Secretariat

George Valiotis
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George Valiotis

Executive Director

George Valiotis

Executive Director

George is the overall strategic lead for the secretariat by acting as the direct link between the Board, and our membership networks including the Scientific Advisory Committee, and Special Interest Groups. He represents the voice of health management to many European and international bodies including the European Parliament, the European Commission, the World Health Organisation, Industry bodies, and community groups. He has an active role in all of EHMA’s projects by providing high level advice on health management matters. He Chairs EHMA’s webinar series, guides the coordination of the annual conference, and executive training programmes. George has worked in executive roles specializing in health management, policy, research, systems thinking, human rights, education and training. George most enjoys cooking traditional Greek food, trampolining, and solving Rubik’s cubes. He is a native Greek speaker, fluent in English and speaks French. Contact George if you have any questions about EHMA’s strategic plans, if you would like to become an EHMA member, or if you would like the input of EHMA in any policy matters.

Federica Margheri
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Federica Margheri

Chief Operating Officer

Federica Margheri

Chief Operating Officer

Federica oversees EHMA’s operations, she manages the annual conference programme, partnerships and membership, and supports project work. As a member of the senior management team, she provides high level strategic advice on financial and health management initiatives. She brings over 10 years’ experience in European and international organisations, having worked both at the European Parliament and the European Commission. Federica enjoys art in all its forms and volunteers with youth organisations in the field of education and employment. Federica speaks Italian, English and French. Contact Federica if you would like to become an EHMA member, would like to propose a partnership, or for our conference, training programme or events.

Zoi Mylona
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Zoi Mylona

Programme Manager

Zoi Mylona

Programme Manager

Zoi works as a Programme Manager delivering a portfolio of policy, projects, and engagement activities that support excellent health management across Europe, primarily through the management of a range of EU-funded projects. She holds a BSc in international and European affairs from Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences and an MSc in translation from UMons. Zoi is a licensed mental health counsellor (member of HAC and EAC) and she studies to become a Psychologist at the Open University UK. She stays grounded with traditional West African dancing and she flies up in the air with writing and reading. She makes jewellery, she travels and she is fascinated with psychological astrology. Zoi is a native speaker of Greek and fluent in English and French. She holds a decent conversation in Spanish and has a good grasp of Bulgarian and Slovak. She is currently practising Bambara. Contact her for the BeWell project and other related initiatives.

Zachary Desson
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Zachary Desson

Policy Manager (Health Systems)

Zachary Desson

Policy Manager (Health Systems)

Zach supports EHMA with the HaDEA project to identify obstacles to vaccination in the EU. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University and a joint Master’s degree in Health Economics and Management from the Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Oslo, University of Bologna and Management Centre Innsbruck. A former paramedic, Zach is interested in the delivery of emergency health services and health system considerations for underserved regions and populations. He is fluent in English and French and can hold a decent conversation in German and Spanish. In his free time, you can find him trail running, surfing, doing yoga, or photographing some of the lesser-known corners of Europe. Contact Zach if you have any questions about the HaDEA project.

Olga Polyaeva
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Olga Polyaeva

Communications Manager (Projects)

Olga Polyaeva

Communications Manager (Projects)

Olga implements and executes EHMA communications and outreach strategies, within its  projects portfolio. She has experience in a variety of areas including hospitality, marketing and communication for EU public health projects and initiatives. EHMA’s success is what motivates Olga, and her aim is to fit all the pieces of the jigsaw together into a complete picture, when it comes to EHMA communications activities. Aligning the organisation‘s vision and values with her own is one way she achieves it. In her free time, she enjoys painting, listening to podcasts, playing social games, and celebrating life with family and friends. ‘Making a difference’ through her work is also a part of her passion when she joined EHMA. Olga speaks English, French, Russian and conversational Dutch.

Laura Cande
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Laura Cande

Principal Strategic Advisor

Laura Cande

Principal Strategic Advisor

Evelyn Donohoe
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Evelyn Donohoe

Senior Policy and Project Officer

Evelyn Donohoe

Senior Policy and Project Officer

Evelyn is EHMA Senior Policy and Project Officer and oversees a project on the digitalisation of medication management. She has over a decade of experience in Health and Social Care settings in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Evelyn gained a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Edinburgh. Following this, she worked in Mental Health in integrated Health and Social Care Teams. Prior to joining EHMA, Evelyn was awarded a Master’s in Global Health Public Policy, from SciencesPo, Paris. Evelyn lived in China for one year and won a certificate of participation in a county Tai Chi competition. Evelyn speaks English and French and is currently learning German.

Faith Nganyi
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Faith Nganyi

Policy Officer

Faith Nganyi

Policy Officer

Faith has a background in Public Health having previously gained valuable experience through internships and trainee roles within the healthcare sector in Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Moi University (Kenya) and a Master’s in Public Policy, from Sciences Po, Paris, where she majored in Global Health. Faith is interested in digital health tools and their implementation to support the digital transitions in health systems. She enjoys reading, museum explorations, and engaging with friends. Faith speaks English, Swahili and conversational French.  

Emmi Weller
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Emmi Weller

Policy Officer

Emmi Weller

Policy Officer

Emmi coordinates EHMA’s involvement in policy networks including EU4Health, European Alliance for Value Based Healthcare, and our engagement with decision makers. She has an active role in all our projects to ensure they are both aligned with and inform European policy developments. Her first degree is in Global Public Health which she obtained at Leiden University College (The Netherlands), with an exchange semester at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (United States). She is a graduate of the Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in European Health Economics and Management taught jointly by: University of Oslo (Norway), University of Bologna (Italy) and Management Centre Innsbruck (Austria). Emmi enjoys hiking, local food markets, picnics with a nice view, and discovering new cultures. Emmi is a native speaker of French and German, and fluent in English and Spanish. Contact Emmi with any questions about our policy work or representations.

Dina Levinson
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Dina Levinson

Policy and Communications Officer

Dina Levinson

Policy and Communications Officer

Dina is engaged in the execution of various EU Projects and initiatives, where she holds the responsibility of implementing comprehensive communication strategies in conjunction with policy activities. She has an interdisciplinary background studying in Germany and Austria and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media- and Cultural Science and a Master of Arts in International Health and Social Management. Previously, she worked as a trainee at the European Parliament and is experienced in the healthcare sphere through working for several medical practices and the Allianz. She enjoys running, playing the piano and guitar, and dancing Bachata and Salsa. Growing up bilingually in Russian and German, she is fluent in English and Spanish and has a good command of French.

Domenico Sorrentino
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Domenico Sorrentino

Communication Officer (Core operations)

Domenico Sorrentino

Communication Officer (Core operations)

Domenico is Communications Officer (Core operations) and is responsible for the implementation of the overall EHMA communication strategy towards external networks. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Naples L’Orientale and a second-level Master’s in European Law and Policies from the Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome. He developed a strong interest in communications and journalism thanks to past experience as analyst and consultant in EU Public Affairs. He speaks Italian and English and has a good understanding of French. In his free time, he enjoys going to parks and nature reserves, apart from being passionate about good food and arts.

Marina Puerta Garcia
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Marina Puerta Garcia

Events Administrator

Marina Puerta Garcia

Events Administrator

Marina supports the organisation of the EHMA Conference by providing administration and communications and by being a point of contact for delegates. She studied Translation and Interpreting at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in Barcelona from English, German, and French into Catalan and Spanish, and has a master’s degree in International Relations  from the Institut de Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI), specialising in international environmental politics. In her free time, you will find her learning classical singing, and reading on feminism from Debora Cameron and bell hooks, on empathy and love-abound relationships with ourselves and others from Brené Brown and Mario Alonso Puig, or marvelous fiction from Ana María Matute.

Ludmila Chmielewska
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Ludmila Chmielewska

Finance and Administration Officer

Ludmila Chmielewska

Finance and Administration Officer

Ludmila delivers streamlined financial procedures to surpass members, colleagues and stakeholders satisfaction, retention, and company goals at EHMA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Finances from Higher School of Commerce and International Finance in Warsaw, she completed Postgraduate studies in Project management Warsaw School of Economics, and has a Master’s degree in Administration from University of Warsaw, in Poland. She is fluent in Russian, Polish, speaks English and has a good command in French. Ludmila enjoys traveling, cooking and watching movies.

What our members say

I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.

Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy

Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.

Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria

I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.

Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta

EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.

Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK

Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.

Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary

As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.

Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal

Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.

Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK

Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.

Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain