Former Executive Director Nate Nickerson Honored

Nate Nickerson, Konbit Sante’s former and long-time executive director who recently retired from his post, was recently honored in a pair of farewell celebrations in Cap-Haitien during a trip that also formally introduced new Executive Director Rupal Ramesh Shah.

Nate was involved with Konbit Sante since its founding in 2001, and was one of the first members of the organization to visit Haiti during its inaugural year. As our first executive director, he was largely responsible for shaping our mission and vision, and for forging many of the relationships in Haiti, the U.S., and around the world. Although he has retired as executive director, he continues to serve Konbit Sante as a strategic advisor.

“Nate is the figure that comes to mind when talking about KS in Okap [Cap-Haitien],” said Dr. Hans-Michel Pierrot, Konbit Sante program director. “And for all the partners, Nate is the solution to the problems when there seems to be any solution.”

The first farewell commemoration occurred at Hotel du Roi Christophe, where staff, colleagues, healthcare partners, and others thanked him and talked about his contributions to the healthcare system in North Haiti. Among the speakers were Dr. Pierrot; Dr. Robert Jasmin, director of the Ministry of Health for the Northern Department of Haiti; Jean Garcia Coq, medical director of JUH; Dr. Jean-Geto Dube, executive director of JUH; Ina Jasmin of Fort St. Michel Health Center; Dr. Maudelin Mesadieu, director of Unite de Lutte pour la Sante clinic; and Dr. Eugene Maklin, director of New Hope Hospital. Dr. Rony Saint Fleur, pediatric program manager at JUH, served as master of ceremonies.