Our team is made up of volunteer medical staff from leading academic medical centers across the United States whose cardiac surgery and cardiology programs are consistently top-rated in the United States. We also partner with the Ministry of Health and local medical personnel in Rwanda. Our volunteers use their vacation time and pay their own way for these trips, but the value of these experiences lasts a lifetime. We are incredibly grateful for our team members’ selflessness and generosity. Are you drawn to our cause? Are you inspired to directly save lives? We are always looking for passionate individuals to join our Team.
Senior Staff
Therese Bagwaneza is a passionate public health expert with 13 years of experience across clinical care, research and programs design, implementation and evaluation Her expertise also includes resource mobilization, technical writing, and capacity building. She holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Disease Control and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount Kenya University. Therese has led impactful work across a wide range of public health areas, including HIV/AIDS, adolescent health, non-communicable diseases, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, WASH, nutrition, malaria, infection prevention, behavior change, and social protection.
Therese actively contributes to Team Heart’s mission by leading research that generates evidence-based recommendations to improve access and quality cardiac care. Fluent in Kinyarwanda, English, and French, she brings strong contextual expertise and a proven ability to build collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Government of Rwanda and international partners such as GCC, NIH, USAID, and Rotary International.
Therese actively contributes to Team Heart’s mission by leading research that generates evidence-based recommendations to improve access and quality cardiac care. Fluent in Kinyarwanda, English, and French, she brings strong contextual expertise and a proven ability to build collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Government of Rwanda and international partners such as GCC, NIH, USAID, and Rotary International.
BORA is a dedicated and experienced nurse with over 10 years of clinical practice in patient care. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, BORA has developed strong expertise in managing and supporting patients across various healthcare settings, with a particular focus on cardiac care.
Currently working with Team Heart, BORA plays a key role in the follow-up of post-cardiac surgery patients. This includes monitoring patient recovery from the day of surgery through discharge and continued follow-up at home and district hospital levels. BORA is actively involved in patient education, adherence monitoring, and coordination with healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.
BORA is Known for compassion, professionalism, and attention to detail, contributing significantly to strengthening post-operative cardiac care services.
Currently working with Team Heart, BORA plays a key role in the follow-up of post-cardiac surgery patients. This includes monitoring patient recovery from the day of surgery through discharge and continued follow-up at home and district hospital levels. BORA is actively involved in patient education, adherence monitoring, and coordination with healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.
BORA is Known for compassion, professionalism, and attention to detail, contributing significantly to strengthening post-operative cardiac care services.
Faustin Mugemanyi is a registered nurse and dedicated cardiac nurse educator and mentor with Team Heart,boasting over 12 years of clinical experience across various health centers and hospitals. He plays a vital role in decentralizing cardiovascular care through hands-on echocardiography training and mentorship,CVDs management training and implementing Rwanda's national updated CVDs treatment protocol.
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health, Faustin's academic pursuits complement his practical experience, enabling him to approach cardiovascular care from a holistic perspective. His work reflects a deep commitment to building district-level capacity for the early detection, management, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases throughout Rwanda.
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health, Faustin's academic pursuits complement his practical experience, enabling him to approach cardiovascular care from a holistic perspective. His work reflects a deep commitment to building district-level capacity for the early detection, management, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases throughout Rwanda.
Through his contributions to Team Heart, Faustin has not only enhanced the skills of healthcare providers but also improved the overall quality of cardiovascular care in Rwanda, making a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals and communities.
Diane Musabyemariya is a dedicated finance and administration professional who plays a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operations of Team Heart’s activities in Rwanda. With a background in
financial management and organizational support, Diane oversees budgeting, procurement,
logistics, and administrative coordination for all Team Heart activities and projects.
financial management and organizational support, Diane oversees budgeting, procurement,
logistics, and administrative coordination for all Team Heart activities and projects.
Diane ensures that resources are well-managed and that teams on the ground are fully
supported to deliver quality cardiac care and training. Her work is essential to the sustainability
and impact of Team Heart’s mission to strengthen cardiac care across the country.
Darius Uzabakiriho is a pharmacist and public health professional with extensive experience in healthcare leadership and public health. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the former National University of Rwanda, a Master of Science in Professional Practice from Lancaster University, UK, and is currently at the data analysis stage for completion of a PhD in Public Health at the University of Rwanda.
Darius has a strong background in health policy analysis, program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, project management, resource mobilization, and event organization. He has a deep understanding of both governmental and non-governmental processes, with strong interpersonal skills, leadership, and strategic networking abilities.
Darius ensures Team Heart’s mission to build Rwanda’s sustainable cardiac care by leading program operations, engaging key stakeholders, and overseeing quality—all while keeping efforts locally aligned and impactful.
Darius has a strong background in health policy analysis, program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, project management, resource mobilization, and event organization. He has a deep understanding of both governmental and non-governmental processes, with strong interpersonal skills, leadership, and strategic networking abilities.
Darius ensures Team Heart’s mission to build Rwanda’s sustainable cardiac care by leading program operations, engaging key stakeholders, and overseeing quality—all while keeping efforts locally aligned and impactful.
Board of Directors
Darius Uzabakiriho
Country Director
Advisory Board
- Julie McGowan Carragher, DNP, NP, RN, Senior Cardiovascular Nurse Consultant & Educator
- Bonnie Greenwood, Pharmacy
- Maria Kidner, NP, DNP
- J. Daniel Muehlschlegel, MD, PhD
Clinical Team Coordination
- David Adams, Cardiac Echosonography
- Daniel Anderson, CCP Perfusion
- Maurice Musoni, MD Cardiovascular Surgery
- Sara S. Pitman, RN, Nursing Coordination
- Martin Zammert, MD, Anesthesia and Critical Care