A Compassionate Team of Medical Leaders

About Us

We are a team of medical professionals, healthcare experts, volunteers, students, professors, and dedicated individuals who believe in creating opportunities worldwide.

Win-win opportunities are real, and we are committed to ensuring they are available to as many people as possible. When you volunteer your time, passion, and expertise to provide medical care and education to the over 1 million individuals living in extreme isolation and poverty in the Dominican Republic, you will grow and stretch, multiplying your capacity for impact.

 

Together, we have greater capacity and make a more significant impact. We are a community of world changers.

Our Story

In November 2022, Global Health Leaders was founded by two visionary individuals, Dr. Arianne Powell and Dr. Cristal Pride, who were deeply impacted by their personal experiences and driven by a shared mission to make a difference in the world of healthcare.


Arianne's journey began when she operated an orphanage in Mexico after completing high school. During her time there, she fell seriously ill and, fortunately, received prompt and excellent medical care in the United States. She made a full recovery without any lasting effects. However, it was during this critical period that she witnessed a tragic and heartbreaking event - a child in the same orphanage fell ill with the same condition but was denied the necessary treatment in Mexico, tragically losing their life. This profound experience left an indelible mark on Arianne and ignited her passion to ensure that no one should ever suffer due to a lack of access to healthcare.


Cristal, on the other hand, was born, raised, and completed her medical education in the Dominican Republic. Through her upbringing and extensive medical training, she intimately understood the stark reality of healthcare disparities in developing countries. Her firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by communities without access to medical services fueled her determination to drive change and improve healthcare outcomes on a global scale.


Together, Arianne and Cristal co-founded Global Health Leaders. Their shared vision led to the creation of a unique organization that trains university students in the United States to operate temporary medical clinics. These students are then taken to developing countries to provide free medical care to those who lack access to essential healthcare services. Their collaborative efforts have not only impacted the lives of countless individuals but have also empowered the next generation of healthcare leaders to make a positive difference in the world.


Global Health Leaders is a testament to the transformative power of empathy, education, and the unwavering commitment to bridging the gap in healthcare access for underserved communities worldwide.


Meet our Team

Arianne Powell, CEO and Founder

Dr. Arianne Powell is the CEO and one of the Co-Founders of our agency. She has had a passion for caring for individuals in low-income individuals since childhood. At 17 years old, she left home to work in an orphanage in Mexico, caring for children without families or access to healthcare. Her passion for providing healthcare for those with limited access led her to work with agencies across the US, developing healthcare programs that improve the quality and access to care for low-income individuals. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health and a Doctorate in Integrated Healthcare (Management) from Arizona State University. After completing her doctorate, she attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business and is a lifetime Stanford University Executive Circle member. In 2022 and 2023, she was awarded Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare and is a Virginia Piper Charitable Trust Fellow. Dr. Powell has over 15 years of healthcare leadership experience, including as the Director of Clinical Strategy and Analytics and Director of Operations for a $100 million integrated healthcare agency with more than 30 programs and 17 locations in Arizona, including several Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, crisis response programs, and residential substance abuse treatment centers. Dr. Powell was the Chief Operating Officer for a Healthcare agency providing services for foster and adopted youth in 6 states and an International Adoption program. Additionally, Dr. Powell is a coach for an international Leadership and Character Development program. Dr. Powell lives with her surfing, volleyball, and dinosaur-loving 7-year-old son in Arizona.

Junie Bessenyei, Chief Financial Officer

Junie is a dynamic leader in the world of business and food industry management. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Oregon and a prestigious Master's certificate in Food Industry Management from the University of Southern California, Junie is a proven expert in steering businesses towards unparalleled success. Junie's journey began with Nestle Purina, where her leadership prowess earned her well-deserved accolades. In 2014, she ventured into entrepreneurship, becoming the owner and primary consultant of a Business Management and Consulting firm. Her strategic guidance has been instrumental in propelling multiple businesses to achieve remarkable multimillion-dollar growth.

 

Dr. Sorivel Sosa Hilario, Director of Research

Dr. Sorivel Sosa Hilario is a distinguished leader and our Director of Research, spearheading the frontier of transformative research initiatives remotely from the Dominican Republic. Dr. Sosa Hilario is a Medical Doctor and holds a Ph.D. in Public Health and Epidemiology. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. Dr. Sosa Hilario's journey in the realm of public health and epidemiology has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to impactful research. Her diverse background includes extensive work in healthcare disparities, infectious diseases, and community health, including research teaching at Harvard University TH Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Sosa Hilario is a seasoned researcher with a focus on healthcare disparities, aiming to unravel the complexities that underlie unequal health outcomes in different populations. Her work extends to infectious diseases, where she delves into understanding patterns, transmission dynamics, and effective intervention strategies. Beyond the confines of academia, she is a dedicated advocate for community health. Her research endeavors are driven by a passion to address health inequities and contribute to the development of interventions that positively impact communities.


Olivia Oberkircher, Research Advisor

Olivia Oberkircher is a skilled Research Advisor with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Hunter College and a Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Global Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. With a passion for addressing global health challenges, Olivia has undertaken significant research projects in Uganda, where she played a vital role in developing and implementing innovative malaria prevention and education techniques. Olivia also led an extensive retrospective chart review in the Democratic Republic of Congo, investigating the health status of school-aged children. Her many research papers during her graduate degree demonstrate her expertise and dedication to advancing public health knowledge. As a Research Coordinator at Global Health Leaders, Olivia continues to drive meaningful change by leveraging her expertise in research, public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Her passion for improving global health and her track record of impactful projects make her an invaluable asset to the organization’s mission of advancing accessible and sustainable healthcare worldwide.

Lisbeth Tolentino, Research Advisor

Dr. Lisbeth Tolentino is a Research Advisor and a medical doctor from the Dominican Republic. She has experience working as a principal investigator in clinical trials. Dr. Tolentino has experience managing clinical research sites with a staff of 14 people. She has experience in monitoring and audits by regulatory agencies, FDA, CROs, PPD, and Vaxtrials. She was awarded the Golden Caduceus in her manager studies courses. She is doing a Master of Public Health at the University of Limoges in France. Also, she has volunteered in communities in need in her country. In her free time, she loves to read and play tennis.

Interested in a career with Global Health Leaders? Check our LinkedIn page for current openings. https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalhealthleaders/jobs/

Great Staff

Our doctors and staff are highly educated, compassionate professionals with over 40 years of combined healthcare experience.

Experience

We partner with public health officials, pharmacists, and medical doctors with five or more years of experience in the Dominican Republic.

Activities

We will bring health to our community and Education. Our leadership program created a high level of professionalism for the communities worldwide

Safety

We work in very safe areas and are prepared for any situation.

Do you love our team? Call us at 480-788-0727 to learn how you can get involved.