Christine is focused on driving systemic change across CF communities through non-profit work as well as creative activations. The mission across MECFA—which currently includes over 250 members and covers 14 countries—is united behind the deeply held belief that compassion and dedication can change the lives of CF patients.

​

Christine has dedicated her life’s work to advancing CF care in developing countries. She is the former Executive Director for CF Worldwide where she spent 14 years focused on developing CF care in some of the poorest countries in the world. Now living in Turkey, she has married her passion for helping people with CF with her love of the region and founded MECFA.

Sebnem is the Executive Assistant at MECFA working closely with the Executive Board and Medical and Scientific Committee.  As executive assistant Sebnem responsible for providing comprehensive support to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Team and managing the organization’s office operations, including working remotely with MECFA member clinicians on mutiple projects. Sebnem support MECFA with her ability to anticipate needs, think critically, and offer solutions to problems with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. 

Prof. Hussein Al Kindy is a founding member of MECFA and Director of the Pulmonology Department and CF Center at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. Hussein was one of the first Middle East Pulmonologist to focus on cystic fibrosis and its prevalence in Oman and the region. Working with the Oman Respiratory Society, Hussein organized the first MECFA annual conference in Muscat Oman. Hussein has recently taken on a new role at MECFA chairing the humanitarian relief committee and leading the Giving Breath Campaign.

Prof. Bulent Karadag is a founding member of MECFA and a leading CF specialist in Turkey. He is also the chairman of the MECFA Education program, organizing two MECFA annual conferences in Turkey. He is the director of the Marmara Pulmonology Department and CF Center. Through his and his team's hard work and commitment, they have created a CF center striving to meet international standards of care. Bulent is leading the MaMi project, a pilot program between Marmara CF Center and the Michigan CF Center to develop a state-of-the-art CF Center and education hub in Turkey.

Prof. Ibrahim Janahi is a founding member of MECFA and Director of Pediatric Pulmonology and the CF Center at Sidra Hospital in Doha, Qatar. Ibrahim is chair of the MECFA research committee and actively involved in CF research in Qatar.  Ibrahim plays an important role in creating a network between Qatar corporate sponsors and MECFA. Ibrahim and his network are working with MECFA to lobby the Palestine MoH to ensure patients receive essential therapies. He is spearheading the MECFA research grants program and actively seeks to have MENA CF patients enrolled in clinical trials.  

​Pediatric pulmonologist and CF specialist in Jordan, leading the QI project with Harvard at Prince Hamzah hospital in Amman, establishing the first state CF Center in Jordan,  and acting on behalf of the MOH to bring in CF medications and therapies to Jordan. Dr Kilani is also taking part in evaluating the MECFA diagnostic program. Dr Kilani has a strategic role in lobbying the Jordan MOH for care and therapies for patients across the country and contributed to the Giving Breath Campaign to donate nebulizers to 100 CF patients in Jordan. 

Jill is currently Vice President of Product Management at an e-commerce fashion marketplace start-up. In addition to her background in product management, Jill has worked at a non-profit organization and has experience in pharmaceutical grant management and administration of continuing medical educational programs. Her entry into the Cystic Fibrosis world began as a college intern for Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide, supporting content development and editorial functions for its newsletter and assisting at annual international conferences.

As secretary of the executive board, Jill oversees relationships with banking and consultants managing MECFA state and federal filings, and supervises all financial transactions. Jill also plays a role in program development advising the executive team and staff on administrative and business development.

Dr Nisreen Rumman is a founding member of MECFA and the leading CF specialist in Palestine. Through her years of dedication and commitment to CF patients in the West Bank and Gaza, she has been able to create a CF Center in the Caritas Baby Hospital staffed with a well trained CF interdisciplinary team. She has visited Gaza CF patients and is working to establish a CF team at the Gaza state funded pediatric hospital. Nisreen is actively lobbying the MoH for essential therapies in collaboration with MECFA.