​ Kathryn Brooks, MPH, is a Senior Project Manager for IHI based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and supports IHI’s work in Ethiopia by leading a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health to design a quality improvement initiative focused on improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. She is also part of the operational teams supporting two areas of IHI’s work: the Triple Aim and Maternal and Infant Health. Previously, she was a research assistant for the Center for Global Health and Development at Boston University.

Dechen Sherpa, MBA, MA, is the Manager for Business Development at IHI, focusing in the Africa region. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, she is responsible for customers’ needs assessment; designing, testing, and bringing new products to market; developing business models and detailed project budgets; and helping the regional lead meet annual strategic goals and revenue targets. She brings global perspective and varied experience, having worked in Asia with the United Nations and the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development on issues related to women’s health and climate change. Her most recent experience prior to joining IHI was with the technology company EMC².

Patience Kudzai Manyau a Project Coordinator for the Africa region at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She supports IHI’s South Africa Tuberculosis Quality Improvement Program that focuses on QI to close the gaps in the TB Care Cascade. She also supports the Mphatlalatsane Project, an initiative focusing on improving Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, and Neonatal Health outcomes in South Africa. Before joining IHI, she worked at a computer service company.

Cleola Payne is a Project Coordinator for IHI based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. She supports IHI’s work in Ghana that is focused on improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. She also supports the IHI Improvement Scholars Program in collaboration with AIAMC and the accountable care organizations that aim to provide high-quality care to Medicare patients. Ms. Payne is a community organizer in Cambridge and part of The Port Café, a pop-up café that honors the time, treasure, and talent of all people and lays the foundation for a strong and loving community. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wheaton College (MA).

Aleya Martin, MPH, is a Senior Project Manager for IHI based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. She supports IHI’s work in South Africa Tuberculosis QI Program, an initiative that aims to use quality improvement to close gaps in the TB Care Cascade. She also supports IHI’s Joy in Work Results-Oriented Learning Network as a manager and coach. Prior to joining IHI, she worked for nonprofit organizations to further health equity and build the capacity of community coalitions through the management of projects, trainings, conferences, and the provision of technical assistance in New England area of the USA. Additionally, she has worked for universities in both quantitative and qualitative research-related positions and in program coordination and community outreach in both the USA and East Africa.
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South Africa Tuberculosis Project Team

Carolin Diergaardt is an Improvement Advisor for IHI’s work for the South African National Department of Health TB initiative and is based in Cape Town. She completed her General Nursing and Midwifery training at Grootte Schuur and Somerset hospitals. She received her National Higher diploma in Community Health at Cape University of Technology and a Diploma in HIV/AIDS Management from the University of Stellenbosch. Prior to joining IHI, she worked as a PMTCT/Pediatric QI Nurse advisor for the South to South Programme, for Comprehensive Family HIV Care and Treatment at Stellenbosch University.

Hlolisile Chiya, MN, PhD, is an Improvement Advisor for South Africa’s National Department of Health TB Quality Improvement Project. She is a registered Nurse who joined IHI in 2017. For the districts within the Province of KwaZulu-Natal on the TB program, she provides quality improvement support that includes designing and leading QI projects and building QI capacity and capability for staff throughout the health systems. Her experience includes working in multiple sectors, most recently in the Provincial Department of Health as a Monitoring and Evaluation Deputy Director on priority programs like HAST and MNCWH. She was responsible for supporting 11 districts of KwaZulu-Natal Province to improve health information management and building capacity to use data to guide improvement. Her passion for QI grew when she joined the University of KwaZulu-Natal 20,000+ project, for over six years on multiple QI projects. 

Celumusa Ndimande is a Registered Professional Nurse (B Cur Degree + multiple Diplomas) who has worked in the health sector for the past 16 years, mostly working with nonprofit organizations within the HIV and AIDS sector. She joined IHI as an Improvement Officer for uMgungundlovu district. Prior to joining IHI, she worked as a Provincial Technical Advisor supporting the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, where she provided technical support across different programs, including strengthening NIMART Mentorship and as HIV, AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) Care and Support Manager. Her first exposure to the science of improvement was in 2012 when she worked as a Senior Quality Mentor for 20,000+ project under the University of KwaZulu-Natal, supported by IHI, to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV using quality improvement methods. She discovered her passion for QI from this project and went on to develop her skills through formal training on the IHI Improvement Advisor Professional Development Program. She is now a fully trained Improvement Advisor with experience in providing mentorship to district- and facility-level QI teams. She has also worked for EGPAF, ICAP, and HST.

Nokuthula Portia Zulu is a registered primary health care specialist nurse and a qualified nurse manager and educator. She worked for the South African Department of Health for five years and her passion for adult education landed her a role as a primary health care trainer. She has vast experience in coordinating and conducting trainings at the sub-district and district levels. She joined the NGO sector in the past four years, working as a QI Mentor with CAPRISA on the TB-HIV Integration QI Project, where she was involved in improvement work, health systems strengthening, and health systems research supporting King Cetshwayo district. She had an opportunity to be trained on Quality Improvement Leadership Methods (QILM) and being mentored by IHI. Her focus has mainly been in HIV/AIDS and TB. Her recent project with HST involved QI work in improving clinical outcomes of children and adolescents living with TB and HIV in rural Zululand’s sub-districts in KZN. She joins IHI as an improvement officer in the SA TB QI project for Zululand district in KZN.

Ethiopia Project Office Team

Mehiret Abate is a Senior Project Officer for the Ethiopia Health Care Quality Initiative. In this role, she supports the prototype collaborative woreda (district) in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR) and is based in Sodo, SNNPR. Ms. Abate holds a Diploma in Midwifery from Hawassa University and is pursuing an MPH at Addis Continental Institute of Public Health. Prior to joining IHI, Ms. Abate worked as a Continuing Education Coordinator with the Ethio-Canada MNCH Project, as an assistant lecturer and Midwife Department Head at the Arba Minch College of Health Sciences, and as a Midwife Advisor with the Ethiopian Midwives Association (EMA).

Haregeweyni Alemu, MSC, RN, is a Senior Project Officer for the Ethiopia Health Care Quality Initiative. In this role, she supports the prototype collaborative woreda (district) in the Tigray region and is based in Tanqua Abergele, Tigray. Mrs. Alemu holds degrees in Management and Public Health, has an advanced certificate in International Health Care Administration, and is a registered nurse. Before joining the IHI Ethiopia team, she worked as a comprehensive nursing care provider at Mekelle & Asmara Kagnew Hospitals, as a clinical mentor and public health coach for mid-level health professions at Mekelle University, and was among the senior leaders at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

Abera Biadgo, MPH, is a Senior Project Officer for the Ethiopia Health Care Quality Initiative. In this role, Mr. Biadgo supports the prototype collaborative woreda in the Amhara region and is based in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. He holds degrees in Public Health (MPH) and Nursing (BSC) from Gondar University and a Diploma in Nursing from Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine: Centralized School of Nursing. Prior to working with IHI, Mr. Biadgo has worked as a field nurse, a Maternal and Newborn Health Specialist, and as an Immunization and Quality Improvement Advisor.

Befikadu Bitewulign, MPH, is a Senior Project Officer for the Ethiopian Health Care Quality Initiative and is based in Assella, Oromia, Ethiopia. Through this position, Mr. Bitewulign supports the prototype collaborative woreda in the Oromia region. Mr. Bitewulign holds degrees in Public Health and Nursing, both from Jimma University & Hawassa University respectively. Before joining the IHI Africa team, Mr. Bitewulign worked as a Maternal and Newborn Health Project Officer with Jhpiego–Ethiopia, as a Newborn Care Field Supervisor with the Ethiopian Pediatrics Society, and as a Regional (Oromia) M&E officer for Save the Children International–Ethiopia and Team Leader with the International Medical Corps.

Meseret Gebreselassie is the Administrative and Finance Assistant for the IHI Ethiopia Project Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Her work supports the financial and administrative office operations for the Ethiopian Health Care Quality Initiative. Ms. Gebreselassie holds a degree in accounting and a diploma in secretarial science and office management. Prior to joining the IHI Africa team, she held secretarial positions at PESC Information Technology College and Gift Real Estate. She also worked as an Administrative Assistant for The Noble and Trustworthy House, PLC.

Andarge Lakew is the Finance Manager at the IHI Ethiopia Project Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Through this position, Mr. Lakew supports the fiscal operations of the Ethiopian Health Care Quality Initiative. He holds degrees in Accounting and Finance from Addis Ababa University. Prior to working with IHI, Mr. Lakew worked as an accountant for Samaritan’s Purse–International Relief, as the General Accounts and Financial Reporting Section Head for Columbia University, ICAP Ethiopia, and then later as the Associate Finance Director, also at Columbia University, ICAP Ethiopia.

Zewdie Mulissa, MD, MPH, is a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer for IHI’s work in Ethiopia. In this role, he supports the Ethiopian Health Care Quality Initiative and is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Before joining the IHI Ethiopia team, Dr. Mulissa has worked as a general practitioner at Gimbie Adventist hospital, Arba Minch Hospital and Dr. B Cossar Clinic. He also served as a Senior Model SRH Clinic Director at Jimma Model Clinic (JMC) of Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) and as the Central M&E Advisor at CU-ICAP Ethiopia. Dr. Mulissa holds MD and MPH degrees from Jimma University.

Henok Wondemagegne is the Human Resources and Operations Manager at the IHI Ethiopia Project Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Through this position, Mr. Henok leads the human resources management and supports operations for the Ethiopian Health Care Quality Initiative. He holds Masters Degrees in Public Management and Policy, and BA degrees in Public Administration and Development Management, and Human Resource Management. Prior to joining the IHI Ethiopia Project Office, Mr. Henok led the Human Resources and Administration Department with the International Medical Corps, worked as the Director of Human Resources and Contractual Management with Info Mind Solutions, and was previously the Deputy Human Resources Director with the ZTE (HK) Limited Ethiopian Branch.

Dawit Hailu is a Senior Project Officer at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Ethiopia Office, where he coaches, guides, and supports woreda coaches in Chencha and Malie woreda MNH collaboratives on quality improvement work. The aim of his work is to contribute toward reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. He also is a wave 55 Improvement Advisor Student.

Ibrahim Alemu is a Senior Project Officer for IHI. He assists quality improvers in building their QI capability for the provision of quality of care services for mothers and newborns. Before working for IHI, he spent more than 14 years as a health care provider in different government and non-government organizations. Over five years of his time as a quality improver health care provider were spent as a Mentor of Mentors for I-TECH Ethiopia through the US PEPFAR. He enjoys learning project cycle management from AAU in distance education on a post-graduate level.