Dr. Mesfin Tessema

Biography

Mesfin Teklu Tessema serves as Head of the Health Unit at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), leading IRC’s efforts in diverse areas of health programming and policy. With 25 years of experience in public health, nutrition, and humanitarian affairs, he brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Before joining IRC in 2017, he held significant leadership positions in international humanitarian organizations, notably serving as the Global Health Lead at World Vision International and concurrently as the Director of the Geneva office for World Vision International. He also worked as a Senior Nutritionist at Save the Children and is a medical doctor who practiced medicine in both public and private healthcare settings in Ethiopia. He currently holds the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University, while being affiliated with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Humanitarian Health. Dr. Tessema is an active contributor to global health initiatives, having served on the Gavi Vaccine Alliance Partnership Team, COVAX leadership group, and the funding committee for Elrha’s Research on Health in Humanitarian Crises.

Research Interests