Last Mile Health

Overview

Last Mile Health is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building strong community health systems, ensuring essential primary healthcare reaches the world's most remote communities. The organization partners with governments to equip professionalized community health workers to deliver vital healthcare services.

History

Last Mile Health was founded by Liberian civil war survivors and American health workers under the name Tiyatien Health, which translates to "justice in health" in a local dialect. Initially, the organization focused on launching Liberia's first rural public HIV treatment program with minimal funds. In collaboration with the Government of Liberia and global health partners, Last Mile Health expanded its model to replicate HIV treatment across several public clinics in Liberia.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Last Mile Health is to save lives in the world's most remote communities by strengthening community health systems. Its vision is to have a health worker within reach of everyone, everywhere.

Programs and Impact

Last Mile Health played a pivotal role in designing and launching Liberia's National Community Health Assistant Program, one of the country's first national programs for community health workers. This effort significantly increased healthcare access for millions of people in hard-to-reach areas. The organization has also been instrumental in advocating for the professionalization and fair compensation of community health workers globally, contributing to guidelines by the World Health Organization.

As part of its broader initiatives, Last Mile Health supports the training and deployment of community health workers through its Community Health Academy, which uses open-source digital tools to improve training efficacy. By 2022, over 40,000 learners had accessed course content through this platform.

Leadership and Structure

Lisha McCormick serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Last Mile Health, leading a diverse team dedicated to strengthening community health systems in partnership with governments across Africa. Prior to her role as CEO, she was involved in healthcare in the U.S. and holds a Master of Public Health from Columbia University.

James Nardella is the Chief Program Officer, responsible for guiding programs that enhance community health systems, upskill health workers, and deliver community-based care across various countries, including Liberia, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. He previously worked at the Skoll Foundation and led a community health initiative in Kenya.

Global Presence

Last Mile Health operates with four in-person country offices in Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone. Its global headquarters is located in Accra, Ghana. The organization strives to create a culture of inclusivity and equity within its workforce, which is predominantly African.

Financial Status

Last Mile Health is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, meaning donations to the organization are tax-deductible. This status supports its mission by enabling it to raise funds for its community health worker programs and other initiatives.