HBI is an organization of passionate people. Our staff come from diverse backgrounds, but we are commonly bonded by a belief that we can and will change the world through collaboration.
Dr. Wayne Centrone, Executive Director
Dr. Centrone is a physician and public health professional who has dedicated his career to working with high risk and marginalized homeless and underserved populations around the world. After finishing a family medicine residency, Wayne completed a fellowship training program in “Homeless and Underserved Medicine” at Outside In Medical Clinic in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his medical training, Wayne completed a masters in public health degree and a graduate program from the University of Oxford in the delivery of healthcare services to homeless populations. In his role as the Executive Director, Wayne works to ignite innovation and source new ideas; and ensure all staff, partners and collaborators have the resources and support they need to successfully facilitate the mission, programs and projects of HBI. Email Contact
Dr. Centrone is a physician and public health professional who has dedicated his career to working with high risk and marginalized homeless and underserved populations around the world. After finishing a family medicine residency, Wayne completed a fellowship training program in “Homeless and Underserved Medicine” at Outside In Medical Clinic in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his medical training, Wayne completed a masters in public health degree and a graduate program from the University of Oxford in the delivery of healthcare services to homeless populations. In his role as the Executive Director, Wayne works to ignite innovation and source new ideas; and ensure all staff, partners and collaborators have the resources and support they need to successfully facilitate the mission, programs and projects of HBI. Email Contact
Dr. Robert Gehringer, Medical Director
Dr. Gehringer, or "Dr. Bob" as he is known in Peru, comes to HBI with years of direct clinical experience as a pediatrician and a physician administrator; his work in developing countries spans many countries and multiple decades. Dr. Gehringer helps to act as a bridge to healthcare programs and projects in Peru and U.S. based groups. As the medical director, his primary responsibility is to assure HBI works at the highest degree of professional standards and efficacy in all of our programs and projects. HBI is very fortunate to have the skills and talents of Dr. Bob. Dr. Bob splits time as a pediatrician in Menasha, WI, helping to coordinate and run HBI projects, and facilitating NRP training to healthcare providers internationally. Email Contact
Dr. Gehringer, or "Dr. Bob" as he is known in Peru, comes to HBI with years of direct clinical experience as a pediatrician and a physician administrator; his work in developing countries spans many countries and multiple decades. Dr. Gehringer helps to act as a bridge to healthcare programs and projects in Peru and U.S. based groups. As the medical director, his primary responsibility is to assure HBI works at the highest degree of professional standards and efficacy in all of our programs and projects. HBI is very fortunate to have the skills and talents of Dr. Bob. Dr. Bob splits time as a pediatrician in Menasha, WI, helping to coordinate and run HBI projects, and facilitating NRP training to healthcare providers internationally. Email Contact
Benjamin Grass, Director of Operations
Benjamin is an energetic self starter and a real asset to the HBI team. Ben brings years of volunteer experience in Latin America and a real passion for service. Ben currently works out of the Portland office of HBI to lead program coordination, ensure daily operations of the NGO, and align partnerships and ongoing collaboration. As the Director of Operations, Ben works across all of HBI's projects and helps to assure our staff and partners have the resources they need to successfully build and maintain our bridges. Ben's language and cultural skills make him a great asset for in-country work - as well as a clear leader in helping to establish quality, evidence based programs for underserved communities. Ben is a very important part of the day-to-day operations and an extremely respected member of the HBI family. Email Contact
Benjamin is an energetic self starter and a real asset to the HBI team. Ben brings years of volunteer experience in Latin America and a real passion for service. Ben currently works out of the Portland office of HBI to lead program coordination, ensure daily operations of the NGO, and align partnerships and ongoing collaboration. As the Director of Operations, Ben works across all of HBI's projects and helps to assure our staff and partners have the resources they need to successfully build and maintain our bridges. Ben's language and cultural skills make him a great asset for in-country work - as well as a clear leader in helping to establish quality, evidence based programs for underserved communities. Ben is a very important part of the day-to-day operations and an extremely respected member of the HBI family. Email Contact
Karen Falkenstein RN, MPH, Nursing and Evaluation Director
Karen is a fantastic addition to the HBI Team. Her background in emergency medicine and oncology nursing gives her an uncanny ability to constantly balance bigger picture needs with day-to-day operational details. In her role as the Director of Evaluation, Karen is charged with assuring all of HBI's work is fortified by formative evaluation and linked to clear outcomes. Karen graduated in 2013 with a Masters Degree in Public Health from Columbia University – with an International Health & Development focus – and continues to work as a nurse at Yale University Hospital. HBI is very proud to have Karen on our team. It would be hard to find someone more selfless and heart centered than Karen. Email Contact
Karen is a fantastic addition to the HBI Team. Her background in emergency medicine and oncology nursing gives her an uncanny ability to constantly balance bigger picture needs with day-to-day operational details. In her role as the Director of Evaluation, Karen is charged with assuring all of HBI's work is fortified by formative evaluation and linked to clear outcomes. Karen graduated in 2013 with a Masters Degree in Public Health from Columbia University – with an International Health & Development focus – and continues to work as a nurse at Yale University Hospital. HBI is very proud to have Karen on our team. It would be hard to find someone more selfless and heart centered than Karen. Email Contact
Carmen Zavala, Program Manager, Perú
Carmen is HBI’s in-country connection. Carmen grew up in Peru as a missionary kid and has traveled and volunteered around the world extensively, making her an invaluable resource to the HBI Family. Carmen posses the uncanny ability to straddle two worlds. With superb language skills and a unique bi-cultural perspective, Carmen is critical to the work of HBI. She is well organized, completely committed to the work of HBI and has a tremendous heart for service. In her role as the Peru Program Manager, Carmen is currently working on in-country organization and infrastructure while continuing to fortify connections with our partners to further their work in Peru. HBI is proud to have Carmen on our team. Email Contact
Carmen is HBI’s in-country connection. Carmen grew up in Peru as a missionary kid and has traveled and volunteered around the world extensively, making her an invaluable resource to the HBI Family. Carmen posses the uncanny ability to straddle two worlds. With superb language skills and a unique bi-cultural perspective, Carmen is critical to the work of HBI. She is well organized, completely committed to the work of HBI and has a tremendous heart for service. In her role as the Peru Program Manager, Carmen is currently working on in-country organization and infrastructure while continuing to fortify connections with our partners to further their work in Peru. HBI is proud to have Carmen on our team. Email Contact
Lidia Ruiz, Program Administrator, Perú
Lidia is a trained business administrator who brings years of experience working with NGOs and volunteer groups in Arequipa to support HBI’s in-country connections. Lidia grew up in the city of Arequipa and has a rich understanding of the culture, culinary offerings and unique settings of this rich Peruvian community. Lidia is one of those enviable people who is able to see the opportunities in every situation and define clear paths to success. Her bilingual skills, along with her uncanny cultural humility, make her a great asset on all of HBI's work. In her role as the Program Administrator, she supports a number of community partnerships and key programmatic activities. Email Contact
Lidia is a trained business administrator who brings years of experience working with NGOs and volunteer groups in Arequipa to support HBI’s in-country connections. Lidia grew up in the city of Arequipa and has a rich understanding of the culture, culinary offerings and unique settings of this rich Peruvian community. Lidia is one of those enviable people who is able to see the opportunities in every situation and define clear paths to success. Her bilingual skills, along with her uncanny cultural humility, make her a great asset on all of HBI's work. In her role as the Program Administrator, she supports a number of community partnerships and key programmatic activities. Email Contact
Dr. Roberto Tarazona Ponte, Senior Health Advisor
Dr. Tarazona, or "Tito" as he is affectionately known by the HBI team, is a person who is completely committed to serving others. He studied medicine and graduated as a physician and surgeon. In addition, he completed post-graduate studies in Public Health and Bioethics at one of Peru's premiere health professions training schools. He has speciality training in Social Management and the Humanization of Health Services Management. He brings an enormous range of professional attributes, and is a permanent Deacon of the Catholic Church and member of the Pontifical Council at the Vatican. Dr. Roberto currently works with HBI to serve women forced into prostitution in Lima and children at high social risk. Email Contact |
Epifania "Fany" Cotos Duran RN, Nurse Care Coordinator, Perú
Epifania, or Fany as she is known to family, friends and patients, has over 35 years of nursing experience. Her career has spanned from the hospital to the dirt floors of house calls in the impoverished neighborhoods of Lima. Fany is the Emeritus Lead Nurse Care Coordinator for the Ines Project for Medically Fragile Children. Now in retirement, Fany helps to provide leadership and support to the Ines Project team by attending meetings and providing mentoring and support to the staff. Email Contact
Epifania, or Fany as she is known to family, friends and patients, has over 35 years of nursing experience. Her career has spanned from the hospital to the dirt floors of house calls in the impoverished neighborhoods of Lima. Fany is the Emeritus Lead Nurse Care Coordinator for the Ines Project for Medically Fragile Children. Now in retirement, Fany helps to provide leadership and support to the Ines Project team by attending meetings and providing mentoring and support to the staff. Email Contact
- Gabriela "Gaby" Bautista Diaz RN, Lead Nurse Care Coordinator, Ines Project, Perú
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Copyright © 2016 Health Bridges International, Inc.
Post Office Box 8813, Portland, Oregon 97207 | info@HBInt.org
Post Office Box 8813, Portland, Oregon 97207 | info@HBInt.org