FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ela Hefler, ehefler@buildhealthinternationaldotorg.wpcomstaging.com
September 28, Boston, MA – Today, Build Health International (BHI), a Beverly-based nonprofit that promotes global health equity through high-quality healthcare infrastructure, announced that Patricia Maguire Meservey, PhD, RN, President Emerita of Salem State University, will assume the role of Chair of the BHI Board of Directors. Dr. Meservey is joined on the Board by Dr. Marvin Ryou, Director of Endoscopic Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Bob Broudo, President and Headmaster of the Landmark School; Karen Ansara, Founder and Chair of the Board of New England International Donors (NEID); and Fr. John Unni, pastor of Saint Cecilia Parish in Boston.
A nurse and passionate educator, Dr. Meservey brings decades of industry, professional, and organizational expertise to Build Health International. Recently, Dr. Meservey served as President of Salem State University from 2007 to 2017. Under her leadership, the University completed its first comprehensive funding campaign – raising more than $26 million, adding nearly 760,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities, and increasing graduation rates by 15 percent. Prior to her tenure at Salem State, she served as Suffolk University’s first Provost & Academic Vice President, as well as holding several administrative leadership positions at Northeastern University. During her career, Dr. Meservey has served on a variety nonprofit boards, including the Essex County Community Foundation, North Shore Alliance for Economic Development, North Shore Workforce Investment Board, North Shore Chamber of Commerce, New England Council, Bottom Line, and The Salem Partnership.
“Pat’s experience speaks for itself, and BHI is delighted to welcome her to the Board of Directors,” said Jim Ansara, Executive Director and co-founder of BHI. “As BHI continues to reach new partners, and expand our global impact, Pat’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable. Our team is already feeling the positive impacts of her leadership, and we are excited about the possibilities of what we can achieve together.”
“I have had the privilege of serving on a number of nonprofit boards, and have seen firsthand how valuable they can be in supporting the communities they serve. Especially now, in the context of COVID-19, the urgency of BHI’s mission is clearer than ever,” said Dr. Meservey. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to join such a dedicated, dynamic team and excited to apply what I’ve learned throughout my career to advance BHI’s mission.”
Dr. Meservey steps into the role of Board Chair as BHI continues its committed and impactful work to support communities battling the COVID-19 pandemic. BHI recently completed the construction of a dedicated COVID-19 Treatment Center at Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais (HUM) in Haiti – the project adds 100 COVID beds to Haiti’s premier teaching and referral hospital. In addition, BHI has restarted work on an expanded Emergency Department at HUM, and recently completed installation of the “Container OR” – a fully equipped operating theater within a standard shipping container – at Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Bahamas.
About Build Health International:
Build Health International (BHI) believes that every person has a human right to quality healthcare. That’s why BHI builds and equips dignified spaces for care in the world’s most vulnerable communities, enabling local clinicians to work at their full potential. Working closely with Ministries of Health, partner organizations, and local workforces, BHI promotes sustainable design, and empowers communities, and enables access to dignified and affordable healthcare in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.