FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 13, 2024

CONTACT: [email protected]

MedGlobal Welcomes New Executive Director, and Medical Director to Boost Its Localization and Development Agenda 

CHICAGO, IL — MedGlobal, a Chicago-based humanitarian medical organization providing critical medical services in crisis zones around the world, announced today that Joseph Belliveau will join the organization as its Executive Director, and Dr. Marwa Saleh rejoined as its Medical Director. 

““Seven years after our founding, we stand at a pivotal moment where we can harness our partnerships, leverage our experiences in navigating challenging environments, and apply our technical expertise. Our goal is to significantly expand our healthcare and nutritional programs focusing on early recovery and development, while strengthening healthcare systems in collaboration with local communities affected by, or vulnerable to, climate change and both natural and man-made disasters,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, President and co-founder of MedGlobal. “We are pleased to announce that Joe Belliveau and Dr. Marwa Saleh will be leading our talented and diverse team around the world. Their leadership marks an exciting new chapter for our organization.”

A highly experienced humanitarian, Joseph Belliveau has expertise in strategic planning, security management, team building, organizational culture and design, and advocacy. He served most recently as the Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada. Belliveau began his career with MSF as a logistician supporting medical relief programs in eastern Zambia, then led teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Pakistan, and later oversaw operations from MSF’s Amsterdam headquarters. From 2013-17, with Conflict Dynamics International, he designed and led a program to support UN agencies and NGOs in negotiating humanitarian access in conflict situations. 

“Health equity is MedGlobal’s singular purpose, and it has also been my life’s work,” Belliveau said. “I’m deeply impressed with what MedGlobal has accomplished in its short history, driven by the imperative of making healthcare accessible to people where it is least available, where violence, climate crises and political repression are most acute. I could not be more honored and motivated to join the MedGlobal team at this moment.” 

“MedGlobal’s rapidly growing reputation is rooted in its emergency responsiveness, sustainable healthcare programs, and partnerships that multiply its humanitarian impact,” Belliveau added. “The world needs more of what MedGlobal is doing and I look forward to helping the organization thrive in its next phase of growth.”

MedGlobal’s new Medical Director, Dr. Marwa Saleh, is a family physician and medical anthropologist with demonstrated leadership in humanitarian and cross-cultural health care. She rejoins the organization having previously served as its Director of Health Programs in 2021. Dr. Saleh has extensive global clinical expertise, having served in multiple medical missions to Mexico, Nepal, Uganda, and Tanzania. She has had a long-term independent urban practice in Lebanon, an associate position at the American University in Beirut, and most recently served in rural New Mexico, USA as a physician and residency site director with Texas Tech University. 

“My earlier experience at MedGlobal played a critical part in my development as an international humanitarian and practitioner, and I’m thrilled to now return to the organization at such a crucial time for our work,” Dr. Saleh said.  

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MedGlobal is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that provides emergency response and health programs to build resilience among vulnerable communities around the world. The organization’s health programs support victims of crisis and conflict, refugees, internally displaced persons, and marginalized communities in disaster-affected and low-resource settings.