Global health canvas
Meet The Team

Bahar Hassantabar
Hey there! I'm Bahar, a midwife and international health specialist from Iran. I've worked in public and women's health in different settings like clinics, communities, and also in midwifery research and education. So, what's my favorite part? I'd say I enjoy looking ahead. I value and enjoy being in touch with humans, but I'm all about finding practical ways to make life better for everyone on our planet. I pursued my master's in international health at Charité with this goal in mind. It's important for us to connect and think globally because, well, we're all interconnected. I 've experienced immigration to Canada and Germany—two amazing places—but adapting to immigrant life wasn't easy. Through the highs and lows, I've learned I'm not alone. For me, global health is like a canvas where we paint possible solutions. It's educational, good for our mental well-being, inclusive, and yes, it's vibrant and exciting! Oh, and by the way, I speak Persian and English fluently, and I'm working on my German, French, and Arabic skills.

Angel Phuti
Hey there! I am Angel. I was born in Botswana and did a lot of growing up in South Africa. Currently based in Germany- Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin where I work as a Research Associate and assistant coordinator for the MScIH programme. My focus areas are Sexual and Reproductive Health, women’s’ health, child and adolescent health, mental health and quality of life outcomes.
Once, someone asked me why are you so much into art? My answer was ‘because its life, everything about us is art, we look around us there is art, in fact, we are all artists in our own way, even ourselves we are living versions of sculptures and statues constantly in motion 😉’. Expressed in many ways, in each form comes its interpretation and messages. This being part of health is a much-needed specialty. Patients’ and health workers expression via art has great potential in understanding not only their physical states but also their socio-emotional statuses and care needed. Settings where language and communication barriers exist in all population groups, this is the best way to go!
With contact with different contexts, I have a multi-linguistic background and currently speak English, Tswana, Kalanga (from Botswana), Ndebele (Zimbabwe), Xhosa (South Africa), German (Germany) and can fairly converse with Pedi, Sotho, Zulu (South Africa) native speakers. I had taken some moments to express myself through painting and writing in various languages. This has been my way of life in moments of stress, grief, loses and happy times.

Ramin Rahil
Hey there! I'm Ramin, a doctor from Pakistan, and while my professional journey has always revolved around medicine and patient care, I stumbled upon a delightful surprise during the challenging times of Covid – painting! Especially dabbling in acrylic on canvas, it's become my go-to therapy. Before this, I wasn't much into art, but there's something truly magical about how it lets me express myself. Currently, I am in Germany pursuing my Masters in International Health at Charite, and diving even deeper into the world of health. I've come to strongly believe in the beautiful link between art and health. Painting isn't just about colors and strokes, it's a powerful tool for emotional release, stress relief, and a bit of soul-searching too. And hey, the benefits are real – better moods, tougher coping skills, and a stronger spirit. That's why I'm all in with the Global Health Canvas, spreading the message that art and health go hand in hand, bringing healing and unity in the most beautiful ways possible!

Chinenye Benjamin
Hi, this is Chi I am an international health specialist from Nigeria. My professional experience so far has been with the hard-to-reach and vulnerable population both in Nigeria and South Africa. Currently I live in Germany as an immigrant, it’s been almost 2 years but I am yet to speak German fluently . One reason I chose to talk about my struggle with German language is because language is a major part of culture and struggling with it gives a glimpse of what immigration feels like and I am sure a lot of immigrants have quite a story to share and hopefully GHC can be a platform to share our personal experience and perspectives on immigration through painting and writing. For someone who enjoys awkward silence and solitude, I am excited to start this journey with GHC to pour out my unexpressed beautiful emotions I bottle up inside.

Elham Mozafarian Pour
Hi there! I'm Elham Mozafarian Pour. Originally from Iran, I'm currently living in Berlin, Germany. I have work experience as a Patient Manager, Safety Coordinator, and Research Assistant at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, studying PTSD in children. I also worked as a Public Health Nurse in Tehran, Iran, where I taught people about staying healthy and preventing diseases. I have a Master's degree in International Public Health/International Health and Epidemiology. I love taking on global health challenges and finding ways to solve them. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, playing the violin, reading books, cooking healthy meals, and helping out at local health centers.
I speak Persian, Arabic, and English fluently, and I'm currently learning German. I'm really interested in the Global Health Canvas program, which uses art to promote mental well-being. Let's work together to make healthcare better! I'm excited to connect with you!

Duaa Rao
Hey all! I’m Duaa, a medical doctor from Pakistan, and currently, I am pursuing a Masters in International Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin in the beautiful city of Berlin. My professional experience so far has revolved around reproductive and sexual health, where I endeavored to empower the health status of women in disadvantaged communities. While I loved giving care to these women, it also made me understand the health disparities and inequities they face and thus led me into the world of Global Health. So how is art linked to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)? Art and painting have been powerful mediums through which these rights have been expressed, advocated for, and explored over decades. Art has the ability to confront stigma and taboos surrounding sexuality and reproduction and can further offer insights into the cultural and historical contexts of SRHR.
This is exactly what I am hoping to achieve through this platform: Exploring themes such as menstruation, safe contraception, fertility, sexual pleasure, and body autonomy and depicting these topics in a respectful and empowering manner. I am excited to start this artistic journey full of colors with Global Health Canvas where I can engage and provoke discussions, educate audiences, and inspire action towards achieving SRHR for all.

Siham Arbab
"Hello, I am Siham Arbab. I am an international health specialist from Sudan, currently living in Berlin, Germany.
I speak Arabic and English fluently, and I am still working on improving my German language skills.
My experience thus far has primarily involved working with marginalized populations who are more exposed to health challenges in Sudan.
Moving from Sudan to Germany was an amazing experience that has enriched my life with new experiences. I have adapted myself to a completely different culture, language, and system.
I am very glad to be a part of the Global Health Canvas team, which aims to address global health issues through art. By collaborating together, we can achieve better health outcomes for our communities.
In my perspective, Canvas can also contribute to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs)."

Hello all :)
I'm Hala, a medical doctor specializing in Psychiatry in Yemen, and holding a master's degree in International Health from Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin. I speak fluent Arabic, English, and am still working on improving my German & Spanish.
Throughout my many years of clinical practice in mental health care in rural & urban areas in Yemen, I have realized how much we need to improve our mental health in various aspects. Once I came to Germany, I faced more challenges like any other immigrant, but as usual, I found the common language ever, which could connect people to each other, a bridge of cultural differences, a powerful outlet for expressing complex emotions, fostering empathy and understanding across communities. Yes.. It's "Art". Through its diverse forms (painting, writing, playing music, etc.), Art can heal the emotional scars of migration, making it an invaluable tool for supporting mental well-being in diverse societies.
Engaging with art can act as a form of mental self-care, helping individuals to navigate their feelings and find solace in shared human experiences, and this is what I find in Global Health Canvas."
These adjustments mainly involve formatting, punctuation, and minor grammatical tweaks to improve readability. Overall, the message remains clear and impactful.

Hanan Ahmed
Hello/ Salam :)
This is Hanan, a dentist from Yemen, and holding a master's degree in International Health from Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin. I speak fluent Arabic, English, and intermediate German and still working on my Spanish.
My daily work revolves around precision and care. I spend my days meticulously crafting smiles, restoring confidence, and alleviating pain. It's a profession that demands technical skill and scientific knowledge, but for me, it's also an art form.
My fascination with creation began at an early age. Whether it was watching the sunrise paint the sky with its vibrant hues or marveling at the intricate details of a sculpture, I've always found solace and inspiration in the natural world.
For me, painting and sculpture are not just a hobby or a pastime; it's a way of life. It's a lens through which I view the world, finding beauty in the most unexpected places and inspiration in the simplest of moments, which is the essence of Global Health Canvas.

Sidra Masroor
Hello there! My name is Sidra, and I am a pharmacist and international health enthusiast from Pakistan. Choosing to study abroad was a challenging decision for me, but I took it on to fulfill my dream of exploring the world of health and medicine. Currently, I am pursuing my Masters at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, one of the most renowned medical institutions in Europe.
During my time here, I have had the privilege of meeting an incredible group of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. My experience has taught me that communication is the key to overcoming barriers and challenges in life. I have learned to appreciate the value of cross-cultural communication and collaboration, which has broadened my perspective and helped me become a better healthcare professional.
As a passionate advocate for health and medicine, I have joined the Health Global Canvas team to spread awareness about important health issues using visual communication. I believe that art has the power to transcend language barriers and cultural divides, and that it can be an effective tool to engage people and inspire them to take action. By leveraging the power of art, I hope to make a meaningful contribution to the global health community and inspire positive change.