| “I have considered my whole
career as a vocation to witness to and deepen my understanding
and experience of our common humanity, to live love for all and
every person, to awaken hope, to struggle against injustice without
hatred of anyone involved. We are all part of the solution, by
God’s grace, as we are also part of the problem.”
Prior to her leaving for Congo in January 2004, Cecile had worked
for eight years with a large World Bank project in Laos. She was
technical assistance coordinator for a reform of the country’s
health care system and malaria control.
From 1993 to 1996 she worked with the World Health Organization
and UNICEF in Cambodia. She was regional representative in West
and Central Africa for the Health Sciences Division of the International
Development Research Centre. At the same time, she was an international
associate of the Department of International Health of Johns Hopkins
University. From 1982 to 1986 she was associate director of the
Christian Medical Commission of the World Council of Churches
and, during 1985 and 1986 the special advisor to the General Secretary
of the WCC on health policies.
From 1968 to 1982 she was employed by the Department of International
Health at Johns Hopkins University as research associate (1968-1973),
as assistant professor (1972-1980), and as associate professor
(1980-1982).
Born and raised in Belgium, Cecile is fluent in Dutch, English,
and French, and is conversant in Laotian and Punjabi. She has
lived and worked in Nigeria, Senegal, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka,
and Rwanda.
Cecile holds a doctorate in public health from Johns Hopkins
University, where she did her residency in Preventive Medicine
with the Department of International Health. She is board-certified
in General Preventive Medicine. She also holds a diploma in tropical
medicine from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium,
and an M.D. from the State University of Ghent, Belgium. She has
a master’s in public health from the University of Ghent,
Belgium, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Carlton College
in Northfield, Minnesota, for her application of humanitarian
values to service, research, and teaching.
Cecile has sponsored or adopted 35 children throughout her life.
Accompanying her to the Congo will be an adopted son from Laos.
She is a member of Maryland Presbyterian Church in Towson, Maryland.
Birthday: June 29 |
