Valley Health System and WMI Partner to Host International Scholar Ambassadors
PARAMUS, NJ – Valley Health System and Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) are proud to announce a partnership supporting the 2025 WMI Scholar Ambassadors, distinguished medical professionals who are making exceptional contributions in their communities around the world.
Through WMI’s Scholar Ambassador program, outstanding graduate alumni are selected each year to visit the United States for a ten-day leadership experience, expanding their professional networks and engaging with WMI’s key supporters.
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Valley Health System welcomed two Scholar Ambassadors.
These medical professionals, committed to advancing healthcare access and equity in their home countries, participated in a professional shadowing experience at The Valley Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. This unique opportunity connected the Ambassadors with seasoned medical practitioners to learn about advanced technologies as well as foster professional exchange, skills transfer, and cross-cultural understanding.
Nicole Baker, Executive Director of WMI, shared: “The two Scholar Ambassadors coming to Valley are leaders who are transforming healthcare in their nations of Zimbabwe and Ghana.
Thanks to our partnership with Valley Health System, they will gain new insights and connections to bring back to their communities, multiplying the impact of their work.”
“Our team at Valley Health System is pleased to have met and supported these global medical professionals,” said Robert Brenner, MD, MMM, FACHE, President and CEO of Valley Health
System. “Through education and networking, we have the opportunity to share knowledge that not only strengthens the individual healthcare professionals but the global healthcare
community.”
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing health and education worldwide, ensuring that talented leaders have the tools, experiences, and networks they need to create lasting change.
About Valley Health System
Valley Health System is a regional healthcare system serving the communities of northern New Jersey and southern New York. The system Is comprised of The Valley Hospital, Valley Home Care, and Valley Medical Group. Valley Health System offers comprehensive, coordinated inpatient and outpatient programs and services to provide high-quality clinical outcomes.
About WMI
Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) is a nonprofit organization that advances access to university education, predominantly in Africa, and continues lifelong investments in exceptional scholars and alumni through start-up funding and leadership development as they innovate and lead social change. Since 2005, WMI has supported more than 900 scholars in over 50 countries, empowering them to drive local change and global impact. For more information or to get involved, visit www.wellsmountaininitiative.org.
Photo caption (left to right): Puneeta Sharma, MD, MHCM, CPE, Chief Medical Officer, Valley Medical Group; Dr. Isaac Yeboah, Medical Doctor, WMI Alum; Dr. Onesai Chiguvare, Medical Doctor, WMI Alum; Paul Valestra, MD, pulmonary and critical care medicine, Valley Medical Group; Karteek Bhavsar, MHA, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Valley Health System; and David Bohan, Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, The Valley Hospital Foundation.