Press Release: New Executive Director

GROUNDS FOR HEALTH APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brings Extensive Experience in Women’s Health and Cervical Cancer Prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ellen Starr, Grounds for Health Executive Director

Williston, VT – The Board of Directors of Grounds for Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Ellen Starr as the organization’s Executive Director. Grounds for Health is a non-profit dedicated to cervical cancer prevention and treatment programs in coffee-growing communities.

“We’re exceptionally pleased that Ellen has taken on this leadership role,” said Dan Cox, Chairman of the Board. “Her broad knowledge of women’s health issues coupled with years of experience working with cervical cancer prevention make her well positioned to lead us going forward. Her passion and commitment to our cause coupled with her deep knowledge of our work will enable her to plan more effectively for the future, expand our programs, and introduce innovative approaches to screening and treatment.”

Ellen Starr started her relationship with Grounds for Health eight years ago as a volunteer preceptor for clinical training in Tanzania. Shortly thereafter, she was hired as Senior Clinical Officer managing the Tanzania program. Before becoming Executive Director, she acted as Clinical Director, providing oversight of Grounds for Health clinical practices in Latin America and Africa. She was instrumental in establishing quality assurance protocols for use in the field.

Starr is a Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years experience working in women’s health. During this time she has worked as a provider at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England where she moved through the management ranks and ultimately became Vice President of Health Center Operations. In these roles, she developed strong leadership and management skills while continuing her clinical practice.

Ellen holds a BA from Middlebury College and an MSN from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

About Grounds for Health

Grounds for Health is a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Williston, Vermont with a mission to reduce cervical cancer among women in developing countries. Since 1996, we have partnered with coffee cooperatives and companies, as well as local and national health authorities to combat cervical cancer through screening and treatment of pre-cancerous changes to the cervix. Grounds for Health envisions a world in which all women are protected from the threat of cervical cancer by timely and high-quality prevention services.

For further information, contact:

Kathy Hollandsworth
(802) 876-7835
kathy@groundsforhealth.org