During the delegation’s October 2025 visit to Liberia, Dr. Joel Mubiligi, the chief innovation and growth officer at PIH, and Dr. Maxo Luma, the executive director of PIHL, toured various facilities in Maryland County. Photo by Ansumana O. Sesay/PIH.
Published on
May 18, 2026
When Dr. Joel Mubiligi, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at Partners In Health (PIH), arrived in Liberia, he brought over a decade of experience building health systems, particularly in Rwanda, where PIH first took root in Africa. His mission was straightforward: to learn, guide, and support the local team. But what he encountered in Maryland County greatly reshaped his outlook.
“I actually don’t think I have a message of hope to give,” Dr. Mubiligi admitted. “I’m actually the one leaving here with hope.”
This unexpected revelation came from witnessing the resilience and unwavering dedication of the communities and health workers he met. Rather than imparting inspiration, it was the people of Liberia who left him transformed.
Dr. Mubiligi was deeply moved by the clinicians, nurses, and community health workers who, despite limited resources, exhibited extraordinary commitment to delivering quality care. At the PIH-supported Pleebo Health Center (PHC), he was struck by the facility’s cleanliness and remarked, “I could easily sit and have my lunch in the delivery room.” While lighthearted, the comment conveyed a profound message: even amid resource constraints, the dignity and respect shown to every patient were palpable.
Beyond individual facilities, Dr. Mubiligi observed the transformative impact of PIH’s partnership with the Liberian government. The Ministry of Health has recognized PIH-supported centers as premier hubs for medical education, entrusting them with training the next generation of doctors and clinicians.
“Our facilities here are seen as the place where people will get their best medical educational exposure,” he shared with pride.
Lauretta Copeland-Dahn, chair of the nursing department, guided Dr. Joel Mubiligi, the chief innovation and growth officer at PIH, and the team on a tour of the PIH-supported simulation lab at William V. S. Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County. Ansumana O. Sesay/PIH.
For PIH, strengthening the health system goes far beyond infrastructure. It’s about empowering the workforce that drives it. Through partnerships with international universities, accredited teaching hospitals, and mentorship programs, PIH is cultivating the next generation of global health leaders. Dr. Mubiligi emphasized this collaboration as a long-term investment in Liberia’s future, nurturing health care professionals who will shape the nation for years to come.
The impact of PIH’s work has even crossed borders. Patients from southeastern Liberia and neighboring Ivory Coast now seek care at PIH-supported facilities, a testament to the organization’s growing reputation for excellence.
Dr. Mubiligi emphasized how health care workers often overlook the significance of their contributions amidst daily challenges. He highlighted how easy it is to feel overwhelmed by the difficulties of everyday life, whether in clinical settings, at home, or within the broader community. As a global health leader, he stressed the value of gaining perspective, noting that sometimes an external viewpoint is needed to recognize the progress and positive impact of their efforts.
Dr. Mubiligi reflected on how health care workers often fail to recognize the magnitude of their contributions amidst daily challenges. “When you are in the middle of the challenges of everyday life—not only in the clinical setting but also in your own home and the country as a whole—it’s very easy to feel enveloped in darkness,” he said. As a global health leader, he underscored the importance of perspective, noting that sometimes it takes an outsider’s view to illuminate the progress and light within their efforts.
As he prepared to leave Liberia, Dr. Mubiligi’s reflections stood as a powerful testament to the decade-long collaboration between PIH and the Ministry of Health. “I’m leaving here encouraged. Seeing the work and its effect on people’s lives reinforces my belief that we are doing the right thing, and we should continue,” he concluded.
Dr. Mubiligi’s journey in Liberia transformed him from a mentor into a witness of hope, showing that even seasoned leaders can find thoughtful inspiration in others’ resilience and dedication.
