Meet the Board

Dr. Stephanie Crane is CE’s Founder and the Director of the Office of Global Health and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Crane’s vision and commitment to working with underserved communities to empower them to improve their lives is the heart and soul of Community Empowerment. Dr. Crane initially and independently searched for a community in which to work and organized the first medical trip to Peralta in 2000. Now there are over 20 trips a year, providing critical primary and surgical care, infrastructure improvements, and community leadership training.

“I believe everyone has a sphere of influence that we should positively impact. Working with CE allows me to use my knowledge, skills and interests to maximally impact my sphere. I love children (I have eight of them!), extreme sports, and anything outdoors.”

Dr. Babs Waldman is the Volunteer Medical Director of Community Health in Chicago—it is the largest free clinic in the US. Previously, she was in private practice and then was the Medical Director, Health Care Bureau Office of the IL Attorney General. Dr. Waldman has been working in Haiti and the Dominican Republic since 2010 leading trips, implementing infrastructure improvement projects, and expanding the work of Community Empowerment.

“I value the work that CE does to create sustainable systems that reinforce the existing local infrastructure. CE provides experience for learners that cannot be taught in the books that they take with them in whatever they do. I am a full-time volunteer in my 'retirement' - I don't sit still well; I love to travel, walk/cross country ski/snowshoe, being a mother & grandmother.”

Dr. Cynthia Waickus holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Waickus' first medical trip to Haiti was as a team member with the International Medical Corp immediately after the 2010 earthquake. She has been involved as a provider and leader of medical teams since. Her strong background in medical education and training provides academic leadership in addition to her commitment to improving the health of underserved communities. Cindy is an outstanding baker and chef.

Dr. David Ansell, MD, MPH is the Senior Vice President for Community Health Equity, Rush University Medical Center and Associate Provost for Community Affairs, Rush University. Dr. Ansell joined Rush in 2005 as the Medical Center’s first chief medical officer (CMO). Previously, he spent 17 years at Chicago’s Cook County Hospital and 10 years as chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine at Chicago’s Mount Sinai Hospital. Throughout his career, Ansell has been involved in public health initiatives such as establishing the not-for-profit Equal Hope and co-founding the Sinai Urban Health Institute. David’s favorites are reading, writing, exercising outdoors, wilderness adventures, and spending time with friends and family, especially grandchildren.

Dr. Joel Augustin is an Assistant Professor Department of Family Practice Rush University Medical Center and is past Co-Chair of Community Based Health Section of Family Practice at John Stroger Hospital. Currently, Dr. Augustin is a physician at Oak Street Health. Dr. Augustin moved from Haiti to the US in 1986. He has spent many years working with local and national organizations to improve the lives and empower the people of Haiti. He is past Chair of the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti and is current Secretary of the United Front of the Haitian Diaspora. Dr. Augustin has been an important member of the medical teams working in Haiti from the outset providing care, training, and leadership. Joel loves salsa dancing, martial arts, and advocacy work.

Rhonda Goldstein, MSW, is an Executive Coach and Nonprofit Consultant for numerous nonprofits in the Chicagoland area. Previously, she had several leadership roles in the health care sector, including the Director of Development for Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, the Director of Public Policy for the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association, the Senior Academic Administrator for the Asher Research Center for Depressive Disorders and the Director of Section Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Disorders at the American Hospital Association.

“CE provides essential services to those in need in the DR and Haiti. As a board member, I can have a meaningful impact on the patients accessing these valuable healthcare services. I became involved with CE through my son, who is an emergency room physician and participated on a medical trip with CE. As a retired social worker, I love being engaged with Community Empowerment since it provides me the chance to stay involved in health care. I also volunteer working with refugees.”

Dr. Bradley Hersh, MD, MPH, is a Senior Medical Epidemiologist at the CDC where he is the Liaison Officer to the WHO for COVID-19 and other health emergencies. Dr. Hersh has had a 20 year career in global health at the CDC with long-term assignments in Atlanta, Bujumbura, Burundi, Washington, DC, Geneva, Switzerland and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Most of his CDC career was focused on vaccine-preventable diseases and HIV/AIDS. He also spent time on detail from the CDC or working in collaboration with the WHO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), PEPFAR, and UNAIDS.

Brad is a member of the CE board to help assure that vulnerable populations in the DR and Haiti receive high quality preventive and curative health care.

Barbara Lorsbach is president of governWell, and founder of Great Hearts Initiatives (GHI). GHI governWell is an impact consultancy that brings together people and organizations that have shared visions for improving communities. Prior to founding GHI and acquiring governWell, Barbara was Senior Vice President, member relations, with the American Hospital Association (AHA). Barbara established the AHA Center for Health Care Leadership. She has also held management positions with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Northwestern Faculty Foundation. She is a Fellow of the American College of HealthCare Executives and a frequent speaker on governance, leadership, and healthcare trends.

“I have a passion for reading, outdoor activities, the arts and music. I value family (human and furry) as well as the opportunity to give back through helping nonprofit boards.”