StITCH: Transforming Hepatitis Care Through Shared Partnership and Leadership

In this dynamic three-way dialogue, representatives from Harvard Medical School Program in Global Primary Health Care, the University of the Philippines Manila, and the Yellow Warriors Society of the Philippines (YWSP) share the story of StITCH, a multi-sectoral partnership to deliver primary health care for people living with hepatitis, rooted in person-centeredness, shared leadership, and community empowerment. Through an evolving collaboration, StITCH has demonstrated how research, project implementation, and advocacy can be co-created with the very people most affected and provide benefits for all involved. More than a project, it is a sustained effort to shift power, build trust, and embed meaningful engagement within the health system. As we reflect on its creation, impact, and future, we invite you to see what’s possible when academia, healthcare providers, and people with lived experience come together—not just to improve hepatitis care, but to transform how partnerships in health are built and sustained.

This event is free and open to the public. 

Register

About the Speakers

Beth Holt, MD, MPH

Associate Director of Health Systems, Global Primary Health Care

Dr. Beth Holt, MD, MPH is the Global Primary Health Care Associate Director of Health Systems at the HMS Center for Primary Care. Within the program she currently leads the co-design and implementation of Strengthening the Integrated Treatment and Care of Hepatitis (STITCH), a primary care system strengthening program to design and scale up a new person-centered model of care within Vietnam and the Philippines from 2022 to 2026. With over 7 years in the health and social impact sectors, she brings a multi-disciplinary perspective as an Australian-trained medical doctor, applying her experience as a clinician, researcher, and consultant in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific to reduce health disparities. Dr. Holt’s academic focus is on strengthening health systems through implementation science, community partnership, and participatory research.

Jhaki Mendoza, MA

University of the Philippines

Jhaki Mendoza, MA is a medical anthropologist specializing in chronic conditions and people-centered healthcare. She has led the Patient Journey Mapping research component of StITCH Philippines, with recent research co-produced alongside the Yellow Warriors Society Philippines. Jhaki has worked on mixed-method studies exploring the lived experiences of individuals with chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, collaborating with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UCSI University in Malaysia and Duke University in China. She has also been involved in works related to early childhood care development, nutrition and food security. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of the Philippines Diliman and an MA in Medical Anthropology from the University of the Philippines Manila. Her research integrates qualitative and participatory approaches to improve health systems, particularly for socio-economically disadvantaged communities.

Diana Rose De Silva

Auditor of Yellow Warrior Society Philippines

Diana Rose De Silva is a patient advocate and researcher based in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the International Electronics and Technical Institute, Alabang Campus Metro Manila, Philippines. Since 2019, Diana has been a national officer and advocate for the Yellow Warriors Society Philippines, a patient support and advocacy group for Filipinos living with hepatitis B and C. Diana also serves as one of the patient leaders for the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, a national coalition of patient support groups in the Philippines. She has represented the voice of people with lived experience at international forums, including the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, and the APAC Liver Disease Alliance Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. Currently, she works as a part-time research assistant at the StITCH project, contributing to the development of a patient-centered primary care strengthening model for hepatitis in the Philippines.

About the Global Health Coffee Sessions Event Series

The HGHI Coffee Sessions Virtual Series takes place on the last Friday of each month from 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Eastern Time. Showcasing global health researchers and practitioners from Harvard and beyond, this series aims to explore the role of partnership and collaboration when working to advance global health equity. A diverse range of topics will be covered; including climate change and health, global health security, mental healthcare, reproductive healthcare access, financing and governance for global health, healthcare in conflict areas, digital health, and more. This series will take place online over Zoom, and all sessions will be recorded and available on our YouTube Channel.

Through our events and programs, the Harvard Global Health Institute provides a platform for different perspectives and debates within the field of global health through a variety of media. The views expressed in these events and programs are solely those of the speakers, authors, researchers, and participating audience. As such, they do not speak for the Institute or the university.