Seasoned and experienced global health leader begins September 1

PORTLAND, Ore. – (June 6, 2016) After an extensive international search, Medical Teams International today announced the appointment of Martha Newsome as their new President and CEO, replacing Jeff Pinneo who retired earlier this year.

Newsome joins Medical Teams after 20 years with World Vision International, where she led many health initiatives worldwide including serving as both the Global and Africa HIV and AIDS Director and as Health Director and National Director for World Vision Mozambique. She and her team developed a highly successful health and nutrition strategy and she has catalysed innovation, like mobile health projects in sixteen countries.

“We are thrilled to have Martha as our next CEO,” said Mark Dodson, Medical Teams’ Board Chair. “Martha has a wonderful, joyful spirit rooted in her sincere faith. She has dedicated her life to serving the health needs of others, and has become an authoritative global leader in sustainable health solutions. We are blessed to have her join us.”

Newsome has spent the last 30 years addressing international health needs including her current position leading World Vision International’s Global Sustainable Health team which includes their global programs in food, health and nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene and represents global teams of over 3000 employees and a budget of $700M. At age 33 she was appointed National Director of the Mozambique program in a post-civil war context, and then led them strongly through periods of severe flooding.

Dodson added, “A colleague said that Martha is both a technical expert and also highly strategic; she sits on global panels and is widely published, but she is at heart a grassroots operations person and has worked her way to senior leadership from the front line realities of local community health.”

In a note to worldwide staff of Medical Teams, Newsome said, “I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve as your CEO and I look forward to meeting all of you in the upcoming months.  I have tremendous respect for Medical Teams International’s programs, staff and board and I am so excited to take up this role!”

Newsome continued, “I have just completed my 20th year with World Vision and during this time I have had the opportunity to work in Mozambique, for our Africa regional team, and within our Senior Executive Team both in South Africa and Washington, DC.  I hope to use my extended global health network to further strengthen and build Medical Teams’ reputation in the global health community.”

Newsome will lead more than 900 Medical Teams International staff and thousands of volunteers as they work to eradicate the suffering of millions of people around the world by providing medical and dental care, humanitarian aid, and holistic development programs to all people in need from Africa to Asia.  Founded in 1979, Medical Teams was again this year awarded the highest possible rating by Charity Navigator – four stars – for the efficient and effective use of donor funds.  The organization responds to disasters around the world—and here at home—by sending teams of volunteer medical professionals and medical supplies to care for the sick and injured. They also mobilize long-term health promotion initiatives, collaborating with established partners within each community to ensure that the programs have a sustainable impact.  Medical Teams also has the largest free mobile dental service in the United States and serves those domestically who could not otherwise access dental care.

Newsome’s appointment will begin on September 1, 2016

About Medical Teams International:

Medical Teams International is a global relief and development organization serving people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty around the world — regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. Medical Teams mobilizes expert volunteer medical, dental, and support professionals; procures and ships donated medicines and supplies worldwide and creates health programs with lasting impact.  With a variety of innovative technologies and strategic partners, Medical Teams sets up long-term development programs so local communities are more self-reliant and prepared for future emergencies. Founded in 1979, Medical Teams is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization that employs more than 900 staff worldwide and engages more than 2,500 volunteers globally. For More information please go to www.medicalteams.org