Nathan Smith
Dr. Nathan Smith, Chairman of the Board, is a post graduate researcher and consultant that works with nonprofits, churches and low income schools around the world to develop sustainable strategies for restoration and transformation. As a part of his dissertation research he developed a process for engaging change that has the capacity to be applied across contexts and need, providing a platform for unity and collaboration where dysfunction and divisiveness were formerly present. Nathan has served on several boards of directors over the years and is excited to bring his expertise and enthusiasm to Hands On Peru. .
Erick Kauffman
Eric received his medical degree and Masters of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997 and completed his training in family practice in 2000 at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He came to Neighborhood Family Practice, a Community Health Center to fulfill his service commitment with the National Health Service Corps. Dr. Kauffman has made his career at Neighborhood Family Practice and was appointed the Chief Medical Officer in 2013.
Under his leadership, the health center has grown in both size and scope and presently serves over 22,000 patients at 6 offices. NFP strives to provide a comprehensive primary care experience for its patients and in the past 5 years added a dental clinic, a pharmacy, lactation services and Medically Assisted Treatment (maintenance treatment for Opioid addiction). NFP has a large Behavioral Health department including adult and child psychiatry. NFP has a growing midwifery service that is integrated with our family practice care and lactation team. NFP also performs health screening for newly arriving refugees and cares for a growing population of refugees from around the world. NFP is proud of the quality and breadth of services that it provides to all patients regardless of their insurance or economic status.
Mary Katherine Devane
Mary Katherine DeVane brings over a decade of experience across healthcare, life sciences, and executive leadership to the Hands on Peru Board of Directors. She currently consults for a venture capital firm backing early-stage biotech and pharmaceutical companies advancing innovative therapies. Previously, she coached pharmaceutical and biotech executives and key opinion leaders on high-impact communications, and earlier in her career managed a multi-site medical practice and clinical laboratory. Mary Katherine holds an MBA and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Pfeiffer University and a B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience from UNC Wilmington. A lifelong volunteer who has served communities around the world, she was introduced to Hands on Peru through founder Katie Baric.
“Hands on Peru reflects what global health should look like at its best — building lasting infrastructure, empowering local communities, and emphasizing equitable preventive care opportunities. I’m honored to support a mission that is centered in the community and invests in long-term well-being.”
Carlyn Harris
Carlyn Harris, MD, MPH is an Internal Medicine–Primary Care resident physician at the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned her MD from Emory University School of Medicine and received her Master of Public Health from the University of Edinburgh as a Rotary International Global Grant Scholar. Her global health work has included hantavirus research in Panama as a Fulbright Scholar, as well as HIV prevention research in Lima, Peru. During residency, Carlyn also spends two months studying tropical medicine in Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon.
Carlyn’s academic interests include infectious disease epidemiology, sexual health, HIV prevention, tropical medicine, and community-based medicine and research. She is passionate about advancing health equity and reducing barriers to healthcare access. Carlyn first learned about Hands on Peru and CESAPU through her husband, who is from Huanchaco. As a physician, she is inspired by Hands on Peru’s integrative approach to improving health through primary care, nutrition education, public health initiatives, and women’s economic empowerment. She is excited to be part of the Hands on Peru team and to contribute to work that promotes accessible, community-centered healthcare and meaningful global health partnerships.