Director, CHEER and Executive Director and Founder, CHEERing
Focus: CHEER Direction.
Previous/Other Current Work: Director of Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices (CHAMPS); Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine; Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health. She was previous Director of The Breastfeeding Center at Boston Medical Center; Consultant to numerous Native American tribes via the Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center, and former consultant to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service; Editor in Chief of the Journal of Human Lactation. She currently consults for the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Fun Fact: Owns a pit bull and raises chickens and ducks at home.
Focus: Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology and Quality Improvement.
Previous/Other Current Work: Project Manager, Massachusetts NeoQIC Human Milk Collaborative; Quality Improvement Data Coordinator, Department of Neonatology, Boston Medical Center; Teaching assistant at both Boston University School of Public Health and Tufts University.
Activities of Choice: I love to cook and garden. I also love the outdoors and spending time with friends and family.
Fun Fact: My dog, Penne Pasta, is so cute she’s caused a traffic accident. She also knows how to sit, roll over, and shake.
Previous/Other Current Work: Farzana has a mathematics diploma and studied first aid and pharmacology in Iran. She coordinates most of CHEERing’s programmatic work including the foundation-funded Sportnet project and Grow Clinics at Malakasa and Thiba refugee camps. She is CHEERing Afghanistan’s liaison. Farzana is also a peer counselor and Farsi interpreter.
Focus: Nursing, maternal-child health equity, advocacy, creativity, critical thinking
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Trendle Samuel, MPH, BSN, RN, CLC, has been a registered nurse for more than 25 years. She served as a clinical nurse for 16 years before working at a Federally Qualified Health Center, serving uninsured, underinsured, and/or underserved patients. Most recently, Trendle served as one of five Perinatal Coordinators at the Alabama Department of Public Health who examined infant and fetal mortality as well as maternal mortality as a committee member. She collaborated with agencies, organizations, and advocates to better understand families’ experiences and make recommendations come to life.
Activities of Choice: Traveling, dancing, going to the movies, and spending time with my family
Fun Fact: I am a “Purple Princess” — one of the music artist Prince’s biggest fans!
Focus: Maternal child health nursing, breastfeeding, equity in healthcare, supporting families and strengthening communities.
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Becky has been a maternal child health nurse for 18 years. She has worked around the country as an RN and IBCLC in hospitals, communities, and in research. She started working with CHEER after completing her MPH in Boston about 10 years ago.
Activities of Choice: Knitting, hiking, skiing, music, and mothering 3 great children
Fun Fact: Becky has chickens and makes maple syrup at her home.
Focus: Community Health, Refugee Health, Maternal-Child Health, and Communications; Certificates in Community Assessment, Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation (CAPDIE) and Health Communication & Promotion
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Mariah previously supported immigrant and refugee populations in Boston as the Social Media & Communications Specialist and Patient Advisory Council Coordinator at Boston Medical Center’s Immigrant & Refugee Health Center. She also worked as a communications specialist for the nonprofit Nature and Culture International, promoting environmental and community health in Mexico and South America. Mariah is currently CHEERing’s first ever fellow, coordinating various aspects of CHEERing’s preventative health program in Greece.
Activities of Choice: Hiking; Gardening; Cooking; Traveling; Spending Time with Friends and Family.
Fun Fact: I absolutely love animals! Probably because I grew up in a household with 10+ pets…
Focus: Community Health and Health Equity; Current MPH student at BUSPH in Community Assessment, Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation (CAPDIE) and Maternal and Child Health.
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Kathryn currently works at Boston University as a Teaching Fellow for undergraduate public health courses. She previously interned for Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, a non-profit promoting food equity and health in Mattapan, MA.
Activities of Choice: Playing Guitar and Bass; Knitting; Watching Movies with Friends; Cooking.
Fun Fact: I love live music, I went to over 20 concerts this year!
Director, CHEERing Football Club General Manager, CHEERing
Focus: Football and Community Service.
Previous/Other Current Work: Fereidon studied literature and played football for 25 years as a player, referee and coach. He directs the CHEERing Football Club and co-manages CHEERing Afghanistan.
Activities of Choice: Football
Fun Fact: I am a native of Afghanistan who lived in Iran for 38 years, and currently lives in Greece.
Focus: Human Rights, Refugee Rights, Women’s Rights, Children’s Rights, International Law, Humanitarian Law, Humanitarian Aid, Political Science, International Relations.
Previous/Other Current Work: Willow previously worked with a local NGO in Liverpool, UK, supporting the integration of refugees into the community, focusing on teaching English, and aiding with legal processes. She also worked as a benefits advisor for vulnerable communities in Liverpool, in particular those living with brain conditions. Willow is also currently completing a Master’s Thesis on Women’s Rights in Refugee Camps. At CHEERing in Greece, Willow is a Team Leader, involved in all aspects of field work, as well as organising and orienting new volunteers.
Activities of Choice: Bouldering; Traveling; Cooking; Learning languages.
Fun Fact: I am a qualified Cheerleading Coach and have competed nationally in various dance competitions across the UK.
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Gianna previously volunteered with CHEERing in Greece and supported the GROW clinics, football training program, and coordinated healthcare appointments. She also worked with Madison Street Medicine throughout her time at the University of Wisconsin, providing direct healthcare to unhoused folks, assisting folks with getting health insurance and healthcare appointments, and running a blood pressure screening project.
Activities of Choice: Paddleboarding, yoga, live music, cooking
Fun Fact: I was in the top 0.1% of Boygenius (my favorite band) listeners two years in a row!
Focus: Community health; Maternal child health; Healthcare access; Mental health
Other Current Work: Madeline previously worked in behavioral and clinical psychology research and has a passion for helping people and advancing healthcare. She completed an internship in Australia doing data analysis and has worked for a women’s health business in Southwest Missouri where she advocated for women’s health education. Madeline aims to work to improve accessibility for communities across the globe
Activities of Choice: Travel, yoga, pilates, and reading
Fun Fact: I enjoy collecting postcards and have some from over 30 different cities around the world!
Focus: Maternal/Child Health; Youth Mental Health; Social Justice; Intersectional Health Equity
Other Current Work: Olivia has previously been involved in numerous mental health and maternal/child health advocacy & research initiatives at both Villanova and Brown University. She has worked as a Clinical Research Intern at MGH’s Department of Psychiatry and was also a 2023 Hassenfeld Summer Scholar at Brown. Additionally, she has actively been involved in serving her communities, such as teaching at the Korean School of New England on the weekends and volunteering with the Read to a Child program to promote youth literacy. Olivia hopes to work on and create interventions that address maternal and child-related health disparities, especially in marginalized and underserved populations. She aims to make a positive impact in all the communities she is immersed in and surrounded by.
Activities of Choice: Going to museums, attending Boston sports games, traveling, baking, reading memoirs, and trying out new restaurants & cafes in the city
Fun Fact: When I was younger, I rode a camel in a Moroccan dessert!
Focus: Health Equity; Advocacy for racial and ethnic minority groups; Community health; Maternal mental Health; MPH Candidate and BU School of Public Health with a certificate in Healthcare Management
Other Current Work: Ayushi worked as a Healthcare Engagement Intern at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India, which is a cancer care center that provides care to socioeconomically disadvantaged and underserved populations. She has also worked as a translator for the International Medical Relief and volunteered at multiple orphanages in India.
Activities of Choice: Traveling; Hiking in the mountains; Cooking
Fun Fact: I had always lived with my parents, but when I decided to move out, I moved across the globe from India to the States!
Focus: Global Health Program Design, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maternal and Child Health, Health Equity, Health Policy, and Communications
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Grace has worked in global and community health through various roles focused on advancing health equity and supporting underserved communities. At 4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care, she helped enhance early childhood education access through communications and development. She also contributed to improving mental health resources for undocumented youth migrants at Vall D’Hebron University Hospital in Catalonia. As a coach for Partners in Health ENGAGE, she supports college chapters across the U.S., fostering advocacy and leadership in global health.
Activities of Choice: Watching sports (especially the WNBA and Green Bay Packers), traveling, being a plant mom, and going to the gym
Fun Fact: I started a small online business in college selling sustainable tailgating wear!
Field Operations Manager and Director of Volunteer Programs
Focus: International health; Interpretation; Website Management; Field operations
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Adrian is originally from Iran. He manages team operations in the field and directs the student, volunteer, and intern program. He also serves as our interpreter for Farsi and Turkish to English. In addition to being a software engineer, he manages a website for Cheering. As a refugee himself, he is deeply passionate about helping other refugees.
Focus: BUSPH MPH student with certificates in Global Health Program Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation & Maternal Child Health. With interests in health equity, community health, and health communication.
Previous/Other CurrentWork: I am the Social Media Coordinator for the Maternal Child Health in Action Student Organization. And I am a part of the Diversity Scholars Leadership Program. Previously, I was a JEDI Fellow at Boston University’s School of Public Health, supporting DEIJ initiatives in global health research and partnerships. During my time at Virginia Tech, I served as a Peer Educator with Hokie Wellness, leading health education programs on nutrition, mental health, and digital wellness. I also worked as a Proposal Development Intern at Teladoc Health, assisting with RFPs and database management for a virtual healthcare company.
Activities of Choice: Yoga, photography, traveling, and trying out new cafes
Focus: Maternal/child health advancements to improve the health and well-being of my community
Previous/Other Current Work: Served Indigenous communities within the Indian Health Service to attain Baby-Friendly designation and advance the voice of the community on feeding support. Former Chairperson of the Four Corners Chapter of the New Mexico Breastfeeding Taskforce, working to increase breastfeeding support of all families. Currently working as Nursing faculty in Guam, teaching Maternal/Child and Community Health nursing to BSN students to influence their roles in maternity and community care practices and support the feeding goals of all families. Member of the Guam Breastfeeding Action Team, working to promote community awareness, support and advocacy while supporting healthcare personnel and agencies to promote evidence-based practice.
Activities of Choice: Cooking, going to the beach, and working in my piece of “jungle.” I love spending time with my family and holding a baby whenever possible.
Fun Fact: I love my grandkids – a perpetual little wise man, and his rambunctious twin brothers, especially when they tackle me with hugs!
Work Email: kleinera@triton.uog.edu or tonette_kleiner@hotmail.com
Focus: Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor Training and American Indian/Alaska Native and Pacific Island/Native Hawaiian Outreach.
Previous/Other Current Work: Camie is Founding Executive Director and Doula and Lactation Consultant of Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services. She also serves as Founder and Managing Director of Indigenous Lactation Counselor.
Focus: With over 20 years providing lactation-related training programs in every U.S. State, Cathy is passionate about educating health care professionals who work with new families. She is co-director of Every Mother, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Mississippi that develops breastfeeding training curricula for Federal agencies such as the national USDA WIC program and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She developed the CHAMPS 4-hour competency training for hospitals and provides it for CHAMPS hospitals in Mississippi.
Previous/Other Current Work: She is the former State WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Mississippi State Department of Health, former Training and Outreach Coordinator for Best Start Social Marketing (which developed the national WIC marketing campaign, Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work), and a former university public relations director.
Activities of Choice: Photography, presentation design, travel, teaching, and meeting the most amazing people who work with new families!
Fun Fact: Mom of 5 healthy breastfed children and Nana to 5 breastfed grandchildren.
Focus: Maternal and Infant Health, Breastfeeding Support, Clinical Research, and Health Equity. Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) / IYCF in Emergencies (IYCF-E) Counselor, Quality Improvement (QI), and Spanish Language and Culture-Sensitive Translations.
Previous/Other CurrentWork: I am deeply committed to maternal and infant health and currently work at Blooming Families Clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where I provide breastfeeding support and education as a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS). I have delivered Spanish-language trainings on Quality Improvement (QI) and breastfeeding, helping to improve hospital practices and patient care in Puerto Rico. With over five years of experience in legal and medical sciences translation, I am passionate about providing culturally and linguistically supportive care to families. In addition to my work in clinical settings, I have contributed to collaborative research projects exploring the experiences of underrepresented minorities in medical education and graduate medical education. I have published research articles and a book chapter and was honored to receive a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) medical research fellowship, during which I conducted basic science research on thyroid cancer.
Activities of Choice: I enjoy arts and crafts (especially drawing!), reading, spending time in small gatherings with family and friends, and learning new languages.
Fun Fact: Language learning is my favorite hobby—I speak four languages and journal in them so I don’t forget them.
Focus: Perinatal Care, Health Equity, Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Holistic Health & Wellness
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Dorothy Joy is dedicated to all things health and wellness. She has previously studied herbal medicine to better understand the cultural connections people have with plants and medicine. Being especially drawn to families between maternity and the fourth trimester, she has studied postpartum doula care, recently became an Indigenous Lactation Counselor, and will be undergoing training to become a full-spectrum doula. She is also passionate about mutual aid outreach on the island that addresses financial barriers to healthcare and food security. Currently, Dorothy Joy is a senior nursing student at the University of Guam. She dreams of pursuing midwifery and one day volunteering for a humanitarian aid organization.
Activities of Choice: Mothering, traveling, reading, and learning languages.
Fun Fact: I am a black belt in both Taekwondo and Karate, but have not practiced either in years!
Focus: Children’s eating behaviors; Breastfeeding; Childhood obesity prevention; Maternal and child health issues
Previous/Other Current Work: Jen Nickelson, PhD, RD, MCHES® is an Associate Professor of Health Science at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Her research focuses on understanding social and environmental influences on children’s eating behaviors, breastfeeding, childhood obesity prevention, and on maternal and child health issues. Dr. Nickelson is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Health Behavior, American Public Health Association, Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, and Society for Public Health Education. She earned her BS and MS degrees in nutrition from the Florida State University and her PhD in public health from the University of South Florida. Dr. Nickelson is a Registered Dietitian and a Masters Certified Health Education Specialist.
Focus: My background in maternal child nursing has prompted a keen focus on improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum people, their infants and families. This focus created a passion for Improvement Science, safe and respectful teamwork and the inclusion and uplifting of the voices and perspectives, from across all systems, that promote a continued focus on equitable access to optimal healthcare and the ongoing support and resources needed to establish sustained wellbeing.
Previous/Other Current Work: Maternal/child nursing for over 3 decades; 20+ years of experience leading and supporting international, national, regional, statewide and local quality improvement initiatives focused on improving breastfeeding rates, improving healthcare and the systems that impact maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and other healthcare and systems gaps that impact maternal, infant and child health outcomes; TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer working nationally for 20+ years training healthcare teams in inpatient and outpatient settings
Activities of Choice: I enjoy all active activities that give me access to a forest, a body of water and a great fire to sit near. When I do sit in the calm, I enjoy baking, reading, knitting, and learning from diverse voices that challenge my perspective and/or tackle all the questions I have.
Fun Fact: I participated in a 100 mile canoe trip in Northern Ontario and I have been spelunking, not on the same trip!
Focus: Community training, education and support. Community includes: healthcare professionals, the business and academic centers and organizations, mothers, babies and families.
Previous/Other Current Work: Nurse practitioner and president and CEO of Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere in Atlanta, GA.
Activities of Choice: Providing resources for healthcare providers, mothers and their families so that breastfeeding can be initiated and maintained, especially in marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Focus: Kim is a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and has over 10 years of experience in peer-counseling, clinical and educational lactation. Growing up on and off the Navajo Nation, and residing in various tribal communities throughout her life, Kim is passionate about utilizing her education and experience to promote healthy living through kinship values.
Previous/Other Current Work: Kim’s work has been inclusive of Tribal and culturally diverse communities serving the needs of prenatal, newborns, and post-partum mothers and families. She is a Co-Instructor for the Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor training course providing cultural breastfeeding and clinical education to those that can serve their community throughout Turtle Island. She also independently consults with Changing Woman Initiative out of New Mexico, a free access birth center serving Indigenous women to reproductive wellness.
Currently, Kim continues to work at Valley Wise Health Medical Center as a Hospital lactation consultant. She also implemented the first Arizona Lactation Mentorship Pilot Program at Valleywise Hospital mentoring two student interns. This allows access to clinical hours to create strategic initiatives to bring BIPOC diversity, equity and inclusion to the field of lactation.
Previous/Other Current Work: Kirsten Krane is a registered dietitian and has Master’s degrees in both Nutrition and Public Health. She has worked in the fields of nutrition, public health, and health equity for more than 14 years. During that time, she has held positions with Boston University, Indian Health Service, Montana WIC, Peace Corps, and consulted for the Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center. She volunteers on the Boards of FAST Blackfeet (food security in Blackfeet Nation) and the Montana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Focus: Serves as content expert as a physician with breastfeeding medicine expertise as well as quality improvement and research experience. Also provides expertise as a clinical educator and program developer.
Previous/Other Current Work: Lori Feldman-Winter, M.D., MPH, is a breastfeeding medicine expert known for her expertise in physician education, policy, and public health interventions.
Activities of Choice: Besides working as a pediatrician, quality improvement content expert and researcher, I am a co-course director for a novel 4-year medical school curriculum, “The Scholars Workshop.” In my free time, I enjoy family vacations, skiing, hiking, and escaping to my home-away-from-home in the Berkshires.
Fun Fact: As an undergraduate, I was a combined biology and fine arts major, and continue to enjoy painting and decorating.
Family Board Certified, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), NABBLM candidate
Focus: Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, 4th Trimester, Breastfeeding
Other Current Work: Physician and Founder at Blooming Families Clinic; Assistant Professor at the Department of Family & Community Ponce Health Sciences University; Family Physician and Lactation Consultant for Comienzo Saludable Program by Urban Strategies/Grupo Nexos and for Se Pare Program by Caderamen; Facilitator of the Birth Coach Program and Lactation Consultant for The Bee Mom Project.
Activities of Choice: Exploring new places with my family! Also an avid podcast and audiobook listener of topics such as business development, personal development, marketing, and medicine.
Fun Fact: I spend my free time watching K-drama series and anime.
Focus: Pediatrics; Neonatology; Social disparities in preterm birth outcomes; Multi-site implementation science
Previous/Other Current Work: Dr. Parker is a Professor of Pediatrics and Academic Chief of Neonatology at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Parker is a neonatal health services researcher and holds several federal and foundation grants in the area of social disparities in preterm birth outcomes; she has a particular interest in safe sleep and breastfeeding. Dr. Parker is also an expert in multi-site implementation science and is the Co-Chair of the Neonatal Quality Improvement Collaborative of Massachusetts and an Improvement Advisor from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. She has led multi-site NICU quality improvements focused on breastfeeding and family engagement. Dr. Parker applies a health equity lens to her local and multi-site quality improvement projects and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee of Fetus and Newborn.
Focus: Maternal and child health; Health equity; Underserved populations
Previous/Other Current Work: Professor; Maternal Fetal Medicine Subspecialist; Maternal Health Consultant; Patient Advocate; Clinical Director of Mae Health
Activities of Choice: I love running, reading, and music of all genres.
Focus: Statistical analyses for causal inference, analysis of linked administrative data in health research, evaluation research, population maternal and child health, and maternal and child health policies.
Other Current Work: Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences; Research Scientist at Manitoba Centre for Health Policy; Instructor for graduate course in Epidemiology at University of Manitoba; Member of Executive Counsel for International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation; Scientific Chair of Breastfeeding for the Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association; Member of Board of Directors for Sexuality Education Resource Centre of Manitoba.
Activities of Choice: I enjoy backpacking, rock climbing, sailing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Fun Fact: The first date that I had with my spouse involved a road trip across five states to go to a waterski competition in which I was competing. At the end of the weekend, we figured, if we could survive a road trip across five states as a first date, we should give dating a go. We’ve been together for 10 years!
Focus: Breastfeeding, parental support, community outreach
Previous/Other CurrentWork: Beginning with an educational background in sociology and neuropsychology, Nicolle worked in research and clinical trials for a time before pivoting her focus. As a young new mother, Nicolle experienced firsthand the importance of antenatal support and became a breastfeeding peer counselor with La Leche League International. She went on to earn her accreditation as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Motherhood also led her to explore new skills with babywearing and specifically wrapping. As a military spouse, she has lived and worked with communities in the USA and Japan. She currently resides on the island of Guam where she is a member of the Breastfeeding Action Team working to improve community access to breastfeeding information and support.
Activities of Choice: Reading, paper crafts, cross stitch, beach combing for sea glass, giving belly rubs to the family dogs
Fun Fact: Most people’s brains process language in the left hemisphere, but Nicolle’s brain has the language hemisphere reversed! This happens in a small percentage of people who are left-handed.
Focus: Accurate information and translations, breastfeeding education, access to inclusive special education, and neurodiversity awareness
Other Current Work: Outreach Health Educator aiming to mitigate the impact of mental health illness on vulnerable families by developing, testing, and disseminating strategies through novel care delivery systems; Teaches clients problem-solving skills and how to advocate for themselves and their families; Previously worked at Project Solve, Vitamin D status among 4-month-old infants in New England, The Latino Health Insurance Program, Project Viva, Interpreter Errors, Children’s Health Study, and The Epidemiology of Preterm and Low Birth Weight
Activities of Choice: Going to the beach, travel, spending time with family and friends
Fun Fact: I have a twin sister! If you say hi to “me” and I ignore you, it is not me, it is my twin sister. She is an attorney in the military and when I visit her, I get the military salute. We can also open each other’s cell phones – facial recognition is not that accurate with twins 🙂
Mississippi Delta Community and Hospital Consultant, CHAMPS
Focus: Breastfeeding Education in Communities and Hospital Maternity Staff.
Other Current Work: Mississippi State Department of Health Region 1 Breastfeeding Coordinator. Formerly a Hospital, Nursing Home, and Head Start Social Worker.
Activities of Choice: Attending church and spending time with family and friends by gathering together socializing, traveling and going out to eat.
Fun Fact: I am the biological mother of 6, step mother of 3, and grandmother of 2.
Executive Assistant, Interpreter and Cultural Mediator, CHEERing
Focus: Teaching and Community Service.
Previous/Other Current Work: Originally from DRC, Papy studied pedagogy at school and further studies in commercial sciences. He worked on his father’s farm from 2008 to 2015 as a sales negotiator.
Activities of Choice: Learning Greek.
Fun Fact: I speak 4 languages and I am the father of a breastfed baby.
Grow Clinic Peer Counselor and Interpreter, CHEERing
Focus: Breastfeeding and French and Lingala Interpretation Services.
Previous/Other Current Work: Studied Nursing for three years in the DRC and had internships at various health institutions, including the Red Cross Hospital, Kinshasa General Hospital, and Mother & Child Center of Kinshasa. She works at all of CHEERing’s clinic locations with a focus on community-based breastfeeding support in Athens.
Fun Fact: I go to church every Sunday and love to sing gospel songs. I love drama and historic films, and love to cook especially regional African food.
Focus: Maternal and Child Health Care and Midwife Services.
Previous/Other Current Work: Samana is a university-trained midwife employed at the Herat Public Hospital. She is leading on-the-ground efforts to enhance the CHEERing Afghanistan Program in Herat. She is identifying high-need mothers to attend the Grow Clinic. Samana and other professionals are weighing and measuring babies, giving vaccinations, checking women postpartum, and providing breastfeeding support as well as promoting a safe women-only environment.
Previous/Other Current Work: Somaye is an Afghan-trained doctor at the Herat Public Hospital. She co-manages the CHEERing Afghanistan Program and provides support in the Grow Clinic.
Focus: Maternal and Child Health Care and Midwife Services.
Previous/Other Current Work: Basira works as a midwife at a pubic hospital in Herat. She supports CHEERing Afghanistan’s program leaders to enhance the program and provides support in Herat’s Grow Clinic.
Focus: Maternal and Child Health Support and Office Management.
Previous/Other Current Work: Tareq previously studied nursing in his home country of Afghanistan. He is passionate about combatting poverty, maternal mortality, and malnutrition in Afghanistan. He currently manages the CHEERing office in Herat. Tareq collaborates with CHEERing Afghanistan’s program leaders and coordinator to address health issues and provide critical maternal-child health support.
Yarrow, LLC has partnered with CHEER to provide consultation on CHAMPS National project design and quality improvement coaching to participating hospitals in CHAMPS National. Learn more about Yarrow here.
