Mission: To support the development of a sustainable health care system to meet the needs of the Cap-Haitien community with maximum local direction and support.

About our name: In Haitian Creole, a konbit is a traditional Haitian method of working together to till your friends’ fields as well as your own – a cooperative effort. Sante means health. So the name means working together for health. We have chosen a Creole name to show our respect for and friendship with the people of Haiti and the dedicated local professionals who serve them.

BIOGRAPHIES:

 President
Stephen Larned, MD
Dr. Larned, an internist, is an academic health consultant to medical institutions nationally. He was educated at Princeton, University of Michigan, Wayne State University Medical School, and Georgetown. Prior to establishing his consulting practice, Steve was vice president of medical affairs at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He has served on the boards of Goodwill Industries, Hospice of Maine, Children's Cancer Program, United Way of Greater Portland, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Steve, a tireless volunteer, works on many hospital-related projects and on acquisition and shipment of medical equipment and supplies.

Vice President
Wendy Taylor
Wendy Taylor's background is in marketing research and marketing planning. Following graduation from DePauw University, she worked for large financial institutions in Chicago and Colorado, and had a national market research business. Wendy taught marketing at the University of Colorado and taught critical decision making at the national School of Bank Marketing. She is a past board member of the United Way of Greater Portland and is involved in community impact work there. Wendy is a founding director of Konbit Sante.

Vice President
Hugh Tozer
Hugh Tozer is a water and wastewater engineer with Woodard & Curran in Portland. He received a BA in chemistry from Grinnell College and an MS in civil engineering from the University of Vermont. He has focused his career on evaluating and developing solutions to meet the water and wastewater needs of communities in the U.S. and abroad. Hugh's interest in water and sanitation began as a Peace Corps volunteer living through a drought in Benin, West Africa. His work with Konbit Sante focuses on infrastructure projects, particularly a project to improve the quantity, quality, and distribution of water at Justinian Hospital.

Secretary
John Shoos
John Shoos is currently senior vice president of community development for the United Way of Greater Portland where he oversees planning and community assessment, allocations, public policy, volunteer programs, and special collaborations. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in public policy and management from the Muskie School of Public Affairs at the University of Southern Maine. In addition to serving as a board member for Konbit Sante, John is also on the boards of the Spring Harbor Hospital, the Institute for Civic Leadership, the Portland Partnership for Homeless Youth, and 2-1-1 Maine.

Treasurer
Michael Kilmartin
Michael Kilmartin, a Portland native, has had a long career in finance related to health care. Following graduation in Health Administration and Planning from University of New Hampshire and service in the United States Air Force, he worked at Maine Medical Center for 38 years, retiring as Associate Vice President of Finance. He is currently Assistant Treasurer of MaineHealth. Konbit Sante is fortunate to have Mike’s invaluable help as we continue to develop and refine our dual-currency financial and project management systems.

Founder and President Emeritus
J. Michael Taylor, MD, MPH
Dr. Taylor is a practicing dermatologist in Portland with a career-long interest in international and community medicine. He is a graduate of Amherst College, University of Buffalo Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health, where he serves as a member of the Alumni Council. He has completed residencies in internal medicine and dermatology at the University of California at San Francisco. Following medical school he went to Nigeria as a U.S. Peace Corps physician. He has taught epidemiology at Dartmouth and was chief of the department of community medicine at Maine Medical Center where he established medical clinics in underserved parts of the state of Maine. Michael is the founder and visionary of Konbit Sante.

Board Member
Dr. Samuel Broaddus, MD
Dr. Broaddus is a Bowdoin College graduate and received his medical degree from the University of Vermont. Sam is a practicing Portland urologist with a special interest in urologic malignancies, urinary stone disease, and non-invasive treatments. Sam's international medical experience spans twenty-five years and includes work in Vietnam, Haiti, St. Lucia, Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. He has worked in Haiti at Hospital Albert Schweitzer and at the Justinian Hospital. At the Justinian Hospital, he has formed what we consider the model collaboration between medical specialists, working in partnership with Haitian colleagues in urology and surgery.

Board Member
Deborah A. Deatrick, MPH
Deborah Deatrick is Vice President for Community Health at MaineHealth where she oversees the system's prevention and population-based initiatives. Prior to joining MaineHealth, Deb was executive director of the Health Commons Institute, a national nonprofit organization that promotes shared decision making between doctors and patients. She has more than twenty-five years experience in public health, focusing on evaluation, social marketing and community advocacy, and has also taught community health education in the University of Maine system. Deb has a strong interest in global health improvement and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan.

Board Member
John Devlin, MD
Dr. Devlin is a practicing endocrinologist with a special interest in diabetes. He received his MD from Cornell University Medical College, and trained in Internal Medicine at Maine Medical Center. After service in the United States Public Health Services NH Service Corps in Eastport, Maine, John taught at the University of Vermont College Medicine and served as Medical Director of the Maine Center for Diabetes. He is currently pursuing a degree in Health Policy and Management at the Muskie School of Public Service. He teaches diabetes education and intervention in Cap-Haitien and is interested in coordination of the clinical services between Portland and Cap-Haitien.

Board Member
Skeek Frazee
A native of Wisconsin, Skeek Frazee moved to Maine in the late ‘70s to work for the newly-created Family Crisis Shelter, serving as a woman’s advocate, volunteer coordinator, community educator, and professional trainer. She has worked with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England for 18 years and is currently Director of Communications for the three-state affiliate. Skeek has conducted HIV/AIDS and family planning training for young people in Tanzania, and has also worked with new American women in Portland to better understand their reproductive health beliefs and needs. She has served on the board of Sexual Assault Response Services and is a member of Konbit Sante’s women’s health team, with special interest in reproductive health education and outreach.

Operations Manager
Emily M. Gilkinson
Bio to come.

Board Member
Polly R. Larned, RN
Polly Larned is a registered nurse with experience in inpatient pediatrics, as a visiting nurse, and as a volunteer at the Portland Public Clinic. She holds degrees from both Briarcliffe and Westbrook Colleges. She has been active in the Cape Elizabeth school system, where she was member of the school board, and recreation department. Polly was a founding board member of the Portland Ronald McDonald House and continues to volunteer there. She has made many trips to Cap-Haitien and has special interests in nursing education and pediatrics at Justinian Hospital.

Board Member
Eva Lathrop, MD
Dr. Eva Lathrop is Family Planning Clinical Care and Research Fellow at Emory University School of Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Atlanta. While completing her residency at Maine medical Center in Portland, Dr. Lathrop was one of Konbit Sante’s founding board members. Dr. Lathrop now heads Konbit Sante’s women’s health team and visits Haiti frequently to teach and lead the women’s health initiative to improve birth outcomes. Dr. Lathrop was a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi and, in addition to her work with Konbit Sante, spends time in Africa providing hands on care to African women.

Board Member
Ann Lemire, MD
Dr. Lemire is an internist-pediatrician specializing in HIV medicine. She currently works for the City of Portland Public Health Division. In addition to providing primary care to HIV patients, she staffs the city's STD clinic as well as its school-based health centers. She obtained her MD degree from the University of Vermont and completed her training in internal medicine and pediatrics from Albany Medical Center Hospital. She is board certified in pediatrics, internal medicine, and HIV medicine. She completed her residencies at Albany Medical Center Hospital in Albany, New York. In addition to holding several faculty positions, she has most recently served as the program director of the Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program at Maine Medical Center. Ann works tirelessly with the pediatric physicians at the Justinian Hospital to improve the facility, teaching, and patient care in that department.

Board Member
Donald L. McDowell
Until his retirement in 2001, Don was president of MaineHealth, the not-for-profit parent of Maine Medical Center. Prior to moving to Maine, Don served as vice chancellor for administration at Vanderbilt University and vice president for administration at Florida International University. Don was educated at Ohio State University and the University of Florida. As an active member of the community, Don has lead such organizations as the University of Maine (as board member and acting chancellor), the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Greater Portland, Maine Hospital Association, and St. Joseph's College. Don brings to the Konbit Sante board a wealth of experience in medical systems and governance.

Board Member
James L. Moody, Jr.
Jim Moody is a retired business executive. Following graduation from Bates College and service in the U.S. Army, Jim had a long and distinguished career at Hannaford Bros. Co. serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. He has chaired the board of trustees of Bates College, served as trustee and chairman of the board of trustees of Maine Medical Center, chairman of the United Way of Greater Portland, and chaired the Food Marketing Institute. He is presently a trustee of the Portland Museum of Art, a director of the Portland Opera Repertory Theater, and is a founding director of Konbit Sante. Jim brings a strong background in management, fundraising, and governance.

Board Member
Donald E. Nicoll
Don Nicoll has had a long distinguished career in government and management. His most recent position before semi-retiring was vice president for planning and public affairs at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He was also administrative assistant to Edmund S. Muskie, Senator from Maine for many years. He is a graduate of Colby College (BA) and Pennsylvania State University (MA). In addition to his work with Konbit Sante, Don is active in the Japan America Society of Maine and chairs the Maine-Amori Sister-State Advisory Council. He is a founding director of Konbit Sante and provides the organization with a great deal of guidance in planning and governance.

Administrator
Axnick Woody Paul
Mr. Paul works part time for Konbit Sante, managing our finances in Haiti, assisting with trip arrangements, handling logistics of container arrivals, and setting up myriad meetings with people at the Ministry of Health, the hospital, the clinic, and in the community. He still finds time to teach economics at the Universite Notre Dame d’Haiti in Cap-Haitien and is the Director of Planning in the Northern Department of Haiti.

Advisor
Henry Perry, MD, PhD, MPH
Dr. Henry Perry, who has worked extensively on global health issues in Bolivia, Haiti, and Bangladesh, is now Carl Taylor Professor for Equity and Empowerment at the Future Generations Graduate School of Applied Studies, whose US base is in West Virginia. Dr. Perry received his MD, PhD, and MPH from Johns Hopkins University and completed a residency in surgery at the Maine Medical Center. He served as Director General and CEO of Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, and he founded Curamericas, an NGO program community-based primary health care in Bolivia, Guatemala, Haiti, and Liberia. Dr. Perry brings to Konbit Sante a wealth of expertise in international community-based primary health care, child survival, and health manpower.

Board Member
Malcolm Porteous Rogers, MD
Dr. Malcolm Rogers recently moved to Maine from Boston where he has been Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School at the Brigham & Women's Hospital and had a private practice in Chestnut Hill, MA. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the Advisory Committee of the International Division of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. After receiving his MD from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Rogers completed his internship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and residency at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. Since 2003, Dr. Rogers has been an active volunteer with Konbit Sante teaching psychiatry to residents and attendings at Justinian Hospital in Cap-Haitien.

Board Member
Michael J. Ryan
Mike Ryan is vice president for operations at Maine Medical Center in Portland where he oversees clinical and administrative support functions, facilities management, design and construction management, and supporting hotel services. He also chairs the advisory board of the Maine Community AIDS Partnership. He is a graduate of Hamilton College (BA) and Boston University Graduate School of Management (MBA). Mike is a founding board member of Konbit Sante, participated in our first group trip to Cap-Haitien, and brings expertise in financial management and procurement.

Board Member
Duncan Stout
Duncan Stout is a partner of CD&M Communications, a full-service marketing and communication company in Portland. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Duncan was born in Boston, schooled in Los Angeles, and lived many places in between. He brings to Konbit Sante extensive background in writing, strategic planning, brand development, media, and experience working with not-for-profit organizations including Maine Public Broadcasting Network and the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Executive Director
Nathan M. Nickerson, RN, MSN, DrPH
Prior to joining the Konbit Sante Staff as its first executive director, Nate Nickerson was previously director of public health for the City of Portland where he oversaw services related to infectious diseases, health care for the poor and homeless, health care for children and families, and health promotion services. Nate has BS degrees from Tufts and University of Southern Maine as well as a master's degree in nursing from Simmons College. In 2007 he received his doctorate in international public heath from Boston University. Nate is a founding director of Konbit Sante and has special interests in infectious diseases, public health, and community outreach.

Program Specialist
Marianne Ringel
Prior to working for Konbit Sanate, Marianne Ringel was a Health Policy Analyst in the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance. Prior to joining the Governor's staff, Marianne served as Policy Director and Acting Deputy Director for the MaineCare Program at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to that she worked for the Maine Health Care Finance Commission. Marianne has also worked in New York City’s foster care system and for a federal employment and training program. Marianne has Masters’ degrees in Public Policy Analysis and Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA in psychology from Yale University. She is currently on the board of Dirigo Health.

Board Member
Robert L. Woodbury, PhD
Robert Woodbury is a graduate of Amherst College with a PhD in American Studies from Yale University. Dr. Woodbury has served as a faculty member and senior administrator at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as President of the University of Southern Maine, as Chancellor of the seven-campus University of Maine System and has chaired the board of the American University in Bulgaria. In 2000, he chaired the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care for the state of Maine and has served on the boards of the Maine Humanities Council, the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Maritime Museum, and Maine Public Broadcasting. He brings to Konbit Sante a wealth of experience in education, administration, and community service.

Dr. Fennell Coulanges
In-Country Program Manager

Dr. Coulanges joined the Konbit Sante team in March 2006. After receiving his MD in Port-au-Prince, Dr. Coulanges received an MPH from Loma Linda University in California. His responsibilities include joint planning, communications, project supervision, and participation in meetings with the Ministry of Health, USAID, and other health care organizations in Haiti. Dr. Coulanges also spends one day a week providing direct clinical care at the Fort St. Michel clinic, increasing physician coverage there and improving the connection between the clinic and the Justinian Hospital.

Dr. Michel Pierre
Director of Internal Medicine Resident Training

Dr. Pierre has run the educations program in internal medicine at Justinian Hospital since 2003. He received his MD in Port-au-Prince and has completed advanced studies in gastroenterology and neurology in France and Martinique. Dr. Pierre’s presence has greatly enhanced education and patient care.

Dr. Paul Euclide Toussaint
Director of pediatric Resident Training

Dr. Toussaint joined the Justinian Hospital medical staff in 2000 as a staff pediatrician and specialist in neonatal intensive care. In 2005, Konbit Sante, with a grant from USAID, was able to make Dr. Toussaint a full-time pediatric educator. His teaching skills and energy are inspirational, and he has already improved the reputation of Justinian Hospital as a place to complete a pediatrics residency.

Miss Marie Invanne Vixamar Durosier
Pediatric Nurse Educator

Born in Cap-Haitien, Miss Durosier works full time on the staff of the Ecole des Infermieres Notre Dame de la Sagesse, the nursing school located on the Justinian Hospital campus. Her specific responsibilities are to train pediatric nurses, working closely with Dr. Toussaint and other members of the pediatric staff, and to improve communications and coordination between nurses and physicians.

Youseline Telemaque, MD
Obstetrician/Gynecologist

Dr. Telemaque completed her medical school at Université Quisqueya in Port-au-Prince, spent her social service year at Hôpital Sainte-Therese in Hinche, and worked at Centre Medical Beraca in Port-de-Paix before joining Konbit Sante.   While doing her residency at the JUH, Dr. Telemaque played an instrumental role in the needs assessment on women’s health issues conducted by Konbit Sante in 2006, which was foundational to many of our current efforts related to women’s health.