2024 PQMD Collaboration & Learning Forum

The PQMD Collaboration and Learning Forum Opening Session kicks off with a warm welcome from PQMD's Executive Director, EJ Ashbourne, setting the stage for the event. Mercy Ships CEO, Gert van de Weerdhof, will then extend his greetings, introducing the collaborative spirit of the forum.

This panel will delve into how PQMD members are responding to the increasing frequency and severity of global disasters and crises without coinciding funding. Members will speak to escalating needs and discuss their strategic approach to how they prioritize response efforts and any implications on organizational bandwidth, partnerships, level of engagement, and relationships with donors. Additionally, members will share their experiences on shifts in effectiveness and articulating the impact of their work.

This critical conversation will explore the nuances and realities of how humanitarian work makes an impact. Organizations have always been keen to articulate their value proposition and the results of their work in general and that can quickly become customized. With the recognition that we are living through complex changes in how we work, we can further pursue deeper understanding about why our work is valuable, what we can measure, the assumptions we make and who should inform metrics decisions. ESG, the localization movement, expansion of partnerships and growing interest in wrap-around programming all influence organizational approaches to monitoring and evaluation. PQMD members will discuss “what is truly working – and how do we know?”

In this dynamic session, PQMD members will deliver rapid-fire "snapshots" of their programmatic successes that create impact for Regional Partnerships and Health Infrastructure. This is an opportunity for the membership to hear directly from their peers who have expertise in discreet programmatic areas. This session was directly requested from our members and built to inspire and provide opportunities for deeper understanding - leading to further collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas. After the presentations, participants will work together to share their own experiences around the topics.

Direct Relief: City Cancer Challenge
Direct Relief multi-year initiative with Amgen and the City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) to support breast cancer patients in Paraguay. The initiative aims to establish a standardized methodology for achieving in-country readiness to support equitable and quality access to breast cancer diagnostics and medicines. Through partnerships and collaboration with local stakeholders, the program reinforces ongoing efforts to strengthen local infrastructure and the healthcare workforce in Paraguay’s leading cancer treatment institutions for long term sustainability in provision of cancer services.

Save the Children: Regional COVID-19 Response to the Pandemic in Indonesia and Philippines - Minimizing Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 
Save the Children sees regional partnerships as a strong lever to achieving its mission to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children to deliver immediate and lasting change. By working with local organizations, governments, and communities, the organization ensures its programs are culturally relevant and sustainable, leveraging local expertise for tailored interventions. A prime example of this approach is Save the Children’s partnership in Indonesia and the Philippines during COVID-19, funded by Johnson & Johnson. Collaborating with health authorities, universities, and community members, the initiative provided mental health support to over 10,000 frontline health workers. The success stemmed from a deep partnership that combined the strengths of various stakeholders, enhancing the capacity to address complex challenges and creating lasting change for children and families.

Seeding Labs: Instrumental Access
Seeding Labs is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization that enhances access to scientific resources in the developing world. Its flagship program, Instrumental Access, builds an international network of partners to strengthen the scientific capacity of universities and research institutes in developing countries, which are vital for training the health workforce and generating research to inform healthcare policy.

By focusing on providing high-quality laboratory equipment and supplies, Instrumental Access addresses a critical gap that promotes growth and sustainability for these institutions. Access to these tools allows scientists and students to innovate and excel, ultimately fostering self-sustaining research environments. Over fifteen years, data from nearly 100 institutions has shown that this support leads to significant outcomes in workforce development and institutional sustainability, advancing equity in health and empowering local leadership in development.

MedShare: MedShare’s Biomedical Equipment Training & Repair Program
To address the dilemma of donated medical equipment sitting idle in healthcare facilities, MedShare invests significant time and resources in biomedical equipment training and repair services. This program focuses on providing quality, functional medical equipment, accompanied by biomedical engineering training to under-resourced communities around the world. MedShare’s biomedical engineers have traveled to dozens of countries to provide hands-on training to end-users, engineers, technicians and healthcare professionals, ensuring sustainability of critical diagnostic healthcare infrastructure, expanding available services, and improving quality of care.

Henry Schein: Jamaican Partnerships
For many decades, Henry Schein has worked to expand equitable access to quality, affordable health care for all by catalyzing impactful public-private partnerships focused on several key goals: advancing holistic and innovative models of care and wellness; delivering care to underserved and underrepresented communities; and preparing for and responding to emergencies. In order for us to deliver care to underserved and underrepresented communities, alignment is a must. Learn how Henry Schein Helps Health Happen by positioning partnerships and increasing access to oral health care in Jamaica.

As climate change impacts health and shapes the changing scope and scale of humanitarian work, PQMD members are on the frontlines of action. This session will tap into PQMD member experiences as they adapt and mitigate their work. Participants will hear “take-home” messages and contextualized insight from partners working on climate action every day.

In this session, newly-joined PQMD member organizations will introduce themselves and share their unique missions and contributions to the network. This session offers a valuable opportunity to welcome and learn about the fresh perspectives and innovative approaches these new members bring to the PQMD family.

Since the implementation of PQMD’s Strategic Plan in 2020, the Executive Committee annually reconfirms PQMD’s goals as a Standards Setter, Network Builder & Convener, and Information & Knowledge Broker. These standards reflect PQMD’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development and global access to healthcare and well-being. We have made great progress toward these goals while evolving as a global thought-leader and dynamic organization. Earlier this year, PQMD recruited a cross-section of member representatives to volunteer and serve as a “core team” to engage in a Strategic Refresh process focused on examining PQMD’s organizational structure to ensure we continue to be fit for purpose and continue to accomplish our strategic goals. During this session, we will hear an update on the group’s progress and learn what’s next!

Participants will enjoy a PQMD signature opportunity for trusted exchange in peer sector-distinguished meetings.