Meet the Team

MTIMA was humbly founded in 2013 by Dr. David McCarty with a singular vision and mission: to create a lasting impact in heart care in Malawi. We inspire others to answer this call to action, relying entirely on the passion and dedication of volunteers to sustain meaningful, long-term change.

Our organization is powered by a committed team of volunteers—clinicians, educators, and organizers—who freely give their time to strengthen heart health services in Malawi. Our primary focus is on teaching, mentorship, and building quality systems, enabling local healthcare teams to continue providing improved care well into the future.

As an all-volunteer organization, every hour contributed is given freely, not billed. This ensures that your support directly funds training, essential tools, and practical systems that empower Malawian clinicians to care for their patients confidently. With skilled hands and full hearts, our volunteers teach today and build capacity for tomorrow.

Our Team

  • Marcello Na

    Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

    Marcello Na is the co-founder of MTIMA, and currently the Director at Cardiac Care North York, while continuing his skills and knowledge in cardiac sonography. He is dedicated to advancing sonography education and standards. Marcello leverages his expertise in health informatics to support and improve global health services. At MTIMA, he actively contributes to initiatives designed to enhance healthcare access and quality nationwide.

  • Dr. David McCarty

    Chief Medical Officer & Co-Founder

    Dr. David McCarty, formerly of Western University and the Echocardiography lab at London Health Sciences Centre, is deeply committed to advancing cardiovascular healthcare in developing nations. Presently in Malawi, he works tirelessly to raise local healthcare standards and educate the community. His efforts are a testament to his vision and mission, which align perfectly with MTIMA's goal of enhancing cardiovascular services in underserved regions.

  • Dr. Carlos Fernando

    Chief Operating Officer

    Carlos Fernando, serving as a clinical research manager at Unity Health Toronto and the managing director at Medicus MFC Inc., brings a unique blend of medical, business management, and research expertise. This skill set has been instrumental in advancing MTIMA's mission, particularly in healthcare operations and organizational efficiency. His dedication to streamlining healthcare processes and business acumen has been a key factor in amplifying MTIMA's effectiveness and impact.

  • Dr. Karim Taha

    Chief Financial Officer & Co-Founder

    Dr. Karim Taha, an interventional cardiologist and advocate for global healthcare equality, co-founded MTIMA after volunteering in Malawi. He leads fundraising efforts and coordinates crucial medical equipment donations from Canadian hospitals to Blantyre's Queen Elizabeth II Hospital. Karim is trying his best to bring basic cardiac services to one of the most underprivileged regions in the world.

Gabriel Ho

  • Gabriel, a cardiac sonographer at Sunnybrook Health Sciences, enhances MTIMA's outreach and academic programs through his expertise in social media and education. His efforts boost MTIMA's online presence and public awareness, introducing innovative strategies for the organization's growth and development.

Joseph Beka

  • Joseph Beka, from Blantyre, Malawi, holds a Diploma in IT System Support and an Advanced Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation and is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Procurement and Supply Chain Management. As MTIMA Malawi's Onsite Logistics Director, he coordinates mission efforts and supports local initiatives.

Jacob Hammer

  • Jacob Hammer, CPA, CA, applies his extensive experience in audit, M&A, and tax strategy to enhance MTIMA's mission through strategic financial guidance. As a seasoned finance leader at Russell Reynolds Associates and former VP at Kilberry, he aligns MTIMA’s financial operations with their vision, fostering growth and sustainability.

Marleigh Connolly

  • Marleigh, a registered cardiac sonographer with a background in acute care nursing and kinesiology, is part of MTIMA's social media and education team, dedicated to expanding MTIMA's impact and advancing global cardiac health equality.

Annu Dhaliwal

  • Annu, a skilled Cardiac Sonographer with a Health Science degree, brings six years of experience as a Cardiology Technologist. She actively supports MTIMA’s Quality Assurance and LinkedIn efforts, combining her expertise with a passion for advancing global cardiovascular care. Born in Penticton, she’s committed to making a meaningful impact.

Dr. Michael Hammer

  • Dr. Michael Hammer, a Cardiologist and co-director at North York General Hospital, serves as an educator at MTIMA. Trained at the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, he specializes in cardiac imaging, valvular heart disease, and heart failure. His expertise supports MTIMA's mission to elevate cardiac care education in Malawi.

Sherin Anton

  • Sherin is a registered cardiac sonographer with a strong background in kinesiology and health science. As a dedicated member of the education and social media team, her goal is to provide comprehensive educational resources aimed at enhancing the standards of cardiac care within disadvantaged communities, leveraging her expertise to make a meaningful impact on public health.

Sara Jajoueimoghaddam

  • Sara holds distinguished degrees in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) and Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography from Mohawk College, Canada. She is passionately dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health in African countries through her extensive volunteer work with MTIMA, where she actively contributes her expertise to improve medical care and education.

Dr. Keith Kwok

  • Dr. Keith Kwok, a seasoned cardiologist from North York, Ontario, is dedicated to advancing global cardiovascular care. Actively involved with MTIMA, he shares his expertise through teaching and mentoring, contributing to medical missions that empower local healthcare professionals in underserved communities.

Victoria Lee

  • Victoria is a dedicated cardiac sonographer who has a passion for global health and driving positive change. Her main role at MTIMA revolves around social media and education. In the future, she hopes to contribute to medical missions and help communities worldwide.

Rianne de Bruin-Bon

  • Rianne, an adept sonographer and researcher at Amsterdam UMC, has been invited to collaborate with MTIMA. Her role involves working alongside the team to deliver quality, accessible education to healthcare practitioners in Malawi. Her experience and expertise are vital in enriching the educational aspects of MTIMA's mission.

Dr. Rishi Bhargava

  • Dr. Rishi Bhargava, a specialist in Cardiology, leverages his extensive background and leadership skills to enhance healthcare training programs for Malawian healthcare professionals. With roles at Lakeridge Health and a fellowship from the University of Arizona, he contributes valuable expertise to improve medical education standards in Malawi.