase. As Board Chair, Tim was an invaluable partner during Brianna’s transition into the Executive Director role. His wise counsel and unwavering support helped the Alliance successfully return to hosting our first in-person conference since before the pandemic while continuing to strengthen the Alliance's programs and community. His leadership proved especially critical during the unprecedented challenges faced by the global health sector in 2025. As the closure of USAID sent shockwaves through North Carolina's global health community, Tim remained a steadfast advocate for our members and a trusted advisor as the Alliance responded rapidly to changing circumstances and strengthened our advocacy efforts on behalf of the sector. Throughout it all, Tim never wavered in his commitment to the Alliance or to the thousands of professionals across North Carolina dedicated to improving health around the world. His strategic leadership, generosity with his time and expertise, and deep belief in the importance of global health have helped position our organization for a stronger future. On behalf of the Alliance, our Board of Directors, our members, and the broader global health community, thank you, Tim. We are deeply grateful for your service and are delighted that you will continue serving on our Board as we enter this next chapter. Welcome, Dr. Jerry Bloomfield The Board is equally excited to welcome Dr. Jerry Bloomfield as the new Chair of the North Carolina Global Health Alliance Board of Directors. A member of the Alliance's Board since 2022, Jerry was unanimously elected Board Chair by the Board of Directors at its February 2026 quarterly meeting. Jerry brings decades of leadership and experience in global health, academia, medicine, and research. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Global Health at Duke University and serves as the Associate Director for Research at the Duke Global Health Institute. He leads a longstanding research and capacity building program on cardiovascular global health, which includes work in under-resourced communities in the US and a number of low- and middle-income country settings, including Kenya, where much of his work takes place. His collaborative approach makes him exceptionally well positioned to help lead the Alliance as we continue supporting North Carolina's global health community during a period of both challenge and opportunity. As we look ahead, we are excited to work alongside Jerry to build on the Alliance's momentum, strengthen our community, advocate for North Carolina's global health sector, and continue preparing the next generation of global health leaders. To learn more about Jerry's vision for the Alliance, what excites him most about this moment, and his priorities as Board Chair, read our conversation with him below. Please join us in thanking Dr. Tim Mastro for his remarkable leadership and welcoming Dr. Jerry Bloomfield as the North Carolina Global Health Alliance's new Board Chair. An interview with Dr. Jerry Bloomfield As you begin your term as Board Chair, what inspired you to take on this leadership role, and what does the North Carolina Global Health Alliance mean to you personally? I was inspired to take on this leadership role because of the crucial role the Alliance has played in North Carolina’s global health landscape over the last several years. I have been involved with the Alliance for about three years, beginning as a board member and as the representative for the Duke Global Health Institute. Before that, I interacted with the Alliance through its annual conferences, which gave me an early appreciation for its ability to bring people together across institutions and sectors. What has stood out to me is that the Alliance is a venue for sharing challenges, lessons learned, and best practices among stakeholders engaged in global health. I have also seen how the changing global health landscape is affecting students and emerging professionals, especially as the employment landscape has narrowed. I am particularly excited to be involved with the Alliance at a time when it can help students see a path forward and connect them to opportunities in the field. The global health landscape is changing rapidly. Why do you believe organizations like the North Carolina Global Health Alliance are especially important right now? Organizations like the Alliance are especially relevant right now because they can do the research, advocacy, and cross-linking that individual institutions are not always positioned to do on their own. The Alliance can look across academia, industry, health systems, nonprofits, and the public sector to identify shared challenges and opportunities, and then advocate for global health support with a more informed understanding of the broader landscape. The Alliance can also help speak to the general North Carolina population about why global health matters here at home. Global health is connected to our state’s economy, workforce, research enterprise, health systems, and communities. The Alliance can translate global health engagement into practical examples of how this work affects the broader public. What is your vision for the Alliance over the next few years, and what opportunities do you see for strengthening North Carolina’s role in global health? My vision for the Alliance over the next few years is to engage more deeply with members across the state and broaden the range of institutions and sectors involved in this work. There are many players in the global health landscape that we have not yet engaged as deeply as we could, particularly in the private sector. There are also universities and health systems across North Carolina that are active in global health but may not yet be as connected to the Alliance as they could be. In that sense, I would like to see the “NC” in the North Carolina Global Health Alliance become bigger over the next few years. By expanding engagement across the state, we can strengthen North Carolina’s role as a leader in global health. North Carolina is home to a remarkable global health community spanning academia, nonprofits, industry, healthcare, and government. How can the Alliance help bring these sectors together to create greater impact? The Alliance will be most successful at bringing different sectors together if we are able to clearly articulate the value of the Alliance to each of those sectors. We have done some of this work in the past, but there is still an opportunity to sharpen how we communicate that value to academia, industry, health systems, nonprofits, government, students, and emerging professionals. Once that value is clearer, it becomes a natural extension to leverage what the Alliance already does well: convening people and cross-fertilizing conversations. Our annual meetings and other regular engagements can create spaces where different sectors understand one another’s priorities, identify shared goals, and work collaboratively toward greater impact. What are you most excited about as you begin your tenure as Board Chair, and what upcoming opportunities or initiatives are you particularly looking forward to? I am most excited about engaging more deeply with our member institutions and their board representatives. The Alliance is strongest when its members are active and learning from one another. Our annual conference is always a rewarding opportunity to engage with partners across the state whose work I might otherwise read about in a journal article, hear about through colleagues, or see in the news. It is a real gift to interact with those professionals in person at our meetings. This past year, we were excited to welcome Advocate Health as the Alliance’s latest member, and I look forward to learning from their perspective and engaging with similar organizations across North Carolina. For students, emerging professionals, and long-time global health leaders across the state, what message would you like to share about how they can engage with and support the Alliance's mission? My message is simple: reach out and connect. The Alliance has multiple convening opportunities over the course of the year, and we would like to expand and broaden participation in those spaces. We want more students, emerging professionals, established leaders, and institutions to see the Alliance as a venue for connection and shared learning. That engagement can happen in person through our meetings and events, but it can also happen through our online platforms and communications. I would like the Alliance to be a place where people can learn about opportunities, share job postings, ask questions, make connections, and find resources within the broader North Carolina global health community.

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The NCGHA 2026 Spring Event The Global Health Workforce: An Economic Imperative Mon, April 20 | 9 am - 12 pm | Durham, NC After a year of instability for the global health workforce, the need to make a clear economic case for robust investments in its stability has never been greater. This special Spring Event examined how strategic investments in the global health workforce drive economic resilience. Recap: A Morning of Health, Economics, and Action On Monday, April 20, 2026, the North Carolina Global Health Alliance (NCGHA) convened 60 global health leaders from across North Carolina at FHI 360's headquarters in Durham to bridge a critical gap in our state's dialogue: the intersection of global health and economic development Connecting the Global to the Local Dr. Jerry Bloomfield, the NCGHA’s new Board Chair, kicked off the event by defining the Alliance’s unique role. He described North Carolina not just as a participant in global health, but as a leader. The Alliance serves as the glue connecting our world-class research institutions and thriving businesses to something larger than any one organization could achieve alone. Following Dr. Bloomfield, NCGHA Executive Director, Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, addressed the question, why does North Carolina need its own global health alliance? The answer lies in economic development. With over 900 organizations reaching 175 countries, this sector brings $32 billion in value to our state annually, an impact comparable to the construction industry that we see on our daily commutes. The Human Infrastructure Karah Pedersen then took the stage to shift our focus to the frontline. She spoke passionately about the people who make health systems function. Her message was clear: the global health workforce is not just a budget line item, it is the essential infrastructure of a functioning society. Without paid, safe, and supported workers, even the most advanced medical technology fails to reach those in need. Fireside Chat: Healthy Populations as Economic Engines After a brief networking break, we welcomed Dr. Mandy Cohen of Manatt Health and Dr. Tessie San Martin of FHI 360 for a two-chapter conversation that served as the heart of the event. Chapter One: Health as Infrastructure. The speakers discussed how a healthy population is the bedrock of economic productivity. Dr. San Martin noted that under-investment in health leads to massive productivity losses, while Dr. Cohen emphasized that the global health sector is a major employer within our own state borders. Chapter Two: The Workforce as an Engine. The discussion turned toward the workforce itself. We explored how the 56,000 global health jobs in North Carolina create a ripple effect, supporting local businesses and fueling innovation. The audience engaged deeply here, asking how we can better translate health outcomes into economic data that policymakers can't ignore, and what individual impacted workers can do to continue careers of impact. Dr. San Martin emphasized that health is a long-term investment that drives productivity. She noted that global growth results in demand for U.S. products, meaning we are deeply invested in the health of the rest of the world for our own prosperity. Dr. Cohen spoke on the importance of trust and communication. She highlighted that for the public to value health as an "end" in itself, we must be better translators of our work, moving from "wonky" policy talk to human-centered stories. The View from Raleigh To bring the conversation home, Marina Pieretti from the NCDHHS Division of Public Health gave a presentation on workforce development efforts right here in NC. She showcased how the state is working to bridge the gap between global expertise and local public health needs, ensuring that the skills learned abroad are being applied to keep North Carolinians safe. What's Next? At the NCGHA, we are committed to ensuring North Carolina remains a place where this talent is valued, utilized, and integrated into our economic vision. We cannot afford to lose the very people who keep our state and the world running. The conversations shared in this session were more than just reflections, they are the foundation for the NCGHA's state-level advocacy strategy over the coming year. As we look to the future, our focus is clear: we must protect, retain, and grow the life-saving talent that calls North Carolina home. Our current priorities include: Protecting our Current Workforce: The stories we have heard from our community over the last year, and the recent reports of skilled professionals facing career uncertainty, underscore the fragility of our sector's current infrastructure. The NCGHA is committed to being a vocal champion at the state level to ensure that these workers are recognized as essential economic contributors. We are working to ensure that when global shifts occur, our local workforce has the support and visibility needed to pivot and remain in the spaces where their expertise is most effective. Building a Pipeline for the Future: North Carolina's universities are graduating some of the brightest young minds in global health, but a degree is only the first step. To keep this talent from leaving our state, we need to better bridge the gap between graduation and long-term career placement. Our goal is to create an ecosystem where North Carolina isn't just a place to study global health, but the premier destination to build a career in it. Meet the Speakers Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH National Advisor, Manatt Health; Former Director, CDC; Former Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services Tessie San Martin, PhD, MPA CEO, FHI 360 Gerald Bloomfield, MD, MPH Associate Director for Research, Duke Global Health Institute; Associate Professor with Tenure of Medicine and Global Health, Duke University Board Chair, NCGHA Karah Pedersen, MPH Steering Committee, Frontline Health Workers Coalition; Head of Global Health Partnerships, Global Communities Marina Pieretti, MPH Director of Public Health Workforce Development, Division of Public Health, NC Department of Health and Human Services Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, MPH Executive Director, North Carolina Global Health Alliance Thank you to our Sponsors! Sponsor Host Agenda 9:00 am - 9:30 am Registration & Networking with light refreshments 9:30 am - 9:40 am Welcome, Brianna Clarke-Schwelm 9:40 am - 9:50 am Opening Remarks, Dr. Jerry Bloomfield 9:50 am - 10:10 am Centering Frontline Health Workers, Karah Pedersen 10:10 am - 10:30 am The Economic Return of Global Health in North Carolina, Brianna Clarke-Schwelm 10:30 am - 11:40 pm Fireside Chat with Dr. Mandy Cohen & Dr. Tessie San Martin, Moderated by Brianna Clarke-Schwelm Chapter 1: Healthy Populations as Economic Infrastructure Chapter 2: Health Workforce as an Economic Engine 11:40 am - 12:00 pm Closing Remarks, Marina Pieretti 12:30 pm + Please join us for an informal lunch gathering across the street at the American Tobacco Campus. Find us in the covered courtyard area at the tables in front of Boricua Soul (705 Willard St).

North Carolina Global Health Alliance's 2025 event - Global Health in Transition. Sponsored by RTI International, Advocate Health, and Mastro Global, LLC; and Hosted by The North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Panelists Panel Discussion - The Long View: Leading for Global Health's Next Chapter M. Rashad Massoud, MD, MPH, FACP Head, Global Health USA, IQVIA Dr. M. Rashad Massoud is Head of Global Health, USA at IQVIA. A physician executive and global health leader, he is internationally recognized for advancing healthcare quality, health systems strengthening, and equity. Dr. Massoud has managed large-scale programs in more than 100 countries, overseeing multimillion-dollar portfolios and achieving measurable health improvements worldwide. He teaches healthcare improvement at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In voluntary capacities, he serves as: Chair, International Advisory Board, Ministry of Health, Palestine; Board of Directors, Disaster Health Institute; Executive Committee, ISQua Academy; Board of Directors, Harvard Alumni Association; President Emeritus, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Alumni Association; Advisory Board, World Health Organization Global Report on Quality & Safety. Panel Discussion - The Long View: Leading for Global Health's Next Chapter Paul Weisenfeld, JD Executive Advisor, RTI International Paul Weisenfeld is the Executive Advisor at RTI International, a global research institute and leading international development organization. For the past 10 years, he has led RTI’s international development practice, which is dedicated to improving the human condition through multi-sectoral, inclusive solutions that lead to sustainable economic growth, climate resilience, improved food security, quality education and healthcare, environmental protection, and greater prosperity. Before joining RTI, he served as a foreign service officer for USAID, achieving the highest rank of career minister in the Senior Foreign Service, and led high-profile initiatives across various international development sectors. Panel Discussion - Expanding Access, Saving Lives: Global Partnerships for Critical Care Vafa Akhavan Chief Executive Officer, World Pediatrics Vafa Akhavan is the Chief Executive Officer of World Pediatrics, leading efforts to advance children’s health worldwide. A seasoned global executive and management consultant, he has worked with startups, mid-caps and Fortune 500 clients across seven sectors and sixteen countries. He is a senior faculty member at the Schulich Executive Education Centre, Schulich School of Business, York University, and serves on the Board of Children Believe, contributing to its Audit & Risk and Governance & HR committees. Vafa was selected as one of the top 10 most influential Canadian Professionals by Beyond! Magazine In 2023. He has also been a contributing writer to Canada’s premier business publication, The Globe and Mail. Panel Discussion - Expanding Access, Saving Lives: Global Partnerships for Critical Care Diane Lynn Enterprise Assistant Vice President, Global Health Care, Advocate Health; MBA '26 UNC Pembroke Diane Lynn is the Enterprise Assistant Vice President of Global Health Services at Advocate Health, the fifth-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the U.S. She leads enterprise-wide international and national programs, including destination care, international strategy and business development, and physician observations. With more than 25 years of experience spanning business administration, operations, and healthcare leadership, Diane has served in key roles at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and University of Michigan Health–Sparrow. She holds credentials from National Louis University and Harvard Business School, and actively contributes to multiple boards, including the U.S. Cooperative of International Patient Programs and the WHO World Rehabilitation Alliance. Panel Discussion - Expanding Access, Saving Lives: Global Partnerships for Critical Care Jill Sergison, MA, CNM, RN Co-Founder, Points True North Consulting; PhD '27 Duke University School of Nursing Jill Sergison is the Co-Founder of Points True North Consulting, a firm dedicated to advancing health, gender, racial, and social justice through strategic coalition building, policy change, and campaign development. Under her leadership, Points True North provides tailored consulting services to nonprofits, policy organizations, businesses, and foundations, with a focus on healthcare, scientific research, and policy. Jill’s expertise lies in building organizational capacity by designing structures, processes, and skills essential for long-term mission success. She is also a PhD Candidate at Duke University, a Duke Margolis Health Policy Scholar, and the Founder and Executive Director of NC Nurses for Reproductive Rights. Closing Remarks Closing Remarks Krishna Udayakumar, MD, MBA Founding Director, Duke Global Health Innovation Center Dr. Krishna Udayakumar is the Founding Director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center and Executive Director of Innovations in Healthcare, a non-profit co-founded by Duke, McKinsey & Company, and the World Economic Forum. His work focuses on advancing the study, scaling, and adaptation of health innovations and policy reforms globally. At Duke University, he serves as Professor of Global Health and has an additional faculty appointment in Medicine. He also chairs the university’s Global Priorities Committee. Dr. Udayakumar earned his MD and MBA from Duke University and has been widely published and featured in leading global media outlets. The Ward Cates Emerging Voices in Global Health Student Speakers The Ward Cates Emerging Voices in Global Health Session: "Getting People in the Room " Breanna Barrett MSc Candidate, Duke University Breanna Barrett is a senior and an Accelerated Master of Science in Global Health student at Duke University, where her work focuses on integrating mental health support into oncology care across Jamaica, the United States, and Tanzania. She has conducted qualitative and implementation research with cancer care providers, community stakeholders, and health ministries, with an emphasis on stigma, psychosocial support, and health systems strengthening. Her current thesis explores pathways for embedding mental health services within cancer treatment settings in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The Ward Cates Emerging Voices in Global Health Session: "Rethinking the Value of Care: Choosing Wiser Over More " Yue Suo, MS PhD Candidate, Fudan University Visiting Scholar, Duke University Yue Suo is a Visiting Scholar at the Duke Global Health Institute and a PhD candidate at the School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Her research focuses on health services utilization in cancer care, health technology assessment, and health systems. She has worked with the World Bank and the New Development Bank on projects addressing health technologies and health systems in China. The Ward Cates Emerging Voices in Global Health Session: "The Forest Fire We Can’t See: Antimicrobial resistance & climate change as one crisis " Lana Abusalem, MD MSc Candidate, Duke University Dr. Lana Abusalem is a physician and global health fellow who is pursuing a Master of Science in Global Health at Duke University. She has trained in internal medicine and infectious diseases. Her work focuses on antimicrobial resistance and she is currently leading a project in Sri Lanka on resistant infections hoping to advance sustainable approaches to global health that bridge clinical medicine, policy, and planetary health. The Ward Cates Emerging Voices in Global Health Session: "Monitoring Matters: Getting creative about global health evaluation " Lucy Tantum PhD Candidate, UNC Chapel Hill Lucy Tantum is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health. Her PhD research focuses on impact evaluation of water, sanitation, and hygiene programs in healthcare facility settings. Prior to UNC, Lucy worked on health system strengthening programs and research projects in Liberia. She holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College. The Ward Cates Emerging Voices in Global Health Session: "The People Closest to the Problem Hold the Solutions " Anoushka Das MPH Candidate, UNC Chapel Hill Anoushka Das is pursuing her Master of Public Health in Global Health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. She has experience working in Kenya on community-driven programs addressing women's health disparities. Her current research focuses on understanding adolescent girls and women's health and advancing equitable health solutions for underserved populations. Return to Event Page Thank you to our sponsors! Platinum Sponsor Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsor Sponsoring Host

2024 North Carolina Global Health Conference POSTER PRESENTATIONS Tuesday, October 22, 2024 McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC 27606 Click Here to View a Map of the McKimmon Center! See our full list of speakers here! Conference Speakers Poster Presentations 8:15 am - 9:00 am Revisit the posters you missed at 12:45 Room 2 Developing a Differentiated Care Model Strategy for People Returning to HIV Care in Cape Town, South Africa Ashima Agarwal, MPH Candidate 2025, UNC Chapel Hill A Tailored Approach: Population and Sex-Specific Anthropometrics Thresholds for Qatari's Rawan Ajeen, PhD Candidate 2025, UNC Chapel Hill Drivers of Physicians' Migrations from Ethiopia to the US: A Mixed Methods Study Solomon Ayehu, MD, MSc MIDP, Duke University Working towards Equitable Practices in Global Health Partnerships and Programming Sarah Brittingham, MA, MPH , Technical Advisor, FHI 360 Adverse Childhood Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Ukrainian College Students: Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence and Lifetime Trauma Experience Julia Burlaka, PhD, CHES , Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Viktor Burlaka, LMSW, PhD, Professor of Social Work, School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Oleksii Serdiuk, PhD, Head of the Research Laboratory for Psychological Support of Law Enforcement, Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs; Kharkiv, UKRAINE (not present) Arash Javanbakht, M.D., Director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic at Wayne State University, School of Medicine (not present) The Association Between Race and Rurality on Maternal Outcomes in North Carolina Ebony Burns, DHA, MHA , Clinical Research Professional How does a Free Childcare Center at a Local Hospital Improve Access to Healthcare for Mothers? Sydney Chen , BA Global Health Candidate 2025, Duke University Heterogeneous spatial distribution of knock-down resistance F1534S mutations in Aedes albopictus in Wake County, North Carolina Jessica Ding, PhD Candidate 2028, North Carolina State University Tomo Adams, PhD Candidate 2029, North Carolina State University Increased prevalence of hypertension in dental screening patients in Mosoriot, Kenya Amy Gillespie , Doctor of Dental Surgery Candidate 2027, UNC Adams School of Dentistry Evaluating the Breastfeeding-Friendly Community Partner Initiative in Durham, North Carolina Kimberley Glover, MPH 2024, Temple University Do Elderly Men and Women Experience Grief Differently? Investigating Gender Differential Impacts of Spousal Bereavement on Health Outcomes Among Older Adults in the United States Elena Granowsky , BA Global Health Candidate 2025, Duke University Lauren Tse, BS Economics Candidate 2025, Duke University Longitudinal Mental Health Outcomes for Transitioning OSCYAs in Udayan Care Rohan Gupta, BS Psychology Candidate 2025, Duke University Chidimma Umerah, Duke University Pratikchhya Rimal, Duke University Assessing the antenatal care-seeking determinants associated with the penetration of the WHO eight-visit antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria Christiana Ikemeh, PhD Candidate 2025, UNC Gillings School of Global PUblic Health, UNC Chapel Hill Leah M. Frerichs, PhD, Associate professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill (not present) Kazeem Arogundade, MD, Bruyere Research institute, Ottawa, Canada (not present) Adedayo O. Adeyemi, PhD, Director, Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Evaluation, Lafia, Nasarawa state, Nigeria (not present) Christopher M. Shea, PhD, Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill (not present) Justin G. Trogdon, PhD, Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill (not present) Effects of self-reported health, obesity, and hypertension on the likelihood of having health insurance in Mexico Lirui Jiao , PhD Candidate 2028, UNC Chapel Hill Delays in seeking care among pediatric cancer patients: A qualitative study in Northern Tanzania Happiness Kajoka, MD, Msc Candidate 2025, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Tanzania Ingredients for Success: Factors associated with successful integration of depression care into non-communicable disease clinics in Malawi: A mixed-methods analysis Abigail Morrison, PhD Candidate 2025, Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill Childhood vaccination prevalence and perception in Roatán, Honduras Madeline Morrison, BA Global Health Candidate 2026 Grace Muriithi, BA Global Health Candidate 2026 Reena Kagan, BA Global Health Candidate 2026 (not present) Arya Kumar, BS Biomedical Engineering Candidate 2027 (not present) Barriers to Effective Pain Management in Sickle Cell Disease: Voices of Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers in Kenya Ashita Nazareth , MSc Candidate 2025, Duke Global Health Institute From Research to Practice: Integrating Telehealth Counseling for Suicide Prevention Among People Living with HIV in Tanzania’s Healthcare System Paul Ngangula , MSc Candidate 2025, Duke Global Health Institute Weather Extremes Modify the Efficacy of Sanitation Interventions on Fecal Contamination in Rural Bangladeshi Households Caitlin Niven , PhD Candidate, North Carolina State University Psychological Burden and Social Support Needs Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in Kenya Yvonne Ochieng, PhD Clinical Psychology 2029, Duke University A Mixed-Methods Review and Recommendations for Improving Community Engaged Contracting Process for Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience Araba Oduro, MD , MPH Candidate 2025, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health What is the future of INGOs: Perspectives from the Transforming INGO Models for Equity (TIME) Initiative Catherine Packer, MSPH , Technical Advisor, FHI 360 Kim Kucinskas, Technical Director, Organizational Transformation, Humentum (not present) Robyn Sneeringer, Chief of Staff, EngenderHealth (not present) An Evaluation of the KIKOP Care Group Training Cascade in Kisii, Kenya Shriti Pant, MPH Candidate 2025, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, & Curamericas Intern Kaitlin Polgar, MPH Candidate 2025, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, & Curamericas Intern The Role of Faith in Suicide Prevention Among People Living with HIV: Perspectives of Religious Leaders and Mental Health Workers in Tanzania Ryan Parker, MSc Candidate 2025, Duke Global Health Institute Factors Influencing Hypertension Treatment Adherence in East Africa: a Scoping Review Mirlene Perry, PhD Candidate 2026/2027, Duke University School of Nursing Dengue Virus Seroprevalence in Kinshasa, DRC Rachel Sendor, MPH , PhD Candidate 2025, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Investigating Use of Coping Strategies and Mental Health of Transitioning OSCs in Udayan Care Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan , BA Global Health Candidate 2025, Duke Global Health Institute Alek Mishra, Duke Global Health Institute Seth Liyanapathirana, Duke Global Health Institute Virtual versus Reality: A Comparative Analysis of Medical Advice Quality in Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine and In-Person Consultations Shuyi Song, PhD Candidate 2027, UNC Chapel Hill Youth Engagement in Contraceptive R&D: Why & How? Becca Stern, BSPH Candidate 2025, UNC Chapel Hill, Youth Council Member at FHI 360 Addressing Unscheduled Hospital Readmissions: Insights from Northern Tanzania Frijenia Sumbai, MD, MSc Candidate 2025, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Tanzania Public-Private Partnerships in India’s Covid-19 Response: Exploring Private Sector Perspectives on Pandemic Lessons and Future Pandemic Preparedness Ei Ei Swe, MB, BS, MSc , Duke University Association of Flooring Material with E. coli Contamination in Rural Bangladeshi Households Sumaiya Tazin , PhD Candidate 2026, North Carolina State University Optimizing Child Nutrition in Mali: A Data-Driven Approach to Tackling Malnutrition through Community Engagement Aklil Tessema, BA Candidate 2024, UNC Chapel HIll Preliminary mixed-methods analysis of disability prevalence and resource needs for persons with disabilities on Roatán, Honduras Hishi Ulak , BA Global Health Candidate 2025, Duke Global Health Institute Global Roles in Local Context: Enhancing Medicaid Expansion in Rural North Carolina Through Community Health Workers Harris Upchurch, BS Biology & Global Health 2024, Duke University Empowerment among treatment-engaged individuals living with schizophrenia in Tanzania Madeline Van Husen , MSW/MPH Candidate 2025, UNC Chapel Hill Relationships between epigenetic age in young adulthood to early-life and adult BMI differ between males and females Romaniya Voloshchuk, PhD Candidate, UNC Chapel Hill Advancing Community-Led HPV Screening Through Mobile Health App Development: Iterative Improvements of mSaada in Kisumu, Kenya Skylar Webb , BA Environmental Science & Policy, BA Global Health Candidate 2025, Duke Global Health Institute Sahil Choudhri, Duke Global Health Institute Afraaz Malick, Duke Global Health Institute Kelsey Goldwein, Duke Global Health Institute Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research Scoping Review Roger Williams, MPH, MA , Protocol Manager and Project Coordinator, RTI International Anika Hannan, MPH , Research Public Health Analyst for Monitoring & Evaluation, RTI International Thank You to Our 2024 Conference Sponsors! Gold Level Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Sustaining Sponsors Mastro Global, LLC

Our Mission & Vision The North Carolina Global Health Alliance (NCGHA) is dedicated to advancing North Carolina as a center of global health. We work to foster collaboration and innovation in our state and region by acting as a connector and advocate on behalf of our global health community. Our Vision The North Carolina Global Health Alliance envisions a world in which collaboration and innovation lead to healthier communities. Our Mission The North Carolina Global Health Alliance works to advance North Carolina as an international center for research, training, education, program implementation, advocacy, and business dedicated to improving the health of the world's communities. We engage academic, governmental, non-profit, and for-profit organizations in this collaborative effort. Our Objectives Connect Inform Prepare Advocate

2024 North Carolina Global Health Conference Agenda Tuesday, October 22, 2024 McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC 27606 Click Here to View a Map of the McKimmon Center! See our full list of speakers here! Conference Speakers PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A DRAFT AGENDA, SUBJECT TO CHANGE UP UNTIL CONFERENCE DATE 8:15 - 9:00 9:00 - 9:15 Room 2 Registration, Poster Presentations, & Exhibit Hall Connect with Exhibitors and hear poster presentations from 40 researchers! As soon as you sign in, swing through Room 1D to visit Exhibiting Organizations and then cross the hall to Room 2 (the main conference room) to engage with presenting researchers! See all Posters Welcome & Opening Remarks Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, MPH, Executive Director, NCGHA 9:15 - 10:00 Room 2 Fireside Chat: North Carolina's Place in the World Secretary Kody Kinsley, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service With Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, MPH, Executive Direcor, NCGHA 10:00 - 10:45 Room 2 Keynote Speaker Peter Kilmarx, MD, Deputy Director, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH) With an Introduction by Tim Mastro, MD, FACP, DTM&H, Principal, Mastro Global, LLC., & Chair, Board of Directors, NCGHA 15-Min Transition Don’t forget to visit the all-day Exhibit Hall in Room 1D! CONCURRENT SESSIONS - ROUND 1 11:00 - 12:00 Room 2 Countering Misinformation on the Journey to Earning Trust Hear from the experts who know a thing or two about how misinformation impacts our health, and what we can do to actively rebuild and gain trust in communities. Learn about climate messaging, vaccine hesitancy, and trust in science all in one dynamic conversation. Kathie Dello, PhD, State Climatologist of North Carolina, Director of the North Carolina State Climate Office Brian Southwell, PhD, MA, Distinguished Fellow &Lead Scientist for Public Understanding of Science, RTI International Erin Fry Sosne , MPH, Director of Strategy, Department of Public Health, NCDHHS Sachiko Ozawa, PhD, MHS , Associate Professor, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Room 1C Global to America's Local: Learning from Global Health Models to Address American Challenges (Roundtable Discussions) Be inspired by work that was developed elsewhere and successfully adapted to the American context. Move between three tables to take part in interactive discussions on reproductive freedom, AI and cancer treatment, and perinatal care from experts who understand what it takes to translate models across geographical contexts. Pearl Friedberg , Senior Program Director, Ipas Jenny Jensen, MSN, MPH, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Family Connects International Lauren Bevington, LCSW, MBA, Implementation Consultant, BroadReach Group Moderated by Kristen Sullivan, PhD, MSW, MBA, Director of Undergraduate Programs, Global One Health Academy, NCSU Room 7 North Carolina Leadership for Global Impact Learn from the leaders in North Carolina health whose work you really should know about. From vaccine equity to rehabilitation to workforce development, these NC experts are leading the way! Michelle Ries, MPH, President & CEO, North Carolina Institute of Medicine Peter Cassidy, MBA, FACHE, Vice President, Atrium Health Brandon Young, PhD, Senior Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus Moderated by Solomon Ayehu, MD, MSc, MIDP, Duke Global Health Institute & Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, MIDP '24 Transition Don’t forget to visit the all-day Exhibit Hall in Room 1D! 12:00 - 1:00 Room 2 Lunch, Poster Presentations, & Exhibit Hall Pick up boxed lunch in Room 1D (Exhibit Hall) 1:00 - 1:10 Room 2 Performance Taal Harmony School of Dance 1:10 - 2:15 Room 2 Plenary Panel: Opportunities to Bridge North Carolina with the World Suzanne Maman, PhD, Associate Dean for Global Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Lindsey Bickers Block, MPH, Director of Health Education & Community Transformation, Durham County Department of Public Health Francis Lajara de los Reyes III, PhD, MS, Glenn E. & Phyllis J. Futrell Distinguished Professor, University Faculty Scholar, Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State University Liz Mallas Law, MPA, MS, MA, Director, FOCUS Regional Lead, NC, SC, AR, Gilead Sciences Moderated by Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH, Director, Duke Global Health Institute 15-Min Transition Don’t forget to visit the all-day Exhibit Hall in Room 1D! CONCURRENT SESSIONS - ROUND 2 2:30 - 3:30 Room 2 Conflict to Community: The Continuum of Healthcare Provision from Displacement to Resettlement Hear from the experts as they track healthcare provision from crisis through displacement to resettlement right here in North Carolina. Coy Isaacs, Senior Director, Crisis Response and Resilience, FHI 360 Jennifer Toller Erausquin, PhD , Associate Professor, Public Health Education, UNC Greensboro Tra Tran, MS, Research Coordinator, Refugee Community Partnerships Moderated by Cristina España , Deputy Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Office of NC Governor Cooper Room 1C New Models of Leadership for Tomorrow's Global Health (Roundtable Discussions) Join this interactive session to contribute your voice to an exploration of how we can transform our models of leadership and practice to align with our evolving global health landscape. Katherine Tur ner, MPH, President & Founder, Global Citizen LLC; Adjunct Professor, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health LaHoma Smith Romocki, PhD, MPH, Professor & Department Chair, Public Health Education, North Carolina Central University Karah Pedersen, MPH, Deputy Director of Business Development , IntraHealth International Room 7 Addressing Global Health Priorities in North Carolina Communities What global health threats are disproportionately affecting marginalized communities here in NC? Join this interdisciplinary conversation to hear more about rural healthcare, vector borne illnesses, and environmental exposures - three critical topics here and everywhere! Mercedes Bravo, PhD , Assistant Research Professor of Global Health & Associate Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Duke Global Health Institute Ross Boyce, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UNC School of Medicine Nick Galvez, MBA, CCMA Rural Hospital Program Manager, NC Department of Health and Human Services Moderated by Zainab Alidina, PhD, MPH, Data and Evaluation Manager, The Center for Child & Family Health 10-Min Transition Don’t forget to visit the all-day Exhibit Hall in Room 1D! 3:40 - 4:00 Room 2 Closing Call to Action Congresswoman Deborah Ross, United States Representative for North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District 4:00 + Room 2 Ice Cream Social Thank You to Our 2024 Conference Sponsors! Gold Level Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Sustaining Sponsors Mastro Global, LLC

The 2022 NC Global Health Annual Conference At a time of global economic hardship, and when global health inequities are even more pronounced, our global health programs, services and research need to be more impactful than ever. Are we actually making a difference? Are our programs and services having the individual, social, economic and political impacts that are needed today? Is our research yielding the required evidence? Can we demonstrate this impact? Can we identify when they are not? What are the key elements of effective programs? What lessons can we learn? The 2022 Annual Conference explored these questions and the global health impact North Carolina's organizations, and those based nationally and globally, are having at the individual, community and global levels. Thank you to all of the amazing presenters, speakers, attendees, and sponsors who made the 2022 NC Global Health Annual Conference such a success! Thank You to Our 2022 Annual Conference Sponsors Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors ...And a Huge Thank You to Our Awesome 2022 NC Global Health Annual Conference Planning Committee Laura Hoemeke , DrPH - Senior Consultant, Clear Outcomes; Adjunct Professor, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Sydney Nadel , MPH - Advanced Implementation Specialist, Family Connects International Valerie Flax , PhD - Senior Research Public Health Analyst, RTI International Katrina Kulik , MAS - Operations and Development Manager, CFK Africa Suzanne Mama n, PhD - Associate Dean for Global Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Naya Villarreal , MPH - Global Health Associate Director, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Kathy Walmer , MSN - Executive Director, Family Health Ministries Sut Soneja , PhD - Epidemiologist and Lead Public Health Specialist, MITRE Hannah Bain Lineberger - Communications Manager, CFK Africa André Anthony - Executive Director, North Carolina Global Health Alliance Heather Vahdat , MPH - Executive Director, Male Contraceptive Initiative Brittany Trottier , MPH - Health Specialist, NIEHS Aubrey Weber , MPH - Senior Technical Officer for Science Facilitation, FHI 360 Jennifer Schroeder Tyson , MPH - Lecturer, Appalachian State University Grace Ruffin - Career Development and Community Engagement Intern, North Carolina Global Health Alliance

Staff & Board of Directors Staff Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, MPH Executive Director Brianna Clarke-Schwelm is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Global Health Alliance, where she leads efforts to strengthen and connect the state’s vibrant global health ecosystem. In this role, she champions the next generation of global health leaders, fosters cross-sector collaboration, and advocates for North Carolina’s leadership in global health innovation. Brianna brings a deep commitment to community-led development and health equity, shaped by her early work in rural health clinics in Kenya, Honduras, and Panama, and her later roles at The Hunger Project, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health, and InterAct, a domestic and sexual violence service organization in Raleigh, NC. Brianna holds a Master of Public Health in Global Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Bucknell University. She has made North Carolina her home for nearly a decade and is proudly raising three North Carolinian kiddos alongside her husband, who is an incredibly talented luthier. Board of Directors 2026 Board Chair Announcement Gerald Bloomfield, MD, MPH Associate Director for Research, Duke Global Health Institute Chair, Board of Directors Katie Bowler Young, MFA Senior Director of University Collaborations, RTI International Emily Evens, PhD, MPH Senior Director of Applied Research, FHI 360 Secretary, Board of Directors Christopher LeGrand, MS CEO, BroadReach Treasurer, Board of Directors Diane Lynn Enterprise Assistant VP of Global Health Services, Advocate Health Tracey du Laney, PhD Vice President, Science and Technology Development, North Carolina Biotechnology Center Tim Mastro, MD, DTM&H Principal, Mastro Global LLC Executive Committee Sid Thakur, BVSc, MVSc, PhD Professor and Executive Director, Global One Health Academy, NC State University Heather Vahdat, MPH Executive Director, Male Contraceptive Initiative

< Back More RTP layoffs as Lenovo, National Institutes of Health Confirm Job Cuts Sean Coffey Jul 16, 2025 NCGHA Executive Director Discusses Layoffs at North Carolina Businesses with ABC11 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (WTVD) -- More layoffs are coming to Research Triangle Park -- from two very different places. Please follow the link to watch the video and read the full story on ABC11: https://abc11.com/post/more-rtp-layoffs-lenovo-nih-confirm-job-cuts/17139573/ Previous Next

< Back USAID Contract Terminations & the Impact on the Global Health Sector in North Carolina NC Global Health Alliance Sep 30, 2025 An Urgent Workforce Challenge Since January 20, 2025, the NCGHA has tracked how many North Carolina jobs have been lost due to USAID contract terminations. Job data sourced directly from impacted institutions, impacted individuals, WARN system, NC Commerce, press releases, and media. Contract data sourced directly from USASpending.gov, impacted institutions, USAID Stop Work, and AID on the Hill. NORTH CAROLINA’S GLOBAL HEALTH SECTOR AT A GLANCE The global health sector adds $31.9B to North Carolina’s economy per year. Over 900 NC global health institutions operate in more than 175 countries. In 2021, global health organizations employed more than 56,000 direct global health jobs in North Carolina and sustained an additional 117,850 jobs across multiple sectors. North Carolina is home to one of the most sophisticated global health ecosystems in the nation, anchored by world class institutions including RTI International, FHI 360, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Duke Global Health Institute. Historically, the sector has been a stable, high-wage, and high-skill employer. IMPACT OF RECENT FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS NC is the fourth-highest state recipient of USAID funding; NC won $1B in awards in 2024. Since January 2025, North Carolina institutions lost $3 billion in future payments with 86% of USAID-funded awards terminated. As of September 2025, at least 625 North Carolinians lost their jobs as a direct result of USAID cuts. Ripple effects are impacting partner institutions, contractors, and students across the state. Impacted workers face a decimated job market and intense competition for remaining positions. WHY THIS MATTERS FOR NORTH CAROLINA Global Competitiveness – NC’s reputation as a global health leader is at stake; loss of capacity jeopardizes our ability to remain a beacon for innovation on the global stage. Economic Impact – Global health organizations bring federal and philanthropic dollars into NC, fueling local economies. Job losses threaten regional economic stability. Brain Drain Risk – Skilled professionals are being offered to leave NC for opportunities elsewhere, eroding decades of sector expertise that would otherwise strengthen high-demand industries in NC. WHAT WE’RE HEARING FROM IMPACTED WORKERS “ I am a PhD educated public health researcher… and I am now trying to figure out if we need to move outside the city or to another state .” – J.A., Carrboro “ Over the past 7 months, I’ve submitted over 2,000 job applications, have networked with over 100 individuals… nearly every sector I’ve looked at and networked in continues to face enormous numbers of overqualified applicants, hiring freezes and layoffs. As a single parent and the sole provider for my family, I am struggling with how to proceed .” – A.T., Apex OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMMEDIATE COORDINATED ACTION Tap the Talent – Work with existing statewide resources to elevate these professionals to prioritize transition into our booming biosciences, life-sciences, rural health, and innovation sectors. Cross-Sector Job Matching – Leverage transferable skills into life sciences, public health, education, social services, tech, and other public and private sector roles in-state. Rapid Response Workforce Support – Career transition resources, retraining programs, and targeted job fairs for displaced global health professionals & other impacted workers. Pipeline Preservation – Support internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships to keep students and early-career talent in the state. Previous Next

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