Meet Employees of GHTASC
Panel Presentation Tips from Virginia Maria Thonyiwa
October 2024 – As a Senior Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS Free Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) Coordinator and Adolescent Girls and Young Women Technical Advisor with GHTASC in Malawi, Virginia recently co-presented in a satellite session at the 25th International AIDS Conference. Here are her tips for being involved in technical panels.
The Value of Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace: Salem Mengistu discusses why inclusion and diversity are so important at work and in our communities
September 2024 – Salem’s career has taken her back to Ethiopia on several occasions—and all over the United States—before moving back to Washington, DC. The draw to be part of a diverse community making strides in global health—like the one at USAID’s Bureau for Global Health—was strong. “I have to be in an organization that embraces diversity, inclusion, belonging, everything around DEIA—I knew that was important for me,” Salem explains.
Passionate About Paying It Forward: Matthew Thielker is committed to advocating for food security and inclusive recruitment practices
August 2024 – “It’s a privilege to have a job that’s more than just making ends meet but goes further and contributes to tackling the biggest challenges of our time. Not only that, I also get to work with colleagues who possess a deep wealth of knowledge and a drive to leverage the tools of government for positive impacts in the world. It’s a great environment to be in.”
Q and A with Julie Brooks, GHTASC Junior Program Assistant, supporting the Bureau for Global Health’s Office of the Assistant Administrator
June 2024 – “It’s such a great experience huddling with our bureau staff here in DC and those in Ghana. I am so impressed with all the work we do to help other countries, and how it’s important to stay on top of various diseases to gain control of, and prevent, epidemics.”
From Curiosity to a Calling: Courtney Irwin shares how her background in research led to supporting local partners with OHA
May 2024 – Having supported three Local Partner Meetings, both virtually and in-country, as a program analyst turned local partner advisor with USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS’ (OHA) Capacity Building and Partnerships Branch, Courtney Irwin has had the privilege of connecting with local partners from across the globe who are implementing PEPFAR and USAID programming.
Charting a New Course: Anita Dam describes how one college course steered her towards a career in HIV prevention
April 2024 – One college course changed the trajectory of Anita Dam’s life. The GHTASC Technical Analyst—specializing in the introduction and access of HIV Prevention Technologies for the Bureau for Global Health’s Office of HIV/AIDS—enrolled in the History of Medicine major during her undergraduate degree and was hooked.
Connecting Across the Globe: Get to know Dr. Amanda Cordova-Gomez, a biomedical technical advisor with GHTASC
March 2024 – As a biologist and physiologist focused on reproductive health, Dr. Amanda Cordova-Gomez studied in Peru and France and participated in research in Mexico, Spain, Australia, Egypt, and Greece. A shift into technical consulting for scientists in Latin America allowed Amanda to witness the real-world applications of her research and work, building her skills for technical assistance in different areas of reproductive health before joining GHTASC to support USAID’s Office of Population and Reproductive Health as a biomedical technical advisor.
An Ally in Action: Sara Miner shares her commitment to serving DEIA initiatives in Zimbabwe
February 2024 – Based in Zimbabwe, Sara Miner, a Senior Strategic Information Advisor with GHTASC, remembers the impact her Benin Peace Corps placement had on her. After earning a master’s degree in public health, Sara returned to West Africa in 2012 as an operations manager and went on to serve as deputy chief of party for a regional project that spanned Ghana, Niger, and Burkina Faso. She soon found herself directly supporting USAID Missions in Madagascar, Zambia, and through her current role in Zimbabwe.
Developing Stories that Connect for USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS
January 2024 – In their respective positions as communications program analyst and communications advisor, Jenna Pellegrino and Becky Band Jain know the important role that health communications play in public health. From designing public education campaigns to developing and publishing stories that focus on results, health communications professionals take technical information and make it accessible and engaging for audiences around the world.
Employee-led Volunteer Initiatives: Supporting DC Honor Flights with Mike Orquiza
December 2023 – As a senior medical advisor with the Research Division’s Microbicide Branch at USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS, Mike Orquiza developed a deep commitment to community outreach early in his career.
GHTASC Employee Profile: Folake Olayinka is Focused on Immunization Policy
November 2023 – With 27 years of experience, Folake Olayinka is a Senior Global Immunization Program and Policy Expert with GHTASC and currently serves as the Immunization Technical Lead for USAID’s Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition.
GHTASC Employee Profile: Inoussa Zabsonre is Dedicated to Making an Impact
October 2023 – As a medical doctor in Burkina Faso, Inoussa Zabsonre witnessed firsthand the stigmatization that both individuals and healthcare workers face when living with or treating infectious diseases. “Some of my neighbors were infected. I knew I needed to be part of this community, taking care of people,” he explained, describing how this early experience drew him to his life’s work supporting healthcare in HIV and tuberculosis (TB).
GHTASC Employee Profile: Joyce Muriithi's Lived Experience Informs Her Work
September 2023 – Growing up in a rural village in Kenya, Joyce Muriithi remembers large trucks plastered with the USAID logo carrying food and supplies to famine-stricken northern Kenya and beyond. While working as a schoolteacher, a board member told her about a program to assist with the cost of completing her master’s degree, a moment in which she says, “my life changed forever.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Connect with GHTASC recruiters at these events:
November 8, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET
Columbia Mailman School of Public Health Virtual Career Fair
November 13, 1 – 3 p.m. ET
University of Maryland In-Person Career Fair
GHTASC NEWS
As One Effort Draws to a Close, Team Credence Continues and Expands Its Global Health Work
June 6, 2023 — Credence and its subcontractor Public Health Institute (PHI) are proud to announce the successful conclusion of the Global Health Technical Professionals (GHTP) contract and the growth and expansion of our work in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Global Health Technical, Advisory, and Support Contract (GHTASC).
GHTASC Experts Support USAID Program Focused on the Next-Generation Malaria Vaccine
April 28, 2023 — Adapted from a conversation with Lorraine Soisson, PhD, and Robin Miller, PhD. Lorraine Soisson is a senior technical advisor and Robin Miller is a technical advisor supporting USAID’s Malaria Vaccine Development Program (MVDP) within the Bureau for Global Health. They support USAID through the Global Health Technical, Advisory, and Support Contract (GHTASC).
Reflecting on Progress and Challenges on World Tuberculosis Day
March 23, 2023 — Tuberculosis (TB) is the second deadliest infectious disease in the world—second only to COVID-19. The World Health Organization estimates that 10.6 million people became infected with TB in 2021, and 1.6 million died of the disease. TB is both curable and preventable. To mark World Tuberculosis Day, two specialists on Credence’s Global Health Training, Advisory, and Support Contract (GHTASC) shared where they see challenges and opportunities for progress as they work with the global health community to reach those infected with TB, improve health outcomes, and save lives.
Two Credence Global Health Leaders Chosen for WomenLift Health Program
March 10, 2023 — Credence is proud to share that two of our global health experts, Joy Kamunyori and Sherri Haas, have been chosen for the WomenLift Health 2023 North America Leadership Journey. This highly selective year-long program was created to support and guide emerging women leaders in global health.
Credence Global Health Experts Support USAID’s Outbreak Response Efforts
March 1, 2023 — Credence is supporting USAID’s lifesaving work to combat infectious diseases worldwide and enhance global health security through the Global Health Technical Professionals Contract and the new Global Health Training, Advisory, and Support Contract.