Board Members

Ellen Chirwa, President and Co-Founder of IPE

Karen Solheim, Co-President and Co-Founder, IPE Member

I am a nursing professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and focuses on community and global health. My interest in global health began when I worked in refugee camps in Southeast Asia in the 1980s.This was an eye-opening experience for me and I hoped I would never forget the needs I saw. It was my desire to continually speak on behalf of people in need. I feel privileged to work with my IPE colleagues and am thrilled to be involved in supporting young students.

Jennie Petrack, Treasurer

I have worked in the field of education for many years. I have spent two years teaching in the Democatic Republic of the Congo, and I consider it an honor to continue working for children on the African continent. When needed, I continue to work with students in various schools. I have worked on some needed building projects in the Gulf Region. The outdoors welcome me as I tread the woods observing birds. Observing and recording the goings on in about twenty birdhouses is keeping me busy this summer. I enjoy the company of my mother, five brothers, sister, and my families. My two sons, daughter, and my families hold a special spot in my life.

Amy Lawerence, Secretary

I am a recent nursing graduate of St. Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford Illinois. I was the president of the Student Nurses Association when Karen came to talk about IPE in 2007. I showed so much interest that Karen sought my help. Now I publish the newsletter and have recenlty joined the board. I am a Critical Care nurse. I gained a lot of international travel experience when I was a pilot for a major airline. Now I am eager to travel to Africa and meet our students and friends in Malawi.

Alice Nyangulu

Wess Rouse

Fanuek Kaguwa

Melton Luhanga

Rieko Kishi Fukuzawa, Webmaster

I am a Japanese nurse-midwife. When I studied in University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Karen and Ellen have been excellent mentors for many of us international graduate students at UIC. Karen and I lived together in 2006-2007. I would love to visit Malawi someday!