Directors
Kimberly Baltzell is the PI, Founder, and Director of Global Action in Nursing (GAIN), and a Professor in the Department of Family Health Care Nursing at UCSF. In addition, she is the Director of Partnerships for UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences and a member of the UCSF Global Cancer Program. She works extensively in sub-Saharan Africa to support the development of nurse leaders. Dr. Baltzell’s research interests include malaria, non-malarial fevers, and point-of-care diagnostic tools for health providers in remote locations. Her PhD work focused on infectious disease and cancer prevention/development—especially among women.
Daniel Maweu is the Co-Director of GAIN in Liberia, Lesotho, Neno district, Malawi, and Sierra Leone with Partners In Health (PIH) and a registered nurse-midwife. He is a reproductive health care educator with nine years of experience working in clinical midwifery, perioperative nursing, and nursing education. Daniel worked with PIH in Liberia as a nurse-midwife coordinator/educator from 2018 to September 2021. In his current role, he is the GAIN-PIH cross-site lead supporting nursing and midwifery workforce development initiatives. He has been vital in improving maternal and neonatal care at JJ Dossen Memorial Hospital and Pleebo Health Center through continuous mentorship of midwives in southeastern Liberia. Daniel also works as a visiting obstetrics faculty member at the V.S William Tubman University School of Nursing where he played a key role in setting up the midwifery department. Daniel has worked in various institutions as a nurse-midwife, perioperative nurse, and educator in both Kenya and Liberia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kenyatta University, a Master of Science in Nursing (midwifery) from Mount Kenya University, and an advanced postgraduate diploma in global maternal and child health from James Lind Institute, Switzerland. He also holds a Master of Public Health in policy and research from University of Stirling, Scotland. He is an Atlas Corps fellow under the Hilton Humanitarian Prize Laureate Virtual Leadership Institute fellowship program. Daniel's biggest passion is building resilient maternal health systems and he is a strong advocate of respectful, dignified maternity care for all women in reproductive age.
Team
Patricia Efe Azikiwe is the Maternal and Child Health Clinical Program Manager for GAIN at Partners In Health in Sierra Leone. Patricia is a nurse, midwife, nurse-midwife educator, and public health officer with special interest in health programs, like GAIN, that support maternal and newborn health through mentoring of health care providers. She is known as one of the pioneers of the Mother–to–Mother Support Initiative that aims to improve exclusive breastfeeding in Benin-City, Nigeria through capacity building of hospital staff and community engagement. Patricia holds multiple degrees in nursing, midwifery, and public health with over 25 years of experience. She has worked in various capacities such as head of nursing and midwifery colleges, nurse-midwife specialist, UNFPA nurse-midwife clinical training advisor, and health and nutrition program manager. Her work has spanned countries such as Nigeria, Gambia, Laos, South Sudan, and Bangladesh. Patricia also holds certificates in leadership and people’s management, emergency preparedness and disaster nursing, quality and health system strengthening, and OnePIH social medicine.
Alden Blair is the Director of Research for GAIN and Associate Director of the Master's program in Global Health Science at UCSF. He holds a PhD with a focus on Mixed Methods Epidemiology from the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia, and an MSc in Environmental Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He has almost two decades of professional experience working across sub-Saharan Africa, including NIH-funded research projects exploring the intersection of mental health, substance use, and communicable disease among conflict-affected populations. He helps lead the GAIN epidemiological teams to ensure the fidelity, applicability, and transferability of the information gleaned from the GAIN intervention.
Evelyn Bigini is a Graduate Student Researcher with GAIN. She is a registered nurse and a doctoral nursing student at UCSF. Evelyn obtained her Master of Science in Global Health Delivery from the University of Global Health Equity (Rwanda) and a Master of Science in Global Health from Maastricht University (The Netherlands). Evelyn is passionate about listening to patients, highlighting their experiences, improving health care delivery, structural determinants, and overall wellbeing. Since her nursing degree, Evelyn has gathered experience in child, adult, and family health in primarily outpatient and public health settings. Evelyn is focused on community-based and -led solutions as well as policy change, particularly around mental health and social support.
Madhavi Dandu is the Director of Education for GAIN where she supports the development of online learning materials and quality improvement initiatives. She also serves as Director of the University of California Global Health Institute—a UC-wide initiative that stimulates, nurtures, and promotes global health research, education, and collaboration to advance the University’s global health agenda. Madhavi received her undergraduate degree in comparative literature and biomedical sciences and then a medical degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She completed her residency training in the Categorical Medicine Program at UCSF in 2003. Afterwards, Dr. Dandu attended the University of California, Berkeley and received a Master of Public Health with a focus on international health and health and human rights. In addition, she continues to collaborate with colleagues and community-based partners on cultural humility training and initiatives focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. She is also a hospitalist and Professor of Medicine at UCSF.
Nikia Grayson is the Chief Clinical Officer at CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee and Director of the first Black midwifery fellowship in the country using the GAIN model. Nikia is a driving force behind the revitalization of Black midwifery in the Southern US and is committed to diversifying the workforce of midwives and birth workers to center the needs of Black and brown communities. Nikia has a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in public health from Howard University. She also holds a master's degree in medical anthropology from the University of Memphis and a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Tennessee. She completed a post-master's certificate in midwifery at Frontier Nursing University. Nikia is a Reproductive Justice informed public health activist, anthropologist, and family nurse-midwife.
Gladys Jepkogei is the M&E Specialist for GAIN with Partners In Health in Sierra Leone. Gladys has over seven years of professional experience working for international NGOs in research and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems. Prior to joining PIH, Gladys served as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer at Danish Refugee Council. Her tenure of two years was marked by the design, development, and management of databases, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, project indicators, and logical frameworks for donor-funded projects while ensuring data quality and efficient communication systems. She previously worked as a MEAL Coordinator for Village Enterprise, MEAL Officer II with Nuru International Kenya, Data Assistant with Beacon’s Consulting Group Limited and interned at National Council for Population and Development in Kenya. Gladys holds an MSc in epidemiology and biostatistics and a bachelor’s degree in applied statistics with computing. She has successfully executed baseline studies and evaluations in GBV, child protection, livelihoods, peace building, health, and education. She has a keen interest in quality data, inferential analysis, and reporting for timely feedback and evidence-based decision-making by stakeholders.
Sitalire Kapira is the Maternal and Child Health Specialist for GAIN working with Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo in Neno district, Malawi. Sitalire is an experienced clinician responsible for optimizing maternal health through the training and mentoring of staff on maternal and child health initiatives. He also supports health programs that improves infrastructure, supply chain, systems, and clinical tools in Neno district. Sitalire holds a Bachelor of Science in International Obstetrics and Leadership from Warwick University and a Master of Medical Science in Global Health Delivery from Harvard University. Kapira’s master’s thesis work focused on assessing barriers adolescent girls face when accessing contraceptive services in rural Malawi. The greatest passion of Sitalire is to develop and implement health programs like GAIN that lead to better health outcomes and to conduct research to bring evidence for decision making.
Viola Karanja is the Senior Nursing Advisor for Partners In Health in Sierra Leone and a nurse-midwife with 30 years of experience. Viola holds a diploma in nursing and midwifery, a diploma in counselling psychology, a bachelor's degree in nursing, a master's in managerial psychology, and she is a Florence Nightingale Fellow. Viola has worked at various capacities and in different countries such as: Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, Liberia, and currently in Sierra Leone. She has over 15 years of experience in leadership, 10 years experience as a cardiac nurse, and 3 years’ experience in midwifery. Viola’s passion is to mentor junior nurses into leadership as the future of nursing depends on nursing leadership.
Joalane Mabathoana is the Director of Nursing for Partners in Health in Lesotho. She is a registered nurse-midwife with extensive experience in primary health care. Joalane joined PIH in 2010 as a site director for Nkau Health Centre and occupied various positions within the organization since, including site director at Bobete Health Centre and program coordinator for the implementation of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Programme. She served as manager of hospital nursing services at Mamohau Hospital, and maternal, neonatal, child, and reproductive health program manager. She supported the implementation of the Early Childhood Development Programme and served as a technical adviser for health reform implementation in Butha Buthe district. She is a member of the Ministry of Health Maternal and Child Health Technical Working Group. Currently, as the Director of Nursing, she provides technical expertise in program development, management, training implementation, and evaluation for clinical improvements.
Ashley Mitchell is the Assistant Director of Research for GAIN. She is a Global Health Sciences doctoral candidate at UCSF with a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota and a certificate in perinatal education from the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery. Ashley has more than a decade of experience in reproductive and health equity program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation among marginalized groups. In addition to leveraging data that illuminates and illustrates inequitable practices, policies, systems, or structures surrounding childbirth, she is motivated to promote community-based solutions that are more effective, respectful, and comprehensive.
Nelson Ntemang'ombe Mwale is the Midwifery Research Officer for GAIN with GAIA Global Health in Blantyre district and a Malawian nurse-midwife. Prior to becoming a midwife, Nelson studied at Blantyre Teachers Training College and graduated with a certificate in primary teacher education in 2007. He worked as a primary school teacher for three years before enrolling in Kamuzu College of Nursing at the University of Malawi. Nelson graduated in 2015 with a BSc in nursing and midwifery. Nelson was part of the first GAIN training cohort in Neno district. His work in Malawi includes working in the operating room at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, as maternity in-charge at Neno District Hospital, and as Safe Motherhood Coordinator for Neno district. Nelson has been recognized twice as best midwife in Neno district and has represented Malawian nursing at international meetings. He holds a Master of Science in Global Health Delivery from the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda.
Miranda Rouse is the Program Manager for GAIN. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Drexel University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to pursuing her master’s degree, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Northwestern Province, Zambia from 2018-2020. While in Zambia, she collaborated on activities related to maternal and child health and nutrition, family planning, and HIV and malaria prevention. She is passionate about reproductive justice and access to reproductive health services, especially for adolescents and vulnerable populations. Her research interests include global reproductive health, maternal and neonatal health, and gender equity.
Marshall Sackey is the Senior Pediatric and Neonatal Clinical Mentor for GAIN at Partners In Health in Liberia. He is a registered nurse in Liberia and holds associate and bachelor degrees in nursing, and a master's in healthcare management. He has over eight years of experience as a clinical nurse, and has worked with the Liberian Ministry of Health in more than six counties to strengthen staff capacity and deliver quality health services. He has gained valuable clinical knowledge in different departments and hopes to improve his leadership skills. He is working to integrate evidence-based practice in advanced clinical leadership and promote advanced nursing practices in hard-to-reach areas in Liberia. He is motivated by working with the underserved and vulnerable populations.
Charles John Sandram is a Project Officer for GAIN with GAIA Global Health in Blantyre district and a committed nurse-midwife. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery. With more than seven years of experience as a registered nurse at Mua Mission Hospital in Dedza, he subsequently advanced to the position of Principal Nursing Officer and took on the role of facility quality improvement (QI) lead. Charles has a strong focus on QI, mentorship, and program implementation. As a certified QI trainer and National Assessor for the Health Systems Accreditation Programme, he has been instrumental in evaluating healthcare facilities, guiding teams, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. His knowledge encompasses implementation research and spearheading initiatives aimed at improving healthcare quality, particularly in maternal and neonatal care. Charles is deeply committed to promoting healthcare excellence and empowering teams to achieve meaningful and sustainable enhancements.
Mphatso Sayenda is the Deputy Cross-site Director for GAIN with Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo in Neno district, Malawi. She is a registered nurse-midwife and holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and midwifery from Kamuzu College of Nursing. She worked as a midwife in-charge of Lisungwi Community Hospital and received an award for best midwife in organizing the ward, leading the maternity team, and improving the quality of midwifery care. As a GAIN mentor, she is responsible for mentoring midwives in four Neno district facilities. Mphatso mentors on the use of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC), modeling and teaching basic obstetric care, and developing quality improvement projects based on the needs or gaps identified in GAIN facilities. She is also involved at a national level in the adaptation and adoption of the SCC countrywide. In addition, she is working to reinforce infection prevention protocols in the clinical setting to improve obstetric outcomes, and emergency obstetric care and response.
Luseshelo Fanny Simwinga is the Maternal and Newborn Health Program Coordinator for GAIN with GAIA Global Health in Blantyre district, Malawi and a state registered nurse-midwife. Luseshelo has vast experience in bedside maternal and newborn care and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery and a Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery Education from the University of Malawi Kamuzu College of Nursing. She has worked in the public sector at Ntchisi District Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital as a bedside midwife and a nurse-midwife leader. She previously worked as a district Safe Motherhood Coordinator, Maternal and Neonatal Health Quality Improvement Team Leader, and Quality of Institutionalized Care (QIC) Focal Person. She was one of 10 midwives under the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Young Midwife Leaders (YML) program for the 2019 – 2020 cohort, where she trained in leadership and mentorship. Luseshelo is a trainer in quality improvement, specialized newborn care education, Helping Babies Breathe (2nd edition), essential care of every baby, and essential care for small babies. She is also a champion provider and trainer in respectful maternity care (RMC), where she was working on a project which aimed to promote RMC at Ntchisi District Hospital in the central region of Malawi during her time in the ICM YML program.
