HAMILTON, Ontario – (CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE) – The Board of Directors of Save the Mothers is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Mensah as the new Executive Director.
“We are thrilled that our search for the next Executive Director of Save the Mothers has led us to Deborah,” says Mary Harvey, Chair of the Board. “She brings a wealth of experience and skills, having focused on mothers and children her entire career.”
“But she also has a strong passion for maternal health—a passion, incidentally, that was sparked, in part, while she was still just in high school, when she read [Save the Mothers’ founder and ambassador] Dr. Jean Chamberlain-Froese’s book, Where Have All The Mothers Gone? Reading that book was influential in her pursuit of a career aimed at improving maternal and child health globally.”
Deborah is very excited to be taking on the leadership of Save the Mothers (STM) here in Canada, where effective immediately, she will work alongside Dr. Chamberlain Froese to raise awareness of the plight of vulnerable girls and women around the globe. “I am both humbled and honoured to be taking on the role of Executive Director at STM,” says Deborah, “an organization that is significantly impacting maternal and infant mortality in Uganda. I believe that no mother should die whilst giving life, and that babies and children are most likely to thrive when they have a healthy mother supporting them. I am committed to doing my part at STM to make this a reality for many more mothers and babies in Uganda and beyond.”
For more than a decade, Deborah has worked in the development and management of public health projects in Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America. She is experienced in advocacy, building and maintaining strategic partnerships, program management and organisational change. She has a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the prestigious London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Every day, 800 women and girls die preventable deaths of causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Since 2005, Save the Mothers has worked in East Africa through a unique partnership program with Uganda Christian University, which leads to a Master of Public Health Leadership degree. The program equips East African professionals from diverse fields to make a difference in their own spheres of influence, giving them the tools and skills they need to become strong advocates for change, and to build new societal infrastructures that are saving the lives of mothers. Through our Mother Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, STM graduates are working with hospital administrators and staff in assessing, recommending and implementing changes, then monitoring the outcomes and progress in improving maternal and newborn services.
“I am looking forward to working with Deborah,” says Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese, “and to cheering her on as she grows Save the Mothers and expands its reach and influence. The need is so great. But we work inspired by the countless Canadians who demonstrate they believe in our mission, through their financial, advocacy, and prayer support of Save the Mothers.”
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For interviews or further information, contact:
Patricia Paddey
Communications Director
Save the Mothers
Cell) 905-616-1326
Email) ppaddey@savethemothers.org
Web: www.savethemothers.org