September 27, 2023

Advocacy Update: Global ARCH at #UNGA2023

Global ARCH joins birth defects contingent at UNGA2023: “You can thrive”…with the right support

Global ARCH joined Operation Smile, Miracle Feet, and Children’s HeartLink at the UN General Assembly meeting on September 21 to speak up for the needs of children born with birth defects around the globe in need of surgical correction or other treatment, and how to advocate with policymakers for their inclusion in the universal health coverage agenda.

This high-level meeting, sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations and the Malaysia Ministry of Health was an important opportunity to advocate for progress in achieving health for all. 

Global ARCH representative Belen Blanton, founder of Fundacion Estrellita de Belen, an active non-profit that provides cardiac care to low-income children in Venezuela, spoke about her experience as a child with congenital heart disease growing up in Venezuela. Global ARCH president Amy Verstappen, and Bistra Zheleva wearing both Global ARCH and Children’s HeartLink hats, served as moderators. Board member Anu Gomanju, an active advocate with the NCDI Poverty Network, also participated along with our new executive director, Kate Doherty-Schmeck.

Announcement: Kate Doherty-Schmeck joins Global ARCH as the first full-time Executive Director

We are very excited to announce that as of October 1, 2023, Kate has joined the Global ARCH team. She has already earned her stripes by volunteering her time to accompany us to the World Congress and UNGA2023 – both ahead of her official start date – where her leadership and enthusiasm were very much appreciated. Kate’s experience includes working in various areas of healthcare, beginning with her journey in public health, patient safety and quality, international health, and most recently US value-based care. The proudest and most impactful area of Kate’s career was managing the International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Disease (IQIC) and multiple global projects at Boston Children’s Hospital. Throughout her travels and career, Kate has consistently been reminded how passion, dedication, and collaboration impact this work. She truly believes there is no limit to what can be accomplished and that the most powerful voices are the patients and their families.

Personally, Kate’s brother, Joe, was born with congenital heart disease. His care journey supported by their parents not only enabled him to live a full life becoming a proud dad but also inspired Kate to pursue working in the cardiac space.

During her free time, she and her husband enjoy chasing their two little ones and and very active dog around. Welcome Kate!

Global ARCH Declaration the focus of this year's World Heart Day

Global ARCH loves to celebrate World Heart Day! This year we’ve created personalized posters for many of our members to use to help raise awareness of CHD and RHD, with links to our Declaration of Rights. We also asked our members to send us photos in support of the Declaration of Rights in their communities. Here are just a few, which we will be sharing on our social media channels. A big THANK YOU to everyone who sent in photos!

Two great new resources are available now!

Please keep us in the loop!

We’d love to hear about what you and/or your organization is doing, and we will help spread the news. Please contact us at info@global-arch.org.

If you have a colleague who might like to join please ask them to visit our website.

To see our current list of member organizations please click HERE.