Directors Bruce Johnson, USA Director of Aircraft Operations Bruce has a long and varied career working in the military, private, and humanitarian sectors of the aircraft industry. He began in the US Air Force, where he worked for 10 years maintaining, repairing, and inspecting aircraft engines, parts, and materials. He continued his career with the US Air Force Reserves as a Flight Engineer for 18 years before moving to Boeing Aerospace for 9 years, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer. Bruce then spent 12 years with ORBIS International’s largest corporate sponsor, FedEx, as a DC-10 Flight Training Instructor. Bruce first began at ORBIS in 2005, working as a volunteer pilot, before he was appointed the Director of Aircraft Operations in April 2008. He is currently responsible for the oversight of all aviation and logistical operations at ORBIS International. Back to topˆ Ahmed Gomaa, M.D., Egypt Medical Director Ahmed Gomaa graduated with honors from Kasr-Al-Aini Medical School in Egypt in 1997. He completed his basic and higher ophthalmological training in Kasr-Al-Aini teaching hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Throughout his term, he regularly taught and trained students and residents, in addition, he organised and delivered eye care to patients. Furthermore, he has a master degree in Community Eye Health from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London University. This degree provided him with the knowledge and skills needed to plan and deliver eye care programs with a global understanding of blindness problems worldwide. In 2006, Ahmed worked for one year on board the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital as a staff ophthalmologist where he helped plan and lead globally successful programs. Clinically, Ahmed is a senior ophthalmologist with special interest in anterior segment disorders and corneal blindness. For the last 5 years, he worked in the UK where he completed two highly specialised fellowships in anterior segment and cornea disorders before working as a consultant ophthalmic surgeon in Cheltenham hospitals. His work has been recognised and published in a variety of peer reviewed journals. Back to topˆ

Ophthalmologists Marc Anthony Cepeda, M.D., Philippines Staff Ophthalmologist Marc graduated from the University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC), Manila, Philippines in 1996 and took his medical internship at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Manila, Philippines. He finished his residency as chief resident at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC), Philippines in 2004 and, after training, he was involved in humanitarian activities on cataract with a local non-government organization in Manila. Before joining ORBIS in June 2012, Dr. Cepeda held a private practice and worked in health policy, attached to the Philippines Department of Health. Marc joined the FEH team in June 2012. Back to topˆ Gabriela Ruiz González, M.D., Mexico Staff Ophthalmologist Gabriela studied Medicine in Universidad LaSalle in Mexico City, Ophthalmology and completed a fellowship in oculoplastics at Fundación Conde de Valenciana, also in Mexico City. She has done social service in distant comunities around Mexico, mainly in Veracruz and Oaxaca including a program called Brigadas Médicas. Recently she has worked with a private practice in México City and in Córdoba, Veracruz where she lived during her childhood. She currently is a member of the Pan- American Association of Ophthalmology and to the Mexican Oculoplastics association. Gabriela joined the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in January 2011 Back to topˆ Joanne Barleta, M.D., Philippines Staff Ophthalmologist Joanne Barleta, graduated Medicine in University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC) in 2001, accomplishing her residency training as the chief resident in Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC), Philippines in 2005. She continued to advance her knowledge by undergoing and completing her fellowship on Refractive and Corneal specialty at the Asian Eye Institute in Rockwell Center, Makati City Philippines in January 2010. In her endeavor to help others, she is a consultant in a government hospital in the Philippines which lead to her becoming a member of ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital. Joanne joined the Flying Eye Hospital in June 2010. Back to topˆ Anna María Mohr, M.D., Guatemala Staff Ophthalmologist Anna Maria attended Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, where she earned her medical degree and trained at the Rodolfo Robles Valverde hospital where she graduated as Ophthalmologist. She has experience working in both public and private practice and most recently underwent training in the Anterior Segment Department at the same hospital in Guatemala City. She has a special interest in Cornea and external diseases. Anna Maria learned of ORBIS when she joined the residency program at the beginning of her training in Ophthalmology and has been excited to join the FEH team since then. Of Guatemalan and German origin, Anna Maria speaks Spanish, English, German, and Dutch and had lived in Germany, the Netherlands, and Guatemala. Anna Maria joined the FEH team in May 2012. Back to topˆ

Anaesthetist

Andrew Choyce MBChB, FRCA, United Kingdom
Staff Anaesthetist
Andrew graduated from medical school in the United Kingdom and has over 20 years of experience in anesthesia. He maintains his practice working both part time as a consultant anesthetist in London and part time for ORBIS as staff anesthesiologist.

Andrew has a background of working in the developing world with a number of other organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (SF) / Doctors Without Borders and IMPACT. Andrew began working with ORBIS, both as a volunteer faculty member and a staff member, in 2005. Back to topˆ

Nurses Dina Elisa Urruchi Huaman, R.N., Peru Staff Nurse Dina Elisa Urruchi Huamán, graduated as a Bachelor of Nursing at the Universidad Nacional del Centro del Peru, and completed a master degree in health services management at the Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. Additionally, she obtained an Ophthalmological care specialist diploma. One of her main achievements is being a co-founder of the Ophthalmological Nursing Peruvian Association in which she still is part of the executive board. She has been working at the Instituto Nacional de Oftalmologia as a scrub nurse in the operation room for 4 years. She has also worked for the Ricardo Palma Clinic for 11 years –as part of the Oftalmologos Contreras practice crew where she was in charge of the Ophthalmological service. She also worked for MACULA D&T Clinic holding the position of head nurse up to last year. She participated alongside ORBIS in the 2006 visit to Chiclayo-Peru, providing translation services for the nurses and joined the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in January 2011. Back to topˆ Xiao Ying Liu, R.N., China Staff Nurse Xiao Ying Liu is a 1999 graduate Registered Nurse from the Wuhan Nusing School at the Hubei Medical University in China, and is a practicing general operating room nurse. In her past role, at the Specialized Medical Centre in Saudi Arabi, she performed surgeries from Tonsillectomies to Hernia Repair. This hospital also performed Ophthalmic Surgeries and Xiao Ying was the nurse responsible for the ophthalmic services performed in the operating room. Prior to Saudi Arabi, Xiao Ying worked at both the Hubei Eye Centre and the Wuhan Aier Ophthalmology Centre. It was during Xiao Ying's work at the Wuhan Aier Ophthalmology Centre that she discovered ORBIS during the Flying Eye Hospital's 2007 Wuhan program. As a participant nurse on the FEH training program, and a passionate nurse trainer and patient advocate, Xiao Ying was determined to one day return to the FEH as a team member to continue the cycle of nurse training to her colleagues around the world. Xiao Ying joined the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in August 2010. Back to topˆ Maria Carolina C. Sembrano, R.N., Philippines Staff Nurse Carol previously worked as the Nurse Unit Manager in the operating and recovery room at St. Luke’s Medical Center’s International Eye Institute in Manila, Philippines. She received her bachelor degree in nursing from the University of Santo Tomas, College of Nursing, in the Philippines. Carol joined the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital team in March 2012. Back to topˆ Leonardo Mercado, R.N., Philippines Staff Nurse Leo Mercado holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and has more than 14 years of nursing experience. For eight years Leo worked as an operating room nurse and then as a charge nurse at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prior to this, Leo lived in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where he worked as an operating and recovery room nurse at Infant Jesus Hospital and as a charge nurse for Medical Mission Inc. at the University of Santo Tomas. Leo joined the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in 1996 and currently holds the distinction of being the longest serving member of the crew. Back to topˆ Jacqueline Newton, R.N., South Africa Staff Nurse Jacqueline Newton obtained a nursing diploma from Johannesberg Hospital Training School for Nurses in South Africa in 1988. She obtained the Operating Theatre Nursing Science Diploma in 1991 and worked as an operating theatre nurse for four years at hospitals associated with Netcare in Cape Town . Jacqueline worked at King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyhad , Saudi Arabia, for five and a half years as an operating theatre nurse, and worked at Bougainvillea Clinic, British Virgin Islands, for one year as an operating theatre nurse in plastic surgery. Jacqueline worked at the Tygervalley Waterfront Eye Laser & Cataract Centre in Belleville, South Africa, as a nursing manager before joining the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in June 2008. Back to topˆ

Biomedical Engineers Xiao-Ming Cheng, China Senior Biomedical Engineer Xiao-Ming Cheng has more than 15 years of experience in the biomedical field. Before joining the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in 1999, Xiao-Ming worked at Peking Union Medical College Hospital as a biomedical engineer. He holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Peking Union Medical College. Part of his training took place at Ottawa Civic Hospital in Ottawa, Canada, and at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, USA. Back to topˆ Audny Stuen, Norway Healthcare Technology Trainer Audny has more than 20 years of experience as a clinical engineer. She earned her degree in engineering at Bergen University College in Norway and started her career at the Department of Clinical Engineering at Haukeland University Hospital as a service engineer. In 2008 she became a Senior Consultant Clinical Engineer. In the past few years, Audny was closely involved in Helse Bergen’s projects in Malawi, where she was responsible for procurement of equipment for an entire, new maternity wing. In her new role at ORBIS, Audny is responsible for the effective planning, design, and implementation of training programs for biomedical engineers, clinical engineers, biomedical equipment technicians, and other personnel members who provide medical technology support in the FEH’s host countries. Audny joined the FEH team in September 2011. Back to topˆ

Flight Mechanics Richard Jorgenson, United States Flight Mechanic Richard Jorgenson worked for United Airlines for 36 years in aircraft maintenance. He retired as a maintenance supervisor in 2002. Most of his time with United involved servicing DC-10s — the same type of aircraft as the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital. Back to topˆ John Mashino, United States Flight Mechanic John Mashino holds an FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate from the School of Aeronautics and Related Trades in Montana. He spent 34 years in aircraft maintenance at United Airlines. John retired as a Line Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic in 2001. He joined the Flying Eye Hospital in 2008. Back to topˆ

Communications Flavia Draganus, United States Communications Manager Flavia attended The American University of Paris, France where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs. Most recently, Flavia was a Communications and Public Affairs associate at SKDKnickerbocker in New York, a national strategic communications firm. Prior to that, Flavia worked as a communications and advocacy consultant for PATH and the GAVI Alliance in Geneva, for UNESCO in Bangkok, and in the press office of the International Energy Agency in Paris. She speaks French, Romanian, and Hungarian. Flavia joined the FEH team in May 2012. Back to topˆ Gangadhara Jalli, India Audio Visual Support Manager Gangadhar completed diploma in electronics and communications and has a bachelor degree in business management. He received training in video editing, video camera and 3d animation. He has worked in the central audio visual unit of L V Prasad Eye Institute and has experience in editing instructional, surgical and patient information videos. He also edited and co-produced documentaries on health related topics. Gangadhar volunteered as an AV Specialist on board the FEH in Africa programs in 2006 and joined the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in June 2010. Back to topˆ

Administration Alexander Javad Adel, United States Programme Manager Alexander recently graduated as a Peace Corps Fellow with a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of Denver. During his graduate studies he worked as a consultant developing capacity building programs for rural girls in South Sudan, as well as intern with the United Nations Development Programme in Mauritius where he created country programming towards gender mainstreaming initiatives. Previously, he established a socially responsible company in Cambodia focused on poverty reduction and he has worked in microenterprise development and public health initiatives for US Peace Corps in Kenya. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design where he formerly worked for various marketing and communication firms. Alexander joined the FEH team in July 2012. Back to topˆ Kimberly Lipman-White, United States Programme Assistant, Flying Eye Hospital Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University. While studying engineering, Kimberly actively pursued ventures in public health and outreach through campus organizations and internships. In her senior year she worked with a team of 3 engineers to create a portable incubator for developing countries that was both cost and resource efficient – it will be tested in Uganda. Previously, Kimberly has interned with Women at Risk, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Cell and Tissue Engineering Lab. She has also volunteered with public health brigades focused in Honduras. Kimberly joined the Flying Eye Hospital team in April 2011. Back to topˆ McKenzie Price, United States Coordinator, Flying Eye Hospital McKenzie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Howard University and also studied sustainable development and wildlife management in Kenya during this time. She received her Masters of Science degree in Comparative Politics-Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics and wrote her dissertation on political legitimacy, development, and terrorism in Somalia. Previously, McKenzie worked at Human Rights Watch and the International Women’s Health Coalition. She has interned with the State Department in Nairobi, Kenya and the Central Intelligence Agency and volunteered with organizations focusing on refugees and asylum seekers in both the US and UK. McKenzie joined the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital team in April 2011. Back to topˆ Jean-François Viens, Canada Advance Logistics Manager, Flying Eye Hospital Jean-François Viens was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He has more than 20 years of experience in the aviation field. His experience includes management of airport and air operations in post-conflict & hazardous areas. Jean-Francois has worked for 10 years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in both public (UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UN World Food Program Humanitarian Air Services & The World bank Group) as well as in private sectors (USAID & UN / US DOD contractors). This is his second turn at ORBIS, as in 2010 he was the Flying Eye Hospital’s Operations Manager. Jean-François joined the Flying Eye Hospital team in April 2012. Back to topˆ Sylvana Rochet-Belleri, Colombia & France Associate Director of Programs, Flying Eye Hospital Throughout her nine years of professional experience, Sylvana has honed her skills as a cross-cultural strategist, launching programs in underserved areas and training high-level executives in institutions such as the European Commission in Brussels. Previously an international program manager at the American Cancer Society, she led public health campaigns and capacity-building initiatives in North Africa, Latin America and Sweden. She holds a BA in international relations from Florida International University, and a MA from New York University Paris in French civilization with focus on foreign affairs. Having studied and worked in France and Colombia, she is fluent in French and Spanish. Since 2011, she is a Steering Committee Member of the Carnegie New Leaders Program at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Sylvana joined the FEH team in August 2012. Back to topˆ