Cindy Johnson Breilh to lead U.S. Programs division with focus on strengthening Mobile Dental Program

Portland/Seattle—Medical Teams International kicks off National Dental Hygiene Month with new leadership: Cindy Johnson Breilh will lead the U.S. Programs division, continuing to strengthen the Mobile Dental Program and leading an expansion of the U.S. Mobile Health Programs.

Dental care is one of the top unmet health care needs for low-income families across Oregon and Washington. Medical Teams International’s Mobile Dental Program served over 20,000 Oregon and Washington residents in need in 2017, serving primarily children (41 percent of patients) and low-income residents (38 percent of patients).

“This reorganization means more people in the Pacific Northwest will have access to essential medical care, improving their lives in a tangible way with our Mobile Dental Program,” said Martha Holley Newsome, Medical Teams International president and CEO. “We’re thrilled to have Cindy at the helm of this critical area of our lifesaving work.”

Breilh joined Medical Teams in 2015 as Director of Advancement, leading the Resource Development Team and supporting both U.S. and global programs. Her significant nonprofit, health care, management and fundraising background, coupled with her experience living and working in Africa make her uniquely qualified for the position.

“I’m passionate about serving those with unmet urgent health issues and greatly look forward to expanding Medical Teams’ footprint in order to meet a critical need,” Breilh said. “I also look forward to engaging even more with our incredible volunteers.”

The Mobile Dental Program currently utilizes 11 mobile clinics with the help of more than 700 volunteers, providing an estimated value of $6.4 million in services.

“Without this van, my quality of life would be nothing,” Mobile Dental patient, Tina, said. “I hope others appreciate it as much as I do. People don’t realize the difficulty of rotting teeth until they go through it: horrendous pain, not being able to eat, embarrassed in public to smile.”

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, around the world and in the United States. Daring to love like Jesus, we serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race—because every person, no matter where they are or how desperate their situation, matters.