Linda H Lee, MD, PhD, MPH, Interim Chair of the Board of Directors of Basic Health International, brings deep expertise in clinical medicine, physician education, quality improvement, and global health systems strengthening—core pillars of BHI’s mission to perfect and expedite cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment worldwide. Her career has centered on advancing evidence-based practice, improving patient outcomes, and building sustainable models of high-quality care.

A board-certified dermatologist at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Lee is also pursuing a Ph.D. at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, where she studies the relationship between physician education and patient outcomes. She earned her M.D.-Ph.D. through the NIH-funded Medical Scientist Training Program at Duke University School of Medicine and holds a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University.

Dr. Lee has led postgraduate training programs, served on clinical competency and quality committees, and mentored learners at all levels. She has provided advisory, clinical, and educational service to organizations in resource-limited settings, including Praava Health in Bangladesh and Le Awesome in Cambodia. Her work reflects a longstanding commitment to expanding access to rigorous, equitable, and high-quality care, principles that directly advance BHI’s global efforts to eliminate preventable deaths from cervical cancer.

Dr. Jerome L. Belinson is the Ex-officio Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (1990–2000) and a Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. A pioneer in gynecologic oncology, he established the first formal service at the University of Vermont and has held tenured professorships at both Vermont and The Ohio State University. He is the founder of Preventive Oncology International, a research organization focused on advancing cervical cancer screening in underserved regions. Dr. Belinson has led groundbreaking studies in rural China for over two decades, earning international recognition and China's highest honor for foreign experts—the Friendship Award. His work has contributed to policy change, the introduction of new screening technologies, and the screening of nearly 50,000 women, many for the first time. He has served as an advisor to global health organizations including the Gates Foundation and WHO, and is a multiple-time Teacher of the Year and recipient of numerous humanitarian and professional awards.

Deepa Desai is a former consultant with McKinsey & Company where her focus was asset management firms. Prior to that, she worked with Chase Asset Management and Citibank. Deepa received an AB in Biology from Brown University and her MBA from the Duke University. Deepa became involved with BHI through her college friend BHI Medical Director, Rachel Masch. She has been a member of the Board since 2013 and is looking forward to helping BHI continue its research programs in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and ultimately, the globe.

Juan Felix is a nationally recognized expert in cervical cancer, with significant contributions to the diagnosis, treatment, and basic science of gynecologic cancers. He serves as Professor and Vice Chair of Anatomic Pathology and Director of Surgical Pathology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Dr Felix earned his MD from Cornell University Medical College and completed his residency in Anatomic Pathology and fellowship in Obstetrical and Gynecological Pathology at New York Hospital–Cornell University Medical College.

In addition to his academic and clinical leadership, Dr Felix has been a long-time collaborator with Basic Health International (BHI). He participated in BHI’s early medical delegations to El Salvador alongside Dr Miriam Cremer and her team and has remained actively involved with the organization over the years. As an expert pathologist, he has played a key role in supporting many of BHI’s major clinical trials, contributing his expertise to advance cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and research in low-resource settings.

Miriam Hess is a principal at Siegel Strategies, a political communications firm representing clients nationwide. Miriam is a graduate of George Washington University and St. Louis University schools of Law and Public Health. She began her career focusing on access to healthcare including critical services with the New York Department of Homeless Services under Mayor Michael Bloomberg where she worked to reform the NYC Shelter system. Miriam is also a volunteer with Ubuntu Africa which delivers critical services to children and teens living with HIV/AIDS in Khayelitsha, South Africa.

Caroline Kant is a founder of the EspeRare Foundation and the Executive Director of the Head Office. She manages the daily operations, as a board member she develops and implements the Foundation's strategic plans in concert with the Board and the R&D Director.

John Klutke, MD, is a Los Angeles-based obstetrician-gynecologist with over 35 years of experience, specializing in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery. He earned his BS in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, his M.D. from the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University, completed his residency at Cook County Hospital, and his fellowship at LAC+USC Medical Center. At the Keck School of Medicine at USC, he served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and as Fellowship Director for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, with research focused on pelvic floor dysfunction and connective tissue changes in women.

Dr Klutke joined early medical delegations to El Salvador alongside Dr Miriam Cremer and her team. Dr Klutke's participation in that foundational work reflects a deep alignment with BHI's core mission. His expertise in women's reproductive health, his academic focus on surgical outcomes and pelvic floor conditions, and his early on-the-ground involvement in BHI's work in El Salvador make him a compelling candidate for BHI's Board of Directors.

Ricardo is the Corporate Director of M&A and New Businesses at Corporacion Multi-Inversiones. Previously he has held positions at The Network Co. and Citibank of El Salvador, where he gained a wide perspective of the financial sector. Ricardo obtained his B.A. in Economics and Finance from Emory University and an MBA from INCAE. He is fluent in Spanish and English. Ricardo is a Fellow of the 10th class of the Central America Leadership Initiative and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.