Vision-Mission

Mission:  Communication and Education Organization for Development (CEOD) works to improve the quality of life of low-income, vulnerable, and underserved populations through effective health interventions and activities to turn the challenging goals of underserved communities into reality.

Vision: CEOD is committed to creating an equitable, integrated, decentralized, accountable, responsive, and participatory health system within a just and empowered society. 

Leadership

Dr. Mohibullah Hanifi, M.D., M.P.H
Director General/ President

 Dr. Mohibullah Hanifi founded the Communication and Education Organization for Development (CEOD) in 2023 in response to the need for medical and educational services, especially in Afghanistan. Dr. Hanifi, MD, is a Master of Public Health from the University of San Francisco, United States. Dr. Hanifi graduated from Nangarhar University School of Medicine. After graduating from medical school in 2003, he completed one year of practical work at the Public Health Hospital of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. Dr. Hanifi enjoyed practicing medicine and public health for several years in clinics and nonprofit organizations. Dr. Hanifi served as an instructor for medics in the MEP (Mission Essential Personnel) organization in a regional hospital from 2009 to 2011. He organized and conducted training and orientation workshops for hundreds of medics. Dr. Hanifi joined the Youth Health and Development Organization (YHDO) as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) specialist from 2011 to 2013. He offered STI care services as per the Syndrome Management Protocol. He provided blood testing services for HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis and performed immunization, health education, counseling, and infection prevention services. Then, Dr. Hanifi was promoted to work as a program manager from 2013 to 2017 in the Youth Health and Development Organization (YHDO), and he successfully supervised employees of the north region in Afghanistan. Dr. Hanifi was regional manager from 2013-2017 for the Youth Health and Development organization in the Northern area of Afghanistan. He directed various health-related projects in the Northern part of the country.

Dr. Feda Mohammad Safi, MD.
Country Director in Afghanistan

Dr. Feda Mohammad Safi is the well experienced in project relates HF’s developing, planning, management, administration, monitoring, supervision, and coordination.  Has got a good understanding, and experience of development issues, particularly community mobilization and self-reliance, very good ability of problem analysis, conceptual and analytical thinking and personnel management and staff development and ability to promote effective interpersonal and teamwork environment and culture, can work in tough conditions as well as in cross-cultural situations. Has good knowledge and skills of computer office automation programs, attended training workshops on management, leadership, supervision, monitoring and evaluation, Hospital management, and TB management. Dr. Feda Mohammad Safi worked with SCA, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan from Sep/ 1996 up to July/2007, as CHC in charge, Health service chief officer and Cluster Manager with BPHS project. Worked with Ibn Sina Afghanistan since Feb 2008 up to Jun 2010, as Project’s PHC officer & Project Manager for Bamyan BPHS project. Worked with MSH/TB CARE I project, since 07/June/2010 up to 2014 as CB- DOTS Technical Advisor for southeast seven out of 13 USAID supported provinces, MSH/TB CARE I project Kabul Afghanistan. I have been working with YHDO, Youth Health and Development Organization since 1st Apr 2014, up to date, as Local to Global/Health & Community Mobilization Project coordinator, then as of 03 Nov. 2016 working as Psycho-Social Support Centers Project coordinator as of 1st Mar. 2018, up to now, as TB-RSSH Project Manager-D

Padshah Stanikzai
Secretary

Padshah Stanikzai graduated from the Nangarhar School of Nursing, Afghanistan, in 2006. Mr. Stanikzai pursued two years of training in the nursing field at Aga Khan School of Nursing, Karachi, Pakistan. 2008, after returning to Afghanistan, Mr. Stanikzai joined the US military forces as an interpreter, translator, and cultural advisor, leading 150 other interpreters and translators at the Shindand Air Base. He then joined the USAID in western Afghanistan as a Liaison officer from 2009-2013. Mr. Stanikzai organized, planned, and scheduled the board meetings in this role. He informed board members of the meeting schedule and the meeting agendas.  Mr. Stanikzai worked on various projects that served many communities in the Shindand region. These projects included educational, health services, agricultural, deep Wells, and rehab centers. In 2013, Mr. Stanikzai started working with DynCorp International as a training coordinator while supporting the US and coalition forces training missions in Afghanistan. After working for a year with DynCorp International in Kabul, Afghanistan, Mr. Stanikzai moved to the United States. He then worked simultaneously with the Opening Doors agency as a caseworker assistant and substitute clerk with the Twin River Unified School District (TRUSD). He was receiving new immigrants from Afghanistan and assisting them with their necessary documents and resettlement in the United States. As a result of his achievements and astonishing work for his people, he received many letters of appreciation and awards from the international organization’s executive board and Department of Defense (DOD). His strong nursing background and skills required him to work as a successful CA-licensed and certified medical interpreter with various language service companies in the United.

 

Dr. Sayed Jamaluddin Ahmadi 

Director

Dr Sayed J Ahmadi’s inspiring journey began in Afghanistan, where he earned his MD in 2006, and demonstrating commitment to public health by actively participating in polio campaigns for children. During his faculty years, he dedicated himself to countless valiant missions, ensuring the delivery of polio vaccines to remote villages, showcasing his medical expertise and generous spirit. After a one-year practical period at 400 military hospitals in Kabul City, his professional odyssey continued at the forefront of healthcare in Blossom Healthcare Care Super Specialty Center, where he navigated the complexities of the general ward, ICU, and emergency room beyond medical practice, simultaneously Dr. Sayed worked as a treasury assistant for a private construction company from 2006 to 2008.

In 2008, a pivotal moment they led him to a U.S. government job in the medical field of Afghanistan. For many years, Dr Sayed worked alongside U.S. Medical personnel, assuming the role of primary care physician for approximately 1200 employees. His responsibilities extended to pre-operative and post-operative care, overseeing a driver’s team of 36 medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, medics, lab technicians, and dentists. During this time, Dr. Sayed created a ground for the public to connect with American medical facilities to benefit from advanced treatment and procedures and involved Afghan communities in medical training in preventive measures for infectious diseases. Dr. Sayed’s impactful tenure involved creating and managing intensive medical training programs, leading to the continuous graduation and certification of trauma first responder students. Dr. Sayed’s dedicated excellence culminated in 2014 when he implemented a comprehensive financial medical plan for the unit. In late 2015, Dr. Sayed embarked on a new chapter, immigrating to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process. Over the past four years in California, Dr. Sayed has continued to contribute to the healthcare field and has worked in a medical facility for an underserved population. Beyond his medical prowess, Dr Sayed possesses exceptional office finance skills, honed through his extensive experience as a treasury assistant. His administration proficiency and unwavering commitment to healthcare define a remarkable narrative of professional achievement and humanitarian services.

William M. Remak

Director

William (Bill) Remak is a globally recognized patient advocate, health, and science writer, focusing on public health from a clinical start as a Medical Technologist (MT), former faculty of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Public Health Administration graduate from San Francisco State University and UC Berkeley. Bill is certified by the WHO/CDC in Infodemic Management and Implementation Research and with the WHO/GAVI/UNICEF/CDC in
“Comprehensive Training for Promotion of Vaccine Demand to Maintain and Restore Routine Immunization and Promote COVID-19 Vaccination by Leveraging Social Data, Behavioral Insights, Infodemic Management, Service Experience and Digital Strategies”. Bill Worked with Pia Christiansen at the Marin Independent Journal (Gannett Newspaper) in the early 90’s. From 1994 Bill volunteered for the American Liver Foundation (ALF) then joined the Executive Board of the Northern California Chapter. As an ALF volunteer, he led educational meetings and events while
facilitating transplant support groups. In 2002, he founded the California Hepatitis C Task Force, one of the internal projects was known as The National Association of Hepatitis Task Forces. On December 1, 2017, this became The International Association of Hepatitis Task Forces. He is a founding board member (now Emeritus) of the California Chronic Care Coalition in Sacramento, CA. He was the Executive Director of the National Working Group on Evidence-Based Healthcare in Alexandria, Virginia, and a community advisory board member for the Veteran’s Administration National Hepatitis C Program. He was chair and president of Impact House, (transitional housing for the marginalized) in Merced County, CA.
Bill was president of the FAIR Foundation, addressing reforms in transplant policies. He is an ambassador for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), (the state stem cell research funding organization) and helped develop its operational strategy. He advocates for the Americans for Cures Foundation, as a designated ambassador. Early in the pandemic, Bill founded the Global Immunization Action Network Team (GIANT), (a WHO partner) to address vaccine hesitancy, immunization awareness, research on social perspectives, educate the public on the benefits, and increase confidence and trust in all vaccines. Bill was a commissioner for Partnership HealthPlan of California and currently is on its Community Advisory Committee. In 2013 and 2016 he received the National Health Pioneer Award for Hepatitis Advocacy from the Georgia Doty Foundation, in Chicago, IL. During the World Stem Cell Summit 2021, the Regenerative Medicine Foundation awarded GIANT with the “Action in Education Award”. In 2022, Bill was a nominee for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health. In December 2022, he joined the leadership team of Healthspan Action Coalition as Senior Advisor for Patient Advocacy & Coalitions. Besides his activity as an author, global speaker on health advocacy and innovation, he has joined the boards of Cure Brain Disease (Greenville, SC), Communication and Education Organization for Development (Sacramento, CA) and is an advisor for the Loving Mind Institute (Boston, MA). He is an internship preceptor for over twelve major universities’ public health programs. Bill is a cancer survivor, liver transplant recipient (twice), and a diabetic with CKD. He is a strong voice ensuring that the public is informed of the facts about the major health issues and patients are central to health policy decision-making, championing health equity and the quest for research to bring vaccines, treatments, and cures for diseases and better mental health care. Bill is an active member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, serving his 39th year, and is a grandfather residing in Sonoma County, California.

Dr. Shehla Khan M.D., M.P.H

Director

Dr. Shehla Khan is a highly regarded healthcare professional known for her transformative impact across multiple domains, embodying a steadfast commitment to advancing public health initiatives and enhancing patient care experiences. In the arena of public health, she has been instrumental in spearheading programs aimed at delivering modern medical care and vital supplies to underserved communities. With a proactive approach, she has provided essential medical relief during times of crisis and has been a leading figure in educating the public on crucial healthcare practices, including nutrition and disease prevention. Noteworthy among her contributions is her pivotal role in guiding COVID-19 protection programs and advocating for data-driven strategies to optimize public health interventions. As a physician, her compassionate care and clinical expertise have touched the lives of countless patients. From initial diagnosis to comprehensive treatment planning and eventual discharge, she ensures the highest standard of care across diverse medical specialties. Her surgical proficiency spans complex procedures such as cardiovascular surgeries, while her holistic approach addresses a wide spectrum of medical conditions, from immune deficiencies to acute emergencies like kidney failure and combat injuries. Additionally, Dr. Shehla prioritizes patient comfort and well-being, fostering human-centered healthcare practices that resonate deeply with those under her care. In clinical operations, her leadership prowess is evident in her adept management of healthcare facilities. Whether establishing and overseeing clinics or optimizing operations within emergency departments and intensive care units, she implements innovative practices to enhance efficiency and efficacy. Her strategic initiatives extend to healthcare product management, where she ensures the acquisition and maintenance of state-of-the-art clinical equipment, aligning product roadmaps with evolving patient needs and continuously evaluating effectiveness. Beyond her clinical roles, Dr. Khan is a skilled communicator and mentor, adept at crafting comprehensive public health strategies, delivering impactful presentations, and nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Fluent in English and Hindi, her diverse cultural experiences foster meaningful connections with individuals from varied backgrounds, enriching her understanding of global healthcare perspectives. In summary, Dr. Khan multifaceted expertise across public health, patient care, clinical operations, and healthcare product management underscores her tireless dedication to improving healthcare delivery and fostering positive health outcomes for communities worldwide.

Dr. Sayed Zarif Akbari, M.D., M.P.H

Director

Dr. Sayed Zarif Akbari is a dedicated and passionate individual who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the board of the Communication and Education Organization for Development (CEOD). With a solid foundation in both medical practice and public health, combined with his roles in various organizations in management, Dr. Akbari has demonstrated a proven track record of leadership and innovation.

As a board member, Dr. Akbari is committed to advancing CEOD’s mission and vision, aiming to make a positive impact on improving the organization’s services in emergency response, health services, education, research, and partnerships. His strategic insights and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in guiding the organization towards achieving its goals.

Before joining the board, Dr. Akbari held positions such as Health Program Manager, Team Leader, Program Management Analyst, CEO, Research Reviewer, and Medical Practitioner overseas. In these roles, he showcased dedication to excellence and the ability to drive positive change.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Akbari is actively involved in his community, volunteering his time and expertise to various causes and initiatives. He strongly believes in the power of collaboration and is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships to further CEOD’s mission.

Sayed Zarif Akbari graduated from medical school with an MD degree and holds a master’s degree in public health (MPH) from the University of San Francisco. He continues to stay abreast of developments in his field to ensure he brings the highest level of expertise to his role as a board member.

Outside of his professional and community commitments, Dr. Akbari enjoys sports and spending time with his family and friends.

Dr. Akbari is honored to serve on the board of CEOD and looks forward to contributing to its continued success and impact in the years to come.