On International Women’s Day, my colleagues and I celebrate the many contributions that women make in support of the mission of the China Medical Board. Their commitment to advancing health, equity, and the quality of care is evident in every area of CMB’s work in China, Southeast Asia, and globally. It is especially rewarding to see the number of young women professionals who are engaged in these efforts, including those who are our Clinical Education Fellows, Global Health Leadership Development Fellows, principal investigators of Open Competition grants, and Equity Initiative Fellows. What a source of inspiration they are!

Some of CMB’s recent grantmaking has focused on maternal health. As our partners know, investing in this field improves not only the health and well-being of the women who receive this care – it also benefits the health and well-being of their families and the strength of their communities. That’s a cause that unites all of us, and one that is well worth highlighting on International Women’s Day.  We are impressed with the innovative body of work that our colleagues in Asia are undertaking in this field, such as extending health care to difficult-to-reach areas, addressing risk factors in pregnancy, and improving mental health care.

We extend our appreciation to all the women who are working to improve the health and well-being of people throughout the world!

Barbara J. Stoll
CMB President