MEDICAL BRIDGES WORLD HEALTH DAY VIRTUAL FORUM (RECAP)
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Medical Bridges 2026 World Health Day Global Health Forum on April 7, 2026!
It was a meaningful and insightful gathering that brought together global health leaders, practitioners, partners, and community members for a thoughtful conversation about expanding access to care and strengthening health systems around the world.
We are deeply grateful for the engagement, presence, and rich participation from everyone who attended. Your questions, reflections, and voices helped shape a powerful conversation that crossed borders and sectors.
BRIDGING HEALTH SYSTEMS THROUGH INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION
A Special Thank You
• To our distinguished speakers—whose expertise and experience anchored each panel
• To World Affairs Council for supporting this event
• To Ronan O’Malley of the World Affairs Council team for helping guide audience engagement and the Q&A
• To our moderator, Sonali Korde, whose leadership helped bring clarity and depth to every discussion
You can revisit the full list of speakers on this page.
What We Covered
Over the course of four hours, we explored:
• Collaborative approaches to strengthening global health systems
• Real‑world strategies for expanding healthcare access
• The role of diverse stakeholders in impactful global health work
• Practical insights and lessons from leading practitioners and policymakers
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PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Thought leaders discussing current challenges and opportunities in global health.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Opportunities for participants to ask questions and connect across sectors.
CASE STUDIES
Real-world examples of healthcare solutions improving outcomes in underserved communities.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
MAJOR GENERAL (RET) DUSTIN SHULTZ
Data Transformation Executive: Intelligence, Cyber, Space | Latam Expert | Keynote Speaker | Strategist
THE CURRENT STATE OF GLOBAL HEALTH
ANDREW NATSIOS
Former Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development (2001-2006) Former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan
DR. PETER HOTEZ, MD, PHD
Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. JOHN NKENGASONG
Executive Director for Higher Education, Collaboratives, and Special Initiatives, Mastercard Foundation
SONALI KORDE
(MODERATOR)
Visiting Fellow, Baker Institute, Former Assistant to the Administrator USAID
BRIDGING THE GLOBAL HEALTHCARE GAP
THE ROLE OF NGOS
DR. BRIAN PARSLEY
Orthopedic Surgeon, Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
KATHERINE CABANISS PARSLEY
Community Leader & Volunteer
DR. TADIA DIALLO
Director of Global Health, Medical Bridges, Inc.
JAVAID SIDDIQI
Chief Executive Officer at Helping Hand USA
REAL-WORLD CASE STUDIES OF IMPACT
DR. OLUWAGBENGA (BEN) ADESOPE, DHA, DrPH, CMPE
President & CEO, Faith in Practice, GUATEMALA
DR. KY LUU
Chief Operating Officer, International Medical Corps
GAZA
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AMBASSADOR ERIN E. MCKEE
Chief Executive Officer, Nova Ukraine
UKRAINE
BORIS MARTIN, PhD
Chief Executive Officer, Engineers Without Borders
GUATEMALA
WALTER ULRICH
(MODERATOR)
President and CEO, Medical Bridges, Inc.