Linda Lee

Interim Chair

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.

Jerome Belinson

Director

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.

Miriam Hess

Director

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-Merada

Director

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.

Ricardo Perdomo

Director

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.