Statistics show that about 1 billion people around the world go their entire lives without access to basic health care because they live too far from medical facilities.
Diligently trying to improve those odds is Siobhan Kelley, communications manager at Last Mile Health, a nonprofit committed to providing access to health care in the world’s most remote villages.
Health workers are recruited directly from their own community to be trained and mentored by clinical supervisors. These community health workers become professional healthcare providers who work with the mission of providing quality health care to their own people.
Founders: Marcus D. Kudee, Peter Luckow, Alphonso G. Mouwon, Raj Panjabi, Weafus Quitoe, and Amisha Raja
Year founded: 2007
Employees: Just over 300 employees
Where we’re based: WeWork Charging Bull
Moment of inspiration: “Our team was working in Konobo in southeastern Liberia, and the average distance to a health facility was a 14-hour walk,” says Kelley. “Only in emergency cases would patients seek access to care. It was an inspirational moment for our team and really guided us as an organization. It’s where our work was really honed and where we looked for inspiration to expand our work.”
Biggest hurdle: “One hurdle has been the belief that it could be too difficult to reach some of these places and that it’s not worth it,” says Kelley. “It has been something our team has had to push against. It’s very challenging to work in the world’s most remote communities. There’s no cellular network or Internet access and sometimes no paved roads. A jeep might only be able to partially get down the road before you have to transfer to a motor bike.”
How we want to change the world: “Our vision is health workers for everyone, everywhere, every day,” says Kelley. “We are committed to ensuring access to quality care for the one billion people who lack care due to distance.”