Our Team

Our Leadership Team, Board Members, and Burkina Faso Team work together to ensure that Pull for Progress' mission is carried out with integrity and dignity for those served.

Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team also serves on our Board of Directors, playing a critical role in securing funding while actively overseeing on-the-ground project implementation in Burkina Faso. With expertise in medicine, public health, business, and law, they ensure that our initiatives are ethically sound and effectively address the community’s most pressing needs. They are responsible for strategically selecting and timing projects, carefully assessing the political and economic landscape to maximize impact and sustainability.
Samy Bendjemil, MD, MPH
Co-Founder, President & Chief Medical Officer

Samy Bendjemil, MD, MPH

Co-Founder, President & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Samy Bendjemil is a surgeon and global health leader dedicated to transforming surgical care internationally. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Bendjemil’s early work focused on public health and medical capacity-building in Burkina Faso, where he designed and implemented community health programs. He later trained at Stanford University, completing surgical fellowship and serving as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health. At Stanford, he led efforts to launch TraumaEd Burkina Faso, an innovative trauma care education program developed in collaboration with the Stanford University Department of Surgery and key stakeholders in Burkina Faso. This initiative established the country’s first hospital-based trauma management curriculum, integrating globally recognized trauma care techniques with locally adapted strategies. Dr. Bendjemil also implemented the first-ever picture-based Stop the Bleed curriculum, making critical hemorrhage control training more accessible across language and literacy barriers. Endorsed by the Burkina Faso Ministry of Health and the U.S. Embassy, this program has set a new standard for trauma education in the region. Currently practicing as a trauma surgeon in Chicago, Dr. Bendjemil continues to lead global surgical initiatives, mentor health professionals worldwide, and drive life-saving innovations. Recognized for his contributions to surgical education and trauma system development, he is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences, shaping the future of surgery and global medicine.


Rina Gandhi, Esq
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Rina Gandhi, Esq

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Rina Gandhi is an immigration attorney specializing in humanitarian and family-based immigration law. A partner and lead attorney in Washington, D.C., she has built her career shaping policy through legal advocacy and mentoring the next generation of lawyers. Mrs. Gandhi serves as faculty at Georgetown Law, where she trains and mentors future attorneys. She is also a Co-Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) Liaison Committee, working directly with federal agencies on policy and strategy. Previously, she served as Co-Chair of AILA D.C.’s Advocacy Committee, engaging with Congress and policymakers to push for human rights protections. Mrs. Gandhi frequently lectures on immigration law, speaking at Federal Bar Association conferences, national webinars, and universities. Beyond her legal practice, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to global philanthropic efforts. Mrs. Gandhi spearheaded the Soap Project in Burkina Faso, an initiative focused on improving sanitation and disease prevention. Her legal expertise, policy leadership, and global advocacy position her as a voice in human rights initiatives nationally and internationally.


Moumini Niaone, MD, MPH
Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder

Moumini Niaone, MD, MPH

Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder

Dr. Moumini Niaoné is a physician and public health leader serving as Burkina Faso's National Director of Community Health. Transforming healthcare systems across Africa, he has shaped the future of medical education on a national scale as the founder of the Burkina Faso Medical Student Association and leader of the African Federation of Medical Students Associations. As a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Niaoné earned a Master of Public Health from Indiana University. He further honed his expertise at the world’s most prestigious institutions for public health, completing a Doctor of Philosophy in community and behavioral health at Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Science in sexual and reproductive health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. His efforts have earned him the Knight of Merit of the National Order of Burkina Faso, the Rodman Rockefeller Fellowship, and a Fulbright Scholarship, along with full-tuition awards from Johns Hopkins, Indiana University, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Dr. Niaoné’s leadership extends to global health diplomacy and research, where he was recognized as an Africa CDC Kofi Annan Fellow and a NextGen Scholar of The Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement.


Board Members

Our volunteer Board Members have impacted the Public Health field and are passionate about using their skill sets and experienced to increase health equity in under-resourced communities.
Jason Rosenfeld, DrPH, MPH
Board Member

Jason Rosenfeld, DrPH, MPH

Board Member

Dr. Jason Rosenfeld is a public health professional with over two decades of experience designing and implementing community-driven health initiatives worldwide. An expert in research, program development, and impact evaluation, he has led large-scale public health initiatives, ensuring effective implementation and long-term sustainability. Dr. Rosenfeld earned a Master of Public Health from Emory University and a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of North Carolina. His career began in Ghana as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, where he led water sanitation and health education programs. Since 2011, he has served as Assistant Director of Global Health and is faculty at the University of Texas School of Medicine, where he plays a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of physician leaders. Dr. Rosenfeld holds leadership positions in national and international organizations, including serving on the Governing Council & Executive Board of the Texas Public Health Association and the Global Operations Committee for the Consortium of Universities for Global Health. His work continues to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, driving transformative change in global systems.


Jerry Abraham, MD, MPH
Board Member

Jerry Abraham, MD, MPH

Board Member

Dr. Jerry Abraham serves as the 152nd President of the Los Angeles Medical Association, Trustee of the California Medical Association, and Vice Chair of the American Medical Association Council on Constitution & Bylaws. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic earned widespread recognition as he spearheaded the Kedren Vaccines initiative, which administered over 400,000 vaccinations and conducted extensive testing, significantly mitigating the virus’s impact across Los Angeles. His work has established him as a key voice in emergency and crisis response. Dr. Abraham completed his medical residency at the University of Southern California, fellowship in injury epidemiology at Harvard University, and Master of Public Health at Emory University. His influence extends beyond clinical medicine, as he is a dedicated advocate for health policy and climate justice, actively shaping national discussions by testifying before the U.S. Senate and Congress on critical issues. A recognized thought leader, Dr. Abraham frequently speaks about these topics, with features like VICE, the Los Angeles Times, NPR, Spectrum News, and CBS. His contributions to medicine and public health were honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Los Angeles Business Journal's Healthcare Leadership Award, the MLK Legacy Community Justice Award, the Hero of Family Medicine Award, the California Medical Association's Compassionate Service Award, the American Medical Association's Excellence in Medicine Award, and the 'Dr. Debasish Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award' recognizing a U.S. physician for altruism, leadership, and transformative contributions to medicine.


Kyle Swinsky, MBA
Board Member

Kyle Swinsky, MBA

Board Member

Kyle Swinsky is an entrepreneur and visionary leader for medical education. As co-founder and president of AMOpportunities (AMO), he has built a platform that connects aspiring medical professionals worldwide with clinical experiences, bridging critical gaps in medical training. Under his leadership, AMO has facilitated thousands of placements for students from across the globe and established partnerships with over 120 prestigious universities. A graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Kyle earned his MBA and gained recognition for his innovative approach. While still an MBA student, he won the UChicago Booth 'New Venture Challenge', securing $9 million in funding - a testament to his ability to drive transformative change. Kyle’s work is reshaping the future of medicine, ensuring medical professionals have the resources they need to succeed and helping address global physician shortages.


Burkina Faso Team

Our on-the-ground Burkina Faso Team is responsible for implementing Pull for Progress projects and caring for its people. They are the ones who advise on the current needs based on relationships and direct knowledge of the communities.
Stephane
Director of Health Affairs
Ydrissa
Director of Community Health Clubs, Center East Region
Landry
P4P Liason in Bobo Dioulasso
Sawadogo
Chief of Nursing, District of Garango
Boureima
Head of Community Health Clubs in Dango
Pull for Progress is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of creating sustainable progress in the disciplines of health, education, and social and economic development in underserved areas.
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