Lisa Patel, MD, MESc, FAAP
Executive Director

Dr. Lisa Patel is the Executive Director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford School of Medicine. She is a former Presidential Management Fellow for the Environmental Protection Agency where she coordinated the US Government’s efforts on clean air and safe drinking water projects in South Asia in collaboration with the World Health Organization and received the Trudy A. Specinar Award for her work. She is a member of the Executive Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change and a faculty mentor for Stanford Climate and Health. As a mentor, she works with students and residents on projects related to climate-resilient schools, environmental justice, sustainable healthcare, and medical education curriculum reform. She maintains her clinical practice as a pediatric hospitalist caring for premature infants, attending deliveries, and caring for hospitalized children. Lisa received her Master’s in Environmental Sciences from the Yale School of the Environment, her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and completed her training in pediatrics at UCSF.

Edward Maibach, MPH PhD
Board of Advisors Liaison | Director, Center for Climate Change Communication

Edward Maibach – a Mason distinguished University Professor – is a communication scientist who is an expert in the uses of strategic communication and social marketing to address climate change and related public health challenges. His research – funded by NSF, NASA, and private foundations – focuses on public understanding of climate change and clean energy; the psychology underlying public engagement; and cultivating TV weathercasters, health professionals, and climate scientists as effective climate educators. From 2011 to 2014, Ed co-chaired the Engagement & Communication Working Group for the 3rd National Climate Assessment, and he currently advises myriad government agencies, museums, science societies, and civic organizations on their climate change public engagement initiatives. Previously, Ed has served as an Associate Director of the National Cancer Institute, as Worldwide Director of Social Marketing at Porter Novelli, and as Chairman of the Board for Kidsave International. Ed earned his PhD in communication science at Stanford University, his Masters in Public Health at San Diego State University, and his BA in psychology at the University of California, San Diego.

Rob Gould, PhD
Strategic Communications Director

After a career in public relations and social marketing, Rob Gould founded an independent consultancy, One Degree Strategies in 2014 to support organizations that promote health and social causes. A primary focus of his work has been on advancing public understanding and support for action to solve climate change. His previous climate work includes projects with AAAS, CDC, Aquarium of the Pacific, and the award-winning “Ostrich” campaign for SciencetoGo with the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Since the Consortium’s launch in 2017, Rob has served as strategic counselor and director of strategic communications. Rob is also a Scholar in Residence at GMU, teaching social marketing and advising graduate students. Rob earned a doctorate in experimental social psychology from the University of Maryland.

Kate Hoppe, MPH MA
Operations Consultant

Kate Hoppe is a public health practitioner who has contributed to private and public sectors from community-based non-profits, to government, and academics. She founded CivicPoint Consulting to help organizations and people move to action for healthy, equitable, and resilient communities. In her work, Kate supports internal and external stakeholders through the stages of change to promote effective and organized action and helps them to apply evidence-based policy, system, and environmental change approaches to advance health and equity. Kate serves as Operations Director for the Consortium to expand operational capacity and sustain momentum for advancing climate and health solutions. Kate has previously managed CDC- and NIH-funded initiatives to prevent heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s, spoken at national conferences including APHA and ALR, and advocated for policy change as a former member of the Board of Health Commissioners in Kansas City, Missouri.

Nicole Duritz
Director, Advocacy and Outreach

With over 20 years of senior-level non-profit management, strategic planning and issue campaign expertise, Nicole Duritz is a communications leader with a track record of designing-award winning advocacy and learning programs that engage and empower target audiences.

Prior to joining the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, Nicole served as Vice President of Public Affairs and Outreach for Physicians for Fair Coverage (PFC). At PFC, Nicole developed and co-led legislative strategy resulting in legislative victories in PFC’s target states.

For nearly two decades, Nicole worked at AARP. She served as Vice President of Health for AARP’s Education & Outreach group directing AARP’s public education efforts on health security, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, caregiving and long-term care. Nicole and her team designed consumer-focused resources and tools to ensure that the public had the information and support necessary to make decisions on critical life issues. Nicole also ran AARP’s Health Reform Implementation Campaign and oversaw strategic policy planning, voter education, and internet advocacy.

Before joining AARP, Nicole was a principal with e-Advocates, a multi-million-dollar internet advocacy consulting firm. She started her career on Capitol Hill working for the United States House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

Nicole lives in Virginia with her husband and 18-year-old twin sons. She is an avid runner having completed 13 marathons and in her spare time she runs a community outreach foundation.

Mark Mitchell, MD MPH FACPM 
Co-Founder of the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship Program

A preventive medicine physician trained in environmental health and health policy, Dr. Mitchell has spent over twenty years working in the public health sector, including as Director of the Hartford, Connecticut Health Department. He spent 15 years working with environmental justice communities to prevent and reduce environmentally related diseases as well as to change policies that are detrimental to environmental health. Dr. Mitchell co-chairs the NMA’s Commission on Environmental Health, where he provides environmental health education and advocates on behalf of NMA. He has served on several EPA and FDA advisory committees and has received a number of awards for his community and environmental health leadership. Dr. Mitchell earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and his Masters of Public Health from The Johns Hopkins University.

Kimberly D. Williams, PhD PHR
Climate and Health Equity Fellowship Program Manager and States’ Equity Initiatives Consultant

Kimberly Williams is the program manager for the Consortium’s Climate and Health Equity Fellowship (CHEF) program, as well as the NMA liaison. She also works with our Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action state network affiliate, the NMA southeast region, and the NMA Georgia chapter. For more than two decades, Kimberly has worked in support of health, equity, and diversity, including research, advocacy, and policy at the state and federal levels. Kimberly organizes strategic plans, designs policies and processes, and implements new programs for organizations. Kimberly’s work includes alliance-building with physicians, health care professionals, academicians, business leaders, legislators, and industry partners, who desire to achieve common objectives. Kimberly identifies opportunities that amplify the importance of social and environmental justice, increase diversity in health care professions, and in support of health equity. Kimberly’s PhD is in Organization and Management, with a focus on Leadership, Training, Development, and certification in DEI. With a passion for spiritual and mental wellness, Kimberly is also a certified facilitator of Mental Health First Aid™ training and enjoys international travel.

Beverly Harp
Director of State Affairs

Beverly is an organizer and communicator with a decade of experience in the climate movement. As Director of State Affairs, Beverly is responsible for the administration and management of the Consortium’s Climate and Health State Network. Beverly supports the growing network of 23 state-based health professional climate advocacy groups with organizational development, communication strategy, campaign coordination, and coalition building. She also develops training programs, guidance documents, peer-learning structures, and other technical assistance to support these groups. Beverly previously served as Associate Director for Communications and Campaigns for the Consortium team. Prior to joining the Consortium full-time, she worked as the Communication Manager for the Health and Climate Solutions initiative at the GMU Center for Climate Change Communication (4C), where she supported equitable, community-based health and climate projects across the country. Before joining the team at 4C, Beverly completed a Fulbright research grant in India on the distribution of finance for climate change adaptation. In her free time, she organizes young people to take action for global climate justice with the organization SustainUS. Beverly received her B.A. in Global Affairs and Data Analysis from George Mason University.

Savannah Martincic
Manager of Communications

Savannah is a communicator who is passionate about engaging health professionals in climate change action through strategic digital communication and storytelling. She initially joined the Consortium team in 2019 as a social media and outreach intern and now serves as the Manager of Communications. In this role, Savannah manages the program’s social media pages, leads content creation for the website and newsletter, supports advocacy efforts, and liaises with affiliates and member societies. She graduated from George Mason University’s Honors College in 2022 with a B.A. in communication.

Clarissa Peyton
Digital Communications and Multimedia Program Assistant

Clarissa is a 2022 alumnus of George Mason University with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Film and Media Studies. Clarissa has a passion for improving the quality of life for others which she aims to do by working in the field of Psychology. However, this passion has also recently led her to take an interest in social issues, particularly relating to mental and physical health inequality. Upon learning of the mission of the Consortium to inform and educate policymakers and the public about the effects that climate has on physical and mental health, Clarissa was excited to learn more and contribute her skills to help accomplish this mission. Therefore, Clarissa primarily serves as an assistant for the Climate & Health Equity Fellowship program in digital communication and multimedia creation and also has assisted with other planning and coordinating in preparation for the Consortium’s Annual Meetings.

Zerena Martinez Murillo
Spring Semester Intern

Zerena is an international student at George Mason University majoring in Community Health with a concentration in Global Health and with a minoring in Non Profits Studies and Public Health. She serves as one student leaders for the Bonner Leadership Program and is on track to be fulfill her Non Profit Fellowship Program. Prior to joining the Consortium, Zerena was the fundraising and development intern for Britepaths where she researched, analyzed, and compiled information on prospective corporate and individual donors in support of Britepaths’ fundraising efforts. Currently, she is the communication and health policy intern for the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. Zerena is passionate about engaging with medical professionals in climate change activism through health policy. Her work includes to supporting the Policy team with research and proofreading materials, and liaising with speakers, and organizing meeting materials.

Mohamed Ahmed
Finance Manager

Mohamed “Moe” is the Operations Manager at the Center for Climate Change Communication (4C), and is the finance manager for the Consortium. Initially, an undergraduate research assistant at the center, Moe has expanded his duties to take on several roles including budget management and fiscal reporting, research administration, project management, human resource liaising, and events and outreach coordination. Outside of work and school, he enjoys traveling, outdoor adventures, sports, and has a deep passion for civic engagement, social justice, and human rights. Moe earned his MS in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University.

Ira Dreyfuss
Public Relations Consultant

Ira Dreyfuss, the Medical Society Consortium’s public relations consultant, created the Profiles report, which focuses on clinician advocacy for a healthier climate. He also assists with outreach and strategy development. Before his work with the Consortium, he had been a reporter with The Associated Press and a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He received a master’s degree from George Mason University in 2016 and continues as a student at GMU.

Jerome A. Paulson, MD FAAP
State Affairs Consultant

Dr. Paulson is Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics and Emeritus Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health at the George Washington University Schools of Medicine and of Public Health. He created the American Academy of Pediatrics Program on Climate Change and Health. He is a consultant to the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and is a founding member of Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action. He is a past chair of the executive committee of the Council on Environmental Health of the AAP and past Medical Director for the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units – East. Dr. Paulson served on the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee for the US EPA. He co-created, and for a number of years lead, the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health & the Environment. Dr. Paulson received his MD degree from Duke University in Durham, NC, and did his pediatric residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospitals and Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He also completed a fellowship in Ambulatory Pediatrics at Sinai Hospital.

Linda Rudolph, MD MPH
Climate, Health, and Equity Consultant

Dr. Linda Rudolph serves as Senior Advisor on Climate, Health, and Equity for the Consortium. She previously worked as Director for the Center for Climate Change and Health at the Public Health Institute, Deputy Director for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in the California Department of Public Health, and Health Officer/Public Health Director for the City of Berkeley, and Chief Medical Officer for Medi-Cal managed care. Linda was the founding chair of the California Health in All Policies Task Force. She serves on the Board of Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Steering Committee for Climate Plan, and the Advisory Committee for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Dr. Venise Curry has harnessed her unique background as a medical doctor and trained psychiatrist to address the intersecting needs of underserved populations in the Western U.S. The intersection between medicine, environmental and social justice issues are at the core of her advocacy efforts. As a resident of the Central Valley, she has successfully managed local and statewide issue campaigns on education, healthcare access, air quality and land use policies. Dr. Curry has professional associations and board memberships with organizations such as the: National Medical Association- Psychiatry/Behavioral Sciences and Neurology, Blue Ribbon Equity Panel on African American Infant Mortality; First Five Fresno County, African American Infant Mortality Council, and the Perinatal Equity Community Advisory Board.

Lucy Walker
Policy Intern

Lucy Walker is a senior at Williams College majoring in English and history. Currently, she serves as the policy intern for the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. Within her work for the consortium, she has focused on conducting extensive outreach to member societies, coordinating informational materials on upcoming elections, and organizing feedback from meetings on Capitol Hill. She often provides resources and support to medical societies looking to be more involved with the consortium, and has helped organize a list of their policy statements as they relate to climate. She has also worked to help the consortium maintain relationships with legislative offices, providing targeted resources to suit the needs of their constituents. Prior to her work at MSCCH, she served as a research intern at GMU helping to research and write about smart city technology and sustainable infrastructure. MSCCH has been an ideal place for her to continue to think about her intersecting interests in the changing climate, public health, and environmental justice.

Maya Abu-Zahra
Program Assistant

Maya Abu-Zahra is a recent graduate from the University of Southern California, where she studied journalism and Spanish on the pre-med track. As an aspiring physician, she holds a great interest in climate and health communication, as well as improving health literacy in patients and underserved communities. Maya has previous experience in climate and health equity communication having worked as a research assistant for the NorCal Symposium for Climate, Health, and Equity at the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma at Stanford University. Maya aims to integrate her student journalist experiences which highlight the issues of health inequity, misinformation, and transparency of medical information in her future medical career.

Jordan Curry Carter
Climate and Health Equity Fellowship Western Cohort Program Manager

Jordan Curry Carter (They / He) is an anti-oppression practitioner who comes to this work with an intersectional lens and the guidance of their elders and ancestors. They are a CHEF Program Manager and on the Board of Instigators at Diverse City Fund, a movement-accountable public foundation engaged in participatory grantmaking that supports healing justice, organizing, and advocacy efforts in D.C. Jordan completed their Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences from Whittier College and Masters of Public Health Nutrition degree from the Milken Institute at George Washington University.

Utibe Effiong, MD, MPH, MHA, FACP, FACPM
Program Development Consultant

Dr. Utibe Effiong is a practicing board-certified Internal Medicine specialist physician and Public Health scientist passionate about health policy, health systems administration, drug addiction management, infectious diseases, the influence of the environment on human health, global health, and development. He is an international public speaker and prolific writer on issues of global health importance. Also a professor of Medicine, he trains students at Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan – Flint. He is a distinguished Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Preventive Medicine.

Dr. Effiong is the Chief Medical Officer for Treasure Health LLC, serving as an Internal Medicine, TeleMedicine, and Global Health consultant. He is also the Program Development Consultant for the Policy Experience in Equity, Climate, and Health (PEECH) fellowship program of The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health at George Mason University. He recently worked at Sun River Health, a federally-qualified health center in New York. Before that, he was actively involved with healthcare administration within the MidMichigan Health system. He was the primary care dyad leader for the Central region. Amidst other leadership roles, he was also the chairperson of the health system’s medication safety committee, co-chair of the ambulatory antimicrobial stewardship committee, and board member of the corporate quality and safety committee. He also sat on the executive board of the MidMichigan Collaborative Care Organization – the system’s accountable care organization. Dr. Effiong chairs the Community Medicine and Public Health Section of the National Medical Association – the largest and oldest national organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the United States.