Global Surgery Advocacy Programs

Ernesto is a Colombia anesthesiologist with training in pediatric anesthesia and pediatric cardiac anesthesia a the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, currently working in the biggest pediatric hospital in Colombia. He has volunteered with Operation Smile for 14 years an an anesthesiologist and an anesthesia team leader. He is the founder and former president of the Association for the Safe Practice of Pediatric Anesthesia, a one-year-old initiative that gathers anesthesiologists caring for children in his region, currently with over 90 associates in six countries.

Dr. José Alejandro Torres Balarezo, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., is an Ecuadorian physician with experience at the intersection of frontline care, policy and academia. He is a teaching technician at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) and former technical analyst at the vice presidency of Ecuador. Balarezo is a contributor and intersectoral coordinator for Ecuador’s National Surgical, Obstetric & Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP) and coordinator for the follow-up of the National Malaria Elimination Plan 2022–2026 with PAHO. His clinical experience includes rural service at Franklin Tello Hospital in the Amazon, epidemiologic surveillance, COVID-19 vaccination and training of midwives and community health workers. He has been published in the Pan American Journal of Public Health (2025), and he has presented at national and international forums on global surgery and health policy. His goal is to specialize in head and neck surgery and advance intercultural, evidence-based health models for Ecuador.

Dr. Jessy Goupeyou is a health policy analyst at the Nkafu Policy Institute in Cameroon. With a strong background in research translation and policy engagement, she is passionate about ensuring that evidence-based solutions inform decision-making to improve health outcomes in Africa. She holds a Ph.D. in medical entomology from Sorbonne Université. Her expertise in this field, combined with her leadership and advocacy, has been recognized through awards such as the PAMCA Women in Vector Control Excellence Award (2021) and the ASTMH/BMGF Annual Meeting Travel Award (2020). She is an alumna of the Science of Eradication Malaria program at Harvard University (2022) and the Leadership, Management and Governance program at Strathmore University Business School (2023). Beyond her professional work, Goupeyou is deeply committed to mentoring young scientists and inspiring the next generation of women in STEM across Africa. 

Dr. Jill Mayunga is an intern doctor and global surgery advocate and researcher based in Kenya. Her focus is on gender equity in global surgery and she currently serves as the Africa liaison lead for the Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery (GEIGS). Her contributions span published research, advocacy and leadership initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive surgical environments and advancing opportunities for women in surgery. Mayunga intends to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery while continuing to strengthen equity within surgical systems. 

Samantha Asante Mkochi, R.N.M., B.Sc., is a dedicated nurse from Malawi with a strong commitment to advancing maternal and neonatal health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing and has gained extensive experience in clinical practice, advocacy and health systems strengthening. Her professional work has centered on improving outcomes for newborns, with a focus on the implementation of neonatal care protocols, ensuring functionality of essential equipment and building the capacity of healthcare providers through training and mentorship. Beyond care, Samantha is actively involved in research and academic collaborations aimed at addressing broader health challenges. She has contributed to projects on adolescent health and vulnerability assessments, particularly in the context of COVID-19, in partnership with institutions such as the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES) as M.Sc. student in sexual reproductive health rights and research. Through these collaborations, she seeks to generate evidence that can better inform social and financial assistance programs for vulnerable populations. Passionate about safeguarding the rights and well-being of mothers and infants, Samantha integrates clinical expertise, research and advocacy to advance equitable access to healthcare and to strengthen neonatal survival in Malawi.  

Dr. Feven Mekonenn Tadesse is a young surgeon with a passion for academia, research and leadership. A recent leadership fellowship graduate, she is committed to advancing safe and accessible surgical care, especially in underserved communities. Feven is also an advocate for women’s empowerment and community service, striving to be a change maker in both healthcare and society. 

Dr. Eric Twizeyimana is a physician passionate about global health, equity and social justice, with a particular focus on global surgery and sexual and reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries. He has extensive experience in health research, development and education, having planned and coordinated student-led research projects that empower youth and strengthen community health initiatives. In his clinical practice, he has provided patient care while supporting health institutions to improve community services and actively sharing knowledge with peers and students. 

Eric’s postgraduate training has further enhanced his expertise in research, mentorship and capacity-building, aligning with his aspiration to become a global health leader and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MD) from the University of Rwanda and a Master of Science in global health delivery (MGHD) from the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE). He is currently completing a Master of Science (MSc) in trauma science at the University of Birmingham. 

Abdo Husen Abdulkadir is a public health specialist with a special focus on health care project management. He has received a postgraduate degree in public health from Hawassa University in Ethiopia. He has been trained in project management, health system management, monitoring and evaluations. Abdulkadir is also a current student fellow at Africa Civil Engagement Academy, a program being run by the University of Georgia. He has more than 15 years of experience in the health care and nonprofit sectors having held program coordination and project management roles at various international NGOs, including Amref Health Africa, The Fred Hollows Foundation and The Pharo Foundation.

Dr. Metasebia Worku Abebe is an assistant professor and plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College and leads the plastic and reconstructive surgery unit. She’s dedicated to reconstructive surgery, caring for patients with various needs. She has recently made history as the first female plastic surgeon from Ethiopia to be a College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) fellow. Beyond her clinical work, she’s committed to education and advocacy for increased access to safe reconstructive surgical care.

Dr. Rahantasoa Finaritra is a surgeon in Madagascar. She works in the Department of Visceral and Digestive Surgery and is also a teaching assistant in the Faculty of Medicine of Antananarivo. In 2022, she won a scholarship for young students from the French National Society of Gastroenterology. The scholarship included an internship in Paris for a week and participation in an international congress. She did a one-year internship in France in 2018 and a three-month internship in South Korea in 2022. She has also had the opportunity over the past few years to assist in workshops offered by Mercyships. Her research focus is primarily on digestive surgery.

Dr. Juan Carlos Gallego, a renowned gynecologist and professor, is affiliated with Fundacion Valle del Lili and ICESI University. He is committed to health equity and advocates for sexual and reproductive rights in vulnerable populations. Gallego’s community work, particularly the “Hospital Padrino” strategy, has reduced maternal mortality and is now part of Colombia’s public policy. As a volunteer, he’s provided care to underserved communities and trained local health care workers, witnessing the transformative impact of improved lives. Gallego is eager to enhance his skills, collaborate and improve women’s health in Colombia.

María José García is a sociology and political science expert on international relations. She holds postgraduate degrees in public policy design and project management. She has a wealth of experience in leadership, advocacy and community relations, having worked with the Vice Presidency of Ecuador, the Municipality of Quito and various NGOs. She has led social responsibility, health, community development and public policy projects. Her contributions to the National Surgical Strengthening Plan in Ecuador earned her an honorable mention in “The Lancet.” García is a proactive and creative professional dedicated to addressing complex development challenges.

Dr. Patrick Maison is a urologist and senior lecturer with the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. He is a fellow of the Ghana College of Surgeons and also of the West African College of Surgeons where he graduated in 2014. Maison has a passion for improving surgical practice in Ghana by promoting the training and practice of minimally invasive surgery across the country. He won the prize for the best candidate in urology in West Africa in 2014 and has received academic scholarships from the International Society of Urology (SIU), International Volunteers of Urology (IVUmed) and the Ghana Education Trust Fund. He has also won some competitive international research grants and has over 20 research publications to his credit.

Dr. Pierrette Ngutete Mukundwa, a global health leader, holds a master’s degree in global health delivery from the University of Global Health and a medical degree from the University of Rwanda. She serves as a faculty member at UGHE, coordinating global surgery modules, mentoring students and supporting the Center for Equity in Global Surgery. Her experience as a general practitioner in Rwanda highlighted the need for equitable surgical care. She advocates for patient inclusion in health care decisions and ensures interventions are tailored to their needs.

Dr. Nicholas Okumu is a renowned orthopedic surgeon and health care leader in Kenya. He heads the orthopaedic oncology unit at Kenyatta National Hospital and is the CEO of Stratus Medical. He holds a master’s degree in orthopedic surgery and an MBA. His training includes project management and leadership from Harvard and the University of Washington. As a 2024 Global Surgery Advocacy Fellow, he is dedicated to improving orthopedic care and health care accessibility in Kenya and mentoring future leaders.

Dr. Simon Pierre is a medical doctor with extensive clinical experience in remote areas. He has been trained in Advanced Life Support of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Essential surgical skills. He is passionate about global surgery, research and orthopedics. Currently in the Clinical Medicine Division at the University of Global Health Equity as a junior faculty and coordinator, he coordinates and participates in the teaching of students during their clerkship in different hospitals and participates in curricula development. With the CEGS team, he participates in different research aiming to contribute to equitable health delivery.

Dr. Franco Roldan was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, in a time marked by violence and drug trafficking. She graduated from medical school at the CES University in Medellin. She trained in anesthesia with an emphasis in oncology in Bogota, Colombia, at the National Institute of Cancerology. After her residency, Roldan began volunteering for Operation Smile and served as a volunteer in surgical programs for 11 years. Roldan went on to receive additional training in obstetric and fetal anesthesia a the Clinic Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. She has served as an anesthesiologist and subspecialist in many hospitals in various regions of Colombia.

Regina Sinsai is a public health researcher at the Nkafu Policy Institute in Cameroon. She has a degree in psychology and a diploma in nursing, which she obtained from the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi and a vocational training institute in Yaoundé. She leads research projects to contribute to equitable health care delivery as a public health researcher. Her advocacy interests include health care financing for surgical patients — in other words, improving access to affordable surgical procedures by reducing catastrophic health expenditures for patients.

Dr. Tinsae Abera Worku is an Ethiopian medical doctor and global health leader holding a master’s degree in global health delivery with a focus on health management. With a profound passion for global surgery and a commitment to addressing surgical care disparities in resource-limited countries, Worku is actively participating in various global surgery projects. Her expertise encompasses clinical care, education, gender equity, disaster management, research and advocacy, reflecting a holistic approach to improving individual and community health outcomes. Driven by a commitment to evidence-based policymaking, innovation and advocacy, she is dedicated to closing knowledge and research gaps and advocating for health equity.