Meet the Team

Palliative Care Coordinator

Dorothy is central to the work of the team, seeing Palliative Care patients in the clinic and hospital, coordinating with volunteers for outreach visits to the villages, communicating with the partnership team in the Susquehanna region of Pennsylvania. She has completed a three-year Bachelor of Science in Palliative Care program in Uganda, is an advocate for palliative care in eastern Africa.

Medical Officer

Dr. Biko has completed a three-year Bachelor of Science in Palliative Care diploma program in Uganda. He has recently completed additional medical education, and brings his medical expertise to the care of adults and children with complex advanced illness. He works to provide advocacy for Palliative Care, and physician leadership for the team.

Clinical Officer

Dr. Chris has been involved with the Palliative Care work since the beginning of the program. He is extremely busy with the clinical care of patients in the hospital and medical clinic, but works closely with Dorothy and the team to manage patients in the hospital and palliative clinic who need his experience and knowledge.

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Chirangi is Medical Director for the Shirati hospital as well as a busy surgeon. He directs and coordinates all the programs in the hospital, and has been a strong supporter of the development and continuation of the Palliative care program at Shirati. Through his relationships and collaboration with medical, governmental, and NGO officials, in Africa and internationally, he tirelessly works to sustain the remarkable work of the Shirati hospital.

Volunteer Coordinator

In 2006, Ben was severely ill, bedridden with AIDS. He was convinced to start antiretroviral medications and has maintained his health since. He has remained devoted to outreach to those with severe chronic or terminal conditions as a result of his experience. He coordinates the work of the medical team with the volunteers in the villages who are essential to reaching individuals in these areas.

Hospice & Palliative Care Physician

Dr Nesbitt spent over twenty years in family practice before taking additional training and entering full time into hospice and palliative care. He has worked since 2000 with teams of others in Williamsport PA to create an award-winning system of care for those with serious or terminal illness throughout north central Pennsylvania. The system works to provide coordinated care in the home, office, hospital, nursing home and hospice facility for patients with advanced disease and their families. Since 2012, he has helped to lead the partnership with Shirati to support the development and maturation of the palliative care program in Shirati. He currently serves as the President of the partnership.

Pharmacist

John is essential in procuring, storing, and dispensing medication and supplies, including morphine, for the work of the PC team. He also brings spiritual support to the team, and to the patients.

Registered Nurse

Daisa is involved in hands-on patient care for PC patients in the clinic, hospital and outreach visits to the villages. She assists Dorothy in the essential nursing component of the care of these patients.

Allison is a medical social worker with UPMC Supportive and Palliative Care. She has been a member of the partnership since it was founded. She has traveled to Shirati three times and currently serves as the Vice-President of the partnership. Her background includes medical social work in the fields of hospice, oncology, and palliative care.

Ashley is the Volunteer Coordinator with Family Hospice. She has been a long-time member of the partnership and helps with the finances and fundraisers. Ashley serves as the Treasurer for the partnership.