Marc-Aurel Martial, PhD, MPH, RN
Board of Trustees Chair
Founder
Marc-Aurel Martial is a public/global health nurse scientist and educator, entrepreneur and philanthropist dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. His approach emphasizes addressing social determinants of health such as education, nutrition, and WaSH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in sustainable and culturally appropriate ways. In 2010, he co-founded Haiti Health Initiative, a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. He was born and raised in Haiti. He and his wife reside in Utah and are the parents of three children. His love for homeland is profound, and his commitment to serving Haiti is one of the small ways he can give back. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hiking and biking, and playing ping pong and racquetball.
Dr. Gene Cole, PhD
Board of Trustees
Gene Cole is a retired professor in the Department of Health Science at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He teaches and conducts research in environmental health, refugee and migrant health, and infectious disease prevention and control. His focus is on low-cost to no-cost solutions to important environmental problems that impact human health. He has worked with international organizations to address environmental health management issues in Central Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. He holds both a Master of Science degree in public health and a Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Carrie Dunford, PharmD
Board of Trustees
Finances
Carrie Dunford is a clinical pharmacist in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she works at a local hospital. She is a graduate of the University of Utah School of Pharmacy and recently received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the University of Idaho. In March of 2011, she traveled to Haiti with Haiti Health Initiative and was impressed by the collaborative work between Haiti Health Initiative and locals to improve the quality of life for the people of Timo. She currently serves as the secretary for both the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees. Carrie is married and has two sons.
JoLynne Britsch, BSN, RN
Board of Trustees
Medical Services
School Construction
Outreach Program
JoLynne Schill Britsch is a registered nurse with a bachelors in nursing. She has been interested in global health and was grateful for the opportunity to be apart of the medical team that went to Haiti in 2018. She loved and was inspired by the people she met in the community of Timo, Haiti. She has a passion to help achieve the sustainable goals that HHI has set in place for this community regarding education and health. Erasmus said, “The main hope of a nation lies in the proper education of its youth.”JoLynne chaired the fundraising campaign to build the school in Timo and has been actively participating in overseeing the construction process. She also is manages the medical team in Timo. She has worked in Maternal/Child nursing and was a childbirth educator. She currently works as an inpatient wound/ostomy specialist. She and her husband are the parents of four children and eight grandchildren. They have lived in numerous parts of the US as well as England. They love to travel as a family, meet new people, mountain bike, hike and snow ski. She is enjoying having Oregon be home and loves the Northwest.
Sara Ditto, BA
Board of Directors - Chair
Public Relations, Social Media and Outreach Program
For as long as Sara can remember she has always had a desire to go on a humanitarian trip. In April 2016, her husband and she had the privilege of joining HHI on a medical mission trip to Timo. She had the privilege of serving on the health education team and also had many opportunities to be involved in organizing the details of the trip. Since that trip, Sara has been involved in the fundraising efforts for the primary school in Timo and managing the social media outreach. She has loved using the skills and talents that she has developed for the benefit of others. Sara’s first love is her husband, who supports her dreams and crazy ideas of traveling and serving others. Sara attended BYU-Hawaii and earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University. She is an active mom of six children, and recently became a grandma!!! Sara loves volunteering in her community and often can be found doing graphic design projects for her church congregation. Sara is a sun-loving momma trying her hardest to be Christ’s hands here on earth.
Carl Bechthold, MS, BS
Board of Directors
Public Relations and Outreach Program
School Construction
Carl Bechtold supports the HHI Outreach committee, primarily with production of the group’s direct mail newsletter. Bechtold worked for newspapers in Wyoming and Montana as a reporter, editor and publisher. He also founded Yellowstone Printing in Cody Wyoming before moving to Utah in 2002. Bechtold served as a User Experience (UX) engineer, clinical software interaction designer and usability analyst for Intermountain Healthcare. He also served as a Public Relations director for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (NCALG, now known as Stop Predatory Gambling.) He also earned a master’s degree in psychology (MS/P) to support his post-newspaper work.
Matt Pettit
Board of Directors
School Construction
Infrastructure
Matthew Pettit is CEO of TechSourceSystems, a manufacturer of commercial Freeze-Drying Systems. Matt became involved with Haiti Health Initiative in 2015 and has assisted in the initial site surveys and planning for the school in Timo, as well as being involved in several medical, dental and water system missions to Haiti.
Cempaka Martial, MStat
Data Analysis and Research
Cempaka Martial is a statistician, researcher and entrepreneur with a passion for mathematics and a commitment to addressing human challenges. She studied statistics and biostatistics, driven by her desire to collaborate with others in solving real-world problems. With two decades of experience as a data analyst for a large healthcare system, she has played a vital role in transforming data into actionable insights. Since the Haiti Health Initiative's inception in 2010, Cempaka has served as its data steward and statistician, always considering the human context behind the numbers and recognizing that statistics represent individual lives and struggles. Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, Cempaka learned the value of service from her parents. Helping those in need brings her great joy. She and her husband are the proud parents of two boys and a girl. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, hosting gatherings, playing the piano, reading, walking, and practicing Zumba and Taekwondo.
Glen Thomson, BCom Honors
Board of Directors
Web Design
Glen has been leading corporate Internet Marketing teams since 1999. He has his own marketing agency, Fusion Results. He is experienced with web architecture, lead management, SEO, PPC and Social Media Management. He is delighted to use his skillset to forward the mission of Haiti Health Initiative.
Dan Ursenbach, MBA
Board of Directors
Dan Ursenbach is a Chief Engineer in composites research at Collins Aerospace in Chula Vista, CA. He has a graduate degree in materials science from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from Brigham Young University. Dan served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Haiti from 1988 to 1990 where he developed a love for the people and learned Haitian Creole. He currently serves as Haitian Group Leader at a small church congregation in San Diego where many Haitian immigrants have chosen to settle. Dan was attracted to Haiti Health Initiative because of its balanced and transparent approach to health programs. He has served as team leader on multiple trips to the clinic in Timo and loves spending time with his Haitian friends. In his spare time, he likes to paint, sail and hike with his family, and watch his boys playing water polo.
Mark Lindhardt, PharmD
Board of Directors
Pharmacy Services
Procurement and Pharmacy Services
Mark Lindhardt is a pharmacist and manager at Crimson Valley Pharmacy in St George, UT. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Idaho State University. He is the owner/operator of a cattle ranch in Preston ID, where he learned to appreciate hard work and the value of education. Mark served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in London, where he developed a love for people from around the world. Mark joined Haiti Health Initiative because he was drawn to the hands-on help and education the organization provides to those with no other means. In his spare time he enjoys motocross, playing basketball and traveling with his family.
Lisa Ursenbach
Board of Directors
Lisa Ursenbach is an adjunct professor at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut, where she teaches business management. She has a Masters of Organizational Behavior degree from Brigham Young University. She loves to see organizations reaching their full potential by aligning their strategy and values with action. This is what first drew her to want to be a part of Haiti Health Initiative and their passionate work in Haiti. Her specialties include microfinance and literacy. In her spare time, she likes to read and cook.
Watch How Our Partnership Programs Lifts Timo
Haiti Health Initiative Projects
Making a difference, one project at a time
Revitalizing Haitian farmland to nourish communities, combat food insecurity
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+1 (801) 830-3043
mail@haitihealthinitiative.org
Haiti Health Initiative aims to improve the overall health and well being of rural Haitians, one community at a time. We seek to accomplish this through providing education and services in primary health care, dental care, public health, and nutrition within each community at risk.
If you have questions about Haiti Health Initiative, contact
Marc-Aurel Martial at
mmartial@haitihealthinitiative.org
or at 801-830-3043.
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