2026 World Health Day

Uzo Chukwuma, MPH, is an infectious disease epidemiologist and public health leader with extensive experience in disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and immunization programs. Her passion for global health was shaped early in life through exposure to health inequities between low-resource settings and the United States, driving a career focused on advancing equitable, systems-level public health solutions in resource constrained settings.

She currently serves as Chief of Infectious Diseases and National Immunization Program Manager at the Indian Health Service, where she leads national efforts to strengthen infectious disease surveillance systems and improve vaccine coverage among American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Prior to this role, she spent over a decade leading the U.S. Navy’s AMR surveillance and stewardship program, enhancing force health protection and operational readiness.

Her global health work includes collaborations with the Pan American Health Organization/WHO and supporting AMR surveillance and stewardship activities in the East African region. Recently, she completed a Global Health Fellowship with the Infectious Disease Institute in Kampala, Uganda, contributing to efforts to strengthen national AMR surveillance capacity.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health in Epidemiology at UNMC.

Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Endowed Chris J. and Marie A. Olson Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Nebraska Medical Center/ Nebraska Medicine

Dr. Rana is a Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology the University of Nebraska. She developed EMBRACE program (Excellence in Maternal Birth Outcomes through Rigorous Assessment and Community Engagement). This program aims at improving outcomes of mothers and babies all across Nebraska. Dr. Rana engages with federally qualified health centers and critical access hospitals to develop systems of care and processes to improve access to OB care and support services for patients within these areas. Dr. Rana is an internationally recognized expert in management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. She takes care of pregnant and postpartum patients with high-risk conditions such as preeclampsia, hypertension, kidney transplant, heart failure and obesity. Dr. Rana performs translational research. For the past 20 years her lab has worked on angiogenic biomarkers and treatment of preeclampsia. She is particularly interested in elucidating the role of angiogenic biomarkers in the prediction of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Dr. Rana is also very interested in reducing health disparities by quality improvement initiatives. Dr. Rana conducts national and international research. She trains medical students, residents and fellows and is also the Program Director of OB/GYN translational research fellowship. Dr. Rana has published over 140 papers (has over 16000 citations with Hi Index of 53). Her work is supported by variety of sources including NIH, NICHD, AHA, Gates foundation, March of dimes and industry.

Misty Uribe is a Regional Organizing Manger for The ONE Campaign. While being with ONE for over 3 years, Misty has over 10 years of organizing experience in different areas.

She currently works with volunteers in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Before ONE, she was a dynamic force in gun violence prevention advocacy along with local and presidential campaigns. Through her advocacy, Misty embodies authenticity knowing that every action and authentic voice contributes to a more just future.

Misty resides in Charlotte, NC where she shares her life with her Husband, three children, and very loved dog, Layla. She likes to travel the word, be outdoors, and teach her children the need for their voices in their community.

Frieda Arenos is a Director of US Government Relations at the ONE Campaign where she supports the organization’s relationship with Congress and manages global health initiatives.

Before joining ONE, Frieda was a Congressional Liaison in USAID’s Bureau of Legislative and Public Affairs, where she led the Agency in engagement with Congress on appropriations and democracy issues. She was also the Bureau’s representative on USAID’s presidential transition team for 2024/2025. Prior to working at USAID, Frieda was with the National Democratic Institute (2017-2024) as a Senior Program Director overseeing the Institute’s programs on legislative strengthening, executive transitions, and crisis communications. Before NDI, Frieda worked in the U.S. Senate (2009-2017) for Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in various capacities, including as a constituent services advisor, assistant to the Chief of Staff and Senator, communications assistant, and legislative assistant for global and domestic health, education, nutrition, and humanitarian issues.

Frieda has a master’s degree in Intercultural Relations and International Communications from American University’s School of International Service. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from the University of Vermont. Frieda has work and travel experience in more than 20 countries. She currently resides just outside Washington, DC.