By investing in the capacity of regions and countries, TUFH aspires to achieve its vision for local adoption and implementation on Social Accountability, Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care, and Health Workers Competency Standards.
TUFH Centers of Excellence (CEs) are parts of institutions such as universities and health institutions focused on health. CEs are an extension of TUFH in specified technical areas according to agreed upon Terms of Reference and a work plan. CEs support research, provide input to inform the development of guidance on TUFH technical areas of expertise. CEs support regional and/or national capacity building, provided technical advise, and help to disseminate information within the country/region.
TUFH's Centers of Excellence 2025
TUFH South India
TUFH Brazil
TUFH USA
TUFH Francophone
KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER) envisions to become a TUFH Center of Excellence in India by adopting a comprehensive
approach to health education and community involvement. The institution seeks to
blend medical training with a strong focus on social accountability, ensuring that its
graduates emerge not only as skilled professionals but also as compassionate leaders dedicated to meeting the diverse health needs of various populations.
To realize this vision, KAHER is committed to enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering innovative research, and implementing evidence-based practices that tackle both local and global health challenges. The academy plans to forge strong partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and policymakers, establishing a dynamic environment that promotes sustainable health initiatives.
KAHER’s dedication to inclusivity and equity is embedded in its curriculum, which prioritizes cultural competency and empathy in healthcare. By integrating community-
oriented learning experiences, the institution equips students to address health disparities and enhance outcomes in under-served regions.
KAHER aims to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, offering training programs and
workshops designed to empower health professionals across India, including faculty
and student exchange initiatives. By emphasizing continuous improvement and adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research aspires to set a standard for excellence in medical education, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more equitable society.
The Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) envisions becoming a TUFH Center of Excellence by advancing innovative, community-oriented medical education that aligns with the needs of Brazil’s healthcare system. As a leading academic institution in Latin America, UFPE is committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting social accountability, and addressing the healthcare challenges of vulnerable populations. Through partnerships with international organizations such as TUFH, UFPE aims to empower healthcare professionals with the competencies required for effective, culturally sensitive service delivery within the Unified Health System (SUS). The Center will serve as a hub for transformative education, research, and policy development that emphasizes the integration of health equity, interprofessional education and collaborative practice, intercultural competence, and social justice in healthcare practice.
Convenient Care Association (CCA) is the national trade association of companies and healthcare systems that provide consumers with accessible, affordable, quality healthcare in retail-based locations.
It has become TUFH Center of Excellence in the U.S.A to actively drive national policy, support capacity building, offer technical guidance, and enhance information dissemination within the healthcare industry.
As a Center of Excellence, CCA’s primary focus will be to drive Health Profession Education Institutions and Health Delivery Systems to become more Socially Accountable, which is defined as being responsible to people and society’s needs in the training and preparation of the healthcare workforce. Its secondary focus is to guide policymakers and the public in understanding how to achieve improved affordability, access, and quality in healthcare.
Mike serves as Principal in Social Innovations Partners, a consulting firm specializing in collective impact, social entrepreneurship, and design thinking. Mike also has several consulting and advisory roles with international and domestic impact investing funds, human service non-profit agencies, and K-12 schools.
Mike holds an MPA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government and a BA in Philosophy from the University of Scranton’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.
Aricia De Kempeneer, M. Sc., is the Operations and Programming Director for The Network: Towards Unity For Health. She is responsible for managing the annual conferences, virtual regional conferences, TUFH Symposiums and Workshops, TUFH Academies, ISAT, iSTEP, Digital Aspects, Social Media, Newsletter, Communications and Membership. In addition, Aricia is the liaison to the Student Network Organization.
Aricia holds a Masters in Health Education and Promotion from Ghent University and a Bachelor in Midwifery from Erasmus Hogeschool. She works as an independent midwife in Belgium and gives prenatal lessons, prenatal care, and postnatal follow-up.
Prior to The Network: TUFH Aricia worked as a midwife in Gambia, Finland, United Kingdom, and Belgium in low-risk birthing units. She co-founded and was the first president of the Student Network Organization in 2015. She has been attending TUFH annual conferences since 2012.
