2024 Annual Report
By the Numbers
In 2024, AFHE Senior Fellows' health equity work served over
35 MILLION PEOPLE
across the globe
96%
In a recent survey, 96% of Senior Fellows stated that the leadership curriculum has enabled them to coach and/or support other leaders.
74%
74% of Senior Fellows have shared leadership content with students, colleagues, mentees, leaders, policymakers and others.
238
Media Mentions & Engagements
179
Presentations & Webinars
111
Grants, Awards & other Accomplishments
Creating Lasting Impact
Fellows complete a health project aligned with their focus areas during their fellowship year. This project is a key part of the overall leadership learning experience. This year, we highlighted fellows who have continued their fellowship projects after graduation. Learn more.
The "Lifesaving Intervention Project" by Muhammad Saddiq Ahmad (2021 cohort) addresses maternal, child, and neonatal mortality in underserved Nigerian communities. This initiative focuses on training birth attendants and community health workers in basic lifesaving skills, supporting pregnant women and providing clean birth kits. Over the years, the project has evolved into one of Rural Health Nigeria's flagship programs, expanding to reach more remote communities.
Impact: In 2024 alone, they provided clean birth kits to over 1000 women. They trained more than 100 birth attendants and health workers, significantly improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes in hard-to-reach areas.
As part of his health equity project, Bertrand Moses (2020 cohort) utilized the leadership lessons and established a leadership team to create a mental health website, workbook and referral system on mental health during his tenure at the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. After transitioning to UNICEF in 2022, he continued to utilize the leadership lessons and worked along with young people, governments, academia, NGOs and the corporate sector to develop YoungCaribbeanMinds.com — the Caribbean's first-ever youth mental health support resources website.
Impact: The project has assisted over 100,000 young persons in a short period with use during hurricanes, violence and other issues. The project continues to expand to more countries in the Caribbean, with young people reporting that their mental health has improved and benefited as a result of the resources.
Carla Ventura (2017 cohort) has sustained and expanded her project, working with three schools in her municipality in Brazil to engage nursing students in leadership and social participation initiatives. Through this program, students learn about the importance of leadership and civic engagement in Municipal Health Councils. Each year, Carla and her team organize a workshop to mobilize undergraduate and graduate students to join their Leadership, Social Mobilization, and Social Participation Project. Despite limited funding, they remain committed to expanding their reach and strengthening community partnerships.
Impact: The project continues to grow, now involving council members and additional schools, including one for adults who previously lacked access to education.
My health equity leadership skills have been sharpened over the years. I have had great opportunity to learn and gain experiential knowledge beyond my national context to regional and global context on health equity leadership. I have a strong Network of Health Equity Advocates with whom I have collaborated to push for health equity for women with disabilities . Belonging to the Atlantic fellows community has connected me to numerous resources and a huge pool of advocates who challenge inequalities which is my main focus.
Mildred Omino (2020 cohort)
A Note from Our Executive Director
Our fellowship has always been about bringing people together across disciplines, geographies and perspectives to address the deep, systemic causes of health inequity. That work continues, even as the language we use, including the word equity, takes on new and often polarizing meanings. Our focus remains unchanged: ensuring people do not suffer or die from avoidable causes.
In 2024, we continued to adapt, not in response to shifting political winds but in response to the needs of our fellows and the communities they serve. For our Final Convening, we met in New Zealand for the first time, an immersive look at community health from the Maori perspective. Community was again at the forefront as we traveled to Lima, Peru, to learn about innovative approaches to community health.
The fellowship program has had a powerful and important impact on both my personal and professional life. Not only has the didactic learning of equity deepened my practice in both health and human services, and now outdoor equity and access, but being in community with a network of fellows that are addressing equity barriers in different contexts has inspired me to do more. Our community has uplifted me throughout important moments in my career and life. I’ve also deeply enjoyed the fellowship convenings which have given us the opportunity to come together and break bread with each other, and engage with other cultures.
Les Duncan (2018 cohort)
Working with the Community to Build Trust and Improve Health in Haiti
A reflection and personal case story from Anthonika Titus (2023 cohort)
Growing up in Haiti, I saw firsthand how socio-economic factors, geography, and lack of resources affected people’s health outcomes. This motivated me to pursue a career where I could make a tangible difference.
I began as Operations Director at NOVA Hope for Haiti, a medical clinic in Southwest Haiti, shortly after finishing my 2023 fellowship year. I was drawn to NOVA due to its mission and potential for impact. I was driven by a vision to transform the clinic into a beacon of hope and quality care for our community.
The fellowship experience and continued Senior Fellow engagement have given me a central place and community to return to the values of equity-oriented work in a volatile healthcare landscape. Especially because my work is international and cross-cultural, the AFHE community provides me a more holistic, more authentic view of concepts across global contexts.
Kai Kennedy (2018 cohort)
AFHE News
AFHE Receives Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Award
The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation honored Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity with the 2024 Award for Program Excellence in Social Mission. Presented by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University and the Social Mission Alliance, this award recognizes AFHE’s innovative, interdisciplinary approach to advancing health equity and impactful leadership training worldwide.
AFHE Announces Selam Bedada as Program Director
“I am deeply inspired by the dedication of our fellows, and I am committed to providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive as change-makers in the field of health equity. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, confront challenges, and create a world where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life,” Selam said.
2024 Annual Report
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2020-2021 Annual Report