About Global Bridges
We create and mobilize a global network of healthcare professionals and organizations to advance evidence-based diagnosis and treatment, and advocate for effective health policy.
Objectives
Build Connections
Build connections and create opportunities to share treatment and advocacy expertise among network members within and across regions.
Provide Training
Provide state-of-the-art, evidence-based training in diagnosis, treatment and advocacy to network members.
Support Effective Health Policy
Facilitate the implementation of FCTC Article 14 in every nation (tobacco dependence treatment).
Ensure Sustainability
Ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative and its programs.
Our Network
Build connections and create opportunities to share treatment and advocacy expertise among network members within and across regions.
Global Bridges Milestone Report
A comprehensive report on Global Bridges’ work in tobacco dependence treatment during its first decade featuring a leadership letter, network member accomplishments, awards, grant projects, and more.
Download
Benefits of Membership
- Global Bridges is a forum for senior leaders to connect with mid-career and early-career practitioners.
- 47% of our network has established relationships through Global Bridges they wouldn’t have otherwise.
- Global Bridges connects colleagues to each other and to national, regional and global leadership organizations in their field.
- Global Bridges is a distributed, rather than centralized network: Our member organizations interact as much with each other as with the central Global Bridges leadership.
Program Leadership

J. Taylor Hays, MD
Chair, Global Bridges
Expertise
Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic
Career Highlights
Tobacco dependence and treatment, including pharmacological and behavorial therapies, education, and research.

Katie Kemper, MBA, PMP
Executive Director, Global Bridges
Expertise
International Program Leadership at Mayo Clinic
Career Highlights
Developing and supporting global public health initiatives in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

Thomas J. Glynn, PhD
Expert Advisor
Expertise
International Tobacco Policy at Stanford University
Career Highlights
Supporting science-based cancer prevention and control, in the US and internationally.

Kenneth W. Merrell, MD, MS
Medical Director
Expertise
Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic
Career Highlights
Improving cancer outcomes with novel radiation therapy approaches and the establishment of training programs in Africa.

Kebede Begna, MD
Medical Director
Expertise
Hematology/Oncology at Mayo Clinic
Career Highlights
Improving cancer care and control through collaborative (win-win), sustainable cancer education, and research in Africa.

Miranda Rank, AAS
Education Administration Coordinator
Expertise
Expertise in meeting, report and project management, tracking system updates, web design, and global relationships with local and international project team members.
Career Highlights
Works alongside executive director and provides direct support to the medical directors at Mayo Clinic.

Morie A. Gertz, MD
Medical Director
Expertise
Hematologic disorders; stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma and amyloidosis; Waldenstom Macroglobulinemia at Mayo Clinic

Martha Grogan, MD
Medical Director
Expertise
Cardiology, Amyloidosis at Mayo Clinic

Nathan W. Cummins , MD
Medical Director
Expertise
Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic

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