We are saddened to learn of the recent passing of one of Konbit Sante’s earliest and longest champions, Michael John Ryan. Michael was recruited to serve on Konbit Sante’s board of directors by Konbit Sante co-founder Dr. Michael Taylor, and was a member of the inaugural team that visited Haiti on a fact-finding tour in 2001. As a founding board member, he was instrumental in defining Konbit Sante’s mission to build a sustainable health system in Cap-Haitien, procuring equipment and supplies for our healthcare partners, and building the foundation upon which our organization still stands. “Mike generously shared his time, resources, and expertise as a founding board member to help get Konbit Sante off the ground. He always quietly rolled up his sleeves to help with whatever was needed,” said Nate Nickerson, former executive director of Konbit Sante. “I remember him coming to Haiti with his daughter on our very first trip as we were exploring a possible relationship with the Justinian Hospital in 2001. He also did a lot of work to help our organization put together good accounting systems and the tools needed to have a well-run and effective organization. He was also helpful in securing equipment and supplies for Haiti through his role as chief financial officer at Maine Medical Center. “The generous support of Mike and his wife, Mary Lou McGregor, continued long after he left the board.  We appreciate and celebrate that Konbit Sante’s continued work in Haiti today is one part of the legacy of his life.” All of us in the Konbit Sante family would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Michael’s family. His obituary in the Portland Press Herald can be read here.

Konbit Sante affirms that all people have the right to healthcare regardless of personal means.  Furthermore, people have a fundamental right to life and liberty.  We believe in the dignity of all people and in human rights. To that end, we believe that it is imperative to bear witness to, and advocate on behalf of, persons who suffer the indignity of misery.

Konbit Sante seeks to understand the full context of our work but will focus on, and capitalize on, the strengths and abilities of us and our Haitian, and other, partners.

Konbit Sante operates in accordance with the highest ethical standards in all relationships with its Haitian partners, donors, and the community.

Konbit Sante values the contributions of its volunteers, donors, and funders, and strives to be good stewards of these human and material assets, seeking the most benefit for the people of Cap-Haitien with all resources entrusted to us.

Konbit Sante approaches our partnership with the people of Cap-Haitien with the understanding that each has much to learn from the other.

Konbit Sante understands that we are guests in Haiti and that decisions about the health system there are the Haitians’ to make.

Konbit Sante believes in the value of improving the public health system in Haiti, rather than developing a secondary or parallel system.

While recognizing that we are ultimately all interdependent, Konbit Sante believes in promoting the empowerment of people to meet their own needs.