Global Links

Description: Global Links is dedicated to improving healthcare and promoting health equity in developing countries through a pioneering approach to recovering surplus medical supplies and equipment for use by targeted public health systems. Global Links works to educate institutional partners and our volunteers about environmentally responsible healthcare and business practices, and is a local leader in redirecting still useful materials away from U.S. landfills to public health improvement efforts. We participate in the development and implementation of procedures that support our belief that the health of patients, medical personnel and the environment are all connected.

Target demographics: We work with medically underserved communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Also, we support U.S. healthcare facilities in their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.

Direct beneficiaries per year: Thousands of patients who have access to higher quality medical care as a result of the strategic donations of medical materials by Global Links. Thirty plus healthcare facilities in the U.S. with whom we partner to achieve more environmentally responsible operations. 45+ medical service trip teams traveling from the Pittsburgh area to donate their medical services around the world whom we provide with medical supplies.

Someone who had 3 hours of volunteer time could: Make a practical contribution to our operations while at the same time learning about global health inequities; pack boxes of needed medical supplies; clean and prep hospital furnishings for an upcoming shipment; clean and match crutches to send to Haiti; lead a collection for needed supplies at their workplace, school, or place of worship; attend a tour of our facilities to learn more about our mission and operations.

Geographic areas served: Global Links partners with clinics and hospitals in nine countries across Latin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica and Nicaragua. Global Links also serves the greater Pittsburgh community through our environmental stewardship in healthcare program and our community outreach and education program.

Board Members and Affiliation: Mimi Falbo, CHAIR, DNP, RN, Executive Consultant, Mimi Falbo LLC

Jeffrey Ford, C.P.A., VICE CHAIR, Partner, Grossman, Yanak, & Ford

Charles Vargo, TREASURER, Executive Director, The Washington Physician Hospital Organization, Inc.

Rev. Eugene F. Lauer, S.T.D., SECRETARY, Pastoral and Theological Ministry

Lauren Ackerman, Johnson Institute, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh

Amy Davis, Director of Accounting, Sylvan Energy

Kathleen G. Hower, Chief Executive Officer, Co-founder, Global Links

Daniel Kovalik, Associate General Counsel, United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO (USW)

Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, M.D., Asst. Professor, Global Health OB/GYN and Reproductive Biology, UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University

Miguel Marquez, M.D., Pan American Health Organization, retired

Gregory K. Peaslee, Senior Vice President, UPMC, Chief Human Resources and Administrative Service Officer

Patricia Rambasek, CFRE, Community Leader

Robin Sheldon, Associate University Counsel, Thomas Jefferson University

Barry L. Silverman, Technology Consultant

Mahmood Mike Usman, MD, Usman Neuropsychiatric Services