Grounds for Health appoints Ellen Starr as Executive Director

Grounds for Health, a non-profit dedicated to cervical cancer prevention and treatment programs in coffee-growing communities, recently announced the appointment of Ellen Starr as the organisation's Executive Director. Grounds for Health won the National Coffee association's first NCA Origin Charity of the Year Award earlier this month. “We're exceptionally pleased that Ellen has taken on this leadership role,” said Dan Cox, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Her broad knowledge of women's health issues coupled with years of experience working with cervical cancer prevention make her well positioned to lead us going forward. Her passion and commitment to our cause coupled with her deep knowledge of our work will enable her to plan more effectively for the future, expand our programs, and introduce innovative approaches to screening and treatment.” Starr started her relationship with Grounds for Health eight years ago as a volunteer preceptor for clinical training in Tanzania. Shortly after, she was hired as Senior Clinical Officer managing the Tanzania program. Before becoming Executive Director, Starr acted as Clinical Director, providing oversight of Grounds for Health clinical practices in Latin America and Africa. She was instrumental in establishing quality assurance protocols for use in the field. Starr is a Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years experience working in women's health. During this time, she worked as a provider at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England where she moved through the management ranks and ultimately became Vice President of Health Center Operations. In these roles, she developed strong leadership and management skills while continuing her clinical practice. Starr holds a BA from Middlebury College and an MSN from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.